Paul Semrau
Encyclopedia
Paul Semrau was a Luftwaffe
night fighter
flying ace
of World War II
. Semrau was credited with 46 nocturnal aerial victories, claimed in 350 combat missions.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
Paul Semrau joined the long distance night fighter service (Fernnachtjagd) as a former destroyer pilot (Zerstörer) of Kampfgeschwader 30
(KG 30) in July 1940. He took command of the 3rd Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
(NJG 2) in the fall of 1940. He fought in the Battle of Britain
and in the Siege of Malta. Hauptmann
Semrau received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
after 160 missions on 7 October 1942. Promoted to Major
, he took command of the 4th Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6) in June 1943. After two months he was transferred again, taking command of the 3rd Gruppe of NJG 2. In November 1944 he became the Geschwaderkommodore
of NJG 2. He was shot down and killed in action
on factory flight with his crew, Oberfeldwebel Hantusch and Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Behrens, of Junkers Ju 88 G-6
(W.Nr. 620 562 — factory number) when he was intercepted during the landing approach at Coesfeld
by F/Lt K.S. Sleep of No. 402 Squadron RCAF
on 8 February 1945.
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....
night fighter
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
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...
. Semrau was credited with 46 nocturnal aerial victories, claimed in 350 combat missions.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
Paul Semrau joined the long distance night fighter service (Fernnachtjagd) as a former destroyer pilot (Zerstörer) of Kampfgeschwader 30
Kampfgeschwader 30
-Service history:Formed on 15 November 1939 in Greifswald. I Gruppe formed 1 September, II Gruppe on 23 September and III Gruppe on 1 January 1940, based in Greifswald then Barth...
(KG 30) in July 1940. He took command of the 3rd Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 was a German Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 2 was formed on 1 September 1940 in Gilze en Rijen from II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 . Stab I./NJG 2 was formed from Stab II./NJG 1,while 1./NJG 2 was formed from 4./NJG1 equipped with the Junkers Ju 88C-1...
(NJG 2) in the fall of 1940. He fought in the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
and in the Siege of Malta. Hauptmann
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
Semrau 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 160 missions on 7 October 1942. Promoted to Major
Major (Germany)
Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
, he took command of the 4th Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6) in June 1943. After two months he was transferred again, taking command of the 3rd Gruppe of NJG 2. In November 1944 he became the Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
of NJG 2. He was shot down and killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
on factory flight with his crew, Oberfeldwebel Hantusch and Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Behrens, of Junkers Ju 88 G-6
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
(W.Nr. 620 562 — factory number) when he was intercepted during the landing approach at Coesfeld
Coesfeld
Coesfeld is the capital of the district of Coesfeld in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.-History:Coesfeld received its city rights in 1197, but was first recorded earlier than that in the biography of St. Ludger, patron and first bishop of the diocese of Munster who was born north of...
by F/Lt K.S. Sleep of No. 402 Squadron RCAF
No. 402 Squadron RCAF
402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron is about to be renamed , as a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada-Pre-war history:...
on 8 February 1945.
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 - German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold on 24 April 1942 as OberleutnantOberleutnantOberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
in the 3./NJG 2 - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak LeavesKnight'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...
- Knight's Cross on 7 October 1942 as StaffelkapitänStaffelkapitänStaffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
and HauptmannHauptmannHauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
of the 3./NJG 2 - 841st Oak Leaves on 17 April 1945 (posthumously) as MajorMajor (Germany)Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
and GruppenkommandeurGruppenkommandeurGruppenkommandeur is a Luftwaffe position , that is the equivalent of a commander of a group or wing in other air forces. Gruppenkommandeur usually has the rank of Hauptmann or Major, and commands a Gruppe, which is a sub-division of a Geschwader. A Gruppe usually consists of three or four...
of the I./NJG 2
- Knight's Cross on 7 October 1942 as Staffelkapitän
- Mentioned in the WehrmachtberichtWehrmachtberichtThe Wehrmachtbericht was a daily radio report on the Großdeutscher Rundfunk of Nazi Germany, published by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht regarding the military situation on all fronts of World War II....
Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 19 June 1941 | Bei der Abwehr feindlicher Luftangriffe auf das Reichsgebiet zeichneten sich folgende Besatzungen von Nachtjagdflugzeugen in hohem Maße aus: Erstens Oberfeldwebel Gildner, Unteroffizier Poppelmeyer und Unteroffizier Schlein, zweitens Oberleutnant Prinz zu Lippe, Unteroffizier Renette und drittens Oberleutnant Semrau, Unteroffizier Peter und Unteroffizier Behrens. | The following crews of night fighter aircraft highly distinguished themselves in defense of the Reich: First Oberfeldwebel Gildner Paul Gildner Paul Gildner was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military... , Unteroffizier Poppelmeyer and Unteroffizier Schlein, second Oberleutnant Prinz zu Lippe Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld was a Luftwaffe night fighter flying ace of aristocratic descent during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat... , Unteroffizier Renette and third Oberleutnant Semrau, Unteroffizier Peter und Unteroffizier Behrens. |