Kurt Bühligen

Kurt Bühligen ( born December 13, 1917 in Granschütz; † August 11, 1985 in Nidda ) was a German fighter pilot in World War II.

Life

After completing an apprenticeship, Kurt Bühligen reported in 1936 volunteered for the Air Force, where he was initially trained as a mechanic. In 1938 he volunteered for pilot training. After completion of training he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 2 " Richthofen ". After eight victories he received on 29 October 1940, the Iron Cross 1st Class, on 4 September 1941, the Knight's Cross as Master Sergeant.

In December 1942, Bühligen was transferred to the Group II of Jagdgeschwader 2 to North Africa, where he remained until March 1943. Meanwhile, he had risen to Major. In April 1943 he was appointed commander of the II group of Jagdgeschwader 2. On 2 March 1944, he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. On 28 April 1944 he took over as the successor of Major Kurt Ubben command of Jagdgeschwader 2 A short time later he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. On 14 August 1944, he received the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. After his transfer to the Eastern Front, he had to make an emergency landing due to an engine failure behind the Soviet lines. He fell into Soviet captivity, from which he was discharged in 1950.

Kurt Bühligen scored a total of 112 confirmed aerial victories.