Leopold Münster
German World War II fighter pilot / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Leopold Münster (13 December 1920 – 8 May 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 95 aerial victories achieved in over 500 combat missions. This figure includes 70 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 25 victories over the Western Allies, including eight four-engined bombers.
Leopold Münster | |
---|---|
Born | 13 December 1920 Pohorsch-Hochheim bei Odrau |
Died | 8 May 1944(1944-05-08) (aged 23) Hildesheim |
Cause of death | Killed in action |
Buried | Pohorsch |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1939–1944 |
Rank | Leutnant (second lieutenant) |
Unit | JG 3 |
Commands held | 5./JG 3, II./JG 3 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Born in Pohorsch, Münster grew up in the First Czechoslovak Republic. Following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, he joined the Luftwaffe in January 1939. Following flight training, Münster was posted to Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) in March 1941. Flying with this wing, he claimed his first aerial victory on 6 July 1941 on the Eastern Front during Operation Barbarossa. Following his 51st aerial victory, Münster was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 December 1942. In October 1943, he and his unit were transferred to the Western Front fighting in Defense of the Reich. He was then appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 3. Münster was killed in a mid-air collision with a Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber on 8 May 1944. Posthumously, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 12 May 1944.