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Re: Flying Amputees
From Don Caldwell's JG 26 War Diary, Oblt Viktor Hilgendorff rejoined JG 26 in May 1944 as CO of 9/JG 26, having had his right leg amputated above the knee due to injuries suffered when shot down on 8 June 1942, when flying with JG 26. Claimed a victory on 17 July 1944, Caldwell reports as a 354th FG P 51.
KIA the next day in combat with P47s.
According to Caldwell, Hilgendorff was shot down in combat with B24s on 15 June 1944 and had to detach his artificial leg and carry it under his arm while parachuting!
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