Hans Weik
| Hans Weik | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
6 July 1922 Heilbronn, Germany |
| Died |
5 June 2001 (aged 78) Heidenheim an der Brenz, Germany |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1941–45 |
| Rank | Hauptmann |
| Unit | JG 3, EJGr Ost, EJG 2 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Hans Weik (6 July 1922 – 5 June 2001) was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. He is credited with 36 victories achieved in only 85 combat missions, including 25 victories over the Western Front.
Military career
Weik joined the Luftwaffe in October 1941. After the following completion of his flying training, he was posted to I./JG 3 based on the Eastern Front. After promoted to a Leutnant, he joined JG 3, on 21 February 1943. His first victory was achieved on 9 March 1943 when he shot down a Russian Yak-1 fighter. After returning from the Eastern Front he became an instructor. He returned to combat soon after and downed his first four-engined bomber, a USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress in September 1943. Between February and July 1944, he claimed 23 victories, including 20 four-engined bombers.
In April 1945, Weik was a trainer of Me 262 jet fighters at Lechfeld. By the end of the war, he had been credited with 36 victories in only 85 missions. He was one of the leading 'Viermottöters'.
Post war
After the war, Weik became an architect. He planned and built many schools, sports auditoriums and other buildings. In retirement, he indulged his passion for model shipbuilding.
Weik died at the age of 78 on 5 June 2001 at Heidenheim an der Brenz, Germany.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (15 May 1944)
- German Cross in Gold on 10 May 1944 as Leutnant in the 10./Jagdgeschwader 3[1]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 10./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[2]
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.