"Feldwebel Axthammer is an outstanding ground attack pilot who has
demonstrated great courage and devotion to duty over the course of 505
sorties against the Soviet Union. His aptitude for aerial combat and
dutifulness place him far above the average for other pilots.
Feldwebel Axthammer began operations on the Eastern front starting on
the 01.04.1943. Within the space of 11 months he flew 305 sorties with
the Hs 123. Throughout the retreat battles in Southern Russia he did an
exemplary job of leading ground-attack operations in support of the
Heer. Starting in May 1944, following his familiarization training with
the Fw 190, Feldwebel Axthammer flew an additional 200 sorties against
the enemy. During this time period he once again served as an example of
courage for his comrades.
Feldwebel Axthammer has achieved great successes since being awarded the
German Cross in Gold (which he was given after flying about 250
sorties). More specifically, in this time period he has destroyed 42
trucks, 46 horse-drawn wagons, 2 tanks, 1 armored car, 2 artillery
pieces, 2 anti-aircraft guns, 5 anti-tank gun positions, 2 trucks with
limbered artillery pieces, 2 fuel dumps and 2 pontoon bridges. He
achieved direct bomb hits on 6 ammunition dumps and a pier. 27 trucks
were so effectively shot up that they are believed to be destroyed. Furthermore, in this same time frame he has also shot down 4 aircraft,
effectively shot up 3 others and set afire 2 on the ground. All of these
kills had witnesses, however they have not been accepted as official by
the OKL.
All of these successes by Feldwebel Axthammer were only possible due to
his extraordinary skill, personal bravery and ruthless dedication to the
conduct of combat." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on April 28th, 1945 as Feldwebel of Schlachtgeschwader 10.
Another capable enemy,
Brian
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