Karl-Heinz Leesmann (3 May 1915 – 25 July 1943) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight' ...

during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Karl-Heinz Leesmann was shot down on 25 July 1943, by a B-17 bomber that he was attacking. During his career he was credited with 37 aerial victories, 27 on the Western Front and 10 on the Eastern Front.

Awards

* Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class & 1st Class *

on 23 July 1941 as ''

Oberleutnant () is the highest lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces. Austria Germany In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Trans ...

'' and Staffelkapitän of the 2./Jagdgeschwader 52 * German Cross in Gold on 27 July 1942 as '' Hauptmann'' in the I./Jagdgeschwader 52Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 272.

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Leesmann, Karl-Heinz 1915 births 1943 deaths Military personnel from Osnabrück People from the Province of Hanover German World War II flying aces Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II Aviators killed by being shot down