Karl-Heinz Krahl (25 September 1914 – 14 April 1942) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Karl-Heinz Krahl was shot down 14 April 1942, by anti-aircraft fire from the defenses at RAF Luqa during the Siege of Malta. During his career he is credited with between 19 - 24 aerial victories, all against Western forces. Career On 5 September 1940, Krahl succeeded Oberleutnant Helmut Wick as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 3. Staffel of JG 2. Wick had been appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I. Gruppe of JG 2. When Wick was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 2 on 20 October, Krahl succeeded him as Gruppenkommandeur of I. Gruppe. Krahl was transferred and appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) on 21 November 1941. He succeeded Hauptmann Gordon Gollob who was transferred. Command of I. Gruppe of JG 2 was passed to Hauptmann Ignaz Prestele. On 14 April 1942, he was shot down and killed in action in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 (Werknummber 8784—factory number) by anti-aircraft artillery near Luqa, Malta. The next day, he was replaced by Major Kurt Brändle as commander of II. Gruppe. Following World War II, Krahl was reinterred at the German War Cemetery in Cagliari, the capital of the island of Sardinia. Summary of career Aerial victory claims According to Obermaier, Krahl was with 24 aerial victories. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 19 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Western Front. Awards Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords (14 April 1939) Aviator badge Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 13 November 1940 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" References Citations Bibliography External links Aces of the Luftwaffe Luftwaffe 1939–1945 History 1914 births 1942 deaths Military personnel from Wrocław People from the Province of Silesia German World War II flying aces German military personnel of the Spanish Civil War Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Aviators killed by being shot down Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II Condor Legion personnel