Description
WARTIME KNIGHTS CROSS PORTRAIT PHOTO – JOHANNES “HANNES” SEIFERT – JAGDGESCHWADER 26 FIGHTER ACE
Wartime portrait photo. Approximately 9x13cm. Period image of Knight’s Cross recipient Johannes “Hannes” Seifert, a noted Luftwaffe fighter ace. Unsigned example. Original private portrait, NOT a postcard.
Johannes “Hannes” Seifert (October 6, 1915 – November 25, 1943) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during the Second World War, serving with Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter.”
Background & Career:
Born in Pinneberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Served with Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26), one of the Luftwaffe’s premier fighter wings operating primarily on the Western Front.
Rose to command I. Gruppe of JG 26 as Gruppenkommandeur and later led additional formations within the wing.
Posthumously promoted to Oberstleutnant following his death in combat.
Combat Record:
Flew a total of 439 combat sorties.
Credited with 57 aerial victories, including 11 on the Eastern Front and the remainder against Western Allied aircraft.
Achieved numerous successes during operations over France, England, and later on the Eastern Front.
Knight’s Cross Citation (summary):
Awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on June 7, 1942, as Hauptmann and commander of I./Jagdgeschwader 26 after achieving 36 aerial victories and demonstrating consistent leadership and combat success against Allied air forces.
Awards & Recognition:
Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (7 June 1942)
German Cross in Gold (25 February 1942)
Luftwaffe Honor Goblet (30 December 1940)
Iron Cross (2nd Class & 1st Class)
Postwar Life:
Killed in action on November 25, 1943, near La Couture, France, following a mid-air collision with an American P-38 fighter during combat.
