Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)

Unit:

Flugzeugführer 3./Stukageschwader 3

Awarded on:

July 5th, 1941

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 25.07.1941) describes why Wenigmann received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberfeldwebel and ground attack pilot Josef Wenigmann… has had a major share in the successes of his Gruppe on account of his fearless attacks executed during the course of over 100 sorties. His outstanding ability to score hits was of great assistance in crushing the Metaxas Line fortifications as well as the enemy forces at Klidi. His destruction of enemy artillery positions enabled a friendly Infanterie-Division to achieve a breakthrough (which in turn resulted in strong Yugoslavian forces being cut off). In the naval side of the war he achieved a direct hit on a light cruiser and sunk a tanker of 4000 GRT.”

He had completed 138 sorties by the time of being awarded the Knight’s Cross .