| Otto Fönnekold | |
|---|---|
 Otto Fönnekold | |
| Born | 15 February 1920 |
| Died | August 31, 1944 (aged 24) |
| Place of birth | Hamburg |
| Place of death | Ssaß-Budak, Siebenbürgen |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1939 – 1944 |
| Rank | Hauptmann |
| Unit | JG 52 |
| Commands held | 5./JG 52 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Otto Fönnekold (15 February 1920 – 31 August 1944) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Fönnekold was credited with 136 aerial victories—that is, 136 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. All but three of his victories were claimed over the Soviet Air Forces in about 600 combat missions.[2]
Fönnekold claimed three United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) P-51 Mustang's on 31 August 1944. He was bounced on his landing approach at Ssaß-Budak by P-51 Mustang's. One of the .50 caliber projectiles penetrated his heart. Nevertheless he landed his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 (Werknnummer 441931—factory number) "black 9" before succumbing to his injury.[3]
Awards[]
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (9 August 1943)[3]
- German Cross in Gold on 16 August 1943 as Feldwebel in the 5./JG 52[4]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944 as Leutnant and pilot in the II./JG 52[5]
References[]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (in German). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939–1945 (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 3-87341-065-6.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941–1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 0-8041-1696-2.
External links[]
- "Jagdgeschwader 52". Otto Fönnekold. http://www.jg52.net/ritterkreuztraeger/otto-fonnekold/. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- Ssas Budak airfield 1944 by Georgiu Daniel http://www.holland.ro/ssas-budak-1944/Aerodromul-Sass-Budak-1944.pdf
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