Grouping to Oberleutnant Hans Beißwenger, a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He served with the famous Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz" on the Eastern Front together with other well known fighter aces like Hans Philipp, Erich Rudorffer, Johannes Trautloft, Max-Hellmuth Ostermann and Walter Nowotny (Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds).
Beißwenger was credited with 152 victories in 500 missions, making him the 34th highest-scoring Luftwaffe fighter pilot of World War II. He was "ace-in-a-day" twice, shooting down five aircraft on a single day.
Beißwenger was trained in several flight schools before being transferred to 6./J.G.54 in October 1940. His unit was operating from airfields in France and the Netherlands at that time. J.G.54 was sent to the Balkan in March 1941 to take part in the Yugoslavian Campaign. After the start of the Russian Campaign in June 1941, Jagdgeschwader 54 was sent to Russia. Beißwenger was shot done the first time on 12.7.1941 behind the enemy lines, but managed to return to the own lines.
On 6.3.1943 - after 500 missions - his plane was hit in a dogfight with multiple Russian fighters. It was observed that his plane flew slowly in the direction of the own lines, but never arrived. Beißwenger was reported missing in action since that date.
This grouping is one of only 17 possible Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves groupings of Jagdgeschader 54.
Soldbuch
Beißwenger carried his Soldbuch from the first until the last day of his service time in World War II. It was issued on 2.9.1939 and contains entries until March 1943. He carried it with a brown paper cover which protected it well of the years. Removing it will show the original blue cover. His Soldbuch was not issued with a photograph so it is not missing. All pages are complete and in good condition. Exciting entries on his units and awards. All awards are listed on page 22. An extra page was attached to carry on with the list. The most important entries are of course "Ritterkreuz des eisernen Kreuzes, 9.5.1942" and "Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des eisernen Kreuzes, 30.9.1942".
It contains original signatures of Hauptmann Dietrich Hrabak (I./J.G.54, Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves) on page 3 and of Hauptmann Carl Sattig (6./J.G.54, Knight's Cross) on page 22.
Extremely rare Soldbuch in good condition 2.
Wehrpaß
Personal Wehrpaß issued on 13.5.1936. Original uniform photograph. Containing all award entries, promotions, units and campaign details. A perfect sours of research and of course an incredible rare document to find. All pages complete. Good condition 2.
Other documents
- Freiburg Airforce flying school flying license. Restricted to flying training planes (He-72, Fw-44, Bü-131). Yellow canvas. Two holes.
- Freiburg Airforce flying school flying license. Restricted to flying training planes (He-72, Fw-44, Bü-131, Ar-66, Go-154). Yellow canvas. Two holes.
- Freiburg Airforce temporary flying license (Militärflugzeuführer-Zwischenschein). Restricted to flying planes of Class A. Pink canvas. Two holes.
- Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein. 6.10.1939 isssued. Including an original photo. Good condition.
- Wehrmacht Drivers License. 5.10.1942 issued. Issued without a photograph. Nice condition.
Two replica photographs. One shows Beißwenger with other pilots of J.G.54. The other photo shows Beißwenger during the Knight's Cross award ceremony.
Two original postcards of Beißwenger. One with original ink signature. Nice condition.
Early March 1937 dated NSKK training document. His personal 1937 dated "Gestellungsbefehl" calling Beißwenger to Flak-Rgt.25. Original "Ehrenliste der Deutschen Luftwaffe" mentioning Beißwenger being awarded the German Cross in gold.
Most interesting group to one of the top "aces" of World War II. Extremely rare.
