Allegiance Nazi Germany Name Hans-Heinz Augenstein Rank Oberleutnant | Commands held 7./NJG 1 Service/branch Luftwaffe Unit Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 | |
Born 11 July 1921
Pforzheim, Germany ( 1921-07-11 ) Battles/wars World War II
Defense of the Reich † Died December 7, 1944, Munster, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars World War II, Defence of the Reich | ||
Hans-Heinz Augenstein (11 July 1921 – 7 December 1944) was a German Luftwaffe fighter and flying ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. Operating as a night fighter ace, he was credited with 46 victories, of which 45 were four-engine bombers.
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Career
Leutnant Augenstein first served with 3./NJG 1 during mid 1942. He claimed his first victory on the night of 31 July-1 August, a Vickers Wellington downed near Ahlhorn. In late 1942, Augenstein transferred to 7 staffel. He claimed four victories on 27–28 May. In March 1944 Augenstein was made Staffelkapitan of 12./NJG 1 and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944.
During 1944 Augenstein claimed 42 victories. On the night of 7 December 1944, Augenstein’s Bf 110 G-4 was shot down near Munster-Handorf by a Mosquito night fighter of the Fighter Interception Unit, flown by RAF ace F/L ER Hedgecoe DFC. Augenstein and his Bordfunker Gunther Steins were killed but his Bordschutze Uzz. Kurt Schmidt baled out unhurt.
Hans-Heinz Augenstein was credited with 46 victories, all recorded at night and including 45 four-engine bombers.