Hans Strelow

Hans Strelow (26 March 1922 – 22 May 1942) was a former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) 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. He received the award two days before his 20th birthday making him the youngest recipient of the Oak Leaves.

Strelow flew more than 200 missions, and was credited with 68 aerial victories.

To avoid capture by the Red Army Strelow committed suicide after he was shot down by a Petlyakov Pe-2 twin-engine bomber in Bf 109 F-2 "Black 10" (Werknummer 8239—factory number). He had made a forced landing 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) behind Soviet lines.

Awards

Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class (5 July 1941)

1st Class (14 September 1941)

Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 24 November 1941 as Leutnant and pilot

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross on 18 March 1942 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 5./JG 51 "Mölders"

84th Oak Leaves on 24 March 1942 as Leutnant and pilot in the 5./JG 51 "Mölders"

Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 June 1942