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Schwerin, Albert von (Kampfgeschwader 26)

Date of birth:
September 11th, 1904 (Janow/Anklam, Germany)
Date of death:
November 19th, 1940 (Over Barking (Essex), United Kingdom)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Cannock Chase
Plot: 9. Row: 5. Grave: 30.
Nationality:
German

Biography

00.00.1932: received civilian flight training
04.12.1936: entered the Luftwaffe as a reservist, and began training with the Fl.Üb. Stelle Stettin
00.00.1938: involved with exercises with Aufkl.Gr. 122
00.01.1939: with 11./ KG 152
00.09.1939: transferred to the Flugbereitschaft Ob.d.L.
14.11.1939: transferred to 1./ KG 26
00.00.1939-00.00.1940: Leutnant in I./ KG 26
31.07.1940: Leutnant, awarded the Ritterkreuz
19.11.1940: Lt. in 1./ KG 26, KIA – in He 111 H-5 coded '1H+AH' snagged two balloon cables and crashed in "Jenkins Lane" Beckton Marshes, Essex during a night raid on Birmingham
May have been posthumously promo to Oberleutnant
Credited with 61 missions

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve
Unit:
1. Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 26
Awarded on:
July 31st, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Schwerin received the Knight’s Cross…

“Leutnant von Schwerin has particularly distinguished himself over the course of numerous operations against targets in and around Scapa Flow, the Shetlands, the North Sea, the English Coast and Norway. Leutnant von Schwerin later had a major share in the battles for the Maginot Line, where he proved particularly adept in bombing attacks against bunkers. On each occasion he demonstrated the highest dutifulness and bravery on the battlefield.”

During the Norwegian campaign Schwerin claimed to have destroyed an anti-aircraft cruiser.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo