Luftwaffe Soldiers
in Athens, 1942
Silent
Without subtitles
25:42 Min.
Jagdflieter Maresille
JG 27 Afrika, 1941
Silent
Without subtitles
9:02 Min.
Hans-Joachim Marseille (13 December 1919 – 30 September 1942 was a German fighter pilot during World War II. A flying ace, he is noted for his aerial battles during the North African Campaign. One of the most successful fighter pilots, he was nicknamed the "Star of Africa". Marseille claimed all but seven of his 158 victories against the British Desert Air Force over North Africa. No other pilot claimed as many Western Allied aircraft as Marseille.
Marseille joined the Luftwaffe, the air force of Nazi Germany, in 1938. At the age of 20 he participated in the Battle of Britain, without notable success. As a result of poor discipline, he was transferred to another unit (JG 27), which relocated to North Africa in April 1941.
Under the guidance of his new commander, Marseille quickly developed his abilities as a fighter pilot. He reached the zenith of his career on 1 September 1942, when during the course of three combat sorties he claimed 17 fighters shot down, for which he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. A month later, Marseille was killed in a flying accident after his aircraft suffered engine failure. Forced to abandon his fighter, Marseille struck its vertical stabiliser and was either killed instantly or incapacitated and unable to open his parachute.
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