Kurt Bühligen
German World War II fighter pilot
Died when: 67 years 241 days (811 months)Star Sign: Sagittarius
Kurt Bühligen (13 December 1917 – 11 August 1985) was a Luftwaffe wing commander and fighter ace of Nazi Germany during World War II.
He was credited with 112 enemy aircraft shot down in over 700 combat missions.His victories were all claimed over the Western Front and included 14 four-engine bombers and 47 Supermarine Spitfire fighters.
Born in Granschütz, Bühligen, volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1936.Initially trained as an aircraft mechanic, after the outbreak of World War II, he was trained as a pilot.
In June 1940, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing).He fought in the Battle of Britain and claimed his first aerial victory in that campaign on 4 September 1940.
Promoted to an officers rank, Bühligen was appointed squadron leader of the 4.Staffel (4th squadron) of JG 2 in April 1942.
In November 1942, his unit was transferred to the Mediterranean and theatre where he claimed his 50th aerial victory in February 1943.
Back on the Channel Front, he was appointed commander of the II.Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 2 in April 1943.Following his 96th, Bühligen was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves in March 1944.
In April 1944, he replaced Kurt Ubben as commander of JG 2.He claimed his 100th victory on 7 June 1944 and in August received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords after 104 aerial victories.
In May 1945, he was taken prisoner of war by Soviet forces and released in 1949.Bühligen then settled in Nidda where he worked in automotive sales.
He died on 11 August 1985 in Nidda.
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