Oskar Romm

German World War II fighter pilot (1919–1993)

Oskar Romm

Romm (center), Willy Unger (right)

Nickname(s)| "Ossi"
Born| 18 December 1919
Hejnice, Czechoslovakia
Died| 1 May 1993(1993-05-01) (aged 73)
Waldesch, Germany
Allegiance|  Nazi Germany (to 1945)
Branch|  Luftwaffe
Years of service| 1939–1945
Rank| Oberleutnant (first lieutenant)
Unit| JG 51, JG 3
Commands| IV./JG 3
Battles / wars|

See battles

World War II

* Eastern Front

* Battle of Kursk

* Defense of the Reich

Awards| Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Oskar "Ossi" Romm (18 December 1919 – 1 May 1993) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 92 aerial victories achieved in 283 combat missions, 54 of which were close air support missions. This figure includes 82 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further ten victories over the Western Allies, including eight four-engined heavy bombers.

Born in Hejnice, Romm, a half-Jew by the Nuremberg Laws, joined the military service in the Luftwaffe in 1939. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) which was fighting in 1942. Flying with this wing, Romm claimed his first aerial victory on 4 December 1942 on the Eastern Front. Following his 76th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 February 1944. He was then transferred to Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) which was fighting in defense of the Reich on the Western Front. Here, he was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 12. Staffel (12th squadron) of JG 3 in July 1944. In February 1945, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Gruppe (4th group) of JG 3\. He flew his last mission on 24 April when he was wounded in an aircraft crash. Romm died on 1 May 1993 in Waldesch, Germany.

## Early life and career

[edit]

Romm was born on 18 December 1919 in Hejnice, Haindorf in German, within Czechoslovakia.[1] According to Bryan Mark Rigg, Romm was a half-Jew by the Nuremberg Laws who joined the Luftwaffe and served with distinction.[2][Note 1] He entered the Luftwaffe in October 1939 and following flight and fighter pilot training,[Note 2] In September 1942, Romm was posted to 1. Staffel (1st squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing), a squadron of I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 51.[4]

## World War II

[edit]

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. In June 1941, German forces had launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. At the time of Romm's posting to JG 51, I. Gruppe was based at Jesau, present-day Juschny, located southeast of Königsberg, for conversion training to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 radial engine fighter. Following the conversion, the Gruppe was sent to Lyuban on the Eastern Front on 10 September. Here, the Gruppe was subordinated to the Geschwaderstab of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in the combat area of Army Group North.[5]

On 17 October 1942, I. Gruppe of JG 51 was detached from control of JG 54 began relocation to an airfield at Vyazma, in the combat area of Army Group Centre, where it became fully operational again on 23 October.[6] Here on 22 November, Romm made an emergency landing in his Fw 190 A-3 (Werknummer 0291—factory number) due to engine failure 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) north of Sychyovka.[7] Fighting in the Battle of Velikiye Luki, Romm claimed his first aerial victory on 4 December in support of 9th Army near Rzhev when he shot down an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.[8][9]

On 5 July 1943, German forces launched Operation Citadel, which initiated the Battle of Kursk. The battle began on 5 July 1943 with I. Gruppe of JG 51 supporting the German 9th Army in its northern attack on the Kursk salient. For the first days of the operation, I. Gruppe primary task was to provide fighter escort for the bombers of Kampfgeschwader 4, Kampfgeschwader 51 and Kampfgeschwader 53, as well as for the Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers of Sturzkampfgeschwader 1.[10] That day, Romm claimed two aerial victories, taking his total to ten, an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 fighter.[11][12] In the early morning of 8 July, 1\. Flieger-Division (1st Air Division) intercepted Soviet radio communication and ordered I. Gruppe of JG 51 to engage a large formation of Il-2 ground-attack aircraft from 299 ShAD (Shturmovaya Aviatsionnyy Diveeziya—Ground Attack Air Division). The Luftwaffe fighters engaged 30 Il-2s, escorted by 15 Soviet fighters, in the area of Fatezh. In this encounter, four Il-2s were shot down, including one by Romm.[13]

In September 1943, Romm was transferred to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost, specialized training unit for new fighter pilots destined for the Eastern Front, as an instructor. During this assignment, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 17 October.[14] He was awarded his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 29 February 1944 when his victory score stood at 76.[15][16]

### Western Front

[edit]

By late May 1944, 2. Staffel of JG 51 had been staffed with a full complement of 16 pilots, including Romm. The Staffel was ordered to relocate to the Western Front where it was attached to IV. Sturmgruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) as fourth squadron fighting in Defense of the Reich. There, the Staffel was underwent conversion training to the Fw 190 radial engine powered fighter aircraft.[17] At the time, IV. Sturmgruppe was based at Salzwedel and commanded by Hauptmann Wilhelm Moritz.[18]

Downed B-24 of the 492nd Bomb Group after an aerial battle over Oschersleben on 7 July 1944

Romm was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 12. Sturmstaffel of JG 3 on 7 July 1944. He replaced Oberleutnant Hans Rachner who had been killed in action that day.[19][20] On 7 July, a force of 1,129 B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force had set out from England to bomb aircraft factories in the Leipzig area and the synthetic oil plants at Boehlen, Leuna-Merseburg and Lützkendorf. This formation was intercepted by a German Gefechtsverband (combat formation) consisting of IV. Sturmgruppe of JG 3, led by Moritz, escorted by two Gruppen of Bf 109s from Jagdgeschwader 300 (JG 300—300th Fighter Wing) led by Major Walther Dahl. Dahl and Moritz drove the attack to point-blank range behind the Liberators of the 492d Bombardment Group before opening fire. 492d Bombardment Group was temporarily without fighter cover. Within about a minute the entire squadron of twelve B-24s had been annihilated. The Germans claimed 28 USAAF 2nd Air Division B-24 bombers that day and were credited with at least 21. The majority to the Sturmgruppe attack.[21] This figure includes one B-24 bomber claimed shot down by Romm,[22] taking his total to 77 aerial victories.[23] In total, Luftwaffe pilots claimed the destruction of 60 bombers while actual losses were 28 bombers destroyed and further bombers returned with various levels of combat damage.[24] The authors Prien, Stemmer and Bock state that the consolidated attack flown in close formation by the Sturmgruppe resulted in overclaiming of aerial victories caused by the confusing combat situation. During these attacks, multiple pilots may have simultaneously fired at the same bomber. It was therefore unclear who was responsible for the destruction of the bomber.[25]

On 18 July, the USAAF Fifteenth Air Force attacked the Luftwaffe Memmingen Airfield. The Sturmgruppe intercepted the bombers and following the mission, the pilots claimed 36 heavy bombers shot down, including three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers by Romm.[26] This took his total to 80 aerial victories.[27] Two days later, the Sturmgruppe moved to an airfield at Schwaighofen near Neu-Ulm where they stayed until 30 July. The Sturmgruppe then moved to Schongau.[28] There, 12. Sturmstaffel was renamed to 15. Sturmstaffel on 10 August.[29]

In October 1944, Romm was transferred to I. Gruppe of JG 3 where he was tasked with the creation of a newly formed 4. Staffel. At the time, I. Gruppe was based at Bindersleben Airfield and commanded by Hauptmann Horst Haase.[30] Command of 15. Sturmstaffel was then passed to Hauptmann Hubert-York Weydenhammer.[19] Romm claimed his only aerial victory while serving with 4. Staffel on 2 November when he shot down a USAAF North American P-51 Mustang fighter. That day, the Eighth Air Force attacked the synthetic fuel factories at Leuna. The day ended with a defeat for the Luftwaffe with 72 pilots killed in action and further 32 pilots wounded. The USAAF lost 40 heavy bombers, further two crashed on their return to England, and 14 escort P-51 fighters shot down.[31] In early December, Romm was transferred to I. Gruppe of Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 1, a replacement training unit for fighter pilots. Command of 4. Staffel was then passed to Leutnant Franz Ruhl.[32]

### Eastern Front and end of war

[edit]

On 12 January 1945, Soviet forces launched the Vistula–Oder offensive advancing into German-held territory, capturing Kraków, Warsaw and Poznań.[33] In consequence, Romm as an experienced unit leader was transferred back to IV. Sturmgruppe of JG 3 again taking command of 15. Sturmstaffel. He took command from Leutnant Karl-Dieter Hecker who had taken command of the Sturmstaffel after Weydenhammer had been transferred in December 1944.[29] On 21 January 1945, IV. Sturmgruppe was ordered to relocate from Gütersloh Airfield to Märkisch Friedland, present-day Mirosławiec, located approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) east of Stargard.[34] With this transfer, the Sturmgruppe came under the control of the 1. Flieger-Division, commanded by Generalmajor Robert Fuchs, and subordinated to II. Fliegerkorps (2nd Air Corps), headed by General der Flieger Martin Fiebig. On 27 January, Märkisch Friedland had to be abandoned and the Sturmgruppe retreated to an airfield 75 kilometers (47 miles) southwest of Stargard. Over the next weeks, the Sturmgruppe predominantly flew fighter-bomber missions in support of German ground forces retreating towards the Oder.[35]

Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, visited the Sturmgruppe on 13 February at Prenzlau. Göring was furious when he learned that the pilots were unable to fly missions due to lack of fuel. On 17 February 1945, Romm was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Sturmgruppe of JG 3\. He succeeded Major Erwin Bacsila who was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 400 (JG 400—400th Fighter Wing).[36] Command of 15. Sturmstaffel was then passed to Leutnant Karl-Dieter Hecker.[19] The next day, the Sturmgruppe flew ground support missions southeast of Stargard. During this mission, Luftwaffe pilots claimed four aerial victories, including an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft by Romm.[37]

From 22 to 26 April during the Battle of the Oder–Neisse, the Sturmgruppe flew missions along the Oder in the sector of the 3rd Panzer Army. On 24 April, Romm's Fw 190 D-9 suffered engine failure during aerial combat with Il-2 ground-attack aircraft. Aborting the attack, crashed northeast of Prenzlau, near Brüssow. Severely injured, he was pulled from the wreck by the German infantry and picked up by members of the Sturmgruppe. The next day, he was evacuated to a hospital at Wismar and four days later to moved a hospital at Timmendorfer Strand. In consequence, command of the Sturmgruppe was passed on to Hauptmann Gerhard Koall.[38] He had been nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) which was not approved before the war ended.[39]

## Later life

[edit]

Romm died on 1 May 1993 at the age of 73 in Waldesch, Germany.[40]

## Summary of career

[edit]

### Aerial victory claims

[edit]

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Romm was credited with 92 aerial victories.[41] Spick also lists Romm with 92 aerial victories, of which 82 were claimed over the Eastern Front and further 10 over the Western Front, claimed in 229 combat missions.[42] According to Obermaier, Romm flew 283 combat missions of which 54 were close air support missions.[1] In addition, Aders and Held state that he was credited with eight four-engined heavy bombers destroyed.[43] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 88 aerial victory claims. This figure includes 78 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 10 over the Western Allies, including eight four-engined heavy bombers, claimed in 283 combat missions.[44]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 07651". 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.[45]

Chronicle of aerial victories

This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Romm 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, Balke, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.

Claim  | Date  | Time  | Type  | Location  | Claim  | Date  | Time  | Type  | Location
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" –[46]
Eastern Front — 11 September 1942 – 3 February 1943
1  | 4 December 1942  | 12:55  | Il-2 | vicinity of Oledar[47] | 3?[Note 3] | 18 January 1943  | 11:10  | MiG-3 | PQ 07754, Velikiye Luki[49]
2  | 15 January 1943  | 12:45  | MiG-3  | PQ 07651[49] |  |  |  |  |
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" –[48]
Eastern Front — 4 February – September 1943
4  | 24 February 1943  | 09:46  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 44282[50]
10 km (6.2 mi) north of Zhizdra | 38♠  | 20 August 1943  | 05:40  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | southeast of Achtyrka[51]
5  | 24 February 1943  | 09:48  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 44252[50]
15 km (9.3 mi) north of Zhizdra  | 39♠  | 20 August 1943  | 05:41  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | southwest of Achtyrka[51]
6  | 18 March 1943  | 07:11  | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 53322[52]
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Soskovo | 40♠  | 20 August 1943  | 05:43  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | southwest of Achtyrka[51]
7  | 20 April 1943  | 12:15  | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 64624[52]
20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Mtsensk | 41♠  | 20 August 1943  | 05:44  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | southwest of Achtyrka[51]
8  | 10 June 1943  | 19:20  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 44454[53]
vicinity of Wosnessnokaja  | 42♠  | 20 August 1943  | 06:19  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | southwest of Achtyrka[51]
9  | 5 July 1943  | 08:55  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 73543[11]
40 km (25 mi) west-southwest of Livny | 43♠  | 20 August 1943  | 06:21  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | southwest of Achtyrka[51]
10  | 5 July 1943  | 11:50  | MiG-3  | PQ 35 Ost 63774[11]
10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Fatezh | 44  | 21 August 1943  | 14:19  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | east of Peressetschnaya[51]
11  | 8 July 1943  | 03:57  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 63713[11]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Fatezh  | 45  | 22 August 1943  | 06:25  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | east of Peressetschnaja[54]
12  | 8 July 1943  | 09:39  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 63714[11]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Fatezh  | 46  | 22 August 1943  | 07:00  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | south of Grjewka[54]
13  | 9 July 1943  | 12:17  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 63563[11]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk | 47  | 23 August 1943  | 13:20  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | southeast of Tscherkasskoje[54]
14  | 10 July 1943  | 13:27  | La-5?[Note 5] | PQ 35 Ost 63529[11]
20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Maloarkhangelsk  | 48  | 23 August 1943  | 16:41  | Pe-2  | east of Ossnowa[54]
15  | 11 July 1943  | 03:47  | MiG-3  | PQ 35 Ost 63587[11]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk  | 49  | 26 August 1943  | 17:12  | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 41597[54]
30 km (19 mi) south of Lebedin
16  | 13 July 1943  | 13:43  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 63242[55]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Zalegoshch | 50  | 26 August 1943  | 17:14  | Yak-1  | PQ 35 Ost 41586[54]
30 km (19 mi) south-southwest of Lebedin
17?[Note 3] | 13 July 1943  |

| Il-2[55] |  | 51  | 27 August 1943  | 13:00  | MiG-3  | Taranowka[54]
18  | 13 July 1943  | 14:00  | Il-2  | PQ 35 Ost 63256[55]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Zalegoshch  | 52  | 27 August 1943  | 13:07  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | Taranowka[54]
19  | 21 July 1943  | 18:15  | La-5  | PQ 35 Ost 64811[56]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Mtsensk  | 53  | 28 August 1943  | 11:55  | La-5  | Kotelura[54]
20  | 23 July 1943  | 11:37  | La-5  | PQ 35 Ost 43243[56]
25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Tschaikowka  | 54  | 31 August 1943  | 18:00  | La-5  | 1 km (0.62 mi) west of Yelnya[54]
21  | 1 August 1943  | 15:15  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | PQ 35 Ost 54766[57]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Znamenskoye  | 55  | 31 August 1943  | 18:30  | Pe-2  | 18 km (11 mi) east of Yelnya[54]
22  | 1 August 1943  | 15:18  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | PQ 35 Ost 54764[57]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Znamenskoye  | 56♠  | 4 September 1943  | 13:30  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Nowograditsche[58]
23♠  | 2 August 1943  | 04:20  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | east of Sinojewo[57] | 57♠  | 4 September 1943  | 13:31  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | vicinity of Lenkino[58]
24♠  | 2 August 1943  | 04:22  | MiG-3  | PQ 35 Ost 53622, Muchanowka[57]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Trosna  | 58♠  | 4 September 1943  | 13:32  | La-5  | 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Wederinki[58]
25♠  | 2 August 1943  | 04:35  | Pe-2  | west of Ssemenowka[57]
15 km (9.3 mi) north-northeast of Dmitriyev-Lgovsky | 59♠  | 4 September 1943  | 13:36  | La-5  | 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Unbakowo[58]
26♠  | 2 August 1943  | 04:36  | Pe-2  | PQ 35 53492[57]
15 km (9.3 mi) south-southeast of Kromy  | 60♠  | 4 September 1943  | 17:17  | Pe-2  | vicinity of Ssofonowo[58]
27♠  | 2 August 1943  | 18:34  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | east of Karachev[57] | 61  | 5 September 1943  | 15:29  | MiG-3  | PQ 35 Ost 35379[58]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Dorogobuzh
28  | 7 August 1943  | 08:20  | MiG-3  | PQ 35 Ost 54844[57]
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Znamenskoye  | 62  | 6 September 1943  | 09:35?[Note 6] | Boston  | 8 km (5.0 mi) west Jaroslawez[58]
29  | 7 August 1943  | 14:24  | MiG-3?[Note 7] | PQ 35 Ost 54881[51]
10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Naryschkino  | 63  | 6 September 1943  | 15:12  | Pe-2  | 6 km (3.7 mi) northwest of Beredina[58]
1 km (0.62 mi) southwest of Voroshanka
30♠  | 14 August 1943  | 06:26  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | PQ 35 51858[51]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Bohodukhiv | 64  | 6 September 1943  | 15:24  | Yak-7 | 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of Goroshanka[58]
6 km (3.7 mi) northwest of Beredina Luika
31♠  | 14 August 1943  | 06:27  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | PQ 35 Ost 51825[51]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Zolochiv | 65  | 7 September 1943  | 16:12  | Yak-4?[Note 8] | 1 km (0.62 mi) east of Wilarowka[58]
32♠  | 14 August 1943  | 11:20  | Boston | Stalina[51] | 66  | 8 September 1943  | 07:39?[Note 9] | Yak-7  | 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Rudnja[58]
33♠  | 14 August 1943  | 13:22  | La-5  | north of Krysino[51] | 67  | 8 September 1943  | 07:47  | Yak-7  | 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Kirov[58]
34♠  | 14 August 1943  | 16:50?[Note 10] | P-40  | PQ 35 Ost 51179[51]
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Spas-Demensk | 68  | 9 September 1943  | 15:30  | MiG-3  | 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of Dukhovshchina[58]
35  | 18 August 1943  | 06:48  | Yak-1  | east of Kotlyarov[51] | 69?[Note 3] | 10 September 1943  | 16:46  | Yak-1  | Djatkowo[58]
36  | 18 August 1943  | 07:24  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | east of Bezlyudovka[51] | 70?[Note 3] | 14 September 1943  | 16:30  | La-5  | Schatkowa[58]
37  | 18 August 1943  | 07:25  | Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] | east of Bezlyudovka[51] |  |  |  |  |
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" –[48]
Eastern Front — February 1944
71♠  | 5 February 1944  | 08:58  | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost N/93329[60]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Parichi | 74♠  | 5 February 1944  | Boston?[Note 11] | Boston  | PQ 25 Ost N/93345[60]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Parichi
72♠  | 5 February 1944  | 09:00  | Boston?[Note 11] | PQ 25 Ost N/93351[60]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Parichi  | 75♠  | 5 February 1944  | 09:03  | Boston  | PQ 25 Ost N/93474[60]
30 km (19 mi) south-southeast of Parichi
73♠  | 5 February 1944  | 09:01  | Boston?[Note 11] | PQ 25 Ost N/93324[60]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Parichi  | 76♠  | 5 February 1944  | Boston?[Note 11] | Boston  | PQ 25 Ost N/93428[60]
30 km (19 mi) south-southeast of Parichi
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" –[59]
Defense of the Reich — July 1944
77  | 7 July 1944  | 09:40  | B-24[22] | PQ 15 Ost S/HC, Oschersleben[61] |  |  |  |  |
– 12. Sturmstaffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –[59]
Defense of the Reich — 7 July – 10 August 1944
78  | 18 July 1944  | 10:50  | B-17[22] | 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Memmingen[61] | 80  | 18 July 1944  | 10:55  | B-17[22]?[Note 12] | 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Memmingen[61]
79  | 18 July 1944  | 10:50  | B-17[22] | 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Memmingen[61] |  |  |  |  |
– 15. Sturmstaffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –[59]
Defense of the Reich — 10 August – November 1944
81  | 27 September 1944  | 11:06  | B-24[62] | PQ 15 Ost S/MA - 05 Ost MU[63]
Eschwege | 84  | 28 September 1944  | 12:50  | B-17[62] | PQ 15 Ost S/JB[63]
west of Halberstadt
82  | 27 September 1944  | 11:06  | B-24[62] | PQ 15 Ost S/MA - 05 Ost MU[63]
Eschwege area  | 85  | 28 September 1944  | 12:51  | B-17[62] | PQ 15 Ost S/JB[63]
west of Halberstadt
83  | 27 September 1944  | 11:07  | B-24[62] | PQ 15 Ost S/MA - 05 Ost MU[63]
Eschwege area  |  |  |  |  |
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –[59]
Defense of the Reich — November 1944
86  | 2 November 1944  | 12:38  | P-51[64] | PQ 15 Ost KD[65] |  |  |  |  |
– Stab IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –[59]
Defense of the Reich in the East — 17 February – 8 May 1945
87  | 18 February 1945  |

| Il-2[66] |  | 90  | 3 March 1945  | 17:10  | P-39[66] |
88  | 19 February 1945  |

| P-39[66] |  | 91  | 6 March 1945  |

| LaGG-3[66] |
89  | 19 February 1945  |

| Yak-3[66] |  | 92  | 21 March 1945  |

| Il-2[67] |

### Awards

[edit]

* Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class[40]
* Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 1 November 1943 as Feldwebel and pilot[68][Note 13]
* German Cross in Gold on 17 October 1943 as Feldwebel in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51[69]
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 February 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[70][Note 14]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ see also German Jewish military personnel of World War II
2. ^ 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.[3]
3. ^ a b c d This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[48]
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3.[46]
6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:30.[59]
7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Ilyushin Il-2.[46]
8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Yakovlev Yak-7.[59]
9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:38.[59]
10. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:50.[46]
11. ^ a b c d According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Bell P-39 Airacobra.[59]
12. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a North American P-51 Mustang.[59]
13. ^ According to Obermaier on 2 October 1943.[1]
14. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders".[71]

## References

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 188.
2. ^ Rigg 2002, p. 39.
3. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
4. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 73.
5. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 256–257.
6. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 258.
7. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 276.
8. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 261, 272.
9. ^ Weal 2006, p. 86.
10. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 456.
11. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2012, p. 493.
12. ^ Bergström 2007, p. 39.
13. ^ Bergström 2007, pp. 53–54.
14. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1056.
15. ^ Forsyth 2011, p. 82.
16. ^ Forsyth 2022, p. 69.
17. ^ Prien et al. 2022, pp. 285–286.
18. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, pp. 373–374.
19. ^ a b c Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 373.
20. ^ Weal 2013, p. 35.
21. ^ Weal 1996, p. 78.
22. ^ a b c d e Prien 1996, p. 358.
23. ^ Weal 2008, p. 54.
24. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 367.
25. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 368.
26. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, pp. 368, 380.
27. ^ Weal 2008, p. 61.
28. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, pp. 368, 374.
29. ^ a b Prien 1996, p. 331.
30. ^ Prien & Stemmer 2002, pp. 340–341.
31. ^ Prien & Stemmer 2002, pp. 341, 446.
32. ^ Prien & Stemmer 2002, pp. 343, 404.
33. ^ Prien 1996, p. 287.
34. ^ Prien 1996, p. 289.
35. ^ Prien 1996, pp. 290–291.
36. ^ Prien 1996, pp. 294, 330.
37. ^ Prien 1996, pp. 297, 362.
38. ^ Prien 1996, pp. 321–322, 349.
39. ^ Stockert 2011, p. 224.
40. ^ a b Dixon 2023, p. 74.
41. ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1614.
42. ^ Spick 1996, p. 234.
43. ^ Aders & Held 1993, p. 264.
44. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1056–1058.
45. ^ Planquadrat.
46. ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1057.
47. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 272.
48. ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1057–1058.
49. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 273.
50. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 489.
51. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Prien et al. 2012, p. 497.
52. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 490.
53. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 492.
54. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2012, p. 498.
55. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 494.
56. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 495.
57. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2012, p. 496.
58. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Prien et al. 2012, p. 499.
59. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1058.
60. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2022, p. 323.
61. ^ a b c d Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 380.
62. ^ a b c d e Prien 1996, p. 360.
63. ^ a b c d e Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 382.
64. ^ Prien & Stemmer 2002, p. 446.
65. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 278.
66. ^ a b c d e Prien 1996, p. 362.
67. ^ Prien 1996, p. 363.
68. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 173.
69. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 384.
70. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 363.
71. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 638.

### Bibliography

[edit]

* Aders, Gebhard; Held, Werner (1993). Jagdgeschwader 51 'Mölders' Eine Chronik – Berichte – Erlebnisse – Dokumente [Fighter Wing 51 'Mölders' A Chronicle \- Reports \- Experiences \- Documents] (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-613-01045-1.
* Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
* Bergström, Christer [in Swedish] (2007). Kursk—The Air Battle: July 1943. Hersham, Surrey: Classic Publications. ISBN 978-1-903223-88-8.
* Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
* Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-39903-073-1.
* 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.
* Forsyth, Robert (2011). Luftwaffe Viermot Aces 1942–45. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 101\. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-438-3.
* Forsyth, Robert (2022). Fw 190 D-9 Defence of the Reich 1944–45. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-4939-7.
* Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 3 M–R. Walton-on-Thames, UK: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-20-2.
* 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 (1996). IV./Jagdgeschwader 3—Chronik einer Jagdgruppe—1943 – 1945 [IV./Jagdgeschwader 3—Chronic of a Fighter Group—1943 – 1945] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-36-6.
* Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard (2002). Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" in WWII: Stab and I./JG 3 in Action with the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7643-1681-4.
* 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 (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/I—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/I—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-02-4.
* Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2018). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/IV—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/IV—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-19-2.
* Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Balke, Ulf; Bock, Winfried (2022). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 15/I—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 15/I—Action in the East—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-26-0.
* Rigg, Bryan Mark (2002). Hitler's Jewish Soldiers: The Untold Story of Nazi Racial Laws and Men of Jewish Descent in the German Military. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 978-0-7006-1178-2.
* 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.
* Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
* Stockert, Peter (2011). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 9 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 9] (in German) (2nd ed.). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. OCLC 76072662.
* Weal, John (1996). Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Western Front. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 9\. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-595-1.
* Weal, John (2006). Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 22\. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-045-1.
* Weal, John (2008) [2005]. Luftwaffe Sturmgruppen. Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 20 (4th ed.). London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-908-0.
* Weal, John (2013). Aces of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet". Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 116\. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78096-300-6.
* Zabecki, David T., ed. (2014). Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-59884-981-3.

Military offices

Preceded by

Major Erwin Bacsila

|  Commander of IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
17 February 1945 – 25 April 1945  | Succeeded by

Hauptmann Gerhard Koall

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* t
* e

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"

* Heinrich Bär (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Friedrich Beckh
* Franz-Josef Beerenbrock (Oak Leaves)
* Wolfgang Böwing-Treuding
* Adolf Borchers
* Joachim Brendel (Oak Leaves)
* Kurt Dombacher
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* Erwin Fleig
* Josef Fözö
* Herbert Friebel
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* Hartmann Grasser (Oak Leaves)
* Anton Hafner (Oak Leaves)
* Heinrich Höfemeier
* Heinrich Hoffmann (Oak Leaves)
* Erich Hohagen
* Wilhelm Hübner
* Herbert Huppertz1 (Oak Leaves)
* Josef Jennewein
* Hermann-Friedrich Joppien (Oak Leaves)
* Günther Josten (Oak Leaves)
* Peter Kalden
* Heinrich Klöpper
* Kurt Knappe
* Hans Kolbow
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* Heinz Lange
* Heinz Leber
* Richard Leppla
* Anton Lindner
* Fritz Losigkeit
* Max-Hermann Lücke
* Fritz Lüddecke
* Heinz Marquardt
* Maximilian Mayerl
* Wilhelm Mink
* Werner Mölders2 (Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds)
* Joachim Müncheberg3 (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Karl-Gottfried Nordmann (Oak Leaves)
* Walter Oesau4 (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Josef Priller5 (Oak Leaves & Swords)
* Herbert Puschmann
* Karl Rammelt
* Alfred Rauch
* Oskar Romm
* Günther Rübell
* Günther Schack (Oak Leaves)
* Karl-Heinz Schnell
* Helmut Schönfelder
* Otto Schultz
* Georg Seelmann
* Hermann Staiger
* Hubert Straßl
* Hans Strelow (Oak Leaves)
* Otto Tange
* Kurt Tanzer
* Edwin Thiel
* Horst Tietzen
* Bernhard Vechtel
* Edmund Wagner
* Rudolf Wagner
* Karl-Heinz Weber (Oak Leaves)
* Ernst Weismann
* Walther Wever
* Otto Würfel

1 Oak Leaves with JG 2. 2 Knight's Cross with JG 53. 3 Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves with JG 26. 4 Oak Leaves and Swords with JG 3. 5 Oak Leaves and Swords with JG 26.

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