Picture showing the tail/Leitwerk of Messerschmitt BF 109 E-4 with WNr. 1559, the plane that Wilhelm Balthasar flew during the French campaign.
 
Balthasar was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 14th of June 1940 becoming the second Luftwaffe fighter pilot after Werner Mölders, to be so decorated. With 23 aerial victories, Balthasar was the most successful German fighter pilot of the Battle of France.
 
He was awarded the Knight's of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves on the 2nd of July 1941 (awarded after his 40th aerial victory).  The next day, Balthasar was killed in action in his Bf 109 F-4 (Werknummer 7066) near the road from Aire to Saint-Omer.
 
size: 6,5 cm x 9 cm
 
condition: good