In April 1941, Marseille was transferred to North Africa and I Gruppe Jagdgeschwader 27 based in Libya. (from World War II: A Visual Encyclopedia, page 334).
It was here that Marseille's true fighter qualities came into its own. He made a record by shooting down at least one enemy aircraft on each sortie. This he did against considerable odds, as at times he alone would be facing a entire squadron of Spitfires.
After his fiftieth kill, Marseille was awarded the Knight's Cross. He received his Swords on June 18, 1942, after he had destroyed 100 British aircraft. On September 2, 1942 Marseille was awarded Germany's highest military award, The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, following his 125th kill.
After returning to North Africa, he destroyed another 33 British aircraft within a few days. On September 28, 1942, Marseille received a telephone call from Rommel.
Rommel said that he wanted to take you to Berlin for Hitler is speaking in The Sports Palace. You will sit on Hitler's right, and I on his left. But Marseille told the Field Marshal, that he cannot take a leave now for my friends desperately need me here fighting. Marseille said to Rommel that he had gotton engaged during his last leave and that he would get married in Christmas so he will go to Berlin then. Rommel laughed and said okay if you think more of getting married than of Hitler, than please do stay.
On September 30, the day Hitler was to speak in the Sports Palace, Marseille flew his usual patrol. And then suddenly he had some engine trouble and his aircraft lost height. He jumped but his parachute failed to open. It was an unfitting end for this great air warrior. Hans-Joachim Marseille died, undefeated by the enemy, after 158 victories.
Such are the substance legends are made of. His skill was remarkable, and his courage and daring unsurpassed. He was only 22 years old when he died. Marseille was buried in the military cemetery in Derna, Egypt, with full military honors. Even today, a pyramid, which was dedicated in 1989, stands as a testimony to Marseille's daring exploits, his courage and his remarkable record.
It is interesting to note that he destroyed 154 Fighter aircraft and four Bomber aircraft in 388 combat missions, 482 missions total.
Marseille had crammed a great deal of living in his short life. Perhaps his brief life is best explained by his mother who had this to say: "His motto was: 'Don't turn around, always look ahead.' Perhaps this best describes his character. I was and am proud of my boy, who so well suited the ideas of an officer as I pictured them when I held that tiny bundle of humanity right after his birth. Brave, decent and loyal. That was my Joachim." (from Knights Of The Reich).
Bibliography
Fraschka, Gunther: Knights Of The Reich. Universitas Verlag, 1989.
Mitcham Jr., Samuel and Mueller, Gene: Hitler's Commanders: Officers of the
Wehrmacht, the Luftwaffe, the Kriegsmarine, and the Waffen-SS. Cooper Square Press, 1992.
Keegan, John, ed. World War II: A Visual Encyclopedia. PRC Publishing, 1999.
Tate, Robert. "Hans-Joachim Marseille" http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/hanstate.html
Marseille with his ME-109 in 1942
Photo from World War II: A Visual Encyclopedia, page 334
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© Copyright 2002 by Shahram Khan.
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