1. Paul Semrau was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II.
11 Facts About Paul Semrau
1. 2.
Paul Semrau joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1936.
3.
In June 1940, Semrau transferred to the night fighter force where he was posted to I Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2.
4.
Paul Semrau was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 17 April 1945.
5.
Paul Semrau received the German Cross in Gold on 24 April 1942 and was promoted to Hauptmann on 1 June.
6.
Paul Semrau received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after 160 combat missions and 14 aerial victories on 7 October 1942.
7.
On 1 January 1944, Paul Semrau succeeded Major Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein of II.
8.
That night, Paul Semrau was credited with three aerial victories over unidentified four-engine bombers in the greater Ruhr area.
9.
The aircraft of Paul Semrau came down between Fliegerhorst Twente and Oldenzaal.
10.
Paul Semrau was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 17 April 1945.
11.
Paul Semrau was the 841st member of the German armed forces to be so honored.