Wilhelm Mayer (fighter pilot)

Updated on Jan 14, 2024

Edit

Comment

Allegiance Nazi Germany Unit Jagdgeschwader 26 Service/branch Luftwaffe		Years of service ?–1945 Rank Leutnant
Battles/wars World War II Operation Donnerkeil Dieppe Raid Defense of the Reich Operation Market Garden Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died 4 January 1945, Emsland, Germany Award Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars World War II, Operation Donnerkeil, Dieppe Raid, Defence of the Reich, Operation Market Garden

Wilhelm Mayer (5 December 1917 – 4 January 1945) 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. On 4 January 1945, Wilhelm Mayer was killed after being ambushed by RAF Spitfires near Emsland, Nazi Germany. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 12 March 1945. During his career he was credited with 27 aerial victories, all on the Western Front.

Awards

Flugzeugführerabzeichen

Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe

Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (31 March 1944)

Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class

1st Class

German Cross in Gold on 16 April 1944 as Feldwebel in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 27

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 March 1945 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"

References

Wilhelm Mayer (fighter pilot) Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA