Max-Hellmuth Ostermann | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 11 December 1917 Hamburg, German Empire |
| Died | 9 August 1942 (aged 24) near Lake Ilmen, Leningrad Oblast, Soviet Union |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1937–42 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) |
| Unit | ZG 1, JG 21, JG 54 |
| Commands | 7./JG 54 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Max-Hellmuth Ostermann (11 December 1917 – 9 August 1942) was a Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] He is credited with 102 enemy aircraft shot down claimed in over 300 combat missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front with eight claims over the Western Front and one over Belgrade.[2] Ostermann was of such short height that wooden blocks had to be attached to his rudder pedals for him to engage in tight turning aerial combat.[3]
Born in Hamburg, Ostermann joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1937 and was trained as a pilot. After a brief period with Zerstörergeschwader 1 (ZG 1), a heavy fighter unit, he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54). He participated in the Battle of France and Britain before transferring east. He became the sixth fighter pilot in aviation history to achieve 100 aerial victories on the Eastern Front for which he was awarded Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He was killed in aerial combat with Soviet fighters southeast of Lake Ilmen on 9 August 1942.
- ^ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
- ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 31.
- ^ Berger 1999, p. 260.