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Stahlschmidt, Hans-Arnold 'Fiffi' (JG 27 'Afrika')

Date of birth:
September 15th, 1920 (Kreuztal/Westphalia, Germany)
Date of death:
September 7th, 1942 (west of El Alamein, Egypt)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Achieved a total of 59 aerial victories over the course of approx. 400 sorties.

01.1941: with 2./JG 27 'Afrika'
01.02.1941: promoted to Leutnant / A1
ca.04.1941: assigned to Stab I./ JG 27 on completion of fighter training
11.1941: in 3./JG 27
06.12.1941-02.1942: appointed Adjutant I./ JG 27
02.1942: transferred to 2./ JG 27
21.02.1942: Leutnant, Stab I./ JG27 unhurt when his Bf 109 F-4/Trop. was shot down SE of Gazala
26.02.1942: Leutnant, Stab I./ JG 27 MIA - Bf 109 F-4/Trop. Werknummer 8497 was shot down by AA in the Ain el Gazala area captured by Polish troops who beat him up, but escaped that night and walked 80 km back to friendly lines - returned 04?.03.42
09.04.1942: Leutnant, awarded DKiG, I./JG 27
07.05.1942: Leutnant, 2./ JG 27 unhurt when his Bf 109 F-4/Trop. was shot down by P-40s North of Bir Hacheim, force-landed in the vicinity of Tmimi
21.07.1942: Leutnant, 2./ JG 27 unhurt when his Bf 109 F-4/Trop. coded 'Red 1' was damaged by AA, force-landed South of Sidi Abd el Rahman
07.-07.09.1942: Leutnant, appointed Staka 2./ JG 27
20.08.1942: Leutnant, awarded Ritterkreuz, Stafü 2./ JG 27
07.09.1942: Leutnant, 2./ JG 27 MIA when his Bf 109 F-4/Trop. Werknummer 8704 and coded 'Red 4' was shot down by 601th Sqdn. Spitfire thought to be piloted by American Ace, John Curry south-east of El Alamein by ground fire and not seen again 03.01.1944: Leutnant, posthumously awarded Eichenlaub
01.08.1944: officially listed as MIA

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 20th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 21st, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 1942
Frontflugspange für Jäger in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 27 'Afrika'
Awarded on:
April 9th, 1942

Award 9/41
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
Staffelkapitän, 2. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 27 'Afrika' (Squadron Leader, 2. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 27)
Awarded on:
August 20th, 1942
Awarded after 47 aerial victories.

524th Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Staffelkaptän, 2. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 27 'Afrika' (Squadron Leader, 2. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 27)
Awarded on:
January 3rd, 1944
Received in recognition of his 59 aerial victories in the West, which were mainly achieved in North Africa.

365th Award
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

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