Date of birth:

June 1st, 1912 (Mülheim, Germany)

Date of death:

August 24th, 1997 (Bonn/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Karl Kessel joined the Bundeswehr in 1956 and retired in 1970 as a Generalmajor.

Promotions:
x?: Leutnant;
x?: Oberleutnant;
x?: Hauptmann;
31.01.1943 Major;
01.05.1944 Oberstleutnant i.G. (10).

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 29th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 4th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)

Unit:

Gruppenkommandeur

Awarded on:

October 12th, 1942

According to other source the awarding date is 1-10-1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

1./Kampf-Geschwader 2

Awarded on:

March 29th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Wing Commander)

Unit:

Kommodore Kampfgeschwader 2

Awarded on:

January 23rd, 1944

Awarded for his achievements as a bomber pilot, Staffel, Gruppe and Geschwader commander. He particularly distinguished himself during difficult operations against England in the years 1941-44. By the time of his award he had flown 269 sorties, including 156 (14 by day and 142 by night) against the UK.

• Photo 1: Known to STIWOT
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - PATZWALL, K. D., Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2008.
  - URBANKE, AXEL & KAISER, JOCHEN, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kampfflieger, Luftfahrtverlag-Start, 2011.