Commands held 7./NJG 1I./NJG 3 | Years of service 1941–1945 Name Werner Husemann | |
Born 10 November 1919Schotmar/Lippe ( 1919-11-10 ) Battles/wars World War IIDefense of the Reich Died February 2, 2014, Bad Salzuflen, Germany | ||
Werner Husemann (10 November 1919 - 2 February 2014) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter 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. Husemann claimed 34 aerial victories—that is, 34 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—during World War II.
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Career
Husemann was born on 10 November 1919 in Schotmar/Lippe. He enlisted in the Luftwaffe in 1941 and served with a weather reconnaissance squadron. In late 1942 he transferred to the Stab (staff) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (the 1st Night Fighter Wing). He claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 17 to 18 August 1942. His victories had increased to 17 by the end of 1943, among them three British Avro Lancaster bombers shot down on the night of 25/26 June 1943. He was appointed Staffelkapitan (squadron commander) of the 7th squadron of NJG 1 on 1 October 1943. Husemann was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 24 October 1943, and the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 1 November 1943. The following January, he became commander of the I. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3—3rd Night Fighter Wing). Husemann was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 September 1944 after he had been credited with 30 aerial victories. By the war's end he had scored 34 victories in over 250 night combat missions. His last 13 victories were claimed with Oberfeldwebel Hans-Georg Schierholz as his wireless/radio operator.