Theodor Weissenberger Showing Off His Kills

Petsamo airfield (Finland), August 1943. Oberleutnant Theodor "Theo" Weissenberger (Staffelkapitän 7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 5 "Eismeer") points to his Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes award for staggering accomplishments in the air (so far 112th confirmed aerial victories!). The abschußbalken (victory bars) with the awards is painted on the rudder of his personal aircraft, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 (Werknummer 13912). A Hanhart Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot Chronograph Wristwatch is clearly visible in his pointing hand. Weissenberger flew more than 500 combat missions claiming 208 enemy aircraft shot down. 175 of his victories were in the East and 33 in the Western Front (with 25 victories over the Normandy front, including some 7 heavy bombers, and 8 victories while flying the Me 262). Among his best days are five victories on 7 June, 1944; all five P-47's one at Breteuil, and two SW of Montdidier, and two in the Beauvais area. A triple victory, all 3 P-47's on 12 June, 1944, one at Vernon, one at Gasny and one at Gisors. A double victory on 7 July, 1944; both P-47's at Rosieres-Santerre. As a former Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter-bomber pilot, he was also credited with fifteen locomotives, two flak installations, and numerous ground targets destroyed! Despite his excellent talents as a fighter pilot, Weissenberger's casual often "non-military" attitude and demeanour meant he often got into trouble with his superiors regarding discipline. He became a motor racing driver after the war and was killed at the infamous Nürburgring circuit on 10 June 1950, when his BMW-powered single seater crashed on the first lap of the XV Eifelrennen motor race

Source:

Book "Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries Section S-Z" by y: Henry L. deZeng IV and Douglas G. Stankey 

http://www.aircrewremembered.com/KrackerDatabase/?q=weissenberger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Weissenberger
http://historypreservation.com/hpassociates/pilot.php