Klaus Mietusch (5 August 1918 – 17 September 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 72 aerial victories achieved in 452 combat missions. This figure includes 15 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 57 victories over the Western Allies, including 13 four-engined bombers. Born in Bochum, Mietusch grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Luftwaffe in 1937. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) in 1939. Flying with this wing, Mietusch claimed his first aerial victory on 31 May 1940 on the Western Front during the Battle of France. In early 1941, he fought in the Mediterranean theater. He was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 7. Staffel (7th squadron) of JG 26 in September 1941 and in January 1943, was posted to the Eastern Front. In July 1943 he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III. Gruppe of JG 26. Following his 60th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944. Mietusch claimed his last aerial victory on 17 September 1944 during the Operation Market Garden. He was killed in action that day, shot down by a North American P-51 Mustang fighter from the 361st Fighter Group. Posthumously, Mietusch was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 18 November 1944. Early life and career Mietusch was born on 5 August 1918 in Posen in the Province of Posen, part of the Kingdom of Prussia, present-day Poznań in west-central Poland. At birth, his last-name was Mitusz which was later changed to Mietusch to sound more German. Following graduation from school with his Abitur (university-preparatory high school diploma), Mietusch joined the military service in the Luftwaffe in 1937, as a Fahnenjunker (officer cadet). Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) was created on 1 May 1939 in Düsseldorf by renaming Jagdgeschwader 132 (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing) and was commanded by Oberst Eduard Ritter von Schleich, a flying ace of World War I. Mietusch, who was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) in 1939, was among the first pilots assigned to this unit following his training as a fighter pilot. World War II World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Mietusch, who was