Karl Christ
Leutnant Karl Christ (15 June 1897 – fl. 1944) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1] He returned to his nation's defense during early World War II.
Karl Christ | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 June 1897 Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service/ | Flying service |
| Years of service | 1915–1918, 1940–1944 |
| Rank | Oberst |
| Unit | Bombengeschwader 2; Kampfgeschwader 5; Kampfgeschwader 6; Jagdstaffel 28 |
| Awards | Iron Cross |
| Other work | Served in Luftwaffe during World War II. |
Biography
Karl Christ was born on 15 June 1897 in Darmstadt, the Grand Duchy of Hesse, in the German Empire. In January 1915, he joined the Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches (the German flying service). He trained with Fliegerersatz-Abteilung (Replacement Detachment) 6 at Grosenheim.[2]
He began service with Kampfgeschwader 6. By 1916, he was serving in Kampfgeschwader 5, a tactical bomber wing subordinate to the German Supreme Command. During this period, Christ won both classes of the Iron Cross.[2]
Christ was commissioned a Leutnant on 23 March 1917 while serving with another bombing wing under the German Supreme Command—Bombengeschwader 2. In November 1917, he left Bogohl 2; the following month he joined Jagdstaffel 28, a single-seat fighter squadron, for service through war's end. Between 14 May and 14 October 1918, he had five of his six victory claims confirmed, though details are lacking on the last pair.[2]
World War II service
From 1 April 1941 through February 1942, Karl Christ was an Oberst with a Stuka geschwader in North Africa.[2]
Awards
- Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class
- Hessische Tapferkeits-Medaille[2]
- German Cross in Gold on 5 June 1942 as Oberstleutnant in Sturzkampfgeschwader 3[3]
References
- Citations
- The Aerodrome website's page on Karl Christ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/christ.php Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- Franks et al 1993, p. 92.
- Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 73.
- Bibliography
- Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by none |
Commander of Sturzkampffliegerschule 2 31 July 1940 – 7 February 1941 |
Succeeded by Oberstleutnant Hermann Edert |
| Preceded by Oberstleutnant Georg Edert |
Commander of Sturzkampfgeschwader 3 1 April 1941 – 1 September 1941 |
Succeeded by Oberst Walter Sigel |
| Preceded by unknown |
Commander of Sturzkampffliegerschule 2 17 April 1942 – Mai 1943 |
Succeeded by Sturzkampfgeschwader 102 |
| Preceded by Sturzkampffliegerschule 2 |
Commander of Sturzkampfgeschwader 102 Mai 1943 – June 1943 |
Succeeded by Major Bernhard Hamester |
| Preceded by none |
Commander of Sturzkampfgeschwader 151 17 May 1943 – 18 October 1943 |
Succeeded by Schlachtgeschwader 151 |
| Preceded by Sturzkampfgeschwader 151 |
Commander of Schlachtgeschwader 151 18 October 1943 – 6 December 1944 |
Succeeded by Oberst Helmut Bruck |