Allegiance Nazi Germany Rank Hauptmann Commands held 10./JG 51, III./JG 11 | Service/branch Heer, Luftwaffe Unit JG 51, JG 11 Name Horst-Gunther Fassong | |
Born 27 April 1919
Kassel ( 1919-04-27 ) Died 1 January 1945(1945-01-01) (aged 25)
near Maastricht, Netherlands | ||
Hauptmann Horst-Gunther von Fassong (born 27 April 1919 in Kassel – MIA 1 January 1945) was a German World War II Luftwaffe Flying ace. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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Career
Horst-Gunther von Fassong participated in Operation Bodenplatte and was last seen on 1 January 1945 engaged in aerial combat near Maastricht. Unteroffizier Armin Mehling, Von Fassong's wingman, reported that Von Fassong was shot down by two P-47 Thunderbolts over Asch flying a Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-8 (Werknummer 682 792—factory number). The flight was flying at a height of 15 to 20 metres (49 to 66 ft) when they were pounced upon by six P-47s. Von Fassong's aircraft was hit and burned immediately. The aircraft crashed in a big ball of flames.