Tripti Joshi (Editor)

Karl Heinz Leesmann

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Allegiance
  
Nazi Germany

Commands held
  
I./JG 52 III./JG 1

Died
  
July 25, 1943, Heligoland

Rank
  
Major

Years of service
  
1936–43

Name
  
Karl-Heinz Leesmann

Service/branch
  
Luftwaffe

Battles/wars
  
World War II Battle of France Battle of Britain Operation Barbarossa Defense of the Reich

Awards
  
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Battles and wars
  
Battle of France, Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, Defence of the Reich, World War II

Unit
  
Jagdgeschwader 52, Jagdgeschwader 1

Karl-Heinz Leesmann (3 May 1915 – 25 July 1943) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Karl-Heinz Leesmann was shot down on 25 July 1943, by a B-17 bomber that he was attacking. During his career he was credited with 37 aerial victories, 27 on the Western Front and 10 on the Eastern Front.

Awards

  • Aviator badge
  • Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
  • Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (5 October 1940)
  • Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
  • Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 July 1941 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitan of the 2./Jagdgeschwader 52
  • German Cross in Gold on 27 July 1942 as Hauptmann in the I./Jagdgeschwader 52

    • References

    Karl-Heinz Leesmann Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA