Hornung, Walter

Date of birth:: January 10th, 1910 (Heidelberg/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:: August 18th, 1980 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Walter Hornung finally reached the rank of Oberstleutnant. After the Second World War he served with the Bundeswehr also finally reaching the rank of Oberstleutnant.

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major (Squadron Leader)
Unit:: 4. Staffel, Kampfgruppe zur besonderen Verwendung Wittstock, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: January 23rd, 1943

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major (Squadron Leader)
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Gruppe, Transportgeschwader 2, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: June 9th, 1944

Awarded for his leadership of the Transportfliegergruppe 30 (which operated He-111’s in the aerial resupply role) as well as his personal mission count of 400 front flights as a transport pilot. His Gruppe was distinguished primarily by its role in the aerial resupply of Hube’s pocket and the Crimea in early 1944.

In total, the Gruppe was able to fly 1285 missions in support of Hube’s pocket. In this time they dropped a total of 11020 supply canisters to the men inside (which altogether comprised about 1490 tons).

The Gruppe operated in support of the Axis forces trapped in the Crimea from 12.04.1944-11.05.1944, flying a total of 765 missions. All in all they were able to deliver 6240 soldiers, 280 tons of supplies and 762 supply canisters (each weighing up to 250 kg). The Gruppe also evacuated 1640 soldiers along with 12480 wounded.