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Bühligen, Kurt

Date of birth:
December 13th, 1917 (Granschütz-Weißenfels/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
August 11th, 1985 (Nidda/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Kurt Bühlingen served with the Luftwaffe from 1936 until early 1945. At first he joined the Luftwaffe as a mechanic, but underwent flying training in 1938 and 1939. He was placed with Jagdgeschwader 2 in July 1940 as pilot with the rank of Unteroffizier. In September 1940 he scored his first enemy kill. In December 1942 he claimed his 40th victory while serving with II. / Jagdgeschwader 2 in Tunisia, North Africa. In March 1943 he returned to Europe. A year later he had scored 96 kills and commanded II. / Jagdgeschwader 2 with the rank of Major. Later he led the Jagdgeschwader 2 during fighting on the Eastern Front. As Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 2, due to an engine failure, he was forced to land in enemy territory in early 1945 and was taken POW by the Soviets. He stayed in imprisonment until 1950.

During his career he shot down 112 enemy planes (including 24 four-engined bombers) over the course of 700+ sorties. He was himself shot down three times.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 29th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 1st, 1941
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer, II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
September 4th, 1941
Awarded after 21 aerial victories.

311th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
4. Staffel, II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 25th, 1943

Award 1/190.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major (Squadron Leader)
Unit:
Kommandeur, II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
March 2nd, 1944
Awarded after 96 aerial victories.

413th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major (Squadron Leader)
Unit:
Kommodore, Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
August 14th, 1944
Awarded after 104 aerial victories.

88th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Clasp with flights numbering "700"
Frontflugspange für Jäger in Gold mit Anhänger

Sources

Photo