Wilhelm Balthasar, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Wilhelm Balthasar

German WWII flying ace

Date of Birth: 02-Feb-1914

Place of Birth: Fulda, Hesse, Germany

Date of Death: 03-Jul-1941

Profession: fighter pilot, soldier

Nationality: Germany

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius


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About Wilhelm Balthasar

  • Wilhelm Balthasar (2 February 1914 – 3 July 1941) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II.
  • As a fighter ace, he is credited with seven aerial victories during the Spanish Civil War and further 40 aerial victories on the Western Front of World War II.
  • He flew about 300 combat missions during World War II in addition to 465 in Spain. Born in Fulda, Balthasar grew up in the Weimar Republic.
  • Following graduation from school, he volunteered for military service in the Reichswehr in 1933.
  • Initially serving with the Army, he transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1935.
  • During the Spanish Civil War, he volunteered for service in the Condor Legion.
  • In Spain, he claimed his first aerial victory on 20 January 1937.
  • For his service in Spain, he was decorated with the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds.
  • During World War II, Balthasar claimed his first victory on 11 May 1940 during the Battle of France.
  • Balthasar emerged as Germanys leading fighter pilot of the Battle of France and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 June 1940. In September 1940, Balthasar was given command of III.
  • Gruppe (3rd group) of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) which was fighting in the Battle of Britain.
  • In February 1941, he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) and claimed his 40th aerial victory during World War II on 27 June.
  • For this achievement he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II, on 2 July 1941.
  • The next day, Balthasar was killed in action near Saint-Omer, France.

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