Wilhelm Lemke | |
|---|---|
 Wilhelm Lemke | |
| Born | 27 September 1920 Arnswalde, Free State of Prussia, Weimar Republic |
| Died | 4 December 1943 (aged 23) near Dodewaard, German-occupied Netherlands |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Buried | Ysselsteyn German war cemetery, Netherlands |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1939–1943 |
| Rank | Hauptmann (captain) |
| Unit | JG 3 |
| Commands | 9./JG 3, II./JG 3 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Wilhelm Lemke (27 September 1920 – 4 December 1943) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. Lemke was credited with 131 aerial victories—that is, 131 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. All but six of his victories were claimed over the Soviet Air Forces in 617 combat missions.[1]
Born in Arnswalde, Lemke joined the military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1939. Following flight training, he was posted to 8. Staffel (squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing). He flew his first combat missions in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and claimed his first aerial victory on 26 June 1941. There, after 59 aerial victories, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 September 1942. He was given command as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9. Staffel in November 1942. On 16 March 1943, he was credited with his 100th aerial victory. Four months later, on 28 July 1943, he claimed his 125th and last victory on the Eastern Front.
Lemke was subsequently relocated to the Western Front, where he flew in the Defense of the Reich and claimed six further victories. In mid-November 1943, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of the II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 3 "Udet"; he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 25 November. Lemke was killed in action on 4 December 1943 northwest of Nijmegen in combat with United States Army Air Forces fighters.
- ^ Spick 1996, p. 230.