Willi Nemitz
Willi Nemitz | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Altvater (grandfather) |
| Born | 1 November 1910 Greifenhagen, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died | 11 April 1943 (aged 32) Anapa, Krasnodar Krai, RFSR |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service | Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Leutnant (second lieutenant) |
| Unit | JG 52 |
| Commands | 5./JG 52, 6./JG 52 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Willi Nemitz (1 November 1910 – 11 April 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He was one of the oldest operational fighter pilots and was credited with 81 aerial victories, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front, achieved in approximately 500 combat missions.
Born in Greifenhagen in Pomerania, Nemitz joined the military service in the Luftwaffe. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) in 1940. During Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he claimed his first aerial victory on 3 July 1941. In November 1942, he was made Staffelführer, temporary command position, of 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 52. He then commanded 6. Staffel of JG 52 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 March 1943. He was shot down and killed in action on 11 April 1943 near Anapa during the Battle of the Caucasus.