Johannes Wiese

Johannes Wiese (7 March 1915 – 16 August 1991) was a German Luftwaffe pilot during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 133 enemy aircraft shot down in 480 combat missions.

He claimed all of his victories over the Eastern Front, including over 50 Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik ground attack aircraft.

Wiese was born on 7 March 1915, in Breslau in the Kingdom of Prussia of the German Empire, present-day Wrocław in western Poland, the son of a minister.

On 25 December, Wiese claimed his 50th aerial victory.

Born in Breslau, Wiese volunteered for military service in the Reichswehr of Nazi Germany in 1934.

In 1934, Wiese volunteered for service in the Heer (German Army) and joined Infanterie-Regiment 6 (6th Infantry Regiment).

Initially serving in the Heer (Army), he transferred to the Luftwaffe (Air Force) in 1936.

In 1936, Wiese transferred to the Luftwaffe as an Oberfähnrich (Officer candidate).

There, he was trained as an aerial observer with the Heeresaufklärer (Army Reconnaissance).

Wiese was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 April 1937, and in September 1938 transferred to the Fliegerersatzabteilung 17 (17th Flier Replacement Unit) in Quedlinburg.

He then volunteered for the Jagdwaffe (fighter force) and holding the rank of Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) he began fighter pilot training in October 1938.

Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) in June 1941 just prior to Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

He claimed his first aerial victory on 23 September 1941.

Wiese was posted to a front-line unit in June 1941, almost two years after the start of World War II.

He claimed his first aerial victory on 23 September 1941 and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse) on 27 September 1941 and the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Silver (Frontflugspange in Silber) on 11 October 1941.

On 26 June 1942, Wiese was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 2.

Wiese received the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse) on 1 May 1942.

Following his 7th aerial victory he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 2.

Staffel (2nd squadron) of JG 52 on 26 June 1942 and received the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold (Frontflugspange in Gold) on 13 July 1942.

On 29 September 1942, Wiese he claimed his 25th aerial victory.

On 25 October 1942, he became an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time, claiming victories 29 to 33.

Wiese was awarded the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 6 November 1942.

He became an "ace-in-a-day" again on 16 December 1942, which took his total to 43.

According to Thomas, Patzwall and Scherzer, the presentation was made on 5 December 1942.

Staffel (2nd squadron) of JG 52 and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 January 1943 following his 53rd aerial victory.

On 11 May 1943, Wiese was tasked with the leadership of I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 52 and was officially appointed its Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) on 13 November 1943.

He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 5 January 1943 following his 53rd aerial victory.

The presentation was made by General der Flieger (General of the Flyers) Günther Korten in Rossosh on the Eastern Front.

Sources contradict themselves on the exact date of the presentation of the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold).

According to Obermaier and Stockert, the presentation occurred on 8 February 1943.

Following a lengthy home leave, Wiese was tasked with the leadership of I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 52 on 11 May 1943.

The former commander, Major Helmut Bennemann had been severely injured by an incendiary bomb the day before.

Initially, Wiese led both 2.

Following his 133rd aerial victory, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 2 March 1944.

In October 1944, Wiese was posted to the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) in Defense of the Reich and on 7 November 1944, he was appointed its Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander).

His unit was the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) where he served as an adjutant.

On 22 June, the Geschwader crossed into Soviet airspace in support of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, which opened the Eastern Front.

After the war in 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and worked for the Military History Research Office.

He retired on 10 November 1970 holding the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel).

Wiese died on 16 August 1991 in Kirchzarten and was buried in Berlin-Nikolassee.