WINFRIED SCHMIDT - KNIGHTS CROSS - Signed Photo
Winfried Schmidt was serving with 5th Staffel JG77 when the war began and was involved in the famed 'Battle of the Heligoland Bight' on the 18th December 1939 when RAF Bombers attacked German naval targets in Wilhelmshafen in daylight. Schmidt claimed a Wellington during the Battle.
Schmidt became part of 8./JG3 in time for the Battle of France, where he scored 3 victories and subsequently flew in the Battle of Britain where he managed a single victory claim - a Spitfire on the 26th August 1940.
Schmidt went with JG3 to Russia to take part in 'Operation Barbarossa' and, after only 24 hours of the attack, was appointed to StaffelKapitan of 8th Staffel after the loss in combat of the previous StaKa. He added 14 more kills to his tally over the next few weeks but his final combat on 11th July saw his Me109F hit by defensive fire from a Tupolev SB Bomber, wounding Schmidt seriously. He managed with the help of his Wingman to reach his home airfield and crash-land his aircraft. Schmidt did not return to combat duties due to the severity of his injuries.
This is a very nice post war signed photo measuring 6 x 4 Inches.
