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Hermann-Friedrich Joppien (19 July 1912 – 25 August 1941) was a German ''Luftwaffe'' military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 70 enemy aircraft shot down in roughly 270 combat missions. He claimed 42 victories over the Western Front, of which 23 were Supermarine Spitfires, the remaining victories were recorded over the Eastern Front. He was also recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ((ドイツ語:Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub)). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. It was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Hermann-Friedrich Joppien. Joppien was killed in action with Soviet fighters on 25 August 1941. ==Early life and career== Joppien was born on 19 July 1912 in Bochum in the Province of Westphalia, a province of the Kingdom of Prussia. His father was a laborer and when he found new work in 1917, the family moved to Hersfeld. After Joppien completed his schooling, he received a vocational education and learned the trade of a typesetter in a printing firm. In October 1931, Joppien joined the military service with ''Infanterie-Regiment'' 15 (15th Infantry Regiment) of the ''Reichswehr'' of the Weimar Republic in Gießen. There he was promoted to ''Unteroffizier'' (corporal) in 1933〔Stockert 1996, p. 97.〕 In parallel to his military service at Gießen, Joppien was very much interested and involved in glider construction and glider flight. His transfer to the ''Luftwaffe'' was somewhat delayed as Joppien had been tasked with the training of new officer recruits. On 15 October 1935, his transfer to the ''Luftwaffe'' was finally authorized. Until Christmas 1935, he had logged 100 solo flights and in June 1936 he became a flight instructor. He was promoted to ''Unterfeldwebel'' (junior non-commissioned officer) on 1 October 1936, to ''Feldwebel'' (non-commissioned officer) on 1 February 1937, and to ''Oberfeldwebel'' (staff sergeant) on 1 July 1937.〔 He was then selected for officer training and posted to a ''Kriegsschule'' (war school). Graduating among the top of his class of 130 students, he was promoted to ''Leutnant'' (second lieutenant) on 23 December 1938. Initially serving as a pilot and ''Staffeloffizier'' (squadron officer) in ''Jagdgeschwader'' 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing),〔For an explanation of ''Luftwaffe'' unit designations see Organization of the ''Luftwaffe'' during World War II.〕 named after the after World War I fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, he was promoted to ''Oberleutnant'' (first lieuntenant) on 1 June 1939. He then held the position of ''Technischer Offizier'' (technical officer) with ''Stab'' of ''Jagdgruppe'' 176 (176th Fighter Group), which later formed the basis of II. ''Gruppe'' (2nd Group) of ''Zerstörergeschwader'' 76 (ZG 76—76th Destroyer Wing). In mid 1939, Joppien was posted to the 1. ''Staffel'' (1st Squadron) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing).〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hermann-Friedrich Joppien」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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