Leo Schuhmacher
Encyclopedia
Leo Schuhmacher was a Luftwaffe
flying ace
of World War II
. Schuhmacher was credited with 23 aerial victories, including 10 four engined bombers, claimed in roughly 250 combat missions.
Schuhmacher claimed is first 4 aerial victories as an Oberfeldwebel in the 2./Zerstörergeschwader 76
in Norway. He served as a flight instructor from September 1940. He was transferred to the II./Jagdgeschwader 1 in the fall of 1943 fighting in the Defense of the Reich
. Here he flew as wingman of Heinrich Bär
. Schuhmacher had claimed 15 aerial victories by June 1944 and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
after 22 victories. He transferred to Jagdverband 44 in March 1945 and claimed a final victory flying the Messerschmitt Me 262
jet fighter.
On 26 April 1945 twelve Me 262 of JV 44
led by former General der Jagdflieger Adolf Galland
took off to engage B-26 Marauder
s of the 17th Bombardment Group. Leo Schuhmacher flew his only sortie with JV 44 against B-26s that day. His cannons malfunctioned and was forced to fly through the B-26 formation without firing a shot.
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Schuhmacher was credited with 23 aerial victories, including 10 four engined bombers, claimed in roughly 250 combat missions.
Schuhmacher claimed is first 4 aerial victories as an Oberfeldwebel in the 2./Zerstörergeschwader 76
Zerstörergeschwader 76
Zerstörergeschwader 76 or ZG 76 was a Luftwaffe heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft-wing of World War II.-History:...
in Norway. He served as a flight instructor from September 1940. He was transferred to the II./Jagdgeschwader 1 in the fall of 1943 fighting in the Defense of the Reich
Defense of the Reich
The Defence of the Reich is the name given to the strategic defensive aerial campaign fought by the Luftwaffe over German occupied Europe and Germany itself during World War II. Its aim was to prevent the destruction of German military and civil industries by the Western Allies...
. Here he flew as wingman of Heinrich Bär
Heinrich Bär
Oskar-Heinz "Pritzl" Bär was a German Luftwaffe flying ace who served throughout World War II in Europe. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
. Schuhmacher had claimed 15 aerial victories by June 1944 and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
after 22 victories. He transferred to Jagdverband 44 in March 1945 and claimed a final victory flying the Messerschmitt Me 262
Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944...
jet fighter.
On 26 April 1945 twelve Me 262 of JV 44
JV 44
Jagdverband 44 was a special fighter unit of top German fighter ace pilots in the Luftwaffe during the last months of World War II. The main aircraft used by the unit was the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter...
led by former General der Jagdflieger Adolf Galland
Adolf Galland
Adolf "Dolfo" Joseph Ferdinand Galland was a German Luftwaffe General and flying ace who served throughout World War II in Europe. He flew 705 combat missions, and fought on the Western and the Defence of the Reich fronts...
took off to engage B-26 Marauder
B-26 Marauder
The Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
s of the 17th Bombardment Group. Leo Schuhmacher flew his only sortie with JV 44 against B-26s that day. His cannons malfunctioned and was forced to fly through the B-26 formation without firing a shot.
Awards
- Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1939) 2nd and 1st Class - Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
on 1 March 1944 as pilot and Leutnant in the II./JG 1