Augenstein Hans-Heinz

Hans-Heinz Augenstein (11 July 1921 – 7 December 1944) was a German Luftwaffe fighter and flying ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. Operating as a night fighter ace, he was credited with 46 victories, of which 45 were four-engine bombers.

Leutnant Augenstein first served with 3./NJG 1 during mid 1942. He claimed his first victory on the night of 31 July-1 August, a Vickers Wellington downed near Ahlhorn. In late 1942, Augenstein transferred to 7 staffel. He claimed four victories on 27–28 May. In March 1944 Augenstein was made Staffelkapitän of 12./NJG 1 and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944. During 1944 Augenstein claimed 42 victories. On the night of 7 December 1944, Augenstein’s Bf 110 G-4 was shot down near Münster-Handorf by a Mosquito night fighter of the Fighter Interception Unit, flown by RAF ace F/L ER Hedgecoe DFC. Augenstein and his Bordfunker Gunther Steins were killed but his Bordschütze Uzz. Kurt Schmidt baled out unhurt. Hans-Heinz Augenstein was credited with 46 victories, all recorded at night and including 45 four-engine bombers.

Awards

• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (17 January 1944)
• German Cross in Gold on 16 January 1944 as Leutnant in the 7./NJG 1
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelführer of the 7./NJG 1