Horst-Günther von Fassong

Horst-Günther von Fassong
Horst-Günther von Fassong
Born	(1919-04-27)27 April 1919 Kassel
Died	near Maastricht, Netherlands
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer, Luftwaffe
Rank	Hauptmann
Unit	JG 51, JG 11
Commands held	10./JG 51, III./JG 11
Battles/wars	World War II Operation Bodenplatte
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Hauptmann Horst-Günther von Fassong (born 27 April 1919 in Kassel – MIA 1 January 1945) was a German World War II Luftwaffe Flying ace. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

Horst-Günther von Fassong participated in Operation Bodenplatte and was last seen on 1 January 1945 engaged in aerial combat near Maastricht. Unteroffizier Armin Mehling, Von Fassong's wingman, reported that Von Fassong was shot down by two P-47 Thunderbolts over Asch flying a Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-8 (Werknummer 682 792—factory number). The flight was flying at a height of 15 to 20 metres (49 to 66 ft) when they were pounced upon by six P-47s. Von Fassong's aircraft was hit and burned immediately. The aircraft crashed in a big ball of flames.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (20 September 1943)
• German Cross in Gold on 17 October 1943 as Oberleutnant in the 10./JG 51
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./JG 11

References

Bibliography

• Manrho, John and Pütz, Ron (2010). Bodenplatte: The Luftwaffe's Last Hope. Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0686-5.