Willy Kientsch

Updated on Oct 31, 2023

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Nickname(s) "Willy" Years of service 1940–44 Service/branch Luftwaffe Unit Jagdgeschwader 27		Allegiance Nazi Germany Name Willy Kientsch Rank Oberleutnant

Battles/wars World War II North African Campaign Italian Campaign Defense of the Reich † Died January 29, 1944, Wurrich, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars World War II, North African Campaign, Italian Campaign, Defence of the Reich

Wilhelm "Willy" Kientsch (12 May 1921 – 29 January 1944) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was killed on 29 January 1944 when he became disorientated in Bf 109 G6 "Yellow 3" in a low cloud cover near Wurrich, Germany and struck the ground and was killed. Willy Kientsch claimed 53 victories all over the Western Front. He was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 20 July 1944.

Awards

Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (9 August 1943)

Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe

Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class

1st Class

German Cross in Gold on 16 August 1943 as Leutnant in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 27

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross on 22 November 1943 as Leutnant and Staffelfuhrer of the 6./Jagdgeschwader 27

527th Oak Leaves on 20 July 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitan of the 6./Jagdgeschwader 27

References

Willy Kientsch Wikipedia

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