Hans Klein
Encyclopedia
Dipl.-Ing. Hans KleinIn German an engineer's degree
is called Diplom-Ingenieur (abbreviated Dipl.-Ing.) (17 January 1891 – 18 November 1944) was a German
World War I
fighter ace
credited with 22 aerial victories. During World War II
he held the position of Geschwaderkommodore
of the JG 53 "Pik As" fighter Geschwader (wing).
In 1914 Klein joined the German army, serving with the 210th Infantry Division on the Western Front. He was commissioned in March 1915, and transferred to the German Air Force in March 1916 flying with FAA 5 and FAA 6 until he was posted to Jasta 4 in November 1916. Credited with his first victory in April 1917, and he was wounded in action in May 1917. He was wounded again on 13 July 1917, versus Nieuport XVII's of No. 29 Squadron, RFC. In September 1917, Klein assumed command of Jasta 10
. He was awarded the Pour Le Merite in December 1917. After scoring 6 more victories he was wounded again, losing his right thumb on 19 February 1918, against the Sopwith Camels of No.54 Squadron. Upon recovering, he joined Jasta 10 on ground duties from April 1918 until the end of the war.
After attaining an engineering degree, in 1935 Klein joined the Luftwaffe as a Major, commanding JG 133 and JG 53 in late 1939. He later served as Deputy Commander of all fighter schools and attained the rank of Major General before his retirement in April 1943.
He died on 18 November 1944. The official cause of death was from injuries received in a car accident, however his family suspected he was murdered, an inspection of Klein's body allegedly showing evidence of a gunshot wound to the head.
Engineer's degree
An engineer's degree is an advanced academic degree in engineering that is conferred in Europe, some countries of Latin America, and a few institutions in the United States....
is called Diplom-Ingenieur (abbreviated Dipl.-Ing.) (17 January 1891 – 18 November 1944) was a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
fighter ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
credited with 22 aerial victories. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he held the position of Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
of the JG 53 "Pik As" fighter Geschwader (wing).
In 1914 Klein joined the German army, serving with the 210th Infantry Division on the Western Front. He was commissioned in March 1915, and transferred to the German Air Force in March 1916 flying with FAA 5 and FAA 6 until he was posted to Jasta 4 in November 1916. Credited with his first victory in April 1917, and he was wounded in action in May 1917. He was wounded again on 13 July 1917, versus Nieuport XVII's of No. 29 Squadron, RFC. In September 1917, Klein assumed command of Jasta 10
Jasta 10
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 10 was a World War I "hunting group" of the Luftstreitkräfte, which was the forerunner to the Luftwaffe. Jasta 10, in its brief existence, was credited with 118 enemy planes and 33 enemy observation balloons destroyed...
. He was awarded the Pour Le Merite in December 1917. After scoring 6 more victories he was wounded again, losing his right thumb on 19 February 1918, against the Sopwith Camels of No.54 Squadron. Upon recovering, he joined Jasta 10 on ground duties from April 1918 until the end of the war.
After attaining an engineering degree, in 1935 Klein joined the Luftwaffe as a Major, commanding JG 133 and JG 53 in late 1939. He later served as Deputy Commander of all fighter schools and attained the rank of Major General before his retirement in April 1943.
He died on 18 November 1944. The official cause of death was from injuries received in a car accident, however his family suspected he was murdered, an inspection of Klein's body allegedly showing evidence of a gunshot wound to the head.