Anton Hafner

German World War II fighter pilot

Anton Hafner (2 June 1918 - 17 October 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II and a fighter ace credited with 204 enemy aircraft shot down in 795 combat missions.

The majority of his victories were claimed on the Eastern Front, but he also claimed 20 victories over the Western Front during the North African Campaign.

Born in Erbach an der Donau, Hafner grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany.Following the compulsory Reich Labour Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst), he was conscripted into military service with the Luftwaffe of the Wehrmacht.

In February 1941 he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing), flying his first combat missions against the Royal Air Force on the English Channel.

Hafner claimed his first aerial victory on 24 June 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.Following his 60th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 August 1942.

His unit was then transferred to Tunisia in North Africa where he claimed 20 aerial victories.Back on the Eastern Front in August 1943, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 11 April 1944 after achieving 134 aerial victories.

On 15 May 1944, he was appointed squadron leader of 8.Staffel (8th squadron) of JG 51.Hafner claimed his 204th and last aerial victory on 17 October 1944.

During this encounter, he flew into a tree, killing him.

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