Allegiance Nazi Germany Commands held I./StG 2 Rank Major | Years of service 1934–44 Name Alwin Boerst Unit Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 | |
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Born 20 October 1910
Osterode ( 1910-10-20 ) Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Crete
Operation Barbarossa Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (posthumous) Died March 30, 1944, Iasi, Romania Battles and wars World War II, Battle of Crete, Operation Barbarossa Service/branch German Army (1934–1937), Luftwaffe (1937–1944) | ||
Major Alwin Boerst (born 20 October 1910 in Osterode – Killed in action 30 March 1944 near Iasi) was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Boerst participated in the Battle of Crete and assisted in the sinking of British destroyers Kelly and Kashmir.
Together with his radio operator and gunner, Ernst Filius, he took off on 30 March 1944 for the first time flying a Ju 87G-1. They were shot down and killed during this mission north of Iasi by ground fire. Oberfeldwebel Filius was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 May 1944. Boerst was posthumous honoured with the Swords to his Knight's Cross on 6 April 1944. Boerst flew 1060 combat missions.