Albin Wolf
Albin Wolf | |
---|---|
![]() World War II photo of Albin Wolf | |
Born | (1920-10-28)28 October 1920 Naila |
Died | 2 April 1944(1944-04-02) (aged 23) south of Pskov |
Cause of death | Killed in action |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1940–44 |
Rank | Oberleutnant (posthumous) |
Unit | JG 1, JG 54 |
Commands | 6./JG 54 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (posthumous) |
Albin Wolf (28 October 1920 – 2 April 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 144 enemy aircraft shot down.[1] All of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front.
Born in Neuhaus, Wolf grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he joined the Luftwaffe in 1940. In May 1942, Wolf was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) and claimed his first aerial victory on 6 August 1942. Following his 117th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 November 1943. Promoted to an officer's rank, he was appointed squadron leader of 6. Staffel (6th squadron) of JG 54 and claimed his 144th and last aerial victory on 2 April 1944. That day, he was shot down. He was posthumously bestowed with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
Early life and career
Wolf was born on 28 October 1920 in Neuhaus, present-day part of Selbitz in the district Hof, at the time in the district of Naila, Bavaria. He was the son of a wage labourer. After graduation from school, Wolf joined the Luftwaffe in 1940. Following flight training,[Note 1] he was posted to the 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing) based in Jever in the fall of 1941.[Note 2] Holding the rank of Unteroffizier (non-commissioned officer), he flew with this unit in Defense of the Reich until May 1942.[3]
World War II
World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. On 22 June 1941, Germany had launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, which initiated the Eastern Front. In May 1942, Wolf was transferred to the 6. Staffel (6th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing), operating on the northern sector of the Eastern Front. At the time, he was made a wingman of Hans Beißwenger.[3] II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 54, to which 6. Staffel was subordinated, was one of the Luftwaffe units fighting in support of Army Group Centre, engaging in the Kholm Pocket and Demyansk Pocket.[4]
Wolf claimed his first aerial victory over an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft, shot down on 6 August 1942 in the vicinity of Zubtsov during the Battles of Rzhev.[5] Following his fourth claim, filed on 30 September,[6] he was awarded Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse) the next day.[7] On 23 March 1943, his number of aerial victories had increased to 18 following combat in the vicinity of Leningrad.[8] This resulted in the presentation of the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 30 April 1943.[3] On 12 July, during the Battle of Kursk, Soviet forces launched its counteroffensive named Operation Kutuzov. The next day, General Paul Deichmann dispatched the equivalent of eight Jagdgruppen to defend against the Soviet 15th Air Army. That morning, Wolf claimed a Soviet fighter aircraft shot down.[9] He achieved his aerial victories 37–40 on 2 August 1943. By 4 September 1943, he had accumulated 78 victories. In November 1943, Wolf was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 59th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[10] Wolf received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 117 victories on 22 November 1943.[11][12]
On 24 December 1943, following the German retreat during the Battle of the Dnieper (26 August – 23 December 1943), Soviet forces initiated the Zhitomir–Berdichev Offensive as part of the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive. The Soviet advance threatened the German airfield at Bila Tserkva and II. Gruppe of JG 54 was ordered to relocate to Tarnopol on 27 December. The transfer was attempted under adverse weather conditions. On 29 December, 24 aircraft took off but only one made it directly to Tarnopol. Many aircraft were lost that day, among them Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 531087—factory number) flown by Wolf who crash landed the aircraft and was severely wounded.[13] On 18 January 1944, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 6. Staffel, succeeding Oberleutnant Horst Ademeit who was transferred.[14]
Wolf's 135th aerial victory claimed on 23 March 1944 was also JG 54's 7000th of the war.[15][16] Wolf was killed in action 20 kilometers (12 miles) south-east of Pskov on 2 April 1944 at 09:30. During aerial combat at low altitude with a Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter, his Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 551142—factory number) took a direct hit from an anti-aircraft shell.[17] He was posthumously promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 27 April 1944.[11][18][19] He was the 464th member of the German armed forces to be so honored. Stockert indicated that the Oak Leaves presentation date 27 April 1944 may be incorrect. Based on a list published by the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (High Command of the Air Force), the Oak Leaves were awarded on 25 April 1944.[20] Wolf was succeeded by Leutnant Heinrich Sterr as commander of 6. Staffel.[14]
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Wolf was credited with 144 aerial victories.[21] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 142 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[22]
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 18234". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[23]
Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Wolf an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day. This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman. | |||||||||
Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location |
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[24] Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943 | |||||||||
1 | 6 August 1942 | 15:50 | Il-2 | northwest of Kamischtchewo[25] | 6 | 29 December 1942 | 12:55 | P-39 | PQ 18234[26] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa |
2 | 23 August 1942 | 12:07 | Yak-1 | PQ 54244[27] 25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Sukhinichi | 7 | 30 December 1942 | 11:54 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28144[28] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk |
3 | 5 September 1942 | 11:10 | Pe-2 | PQ 28464[29] 25 km (16 mi) east of Demyansk | 8 | 30 December 1942 | 13:44 | Il-2 | PQ 28145[28] 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Demyansk |
4 | 30 September 1942 | 08:46 | Il-2 | PQ 29751[6] 45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Demyansk | 9 | 14 January 1943 | 12:35 | Il-2 | PQ 10162[30] southeast of Shlisselburg |
5 | 4 December 1942 | 10:15 | Il-2 | PQ 09854[31] | 10 | 26 January 1943 | 11:25 | Il-2 | PQ 10113[30] vicinity of Shlisselburg |
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[22] Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943 | |||||||||
11 | 11 February 1943 | 10:30 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 20514[32] 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Lyuban | 67 | 28 August 1943 | 06:14 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 43873[33] 15 km (9.3 mi) south-southeast of Sevsk |
12 | 23 February 1943 | 15:53 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 19761[34] 15 km (9.3 mi) north-northeast of Staraya Russa | 68 | 28 August 1943 | 11:52 | Yak-4?[Note 3] | PQ 35 Ost 43822[33] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Sevsk |
13 | 27 February 1943 | 15:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 18453[34] 40 km (25 mi) west of Demyansk | 69 | 30 August 1943 | 14:23 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35641[33] 25 km (16 mi) west of Spas-Demensk |
14 | 5 March 1943 | 07:30 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 18423[34] 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Staraya Russa | 70 | 30 August 1943 | 17:53 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 45523[33] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Spas-Demensk |
15 | 5 March 1943 | 13:55 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 18212[34] 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa | 71 | 30 August 1943 | 18:01 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35491[33] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Spas-Demensk |
16 | 5 March 1943 | 16:18 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 18391[8] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Kholm | 72 | 31 August 1943 | 06:48 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 35632[33] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Spas-Demensk |
17 | 7 March 1943 | 09:15 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 18391[8] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Kholm | 73 | 31 August 1943 | 15:31 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 35554[33] 20 km (12 mi) south of Yelnya |
18 | 23 March 1943 | 17:20 | P-40 | PQ 36 Ost 00243[8] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Leningrad | 74 | 31 August 1943 | 15:34 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 35643[33] 25 km (16 mi) west of Spas-Demensk |
19 | 18 June 1943 | 12:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 20113[36] west of Volkhov | 75 | 1 September 1943 | 18:08 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 25453[33] 25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Yelnya |
20 | 24 June 1943 | 07:10 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 21871[37] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Volkhov | 76 | 1 September 1943 | 18:10 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 25433[33] 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Yelnya |
21 | 13 July 1943 | 06:57 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 63894[37] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Mtsensk | 77 | 4 September 1943 | 16:36 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26632[38] 40 km (25 mi) south of Bogolyubovo |
22 | 13 July 1943 | 11:54 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 63222[37] 40 km (25 mi) east of Oryol | 78 | 4 September 1943 | 17:04 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 25484[38] 25 km (16 mi) west of Yelnya |
23 | 13 July 1943 | 14:15 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 63412[37] 35 km (22 mi) north of Maloarkhangelsk | 79 | 5 September 1943 | 11:24 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 25493[38] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Yelnya |
24 | 14 July 1943 | 14:21 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 54333[39] 45 km (28 mi) east-southeast of Zhizdra | 80 | 5 September 1943 | 17:50?[Note 4] | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35374[38] 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Yelnya |
25 | 15 July 1943 | 17:02 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64883[39] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Mtsensk | 81♠ | 7 September 1943 | 08:06 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26824[38] 20 km (12 mi) north of Yartsevo |
26 | 16 July 1943 | 18:57 | La-5[39] | 82♠ | 7 September 1943 | 08:23 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26823[38] 20 km (12 mi) north of Yartsevo | |
27 | 17 July 1943 | 06:43 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 54614[39] 25 km (16 mi) west of Bolkhov | 83♠ | 7 September 1943 | 11:09 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26673[38] 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Moschna |
28 | 17 July 1943 | 06:58?[Note 5] | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 54183[39] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Belyov | 84♠ | 7 September 1943 | 11:17 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26861[38] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Yartsevo |
29 | 19 July 1943 | 11:47 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 54442[39] 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Bolkhov | 85♠ | 7 September 1943 | 16:45 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26491[38] 45 km (28 mi) southwest of Bogolyubovo |
30 | 20 July 1943 | 08:29 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64871[39] 25 km (16 mi) south of Mtsensk | 86 | 9 September 1943 | 17:04 | Yak-9?[Note 6] | PQ 35 Ost 26242[38] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Yartsevo |
31 | 22 July 1943 | 15:18 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 64799[39] 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Oryol | 87 | 10 September 1943 | 09:57 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26841[38] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Yartsevo |
32 | 23 July 1943 | 18:27 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63161[39] 20 km (12 mi) south-eastsouth of Oryol | 88 | 11 September 1943 | 16:01?[Note 7] | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 35852[38] |
33 | 25 July 1943 | 12:40 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 53291[39] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Oryol | 89 | 15 September 1943 | 08:51 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26812, northeast of Dukhovshchina[38] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Yartsevo |
34 | 30 July 1943 | 05:24 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 00224[40] 20 km (12 mi) west of Shlisselburg | 90?[Note 8] | 15 September 1943 | 10:29 | Il-2 | 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Yelnya[35] |
35 | 30 July 1943 | 16:54 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 10153[40] southeast of Shlisselburg | 91 | 15 September 1943 | 11:01 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35341[38] 20 km (12 mi) south of Smolensk |
36 | 1 August 1943 | 06:13?[Note 9] | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 00263[40] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Shlisselburg | 92 | 15 September 1943 | 13:14 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 35541[38] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Yelnya |
37 | 2 August 1943 | 08:52 | Yak-7 | PQ 36 Ost 10191[40] east of Mga | 93 | 15 September 1943 | 17:25 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35374[38] 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Yelnya |
38 | 2 August 1943 | 08:57 | Yak-7 | PQ 36 Ost 10411[40] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Mga | 94 | 17 September 1943 | 11:23 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 35383[38] 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Yelnya |
39 | 2 August 1943 | 09:10 | Yak-7 | PQ 36 Ost 10414[40] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Mga | 95 | 23 October 1943 | 13:19 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 10112[42] vicinity of Shlisselburg |
40 | 2 August 1943 | 12:54 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 10352[40] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Mga | 96 | 23 October 1943 | 15:17 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 10161[42] southeast of Shlisselburg |
41 | 7 August 1943 | 13:55 | Yak-9?[Note 10] | PQ 35 Ost 54631[40] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Bolkhov | 97 | 23 October 1943 | 15:23 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 10114[42] vicinity of Shlisselburg |
42 | 8 August 1943 | 19:00 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 54672[40] 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Bolkhov | 98 | 24 October 1943 | 10:00 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01454[42] Lake Ladoga |
43 | 9 August 1943 | 18:31 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 54843[43] 40 km (25 mi) east of Karachev | 99 | 25 October 1943 | 12:14 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 11371[42] Lake Ladoga |
44 | 13 August 1943 | 16:20 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 54743[43] 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Karachev | 100 | 25 October 1943 | 15:35 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 11794[42] Lake Ladoga |
45 | 13 August 1943 | 16:30 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 53213[43] 30 km (19 mi) west of Oryol | 101 | 26 October 1943 | 10:40 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 10131[42] east of Shlisselburg |
46 | 14 August 1943 | 05:01 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 45721[43] 15 km (9.3 mi) north-northwest of Kirov | 102 | 26 October 1943 | 10:55 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 11733[42] Lake Ladoga |
47 | 14 August 1943 | 05:08 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 45734[43] 15 km (9.3 mi) north-northeast of Kirov | 103 | 28 October 1943 | 12:06 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01394[42] 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
48 | 14 August 1943 | 05:14 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 45744, northwest of Kirov[43] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Kirov | 104 | 28 October 1943 | 12:09 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 01391[42] 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
49 | 14 August 1943 | 08:46 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 45763[43] 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Kirov | 105 | 1 November 1943 | 09:27 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 10121[42] east of Shlisselburg |
50 | 16 August 1943 | 13:26 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 45733[43] vicinity of Spas-Demensk | 106 | 2 November 1943 | 13:25 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 10122[42] east of Shlisselburg |
51 | 16 August 1943 | 13:35 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 35861[43] 25 km (16 mi) west of Kirov | 107 | 2 November 1943 | 15:06 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01361[42] 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
52 | 17 August 1943 | 08:53 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 44842[43] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Bryansk | 108 | 3 November 1943 | 13:55 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01394[44] 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
53 | 19 August 1943 | 05:47?[Note 11] | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 43864[43] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Sevsk | 109 | 3 November 1943 | 14:29 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01333[44] 70 km (43 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
54 | 19 August 1943 | 16:23 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 45751[43] 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Kirov | 110♠ | 6 November 1943 | 07:17 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01592[44] 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
55 | 20 August 1943 | 06:29 | P-39 | PQ 35 Ost 43851[43] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Sevsk | 111♠ | 6 November 1943 | 07:21 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01594[44] 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
56 | 21 August 1943 | 13:20?[Note 12] | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 35624[43] 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Spas-Demensk | 112♠ | 6 November 1943 | 07:25 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01672[44] 40 km (25 mi) north-northeast of Leningrad |
57 | 21 August 1943 | 16:20 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 43861[43] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Sevsk | 113♠ | 6 November 1943 | 15:19 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01564[45] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
58 | 22 August 1943 | 06:23 | P-39 | PQ 35 Ost 43832[43] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Sevsk | 114♠ | 6 November 1943 | 15:24 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01643[45] 55 km (34 mi) north-northeast of Leningrad |
59 | 22 August 1943 | 06:26 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 43863[43] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Sevsk | 115 | 22 November 1943 | 14:16 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91564[45] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Zelenogorsk |
60 | 22 August 1943 | 13:07 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 43454[43] 25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Dmitrowsk | 116 | 29 November 1943 | 10:40 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 91651[45] 20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
61 | 22 August 1943 | 16:22 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 43852[43] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Sevsk | 117 | 29 November 1943 | 10:43 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 91642[45] 20 km (12 mi) north of Zelenogorsk |
62 | 23 August 1943 | 10:07 | P-39 | PQ 35 Ost 42224[33] | 118 | 10 December 1943 | 08:47 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 00133[45] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Leningrad |
63 | 24 August 1943 | 06:58 | DB-3 | PQ 35 Ost 44553[33] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Bryansk | 119 | 11 December 1943 | 08:11 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 00121[45] vicinity of Leningrad |
64 | 24 August 1943 | 07:00 | DB-3 | PQ 35 Ost 44374[33] 20 km (12 mi) west-southwest of Datkovo | 120 | 12 December 1943 | 13:35 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 00112[45] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Leningrad |
65 | 24 August 1943 | 07:03 | DB-3 | PQ 35 Ost 44383[33] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Datkovo | 121 | 14 December 1943 | 09:37 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01772[45] 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Leningrad |
66 | 24 August 1943 | 15:09 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 44483[33] 25 km (16 mi) south of Zhizdra | 122 | 17 December 1943 | 08:02 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01722[45] 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Leningrad |
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[46] Eastern Front — 1 January 1944 – 2 April 1944 | |||||||||
123 | 15 January 1944 | 12:17 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 80862[47] 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Narva | 133 | 19 March 1944 | 11:19 | Yak-9?[Note 13] | PQ 25 Ost 99711[48] 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Porchov |
124 | 15 January 1944 | 12:19 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 90713[47] 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Lissino | 134 | 22 March 1944 | 11:34 | La-5?[Note 14] | PQ 25 Ost 97564[48] 30 km (19 mi) east-northeast of Idriza |
125 | 15 January 1944 | 12:31 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 90574[47] 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Lissino | 135 | 23 March 1944 | 16:47?[Note 15] | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 97641[48] 30 km (19 mi) east-northeast of Idriza |
126 | 22 January 1944 | 14:46 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 80663[47] 40 km (25 mi) east of Narva | 136 | 26 March 1944 | 09:40 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 88862[48] 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Ostrov |
127 | 24 January 1944 | 10:34 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 80683[47] 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Narva | 137 | 26 March 1944 | 12:57 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 78284[48] 40 km (25 mi) west of Pskov |
128 | 28 January 1944 | 14:43 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 90572[47] 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Lissino | 138 | 27 March 1944 | 06:20 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 78254, east-northeast of Petseri[48] |
129 | 28 January 1944 | 15:09 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 80632[47] 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Narva | 139 | 27 March 1944 | 06:25 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 78261[48] |
130 | 11 February 1944 | 13:24 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 00683[47] 25 km (16 mi) south-southwest of Tosno | 140 | 27 March 1944 | 06:37 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 89772[48] 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Pskov |
131 | 19 March 1944 | 10:32 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 89451[48] 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Pskov | 141 | 31 March 1944 | 14:47 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 89341[48] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Gdov |
132 | 19 March 1944 | 11:04 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 88112[48] Lake Peipus, 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Pskov | 142 | 2 April 1944 | 09:27 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 88442[48] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Pskov |
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (1 October 1942)[7]
- 1st Class (22 January 1943)[7]
- Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 30 April 1943 as Unteroffizier and pilot[49]
- German Cross in Gold on 17 October 1943 as Oberfeldwebel in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54[50]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 22 November 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54[51][Note 16]
- 464th Oak Leaves on 27 April 1944 (posthumously) as Leutnant and pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54[53][Note 17]
Notes
- ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations.[2]
- ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Yakovlev Yak-9.[35]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 17:40.[35]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 06:55.[24]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Yakovlev Yak-4.[35]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:05.[35]
- ^ The authors Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock do not list this claim.[38] However, they date a possible claim of unknown type in the timeframe 18 September to 3 October 1943 which might correlate to this claim listed by Mathews and Foreman.[24][41]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 06:43.[24]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Yakovlev Yak-4.[24]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 05:44.[24]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:30.[35]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Yakovlev Yak-1.[46]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Lavochkin La-7.[46]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:47.[46]
- ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the II./Jagdgeschwader 54.[52]
- ^ According to Scherzer on 25 April 1944.[52]
References
Citations
- ^ Spick 1996, p. 227.
- ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
- ^ a b c Stockert 2007, p. 137.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 115.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 127, 147.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 154.
- ^ a b c Thomas 1998, p. 456.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 270.
- ^ Bergström 2007, pp. 86–87.
- ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 244.
- ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 65.
- ^ Page 2020, p. 24.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 262, 286.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 471.
- ^ Hannig & Weal 2004, p. 9.
- ^ Bergström 2008, p. 38.
- ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 490.
- ^ Weal 2001, p. 108.
- ^ Mitcham 2007, p. 243.
- ^ Stockert 2007, p. 138.
- ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 329.
- ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1440–1442.
- ^ Planquadrat.
- ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1440.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 147.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 156.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 150.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 157.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 152.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 158.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 155.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 268.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Prien et al. 2012, p. 276.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 269.
- ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1441.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 272.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Prien et al. 2012, p. 277.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2012, p. 273.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 278.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Prien et al. 2012, p. 280.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Prien et al. 2012, p. 275.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
- ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1442.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2022, p. 476.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Prien et al. 2022, p. 477.
- ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 220.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 520.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 451.
- ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 794.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 82.
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