Allegiance Nazi Germany Died 1944, Rennes, France Years of service ?–1944 Service/branch Luftwaffe | Commands held I./JG 11 Rank Hauptmann Name Siegfried Simsch | |
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Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Britain
Eastern Front
Defence of the Reich Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Battle of Britain, Eastern Front, Defence of the Reich, World War II Unit Jagdgeschwader 52, Jagdgeschwader 11 | ||
Siegfried Simsch (6 September 1913 – 8 June 1944) was a 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.
Despite being half Jewish, or Mischling under the Nuremberg Laws, Simsch enlisted in the Luftwaffe and served with distinction.
One the 1st of June 1944, he was appointed to Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 11 to replace Hans-Heinrich Koenig who was killed in action on the 24th of May. One week later, and two days after the Normandy landings Siegfried Simsch was shot down by a P-51 and killed on 8 June 1944 over Rennes, France. During his career he was credited with 54 or 95 aerial victories.