Münster, Leopold (Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet")
- Date of birth:
- December 13th, 1920 (Pohorsch-Hochheim bei Odrau)
- Date of death:
- May 8th, 1944 (Hildesheim, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
Pilot credited with 95 aerial victories achieved in over 500 combat missions, including 70 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 25 victories over the Western Allies, including eight four-engined bombers.
07.01.1939: joined the Luftwaffe
00.02.1939: recruit training, Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 43, Ingolstadt
01.04.1939: airfield staff, Leipheim
01.06.1939: flight school at Crailsheim
01.10.1940: promoted to Gefreiter, Flugzeugführer
00.03.1941: Jagdgeschwader 3 'Udet'
06.07.1941: first aerial victory
21.12.1942: promoted to Leutnant and awarded the RK for his 51st victory and 322nd combat mission
00.10.1943: Staffelkapitän, 5. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 3 'Udet'
08.05.1944: KIA with Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6/U4 Werknummer 441.142 in a mid-air collision with a Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber and crashed near Wöllersheim, present-day part of Lamspringe, approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) south-southeast of Hildesheim
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Flugzeugführerabzeichen
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- June 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- July 24th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- September 7th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- December 16th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- May 26th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Feldwebel (Sergeant)
- Unit:
- Flugzeugführer
- Awarded on:
- September 13th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
- Unit:
- 4. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 3
- Awarded on:
- October 3rd, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Feldwebel (Sergeant)
- Unit:
- II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
- Awarded on:
- December 21st, 1942
“Feldwebel Münster is one of the most successful fighter pilots in the Gruppe. During the previous year’s fighting in Russia he shot down 12 enemy aircraft over the course of 124 sorties. He also destroyed 1 locomotive and 5 Russian aircraft on the ground whilst conducting interdiction attacks. During the subsequent operation against Malta he flew predominantly escort missions, and in this time he destroyed 1 Hurricane.
During the fighting in Russia this year [1942] Feldwebel Münster has raised his total of sorties to 322 and his total of aerial victories to 50. Most of these victories were achieved under extremely trying conditions.
His most successful day was on the 24.07.1942. On this day he flew 3 sorties as a Rottenführer and shot down 6 enemy aircraft during engagements with numerically superior hostile formations.
Feldwebel Münster has shown excellent leadership qualities as a Schwarm leader. He flies with calm and skill. During all attacks he demonstrates courage and resilience, and he has also shown himself to be an excellent trainer of the young pilots that have been entrusted to him.
His accomplished successes and proven bravery on the battlefield render Feldwebel Münster as a worthy candidate for the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”
Of Münster’s sortie total, 48 were flown against Malta and 274 against the Soviet Union.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
- Unit:
- 4. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
- Awarded on:
- May 12th, 1944
471st award
Sources
- Photo 1:
- Photo 2:
- - OBERMAIER, E., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe, Hoffmann, 1989.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht - BArch RH 7/296
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