Klaus Mietusch (5 August 1918 – 17 September 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 72 aerial victories achieved in 452 combat missions. This figure includes 15 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 57 victories over the Western Allies, including 13 four-engined bombers.[1]
Born in Bochum, Mietusch grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Luftwaffe in 1937. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) in 1939. Flying with this wing, Mietusch claimed his first aerial victory on 31 May 1940 on the Western Front during the Battle of France. In early 1941, he fought in the Mediterranean theater. He was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 7. Staffel (7th squadron) of JG 26 in September 1941 and in January 1943, was posted to the Eastern Front. In July 1943 he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III. Gruppe of JG 26. Following his 60th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944. Mietusch claimed his last aerial victory on 17 September 1944 during the Operation Market Garden. He was killed in action that day, shot down by a North American P-51 Mustang fighter from the 361st Fighter Group. Posthumously, Mietusch was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 18 November 1944.
KlausMietusch (5 August 1918 – 17 September 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 72...
of the 13th Air Army and 14th Air Army. KlausMietusch commanded the staffel. According to one account, Mietusch cared little for his men as individuals...
which was claimed 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Cambridge at 09:42. KlausMietusch also accounted for one for his 7th victory. Three 19 Squadron Spitfires...
Staffel was subordinated to III. Gruppe of JG 26 commanded by Hauptmann KlausMietusch and based at Cuxhaven-Nordholz Airfield. Staiger claimed his first aerial...
Rudolf Miethig* Hauptmann 101/100 JG 52 Knight's Cross KIA 10 June 1943 KlausMietusch* Major 72 JG 26 Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves KIA 17 September 1944...
"Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) on 27 September 1944, replacing KlausMietusch who had been killed in action on 17 September. At the time, JG 26 was...
Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7. Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und...
Gruppe's second patrol of the day, a flight led by Borris and Oberleutnant KlausMietusch took off from Wevelgem airfield at 09:36. The flight intercepted Spitfire...
2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8. Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung...
Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7. Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und...
Ardennes, 1944–1945. Pennsylvania: Combined. ISBN 978-0-938289-35-7. Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und...
2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8. Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung...
Global Information
Nazi Germany
Luftwaffe