Martin Möbus

Martin Möbus
Born	9 May 1917 Zeisdorf
Died	Pori, Finland
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1936–44
Rank	Major
Unit	StG 1 StG 2 SchlG 5
Commands held	I./Schlachtgeschwader 5
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Norwegian Campaign Eastern Front
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Martin Möbus (9 May 1917 – 2 June 1944) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. In 1940 he claimed the sinking of HMS Sussex, which in fact was heavily damaged and was back in service in 1942. Möbus was killed on 2 June 1944 in an auto accident under the influence of alcohol in Pori, Finland. In more than 800 flights he was credited with the destruction of several ships, 60+ tanks, 600 vehicles, 18 anti-aircraft guns and 5 armored trains.

Awards and decorations

• Flugzeugführerabzeichen
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "800"
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (26 September 1939)
  • 1st Class (5 May 1940)
• German Cross in Gold on 24 September 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 4./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 8 May 1940 as Leutnant and pilot in the I/Gruppe Stuka-Geschwader 1. "Insterburger Gruppe"
  • 463rd Oak Leaves on 25 April 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 5

External links

• Lexikon der Wehrmacht
• World War 2 Awards.com