Kurt Bühligen

Kurt Bühligen
Kurt Bühligen
Born	(1917-12-13)13 December 1917 Granschütz, Province of Saxony
Died	Nidda, Hesse
Buried	City cemetery at Nidda (Section D, Grave 42)
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1936–45
Rank	Oberstleutnant
Unit	JG 2
Commands held	4./JG 2, II./JG 2, JG 2
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Britain North African campaign
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Kurt Bühligen (13 December 1917 – 11 August 1985) was a German World War II flying ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1936 until early 1945. Credited with downing 112 enemy aircraft, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Early life and career

Bühligen, the son of a pipefitter, was born on 13 December 1917 in Granschütz, in Province of Saxony of the German Empire. He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe with Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung (Flier Replacement Unit) in Oschatz on 13 March 1936. Following his recruit training he served as an aircraft mechanic with Kampfgeschwader 153 (KG 153—153rd Bomber Wing) from September 1937 to 15 February 1938. He then served as a mechanic with 2. Staffel (squadron) of Kampfgeschwader 4 (KG 4—4th Bomber Wing) from 16 February 1938 to 30 April 1939.

World War II

He initially joined the Luftwaffe as a mechanic, before transferring to flying training during 1938–39. In July 1940 he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2) as an Unteroffizier pilot.

Bühligen claimed his first aerial victory — a Hawker Hurricane over Kent — on 4 September 1940 and was awarded the Ritterkreuz a year later after 20 further claims.

In December 1942 Bühligen served with II./JG 2 in Tunisia and North Africa, claiming some 40 Allied kills before returning to Europe in March 1943. By March 1944 he had scored 96 kills and was now a Major in command of II./JG 2. On 7 June 1944, Bühligen was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 75th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. Bühligen led JG 2 in carrying out operations against the Soviet advance on the Eastern Front. In early 1945, now Geschwaderkommodore of JG 2, an engine failure caused Bühligen to be taken prisoner by the Soviets, being finally released in 1950.

He shot down some 112 enemy aircraft in over 700 operations, becoming the fourth highest Luftwaffe scorer against the Western Allies. All his victories were claimed over the Western Front and North Africa and included 47 Spitfires and 46 United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) victims; 13 P-38, 9 P-47, 7 US operated Spitfires and 24 four-engine bombers. He was never shot down but had to make emergency landings on 3 occasions. His final command was Geschwaderkommodore of the JG 2 fighter wing.

Awards

• Wound Badge in Silver
• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (24 July 1941)
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "700"
• Combined Pilots-Observation Badge
• German Cross in Gold on 25 June 1943 as Leutnant in the 4./JG 2
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd class (10 September 1940)
  • 1st class (29 October 1940)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
  • Knight's Cross on 4 September 1941 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the II./JG 2 "Richthofen"
  • 413th Oak Leaves on 2 March 1944 as Major (war officer) and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./JG 2 "Richthofen"
  • 88th Swords on 14 August 1944 as Major (war officer) and Geschwaderkommodore of JG 2 "Richthofen"

References

Bibliography

• MacLean, French L. (2007). Luftwaffe Efficiency & Promotion Reports — For the Knight's Cross Winners. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History. ISBN 978-0-7643-2657-8.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by Major Kurt Ubben	Commander of Jagdgeschwader 2 Richthofen 28 April 1944 – 8 May 1945	Succeeded by none