Karl Gratz

German World War II fighter pilot

Karl Gratz

Gratz during World War II

Born| (1919-01-24)24 January 1919
Wiener Neustadt
Died| 14 March 2002(2002-03-14) (aged 83)
Leck
Allegiance|  Nazi Germany (to 1945)
West Germany
Branch|  Luftwaffe
German Air Force
Years of service| 1936–1945, –1970
Rank| Leutnant (Wehrmacht)
Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr)
Unit| JG 52
JaBoG 33
Battles / wars|

* World War II
* Eastern Front
* Second Battle of Kharkov
* Western Front

Awards| Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Karl Gratz (24 January 1919 – 14 March 2002) was an Austrian-born Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 138 aerial victories claimed in more than 900 missions. Gratz claimed the majority of his victories over the Eastern Front, and 17 over the Western Front.

In late 1941, Gratz was posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—8th squadron of the 52nd Fighter Wing) which at the time was fighting on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first aerial victory on 15 February 1942. On 1 July 1942, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross following his 54th aerial victory. He then served as a fighter pilot instructor and was posted to Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) in March 1943. Back on the Easter Front in 1944, he claimed his 100th aerial victory in March/April 1944. At the end of World War II, he served as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 10. Staffel (10th squadron) of JG 52\. He surrendered to United States Army forces and was turned over to the Red Army.

Gratz was released from captivity in 1949, joined the Bundeswehr and served in Jagdbombergeschwader 33 (JaBoG 33—Fighter-Bomber Wing 33). He retired in 1970 holding the rank of Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel). Gratz died on 14 March 2002 in Leck.

## World War II

[edit]

"Charlie" Gratz was posted in autumn 1941 to 8. Staffel (8th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—8th squadron of the 52nd Fighter Wing), a squadron of III. Gruppe (3rd group), on the Eastern Front.[Note 1] In January 1942, III. Gruppe was ordered to move from Taganrog to an airfield at Kharkov and was subordinated to IV. Fliegerkorps.[1] At the time, the Gruppe was the only fighter unit operating on the left flank of Army Group South, covering the airspace from Belgorod in the north to the Donets Basin in the south, and was equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4. On 18 January, Soviet forces launched the Barvenkovo–Lozovaya Offensive which created the Izium salient. On 15 February, III. Gruppe flew missions in the vicinity of Belgorod and Prokhorovka, over the front lines of the 6th Army.[2] That day, Gratz claimed his first two aerial victories, a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 fighter which at the time was referred to as an I-61, and an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.[3]

Izium salient (red) in 1942

On 12 May, German forces launched Operation Fredericus, also referred to as the Second Battle of Kharkov, with the objective to eliminate the Izium bridgehead over Seversky Donets. That day, III. Gruppe was moved to the Kharkov-Rogan airfield, southeast of Kharkov, and subordinated to the Stab (headquarters unit) of JG 52\. On 13 May, III. Gruppe flew combat missions east and southeast of Kharkov.[4] During the day, the Gruppe claimed 42 aerial victories, including three Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 fighters by Gratz.[5] The following day, III. Gruppe predominantly flew fighter escort missions for Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers from VIII. Fliegerkorps attacking Soviet ground forces on the northern pincer, and claimed 52 aerial victories for the loss of one aircraft damaged.[6] That day, Graz became an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time when he shot down two Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 and seven MiG-1 fighters, taking his total to 27 aerial victories.[7] During the following days, III. Gruppe continued to fly missions in support of the Army.[8] Gratz claimed two Polikarpov I-16 fighters on 15 May, a single MiG-1 on 16 May, two further MiG-1s on 17 May, and yet another MiG-1 fighter on 18 May.[9]

On 20 May, III. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Barwenkowa, approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) south-southwest of Izium. By the end of May 24, Soviet forces opposite Kharkov had been surrounded by German formations, over the next days, Soviet forces attempt to break the encirclement.[10] During this combat, Gratz claimed four aerial victories on 26 May over two LaGG-3s and two MiG-1s. The next day, he added three further aerial victories to his tally, a LaGG-3 and two MiG-1s. On 29 May, his total reached 42 aerial victories when he shot down an I-16 and yet another MiG-1.[11] He received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 8 June 1942.[12]

On 26 June, III. Gruppe then moved to Bely Kolodez where they stayed until 3 July. By this date, Gratz had accumulated 54 aerial victories, making him the sixth most successful fighter pilot of III. Gruppe.[13] He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 1 July 1942.[14] The presentation was made by Major Hubertus von Bonin.[15] Gratz was one of four JG 52 pilots presented with the Knight's Cross that day. The other three pilots to receive the distinction that day were Feldwebel Alfred Grislawski, Feldwebel Karl Steffen and Oberleutnant Siegfried Simsch.[16]

### On the Western Front

[edit]

After a spell instructing, Gratz was posted in March 1943 to 11. Staffel (11th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) on the English channel front. The 11. Staffel was an additional 4th squadron of I. Gruppe of JG 2 which was based at Triquerville and equipped with the Bf 109 G-3. On 1 October 1943, the squadron was renumbered and from then on was known as 4. Staffel of JG 2.[17]

On 12 March, Gratz claimed his first aerial victory on the Western Front when he shot down a Supermarine Spitfire fighter 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Fécamp.[18] The Royal Air Force (RAF) Fighter Command suffered only one casualty in combat that day. A Spitfire IX, BS548, flown by Captain O Massart of No. 340 Squadron was severely damaged in battle with a Fw 190 belonging to JG 2\. The pilot returned unhurt. Massart formed part of a Ramrod patrol to Rouen.[19]

On 4 April, he claimed two further Spitfires destroyed in combat 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Caen.[18] Fighter Command lost ten pilots killed, one captured while two evaded capture with help from the French resistance. JG 26 claimed five, JG 2 claimed six and one fell in combat with JG 1.[20] No. 129 Squadron is known to have engaged JG 2 over the English Channel while on a Roadstead operation. JG 2 claimed two of their number. The only casualty was Flight Sergeant A J Symonds. His body was recovered by a Supermarine Walrus.[20] The following day Gratz claimed a victory near Ostend. Fighter Command carried out two Ramrod operations in the morning and one in the afternoon, losing three fighters in total. Sergeant J S Hetherington of No. 129 Squadron, in Spitfire AR527, was killed in action with JG 2 on a sweep from Venturas to Landunvez. No. 332 Squadron RAF lost Spitfire ES291 and the pilot Sergeant S N Larssen killed on Ramrod 52 to Haamstede. In the afternoon, another Ramrod to Landunvez killed No. 616 Squadron RAF Flight Lieutenant P B Wright DFC in Spitfire BS465.[21]

Gratz received the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 8 June 1943.[22] On 16 August, the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) targeted the Le Bourget airfield near Paris with a large formation of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress escorted by a number of Republic P-47 Thunderbolt escort fighters. In defense of this attack, I. Gruppe of JG 2 claimed three B-17s and one P-47 shot down for the loss of five pilots killed in action.[23] In this encounter, Gratz was credited with the destruction of one B-17 shot down 9 km (5.6 mi) southeast of Brétigny.[24]

### On the Eastern Front

[edit]

In March 1944, Gratz returned to JG 52.[25] There, he was assigned to 8. Staffel under command of Oberleutnant Friedrich Obleser. The Staffel was subordinated to III. Gruppe led by Major Wilhelm Batz and was based at Cape Chersonesus, located at the Sevastopol Bay, fighting in the Soviet Crimean Offensive.[26] There, Gratz was credited with his 100th aerial victory, making him the sixth most successful fighter pilot of III. Gruppe.[27] He was the 64th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[28] On 1 June, III. Gruppe relocated to Roman in Romania, defending Romanian targets against the USAAF Fifteenth Air Force.[29]

On 1 April 1945, Gratz was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 10. Staffel of JG 52\. He succeeded Leutnant Viktor Petermann who was transferred.[30] 10\. Staffel was subordinated to III. Gruppe of JG 52 and headed by Major Adolf Borchers.[31] III. Gruppe relocated to Roman on 18 May.[27] After the surrender, Gratz was handed over by U.S. military to the Soviet authorities and remained in captivity until 1949.[25]

## Later life

[edit]

Post-war, his military service in the Bundeswehr saw him promoted to Oberstleutnant. Gratz served in Jagdbombergeschwader 33 (JaBoG 33—Fighter-Bomber Wing 33) flying the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak then under the command of Walter Krupinski. JaBoG 33 was transferred to the Turkish base at Bandırma for shooting and bombing training with live ammunition from 25 May to 31 August 1959.[32] During one of the practice flights Gratz was nearly shot down by his wingman Leutnant Dietrich Schultz-Sembten. Schultz-Sembten had mistakenly fired all of his rockets prematurely during the attack run. After the landing, Gratz is quoted with having said: "Schultz-Sembten, you must have gone mad! I have to say one thing, you idiot: If you had hit me, I would have outmaneuvered you and shot you down."[33] Following his retirement in March 1970, Gratz died on 14 March 2002 at the age of 83 in Leck, Germany.[25]

## Summary of career

[edit]

### Aerial victory claims

[edit]

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Gratz was credited with 138 aerial victories.[34] Obermaier and Spick also list Gratz with 138 aerial victories, including 17 on the Western Front of which three of them were USAAF four-engined bombers.[35][36] Barbas states that Gratz claimed 18 aerial victories after 16 February, 14 of which are undocumented.[37] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that Gratz was credited with 138 aerial victories. This figure includes 132 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and six over the Western Allies, including one four-engined bomber.[38]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 44442". 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.[39]

Chronicle of aerial victories

This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Gratz 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 Barbas, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.

Claim  | Date  | Time  | Type  | Location  | Claim  | Date  | Time  | Type  | Location
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[40]
Eastern Front — 6 December 1941 – 28 April 1942
1  | 15 February 1942  | 13:47  | I-61 (MiG-3)[3] |  | 6  | 9 March 1942  | 12:37  | I-61 (MiG-3)[41] |
2  | 15 February 1942  | 15:50  | Il-2[3] |  | 7  | 18 March 1942  | 12:24  | SB-2[41] |
3  | 16 February 1942  | 07:35  | Il-2[3] |  | 8  | 24 March 1942  | 16:53  | I-61 (MiG-3)[42] |
4  | 22 February 1942  | 15:35  | V-11 (Il-2)[43] |  | 9  | 7 April 1942  | 13:12  | I-61 (MiG-3)[42] |
5  | 8 March 1942  | 11:18  | I-61 (MiG-3)[41] |  | 10  | 7 April 1942  | 13:17  | I-61 (MiG-3)[42] |
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[44]
Eastern Front — 29 April – October 1942
11  | 30 April 1942  | 14:27  | I-16[45] |  | 48  | 22 June 1942  | 08:28  | LaGG-3[46] |
12  | 30 April 1942  | 14:32  | I-61 (MiG-3)[45] |  | 49  | 23 June 1942  | 14:45  | MiG-1[46] |
13  | 30 April 1942  | 14:36  | I-153[45] |  | 50  | 24 June 1942  | 05:51  | MiG-1[47] |
14  | 3 May 1942  | 11:47  | I-16[48] |  | 51  | 24 June 1942  | 05:54  | MiG-1[47] |
15  | 8 May 1942  | 15:35  | MiG-1[48] |  | 52  | 24 June 1942  | 05:58  | MiG-1[47] |
16  | 13 May 1942  | 06:47  | MiG-1[5] |  | 53  | 30 June 1942  | 13:28  | LaGG-3[47] |
17  | 13 May 1942  | 09:09  | MiG-1[5] |  | 54  | 30 June 1942  | 13:54  | Hurricane[47] |
18  | 13 May 1942  | 09:12  | MiG-1[5] |  | 55  | 4 September 1942  | 13:48  | MiG 1  | PQ 44442, south of Mozdok[49]
19♠  | 14 May 1942  | 07:02  | LaGG-3[5] |  | 56  | 4 September 1942  | 16:53  | I-16  | PQ 44452[49]
south of Mozdok
20♠  | 14 May 1942  | 07:08  | LaGG-3[5] |  | 57  | 7 September 1942  | 08:45  | Pe-2 | PQ 44454, south of Mozdok[50]
vicinity of Wosnessnokaja
21♠  | 14 May 1942  | 09:39  | MiG-1[9] |  | 58  | 8 September 1942  | 12:44  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44377, south of Mozdok[50]
22♠  | 14 May 1942  | 09:43  | MiG-1[9] |  | 59  | 9 September 1942  | 14:01  | MiG-1  | PQ 44442, south of Mozdok[50]
23♠  | 14 May 1942  | 12:10  | MiG-1[9] |  | 60  | 9 September 1942  | 16:46  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44463[50]
south of Mozdok
24♠  | 14 May 1942  | 12:14  | MiG-1  | 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Kotowka[9] | 61  | 17 September 1942  | 14:30  | I-16  | PQ 54362[51]
vicinity of Dudorovskiy
25♠  | 14 May 1942  | 12:17  | MiG-1[9] |  | 62  | 22 September 1942  | 08:35  | La-5 | PQ 44671[51]
26♠  | 14 May 1942  | 18:16  | MiG-1[9] |  | 63  | 22 September 1942  | 08:40  | MiG-1  | PQ 44572[51]
east of Elkhotovo
27♠  | 14 May 1942  | 18:19  | MiG-1[9] |  | 64  | 25 September 1942  | 16:22?[Note 2] | Il-2?[Note 2] | PQ 44372[51]
east of Elkhotovo
28  | 15 May 1942  | 07:58  | I-16[9] |  | 65  | 27 September 1942  | 12:35  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44613[53]
29  | 15 May 1942  | 17:02  | I-16[9] |  | 66  | 27 September 1942  | 14:58  | Boston | PQ 4442, south of Mozdok[53]
30  | 16 May 1942  | 08:04  | MiG-1[9] |  | 67  | 27 September 1942  | 15:06  | Boston  | PQ 44451[53]
west of Werchne Atschakuli
31  | 17 May 1942  | 07:02  | MiG-1[9] |  | 68  | 27 September 1942  | 15:08  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44483[53]
32  | 17 May 1942  | 07:12  | MiG-1[9] |  | 69♠  | 28 September 1942  | 12:27  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44674[53]
south of Sagopschin
33  | 18 May 1942  | 05:14  | MiG-1[9] |  | 70♠  | 28 September 1942  | 12:30  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44642[53]
34  | 26 May 1942  | 05:28  | LaGG-3[11] |  | 71♠  | 28 September 1942  | 12:32  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44554[53]
35  | 26 May 1942  | 09:36  | MiG-1  | 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Izium[11] | 72♠  | 28 September 1942  | 16:03  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44563[53]
36  | 26 May 1942  | 09:40  | MiG-1  | 3 km (1.9 mi) east of Izium[11] | 73♠  | 28 September 1942  | 16:08  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44572[53]
37  | 26 May 1942  | 17:15  | LaGG-3[11] |  | 74  | 29 September 1942  | 07:58  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44614[53]
south of Sagopschin
38  | 27 May 1942  | 04:55  | MiG-1[11] |  | 75  | 29 September 1942  | 08:04  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44623[53]
vicinity of Malgobek
39  | 27 May 1942  | 04:58  | MiG-1[11] |  | 76  | 30 September 1942  | 16:03  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44614, south of Sagopschin[54]
40  | 27 May 1942  | 18:43  | LaGG-3[11] |  | 77  | 30 September 1942  | 16:05  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44644[54]
41  | 29 May 1942  | 16:50  | I-16[11] |  | 78  | 30 September 1942  | 16:09  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44652[54]
42  | 29 May 1942  | 17:18  | LaGG-3[11] |  | 79  | 2 October 1942  | 13:48  | I-16  | PQ 43282[54]
43  | 2 June 1942  | 14:42  | Su-2 (Seversky)[55] |  | 80  | 2 October 1942  | 13:52?[Note 3] | I-16  | PQ 34423[54]
44  | 2 June 1942  | 14:51  | Su-2 (Seversky)[55] |  | 81  | 4 October 1942  | 14:58  | Boston  | PQ 44721[54]
south of Elkhotovo
45  | 2 June 1942  | 14:59  | MiG-1[55] |  | 82  | 4 October 1942  | 15:01  | LaGG-3  | PQ 44764[54]
46  | 9 June 1942  | 19:09  | MiG-1[55] |  | 83  | 4 October 1942  | 15:07  | Boston  | PQ 44842[54]
47  | 21 June 1942  | 05:19  | Il-2[46] |  |  |  |  |  |
– 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[52]
Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1943
84  | 12 March 1943  | 13:05  | Spitfire | 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Fécamp[18] | 87  | 5 April 1943  | 16:02  | Spitfire  | 80 km (50 mi) north of Ostend[18]
85  | 4 April 1943  | 13:28  | Spitfire  | 80 km (50 mi) north of Caen[18] | 88  | 27 July 1943  | 18:35  | Spitfire  | 25 km (16 mi) east of Caen[24]
86  | 4 April 1943  | 13:32  | Spitfire  | 80 km (50 mi) north of Caen[18] | 89  | 16 August 1943  | 11:45  | B-17 | 9 km (5.6 mi) southeast of Brétigny[24]
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[56]
Eastern Front — 1 January – 31 December 1944
90  | 19 April 1944  | 17:20  | P-40 | PQ 34 Ost 35453[57]
vicinity of Sevastopol[58]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol  | 105  | 24 May 1944  | 06:34  | LaGG | PQ 24 Ost 78712[59][60]
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Iași
91  | 22 April 1944  | 17:14  | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 25469[57]
25464[58]
20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Yelnya | 106  | 30 May 1944  | 07:14  | Pe-2  | PQ 24 Ost 78522[59][60]
25 km (16 mi) west of Tudora
92  | 22 April 1944  | 17:30  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | PQ 34 Ost 35482[57][58]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Sevastopol  | 107  | 30 May 1944  | 15:50  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | PQ 78674[60]
8 km (5.0 mi) north of Iași
93  | 23 April 1944  | 10:10  | LaGG  | vicinity of Balaklava[58]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol  | 108  | 5 June 1944  | 10:21  | Yak-9 | PQ 79561[61]
vicinity of Huși
94  | 24 April 1944  | 09:16  | LaGG  | PQ 35452[58]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol  | 109  | 12 June 1944  | 17:34  | LaGG  | PQ 78869[62]
25 km (16 mi) east of Iași
95  | 24 April 1944  | 15:23  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | PQ 34 Ost 35482[57][58]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Sevastopol  | 110  | 22 June 1944  | 14:08  | LaGG  | PQ 68872[62]
north of Târgu Frumos
96  | 24 April 1944  | 15:36  | LaGG  | PQ 34 Ost 35454[57][58]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol  | 111  | 27 June 1944  | 16:40  | P-39?[Note 5] | PQ 85233[62]
east of Stawropoliskaja
97  | 24 April 1944  | 15:36  | LaGG  | PQ 34 Ost 35454[57][58]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol  | 112  | 16 July 1944  | 08:28  | P-39  | PQ 50328[62]
20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Ternopil
98  | 25 April 1944  | 07:44  | LaGG  | vicinity of Katscha[58] | 113  | 16 July 1944  | 08:31  | P-39  | PQ 50362[62]
25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Ternopil
99  | 5 May 1944  | 10:42  | P-39  | PQ 35433[60]
25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Sevastopol  | 114  | 16 July 1944  | 08:48  | Pe-2  | PQ 50366[62]
25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Ternopil
100  | 6 May 1944  | 13:02  | LaGG  | vicinity of Belbek[60]
vicinity of Sevastopol  | 115  | 20 July 1944  | 09:31  | P-39  | PQ 32835[62]
vicinity of Liuboml
101  | 21 May 1944  | 05:32  | LaGG  | PQ 68884[60]
20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Târgu Frumos  | 116  | 22 August 1944  | 09:16  | P-39  | PQ 25 Ost 11415[63][64]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Sandomir
102  | 21 May 1944  | 05:38  | LaGG  | PQ 68853[60]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Târgu Frumos  | 117?[Note 6] | 24 October 1944  | 15:58  | Yak-9  | 20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Majdanpek[65]
103  | 22 May 1944  | 06:42  | LaGG  | PQ 78742[60]
20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Roman | 118  | 26 October 1944  | 11:00  | Il-2[66] | 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Orșova
104  | 22 May 1944  | 10:50  | P-39  | PQ 78342[60]
30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Botoșani | 119  | 26 October 1944  | 11:04  | Il-2[66] | 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
– 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[67]
Eastern Front — 1 January – April 1945
121  | 16 February 1945  |

| unknown[37] |  | 127  | 10 April 1945  |

| P-39  |
123  | 24 March 1945  |

| Yak-9  | PQ 71147[37]
vicinity of Strehlen | 128  | 10 April 1945  |

| Yak-3 |
124  | 9 April 1945  |

| P-39  |  | 129  | 10 April 1945  |

| P-39  |
125  | 9 April 1945  |

| P-38 |  | 131  | 17 April 1945  |

| Yak-9  |
126  | 9 April 1945  |

| P-39  |  |  |  |  |  |

### Awards

[edit]

* Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class[68]
* Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 8 June 1942 as Unteroffizier and pilot[69]
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 1 July 1942 as Unteroffizier and pilot in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[70][71]
* German Cross in Gold on 8 June 1943 as Feldwebel in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[72][Note 7]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organization
2. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:20 as a Polikarpov I-16.[52]
3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:53.[52]
4. ^ a b c The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Douglas A-20 Havoc.[52]
6. ^ According to Barbas, this claim was filed while flying with the Stab of JG 52.[65]
7. ^ According to Obermaier on 26 July 1943.[35]

## References

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 143.
2. ^ Prien et al. 2005, pp. 144–146.
3. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2005, p. 155.
4. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 514–515.
5. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2006, p. 545.
6. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 515–516.
7. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 545–546.
8. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 516.
9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Prien et al. 2006, p. 546.
10. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 516–517.
11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2006, p. 547.
12. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 283.
13. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 96.
14. ^ Weal 2004, p. 79.
15. ^ Weal 2007, p. 47.
16. ^ Weal 2004, pp. 78–79, 85.
17. ^ Prien et al. 2010, pp. 432, 436.
18. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2010, p. 443.
19. ^ Franks 1998, p. 85.
20. ^ a b Franks 1998, pp. 89–90.
21. ^ Franks 1998, p. 90.
22. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 418.
23. ^ Prien et al. 2010, pp. 435, 450.
24. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2010, p. 444.
25. ^ a b c Dixon 2023, p. 202.
26. ^ Schreier 1990, p. 190.
27. ^ a b Barbas 2010, p. 186.
28. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
29. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 189.
30. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 280.
31. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 279.
32. ^ Braatz 2010, p. 233.
33. ^ Braatz 2010, p. 234.
34. ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 329.
35. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 121.
36. ^ Spick 1996, p. 229.
37. ^ a b c Barbas 2010, p. 381.
38. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 418–421.
39. ^ Planquadrat.
40. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 418–419.
41. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2005, p. 157.
42. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2005, p. 158.
43. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 156.
44. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 419–420.
45. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 542.
46. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 549.
47. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2006, p. 550.
48. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 544.
49. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 556.
50. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2006, p. 557.
51. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2006, p. 559.
52. ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 420.
53. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2006, p. 560.
54. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2006, p. 561.
55. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2006, p. 548.
56. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 420–421.
57. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2022, p. 260.
58. ^ a b c d e f g h i Barbas 2010, p. 375.
59. ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 261.
60. ^ a b c d e f g h i Barbas 2010, p. 376.
61. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 377.
62. ^ a b c d e f g Barbas 2010, p. 378.
63. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 264.
64. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 379.
65. ^ a b Barbas 2016, p. 75.
66. ^ a b Barbas 2010, p. 380.
67. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 421.
68. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 201.
69. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 88.
70. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 202.
71. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 346.
72. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 146.

### Bibliography

[edit]

* Barbas, Bernd (2010). Die Geschichte der III. Gruppe des Jagdgeschwaders 52 [The History of 3rd Group of Fighter Wing 52] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-94-6.
* Barbas, Bernd (2016). Die Geschichte des Stabes, der 13. und 15. Staffel und der Ersatzeinheit des Jagdgeschwaders 52 [The History of Headquarters Unit, the 13th and 15th Squadrons and the Replacement Unit of Fighter Wing 52] (in German). VDM Heinz Nickel. ISBN 978-3-86619-128-0.
* Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
* Braatz, Kurt [in German] (2010). Walter Krupinski - Jagdflieger, Geheimagent, General [Walter Krupinski - Fighter Pilot, Spy, General] (in German). Moosburg, Germany: NeunundzwanzigSechs Verlag. ISBN 978-3-9811615-5-7.
* Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52677-864-2.
* Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
* Franks, Norman (1998). Royal Air Force Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War Volume 2, Operational Losses:Aircraft and Crews, 1942–1943. Leicester: Midland. ISBN 978-1-85780-075-3.
* Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
* Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
* Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
* Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
* Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2005). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6.12.1941 bis 30.4.1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-76-2.
* Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-77-9.
* Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/IV—Einsatz im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/IV—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-92-2.
* Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Balke, Ulf; Bock, Winfried (2022). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 15/II—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 15/II—Action in the East—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-28-4.
* Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
* Schreier, Hans (1990). JG 52 Das erfolgreichste Jagdgeschwader des 2. Weltkriegs [JG 52 The Most Successful Fighter Wing of World War II] (in German). Berg am See: K. Vowinckel. ISBN 978-3-921655-66-5.
* Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
* Weal, John (2004). Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten. Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 15\. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-786-4.
* Weal, John (2007). More Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-177-9.
* Zabecki, David T., ed. (2019). The German War Machine in World War II. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-44-086918-1.

## External links

[edit]

* "Karl Gratz". Jagdgeschwader 52 — Traditionsgemeinschaft Jagdgeschwader 52 e.V. (in German). Retrieved 15 September 2011.

* v
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* e

German World War II flying aces with 100+ aerial victories

300+|

* Erich Hartmann (352)
* Gerhard Barkhorn (301)

250–299|

* Günther Rall (275)
* Otto Kittel (267)
* Walter Nowotny (258)

200–249|

* Wilhelm Batz (237)
* Erich Rudorffer (222)
* Heinrich Bär (220)
* Hermann Graf (212)
* Heinrich Ehrler (208)
* Theodor Weissenberger (208)
* Hans Philipp (206)
* Walter Schuck (206)
* Anton Hafner (204)
* Helmut Lipfert (203)

150–199|

* Walter Krupinski (197)
* Anton Hackl (192)
* Joachim Brendel (189)
* Max Stotz (189)
* Joachim Kirschner (188)
* Kurt Brändle (180)
* Günther Josten (178)
* Johannes Steinhoff (176)
* Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert (174)
* Günther Schack (174)
* Emil Lang (173)
* Heinz Schmidt (173)
* Horst Ademeit (166)
* Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke (162)
* Hans-Joachim Marseille (158)
* Heinrich Sturm (158)
* Gerhard Thyben (157)
* Hans Beißwenger (152)
* Peter Düttmann (152)
* Gordon Gollob (150)

100–149|

* Fritz Tegtmeier (146)
* Albin Wolf (144)
* Kurt Tanzer (143)
* Friedrich-Karl Müller (140)
* Friedrich Wachowiak (140)?
* Karl Gratz (138)
* Heinrich Setz (138)
* Rudolf Trenkel (138)
* Franz Schall (137)
* Walter Wolfrum (137)
* Horst-Günther von Fassong (136)?
* Otto Fönnekold (136)
* Karl-Heinz Weber (136)
* Joachim Müncheberg (135)
* Hans Waldmann (134)
* Alfred Grislawski (133)
* Johannes Wiese (133)
* Adolf Borchers (132)
* Erwin Clausen (132)
* Adolf Dickfeld (132)
* Wilhelm Lemke (131)
* Gerhard Hoffmann (130)
* Heinrich Sterr (130)
* Walther Dahl (129)
* Franz Eisenach (129)
* Franz Dörr (128)
* Rudolf Rademacher (126)?
* Josef Zwernemann (126)
* Dietrich Hrabak (125)
* Wolf-Udo Ettel (124)
* Herbert Ihlefeld (123)
* Wolfgang Tonne (122)
* Heinz Marquardt (121)
* Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (121)
* Robert Weiß (121)
* Friedrich Obleser (120)
* Erich Leie (118)
* Franz-Josef Beerenbrock (117)
* Hans-Joachim Birkner (117)
* Jakob Norz (117)
* Walter Oesau (117)
* Heinz Wernicke (117)
* August Lambert (116)
* Wilhelm Crinius (114)
* Werner Schröer (114)
* Hans Dammers (113)
* Berthold Korts (113)
* Helmut Lent (113)
* Kurt Bühligen (112)
* Kurt Ubben (111)
* Franz Woidich (110)
* Emil Bitsch (108)
* Hans Hahn (108)
* Bernhard Vechtel (108)
* Viktor Bauer (106)
* Werner Lucas (106)
* Günther Lützow (105)
* Eberhard von Boremski (104)
* Adolf Galland (104)
* Heinz Sachsenberg (104)
* Hartmann Grasser (103)
* Siegfried Freytag (102)
* Friedrich Geißhardt (102)
* Egon Mayer (102)
* Max-Hellmuth Ostermann (102)
* Herbert Rollwage (102)?
* Josef Wurmheller (102)
* Rudolf Miethig (101)
* Werner Mölders (101)
* Josef Priller (101)
* Ulrich Wernitz (101)
* Paul-Heinrich Dähne (100)
* Reinhard Seiler (100)

* List of German World War II aces
* List of top World War II aces

This along with the ? (question mark) indicates doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.

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Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients of Jagdgeschwader 52

* Heinrich-Wilhelm Ahnert
* Herbert Bachnick
* Gerhard Barkhorn (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Wilhelm Batz (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Helmut Bennemann
* Hans-Joachim Birkner
* Hubertus von Bonin
* Johannes Bunzek
* Hans Dammers
* Gustav Denk
* Adolf Dickfeld (Oak Leaves)
* Peter Düttmann
* Heinz Ewald
* Wilhelm Freuwörth
* Otto Fönnekold
* Heinrich Füllgrabe
* Hermann Graf (Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds)
* Karl Gratz
* Berthold Graßmuck
* Alfred Grislawski1 (Oak Leaves)
* Friedrich Haas
* Karl Hammerl
* Erich Hartmann (Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds)
* Gerhard Hoffmann
* Dietrich Hrabak2 (Oak Leaves)
* Berthold Korts
* Walter Krupinski (Oak Leaves)
* Gerhard Köppen (Oak Leaves)
* Karl-Heinz Leesmann
* Helmut Lipfert3 (Oak Leaves)
* Rudolf Miethig
* Willi Nemitz
* Friedrich Obleser
* Viktor Petermann
* Werner Quast
* Günther Rall (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Anton Resch
* Rudolf Resch
* Edmund Roßmann
* Heinz Sachsenberg
* Franz Schall
* Heinz Schmidt (Oak Leaves)
* Waldemar Semelka
* Siegfried Simsch
* Karl Steffen
* Leopold Steinbatz (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Johannes Steinhoff4 (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Heinrich Sturm
* Ernst Süß
* Rudolf Trenkel
* Friedrich Wachowiak
* Hans Waldmann
* Johannes Wiese (Oak Leaves)
* Franz Woidich
* Walter Wolfrum
* Josef Zwernemann (Oak Leaves)

1 Oak Leaves with JG 1. 2 Knight's Cross with JG 54. 3 Oak Leaves with JG 53. 4 Swords with JG 77.

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