Hans philipp was born in 1917, it was said of Philipp that he was a true dogfighter and really only enjoyed attacking fighters because he enjoyed the 'chase'. He first saw action during the Polish campaign where he scored his first victory. In late 1940 during fighting over the Channel he received the Ritterkreuz for his 20th victory by this time he had reached the rank of Oberleutnant. Transferred to the Russian front his score would mount rapidly, by 1942 he had reached the 100th mark, in 1943 Philipp was transferred back to the West to combat the US bombers, he fought the heavies for six months when on an intercept mission US Thunderbolts bounced him Philipp was shot out of the sky before he had a chance to defend himself. Hans Philipp finished the War with 206 victories