Kientsch, Wilhelm, born 12-05-1921 in Kisslegg, 
in Württemberg, the son of a merchant, was posted in Hermann Goering’s (did you know) Luftwaffe 
, to the Ergänzungs-Staffel/JG 27 
on 27-05-1941 for operational training. At the beginning of 1942, Oberfähnrich Kientsch was transferred to the Stabsstaffel of II./JG 27 based in North Africa. He gained his first two victories on 18 March when he shot down two RAF P-40 fighters. By late June 1942, by which time Kientsch was serving with 5./JG 27 
, under Oberstleutnant Eduard “Edu”Neumann, here with General der Flieger, Adolf Galland
he had eight victories to his credit and, by the end of 1942, he had increased his score to 16. On 01-06-1943. “Edu Neuman” died old age 93, on 09-10-2004. Kientsch was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 27. He was particularly successful over Sicily and southern Italy in the spring and summer of 1943 claiming 25 victories, including his 20th victory, a USAAF P-38 twin-engine fighter 
on 16 April, one of eight he was to claim during his Mediterranean theatre service. 
Also included in his victories were nine four-engine bombers. He claimed his 30th victory on 6 June, another P-38 near Pantelleria, and his 40th victory on 17 July, a USAAF B-24 four-engine bomber near Salerno. In August 1943, 6./JG 27, commander Oberst, Gustav Rödel
was relocated to bases in Germany to engage in Reichsverteidigung, Defend of the Fatherland, duties.
In late July 1943, II. Gruppe of JG 27 was ordered back to Germany. At first ordered to Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Airfield, where they arrived on 9 August, the unit then moved to Eschborn Airfield on 20 August. There, the Gruppe received new Bf 109 G-6 aircraft 
and replacement pilots and trained for defense of the Reich missions. While based at Eschborn, Kientsch was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 16 August.
On 6 September, II. Gruppe flew its first operational combat mission when the USAAF VIII Bomber Command 
under command of General Ira Clarence Eaker 
, targeted Stuttgart. At 10:45, the Gruppe intercepted a B-17 formation near Stuttgart. In this encounter, pilots of II. Gruppe claimed nine aerial victories, six were later confirmed including two by Kientsch, for the loss of one pilot killed in action. Willi was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 22-11-1943 for 44 aerial victories claimed. On 1 December, Kientsch was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant)
Death and burial ground of Kientsch, Wilhelm “Willi”.
On 20 December, he claimed his 50th victory when he shot down a B-24 bomber near Bremen. Kientsch was killed in Bf 109 G-6 “Yellow 3” 
when he became disorientated in cloud during aerial combat and crashed into the ground near Würrisch/Hunsrück in Germany on 29-01-1944, age 22. 
Kientsch is buried on the Stadtfriedhof of Neu Ulm, war grave section.
Message(s), tips or interesting graves for the webmaster: robhopmans@outlook.com
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