Date: 2nd December 1944
Unit: 11 Staffel./Jagdgeschwader 3
Type: Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14
Werke/Nr.?
Coded: Black 1 +
Location: Near Giessen, Germany.
Pilot: Leutnant. Karl - Heinz Willeke. – Severely burned.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Karl-Heinz Willeke was the Staffelkapitaen of the 11th Staffel. On this day Willeke and his men were ordered an “Alarm-Start” to intercept enemy aircraft in the Remegen area. During the ensuing combat with a P-47 Thunderbolt of the 56th Fighter Group, 63rd Fighter Squadron his aircraft was hit between Lumda – Stangenrod and Atzenhain and was forced to make an emergency landing near Giessen. During the landing his aircraft must have caught fire as he was severely burnt and rushed to Giessen hospital for immediate treatment, but sadly he succumbed to his wounds and passed away that evening…
Karl - Heinz Willeke (via Jeckel).
JG 3 pilots November 1944 Karl-Heinz Willeke is first from left (via Jeckel).
Burial details: No burial details found on German VDK website Can anyone confirm burial details.
Researched by Melvin Brownless with thanks to Horst Jeckel, (March) 2013. Note: If you can help with further details regarding this pilot and his burial please contact Melvin through website link.