Wednesday 9 March 2011

HEINZ JUNCLAUSSEN: KNIGHT'S CROSS HOLDER

Heinz Junclaussen was born in Klein-Eschenbruch, East Prussia, on 7 March 1919. In July 1940 he completed his flight training and was posted to III./ StG 2 "Immelman",  equipped with Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers, spending the following months training with the unit's Erganzungstaffel.
Jungclaussen flew his first combat missions on the eastern front in late 1941/early 1942 as a Leutnant. In the following summer he was promoted Staffelkapitan of 6./StG 2, participating in Fall Blau, the great summer offensive in the southern sector aimed at conquering Stalingrad and the Caucasus' oilfields. Soon involved in the Stalingrad Battle, Junclaussen led a special units operating inside the beleaguered city. For his efforts, in early February 1943 he was promoted Oberleutnant and awarded the German Cross in Gold. Wounded in action in 14 February; Jungclaussen was hospitalized, returning to active duty in mid-1943. After completing 700 combat missions, he was awareded the Ritterkreutz on 9 October, 1943.

Beetween the end of 1943 and the early months on 1944 Heinz Jungclaussen topped the height of 1000 combat mission serving as Staffelkapitan of 1./StG 2. He was then pulled out from frontline duties to act as an instructor in Stuka and Schlacht flying schools, converting onto the Fw 190. He returned to combat as Staffelkapitan of 3./SG 4 on the Western Front, fighting against British and American armies. On 26 December 1944 he was shot down and killed by RAF fighters over Salzig, in the Rhine region.

During his career, Hauptmann Heinz Jungclaussen flew more than 1000 combat missions with the Ju-87  dive bomber and the Fw-190 Schlacht versions. Of this thousand missions, 800 were flown with his rear gunner Hans Krohn, a Knight's Cross holder too.
STUKAS ATTACKING BRITISH TANKS IN NORTH AFRICA - CLICK HERE http://ww2eagles.blogspot.com/2011/04/stukas-attacking-british-tanks-in-north.html

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