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Döring, Wilhelm "Willy" (Kampfgeschwader 53)

Date of birth:
October 2nd, 1918 (Nuremburg/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
August 3rd, 1955 (Nuremburg/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

00.10.1937: joined the Luftwaffe as an officer candidate, trained as a bomber observer
00.09.1940: assigned to Erg.Staffel, KG 53
00.03.1941: transferred to I. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor"
20.10.1941: Oberfeldwebel, awarded the Ehrenpokal
00.04.1942: flew supply missions into the Cholm and Demjansk pockets
17.06.1942: Oberfedlwebel, awarded the DKiG, 2./ KG 53
25.12.1942: Leutnant, WIA - He 111 H-16 coded 'A1+LK' shot down by fighters 15 km North West of Novo Sokolniki. - hospitalized until 02.43
00.02.1943: assigned to FFS C 21 - considered permanently unfit for frontline duty
19.02.1943: Leutnant, 2. Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 53, awarded Ritterkreuz on completion of 350 combat missions
00.03.1943-00.04.1944: transferred to IV./ KG 53 as an observer instructor
00.04.1944-00.06.1944: transferred to Navigationsschule der Luftwaffe as an instructor
00.06.1944: transferred to JG 104 as a navigation instructor
00.02.1945: transferred to II./ NJG 101 as a navigation instructor
Beobachter credited with 350 missions

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Awarded on:
October 20th, 1941
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Unit:
2. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 17th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
with pennant "300"
Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold mit Anhänger und einzatszahl
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 25th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
Beobachter, 2. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
February 19th, 1943
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 03.03.1943) describes why Döring received the Knight’s Cross…

“Leutnant Döring distinguished himself over the course of 350 sorties on all fronts. He was badly wounded while flying resupply runs to the encircled strongpoint of Velikiye Luki.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo