Otto Fönnekold

Otto Fönnekold
File:Otto Fönnekold.jpg Otto Fönnekold
Born	(1920-02-15)15 February 1920 Hamburg
Died	Ssaß-Budak, Siebenbürgen
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1939–44
Rank	Hauptmann
Unit	JG 52
Commands held	5./JG 52
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Otto Fönnekold (15 February 1920 – 31 August 1944) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of 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. 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. Fönnekold was credited with 136 aerial victories—that is, 136 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. All but three of his victories were claimed over the Soviet Air Forces in about 600 combat missions.

Career

Fönnekold was born on 15 February 1920 in Hamburg of the Weimar Republic. He claimed his first aerial victory on 1 December 1942. He often flew as wingman of Wilhelm Batz. On 19 January 1944, Fönnekold was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 62nd Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.

Fönnekold claimed three United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) P-51 Mustang's on 31 August 1944. He was bounced on his landing approach at Ssaß-Budak by P-51 Mustang's. One of the .50 caliber projectiles penetrated his heart. Nevertheless he landed his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 (Werknnummer 441931—factory number) "black 9" before succumbing to his injury.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (9 August 1943)
• German Cross in Gold on 16 August 1943 as Feldwebel in the 5./JG 52
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944 as Leutnant and pilot in the II./JG 52