Part of the general exodus from Russia brought back to defend the
Heimat, Neumann had quickly carved out a reputation as an aggressive
young fighter pilot with 2./JG51. Although flying a heavily armed and
thoroughly unmanoeuvrable Sturmbock in close formation was a world
away from the low altitude turning dog fights ( Kurbelein ) that
characterised air combat over the Russian Steppes, Neumann was to become
one of IV./JG3 leading bomber killers during the summer and autumn
of 1944. Feldwebel Neumann was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 25 November
and had it personally presented to him by Hitler on 9 December 1944. In January
1945, Neumann transferred to JG 7 in a staff position. Here he clashed with
the unit’s recently appointed Kommodore, Major Theodor Weissenberger
(208 victories, RK-EL). Shortly afterwards Oberst Johannes Steinhoff (176
victories, RK-S) and Oberstleutnant Adolf Galland (104 victories, RK-Br)
approached him with an invitation to join JV 44.
Klaus Neumann was credited with 37 victories achieved in about 200 combat missions. 12 of his victories were recorded over the Eastern front and he shot down 19 four-engined bombers. He was also credited with shooting down five enemy aircraft flying the Me 262 jet fighter. Neumann flew operationally right to the very end end of the war and recorded several four engine bomber victories with Galland's JV 44. Some of his experiences with JV 44 were related to Robert Forsyth in Classic's 'Battle over Bavaria'.
When approached for an interview for this site early in 2000 Klaus Neumann was very reluctant to talk about his Sturmgruppe experiences and was apparently full of remorse for the loss of life he caused amongst the USAAF bomber crews .
Klaus Neumann died at home on the 10 th December 2000. He apparently died penniless, bitter and friendless. He has no gravesite or headstone. An obituary of sorts appears in the first issue of Jägerblatt for 2001 as follows:
KLAUS NEUMANN
JG 51 "Mölders" - JG 3 "Udet" - JG 7 - JV 44
Oberstleutnant a. D. der Bundeswehr
Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes
5 Oktober 1923 - 10 Dezember 2000