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Barth, Karl Otto Max (Lw-Küstenfliegergruppe)

Date of birth:
December 29th, 1914 (Lengenfeld/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
November 9th, 1942 (Mediterranean)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:

26-09-1934 – Seekadett
01-10-1934 – Obermatrose
01-01-1935 – Oberstabmatrose
01-07-1935 – Fähnrich zur See
01-01-1937 – Oberfähnrich zur See
01-04-1937 – Leutnant zur See
01-04-1939 – Oberleutnant zur See
01-09-1941 – Kapitänleutnant
01-02-1942 – Hauptmann (Luftwaffe)

09.11.1942: Hauptmann, Staka, 6./ KG 26,, MIA – his He 111 H-6 coded '1H+EP' crashed in the western Mediterranean, off the Algerian coast while attacking Allied
vessels
01.08.1944: still officially listed as MIA
Pilot credited with about 150 missions.

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Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
September 15th, 1937
Flugzeugbeobachterabzeichen
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
April 8th, 1938
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
1939
Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen (ohne brillianten)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
August 20th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Unit:
3. Staffel, Küstenfliegergruppe 506, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
May 25th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Unit:
3. Staffel, Küstenfliegergruppe 506, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
September 15th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
November 8th, 1940
With the sinking of a 6.000 BRT cargo ship at the Scottish East coast, has seaplane pilot
Oberleutnant zur See Karl Barth sunk a total of 30.000 BRT of enemy ships.

Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer, 3. Staffel, Küstenfliegergruppe 506, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
December 14th, 1940
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Here follows an official award text from the German press (dated 07.01.1941) that describes why Barth was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant zur See Barth, the commander of a seaplane, has particularly distinguished himself over the course of numerous maritime reconnaissance sorties through a combination of exemplary boldness, tactical acumen and tireless devotion to duty. With a mere 7 torpedo launches he succeeded in achieving 6 hits against ships, sinking 36000 GRT worth of enemy tonnage in the process. This represents a unique success made all the more remarkable due to the associated difficulties caused by bad weather and an active defense. Oberleutnant zur See Barth has inspired the crews of his Staffel to emulate his own successes, and by receiving this high honour he has attained his rightful prize. Furthermore, his being recognized by the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross is simultaneously a well-merited tribute to the difficult and yet unsung operations of the Luftwaffe’s maritime formations.”
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer, 3. Staffel, Küstenfliegergruppe 506, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
March 30th, 1941
Frontflugspange für Aufklärer in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer, 3. Staffel, Küstenfliegergruppe 506, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 3rd, 1941
Frontflugspange für Aufklärer in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
Staffelkapitän, Küstenfliegergruppe 506, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
February 16th, 1942
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg

Sources

Photo