Introduction
Joachim Kirschner (7 June 1920 – 17 December 1943) was a fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was credited with 188 victories during his career and was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
Kirschner joined the military service in the Luftwaffe on 26 August 1939. He received the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe and the German Cross in Gold after claiming 51 aerial victories. On 27 April 1943, Kirschner was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 37th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. He claimed his 150th aerial victory on 5 Juli 1943. Following his 170th aerial victory he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943. On 17 December 1943 his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 20618—factory number) was shot down by a Republic P-47D Thunderbolt of the 57th Fighter Group over Croatia. He bailed out safely and landed on his parachute between villages Bjelojevići and Donje Hrasno. He was killed by a firing squad from the 29. Hercegovačka udarna divizjia (29th Herzegovina Shock Division) at Metković.
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (27 January 1942) & 1st Class (12 April 1942)
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 21 December 1942 as Leutnant and pilot
- German Cross in Gold on 3 December 1942 as Leutnant in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 23 December 1942 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
- 267th Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
- Thomas 1997, p. 365.
- Patzwall 2008, p. 117.
- Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 229.
- ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 443.