Anton Hafner

Anton Hafner ( born June 2, 1918 in Erbach, † October 17, 1944 at Gumbinnen ) was a German Luftwaffe officer, last lieutenant, and highly decorated fighter pilot in World War II.

World War II

The training to become a fighter pilot took place in July 1939 in the Air Force. Then he came to Jagdgeschwader 51 and fought from June 1941 on the Eastern Front. As a sergeant him the German Cross in Gold on 22 May 1942 and the Knight's Cross on 23 August 1942 awarded.

With the II group of Jagdgeschwader 51 he flew in November 1942 in North Africa, where he was able to win 20 more victories in a short time. On 1 June 1943 he was promoted to lieutenant and flew at the III. Group of Jagdgeschwader 51 back in Russia. There he was awarded on April 11, 1944, after 134 victories with the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. In May 1944 he became captain of season 8. On June 28, 1944, he achieved his 150th aerial victory.

His 200th air victory came on October 15, 1944. During a dogfight on October 17, 1944, he had with his Bf 109 at Gumbinnen contact with trees and crashed fatally from. In 795 sorties he was able to achieve 204 confirmed aerial victories.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939 ) II and I. Class
• German Cross in Gold on May 22, 1942
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on August 23, 1942
• Oak Leaves on April 11th 1944 ( 452 awards )