Helmut Leicht

Updated on Dec 09, 2023

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Allegiance Nazi Germany Name Helmut Leicht Rank Major		Years of service 1936–45 Service/branch Luftwaffe
Commands held II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 III./Schlachtgeschwader 10 Battles/wars World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of Belgium Battle of France Battle of Britain Operation Barbarossa Siege of Sevastopol (1941-1942) Battle of Stalingrad Battle of Kursk Operation Bagration Vitebsk–Orsha Offensive † Died June 26, 1944, Vitebsk, Belarus Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Invasion of Poland, Battle of Belgium Unit Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Schlachtgeschwader 10

Helmut Leicht (2 November 1916 – 26 June 1944) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. 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. Helmut Leicht was listed as missing in action as of 26 June 1944 after a flight near Vitebsk, Belarus. He was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 24 October 1944. During his career he flew 900 flights.