Kurt Bühligen – Jagdgeschwader 2 “Richthofen” (Schwertern)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Kurt Bühligen. Oberstleutnant Kurt Bühligen (13.12.1917 † 11.08.1985) earned the Ritterkreuz on September 4, 1941 as Oberfeldwebel und Flugzeugführer of the II. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 2 “Richthofen” (after 21 earial victories), the Eichenlaub on March 2, 1944 as Major und Kommandeur of the II. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 2 “Richthofen” and the Schwertern on August 14, 1944 as Major und Kommodore of the Jagdgeschwader 2 “Richthofen” (after 104 aerial victories).

Kurt Bühlingen served with the Luftwaffe from 1936 until early 1945. At first he joined the Luftwaffe as a mechanic, but underwent flying training in 1938 and 1939. He was placed with Jagdgeschwader 2 in July 1940 as pilot with the rank of Unteroffizier. In September 1940 he scored his first enemy kill. In December 1942 he claimed his 40th victory while serving with II. / Jagdgeschwader 2 in Tunisia, North Africa. In March 1943 he returned to Europe. A year later he had scored 96 kills and commanded II. / Jagdgeschwader 2 with the rank of Major. Later he led the Jagdgeschwader 2 during fighting on the Eastern Front. As Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 2, due to an engine failure, he was forced to land in enemy territory in early 1945 and was taken POW by the Soviets. He stayed in imprisonment until 1950. During his career he shot down 112 enemy planes (including 24 four-engined bombers) over the course of 700+ sorties. He was himself shot down three times. Read more on Kurt Bühligen (TracesofWar)