Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Battles and wars World War II | Rank Leutnant Name Leo Schuhmacher Service/branch Luftwaffe | |
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Born 13 November 1914
Wiesental (Waghausel) ( 1914-11-13 ) Died February 13, 1997, Bruchsal, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Unit Zerstorergeschwader 76, Jagdgeschwader 1, Jagdverband 44 | ||
Leo Schuhmacher (13 November 1914 – 13 February 1997) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. Schuhmacher was credited with 23 aerial victories, including 10 four engined bombers, claimed in roughly 250 combat missions.
Schuhmacher claimed his first 4 aerial victories as an Oberfeldwebel in the 2./Zerstorergeschwader 76 in Norway. He served as a flight instructor from September 1940. He was transferred to the II./Jagdgeschwader 1 in the fall of 1943 fighting in the Defense of the Reich. Here he flew as wingman of Heinrich Bar. Schuhmacher had claimed 15 aerial victories by June 1944 and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after 22 victories. He transferred to Jagdverband 44 in March 1945 and claimed a final victory flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
On 26 April 1945 twelve Me 262 of JV 44 led by former General der Jagdflieger Adolf Galland took off to engage B-26 Marauders of the 17th Bombardment Group. Leo Schuhmacher flew his only sortie with JV 44 against B-26s that day. His cannons malfunctioned and he was forced to fly through the B-26 formation without firing a shot.