Johannes Seifert

Johannes "Hannes" Seifert (6 October 1915 – 25 November 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 57 aerial victories achieved in 439 combat missions. This figure includes 11 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 46 victories over the Western Allies, including three four-engined bombers.

Born in Pinneberg, Seifert grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Luftwaffe and was trained as a fighter pilot. Following flight training, he was posted to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). Flying with this wing, Seifert claimed his first aerial victory on 10 May 1940 on the Western Front during the Battle of France fighter aircraft. He was made ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader) of 3. ''Staffel'' (3rd squadron) of JG 26 in March 1940 and in July 1941, ''Gruppenkommandeur'' (group commander) of I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 26. Following his 36th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 7 June 1942. In January 1943, his unit was posted to the Eastern Front. In September 1943, he was given command II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 26. He was killed in action in mid-air collision with a Lockheed P-38 Lightning on 25 November 1943 near Béthune, France. Provided by Wikipedia