Helmut Belser

Helmut Belser
Born 23 December 1915
Stuttgart
Died 19 June 1942(1942-06-19) (aged 26)
Castel-Benito
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1939–42
Rank Hauptmann
Unit JG 53
Commands held 3./JG 53
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Helmut Belser (23 December 1915 – 19 June 1942) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Belser claimed 36 aerial victories, 1 over the Western Front and 12 over the Eastern Front and 23 over the Mediterranean Front. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Belser was killed in a flying accident 19 June 1942 at the Castel-Benito Aerodrome.

Awards

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
Sunday, 21 June 1942 In der See- und Luftschlacht im Mittelmeer zeichneten sich bei der Zerschlagung der britischen Geleitzüge ein Sturzkampfgeschwader unter Führung des Majors Sigel, die Jagdstaffel des Hauptmanns Belser sowie die Besatzungen von zwei Kampfflugzeugen mit den Kommandanten, Gruppenkommandeur Major Linke, und Oberstleutnant Schulte besonders aus.[5] In the sea and air battle in the Mediterranean a dive bomber wing under the leadership of Major Sigel, the fighter squadron of Captain Belser and the crews of two bombers, with their commanders, group commander Major Linke, and Lieutenant Colonel Schulte distinguished themselves from the rest, in the destruction of British convoys.

Notes

  1. ↑ According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the 8./Jagdgeschwader 53.[4]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Patzwall 2008, p. 48.
  2. ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 34.
  3. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 128.
  4. ↑ Scherzer 2007, p. 213.
  5. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, p. 170.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6. 
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8. 
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3. 
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. 
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, 1. September 1939 bis 31. Dezember 1941 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 1, 1 September 1939 to 31 December 1941] (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2. 

External links

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