Hauptmann Hans Joachim Marseille,
better known as the Star of Africa, was probably the most
formidable opponent the British ever encountered in the air.
He was victorious in 158 aerial combats against the Royal Air
Force, 154 of which were fighter aircraft. Marseille died undefeated
whilst bailing out of his Me 109 which had developed an engine
problem on the return leg of an uneventful sortie.
Marseille is seen here at the moment of his 150th aerial victory
on September 15th, 1942. On this day, he fought and defeated
no less than seven Curtiss Kittyhawk fighters in an incredible
eleven minutes.
Signed by Marseille's commanding officer, Colonel Eduard Edu
Neumann, plus General Friedrich Körner, Lieutenant Colonel
Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert, and Lieutenant Helmut Beckmann.
The signature area
on this print is placed to the left of the image, please see
below. |