Hans Hahn

Hans Hahn (21 February 1919 – 11 October 1941) was a Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II; his was the first awarded to a night fighter.

Death

Hans Hahn was killed near Grantham, England, on 11 October 1941 after his JU 88 collided with a RAF Oxford trainer aircraft he targeted. He is buried at Cannock Chase German war cemetery.

Summary of career Aerial victory claims During his career he claimed twelve aerial victories, all of them at night.

Most successful Night Fighter pilot until his death. On five occasions, he returned to his base at Gilze-Rijen on one engine. Once he returned with a balloon cable wrapped around his wing in his C-4.

Chronicle of aerial victories Claim Date Time Type Location Serial No./Squadron No. – 3. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 – 1 24 October 1940 23:02 Wellington vicinity of Linton-on-Ouse 2 2 January 1941 19:00 Whitley east of Withernsea 3 13 March 1941 01:15 Hudson vicinity of Leeming 4 13 March 1941 22:00 Blenheim vicinity of Waddington 5 8 April 1941 01:43 Hereford Wellingore 6 9 April 1941 00:40 Wellington vicinity of Upwood 7 17 April 1941 01:22 Hampden southeast of Waddington 8 21 April 1941 03:30 Hereford vicinity of Digby 9 3 May 1941 01:20 Stirling vicinity of Oakington 10 4 May 1941 03:10 Fulmar Stoke Holy Cross 11 5 May 1941 01:12 Blenheim vicinity of Feltwell 13 12/13 October 1941 Oxford vicinity of Grantham Oxford AB767/No. 12 Flying Training School RAF

Awards Aviator badge Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class 1st Class Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 July 1941 as Leutnant and pilot in the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2