Bernhard Hamester

Bernhard Hamester
Born	21 October 1913 Dahmker
Died	Trebbin
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1940–45
Rank	Major
Unit	StG 2 StG 3 SG 102 SG 10 SG 3
Commands held	Schlachtgeschwader 3
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of France Battle of Britain Battle of Crete North African Campaign Battle of Berlin
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Bernhard Hamester (21 October 1913 – 22 April 1945) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career he flew 400+ missions. Bernhard Hamester was killed on 22 April 1945 after being hit by Soviet fire near Trebbin, Germany.

Awards and decorations

• Aviator badge
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• German Cross in Gold (9 April 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 3 September 1942 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Luftwaffe 1939-1945 History
• Ritterkreuztraeger 1939-1945

Military offices
Preceded by Oberst Karl Christ	Commander of Sturzkampfgeschwader 102 June 1943 – 18 October 1943	Succeeded by Schlachtgeschwader 102
Preceded by Oberst Kurt Kuhlmey	Commander of Schlachtgeschwader 3 15 December 1944 – 22 April 1945	Succeeded by None