Franz Kieslich

Updated on Dec 07, 2023

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Allegiance Nazi Germany Commands held III./SG 77 Name Franz Kieslich Service/branch Luftwaffe		Years of service 1935–1945 1956–1969 Other work Police officer Died 2012

Rank Major (Wehrmacht) Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr) Battles/wars World War II Annexation of Austria Annexation of the Sudetenland Battle of France Invasion of Yugoslavia Operation Barbarossa Battle of Smolensk (1941) Battle of Kiev (1941) Siege of Sevastopol (1941–1942) Siege of Leningrad Battle of Stalingrad Crimean Offensive Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Anschluss, Battle of France Unit Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Schlachtgeschwader 77

Franz Kieslich (17 March 1913 – 31 August 2012) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career, Franz Kieslich was credited with flying 1078 missions, sinking 10 ships totaling 23,000 BRT, a destroyer and a submarine.

Awards

Aviator badge (22 February 1937)

Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000"

Anschluss Medal (16 December 1938)

Sudetenland Medal (1 October 1939)

Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class (5 May 1941)

1st Class (10 August 1941)

Wound Badge (1939)

in Black (18 May 1944)

Eastern Front Medal (13 August 1942)

Crimea Shield (15 March 1943)

German Cross in Gold on 10 July 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross on 5 January 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitan of the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77

619th Oak Leaves on 10 October 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 77

References

Franz Kieslich Wikipedia

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