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Hans-Joachim Birkner

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Hans-Joachim Birkner
Birkner as Leutnant
Born22 October 1921
Schönwalde, Germany
Died14 December 1944(1944-12-14) (aged 23)
Krakau, Poland
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1940–1944
RankLeutnant (second lieutenant)
UnitJG 52
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Hans-Joachim Birkner (22 October 1921 – 14 December 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 117 aerial victories—that is, 117 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in 284 combat missions, becoming an "ace-in-a-day" on three separate occasions.

Born in Schönwalde, Birkner was trained as a fighter pilot and posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52–52nd Fighter Wing) in 1943. Fighting on the Eastern Front, he claimed his first aerial victory on 1 October 1943. Following his 98th aerial victory, Birkner was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944. On 1 October, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9. Staffel (9th squadron) of JG 52. Two weeks later, he claimed his 100th aerial victory. Birkner was killed in a flight accident on 14 December at an airfield at Kraków.

Early life and career

[edit]

Birkner was born on 22 October 1921 at Schönwalde in East Prussia, at the time part of the Weimar Republic's Free State of Prussia. In the summer of 1943, Feldwebel Birkner had completed flight training and was posted to 9. Staffel (9th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52–52nd Fighter Wing), a squadron of III. Gruppe (3rd group).[1][Note 1][Note 2] At the time, III. Gruppe was officially commanded by Major Günther Rall, occasionally replaced by either Oberleutnant Walter Krupinski on Oberleutnant Josef Haiböck.[3]

World War II

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On Friday 1 September 1939 German forces had invaded Poland which marked the beginning of World War II, and in June 1941, Germany had invaded the Soviet Union which created the Eastern Front. In late September 1943, III. Gruppe of JG 52 was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G and fought in the Battle of the Caucasus and was based at Zaporizhia.[4] In October, III. Gruppe flew combat missions over the right flank of the 1st Panzer Army and the left flank of 6th Army during the Battle of the Dnieper.[5]

Eastern Front

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Karaya emblem

Birkner claimed his first aerial victory on 1 October 1943 over a P-39 Airacobra in combat south-southwest of Bolschoj Tokmak. That day, III. Gruppe had claimed 17 aerial victories in an encounter with Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and their fighter escort.[6] Birkner claimed his second aerial victory on 4 October over a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3. The following day he shot down a Lend-Lease Douglas A-20 Havoc bomber also referred to as a "Boston". On 9 October, he claimed another LaGG-3 fighter shot down followed by two further claims over LaGG-3 fighters on 11 October.[7] On 19 October, III. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Kirovograd, present-day Kropyvnytskyi where they stayed until 31 October.[8] Here Birkner claimed a LaGG-3 fighter on 21 October, two LaGG-3 fighters on 24 October, a Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter and another LaGG-3 fighter on 25 October, and an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and another P-39 fighter on 29 October.[9]

On 1 November, III. Gruppe was moved to Apostolove fighting in the combat area between Nikopol and Zaporizhzhia. Adverse whether conditions rendered the airfield unusable and the Gruppe temporarily used an airfield near Kirovograd from 12 to 20 November.[10] By the end of 1943, Birkner had claimed 24 aerial victories in total.[11] Over the next few months Birkner often flew as Rottenflieger (wing man) to the high scoring aces Günther Rall and Erich Hartmann, claiming many of his victories whilst flying with them.[12] On 3 January 1944, Birkner claimed two LaGG-3 fighters shot down, taking his total to 26 aerial victories.[13] The Gruppe moved to an airfield at Mala Vyska on 7 January where they stayed for three days.[14]

On 10 January, the Gruppe moved to an airfield at Novokrasne located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south-southwest of Novoukrainka. While based at Novokrasne, elements of III. Gruppe also operated from Ivanhorod (11 to 13 January), at Velyka Lepetykha (3 to 22 February), and Mykolaiv (2 to 23 February).[14] Five days later, Birkner claimed five P-39 fighters shot down near Kirovograd, one of which was not confirmed.[13][15] In April, he claimed a further 29 victories, including six in one day on 19 April making him an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time, taking his total to 60 aerial victories.[16] Birkner received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 24 April.[17] In May, he claimed 17 victories, including another "ace-in-a-day" achievement on 30 May.[18]

III. Gruppe relocated to Roman on 1 June.[19] On 3 June, Birkner claimed three Lavochkin aircraft shot down north of Iași.[20] On 24 June, the United States Army Air Forces' (USAAF) Fifteenth Air Force attacked various targets in Romania with 377 bombers. A fraction of this attack force, consisting of 135 Consolidated B-24 Liberator and Lockheed P-38 Lightning and North American P-51 Mustang fighters, headed for the Ploiești oilfields. Defending against this attack, Birkner claimed a P-51 shot down, his 91st aerial victory.[21] Birkner was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 27 July 1944 for 98 victories.[22]

Squadron leader and death

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On 1 October 1944, Birkner was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9. Staffel of JG 52.[23] He thus succeeded Oberleutnant Hartmann who was transferred.[24][25] At the time of this assignment, III. Gruppe was based in Warzyn Pierwszy, Poland. The airfield was located approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) west of Jędrzejów. The Gruppe was under the command of Hauptmann Wilhelm Batz and Oberstleutnant Hermann Graf had just taken over the JG 52 as Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander).[26] On 8 October, III. Gruppe moved to an airfield near Lobellen, present-day Tushino located approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) east-southeast of Tilsit, present-day Sovetsk, on the south bank of the Memel, present day Neman River.[27] Here, Birkner claimed an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft shot down on 14 October, his 100th aerial victory.[28] He was the 95th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[29] Two days later on 16 October, he became an "ace-in-a-day" for the second time, claiming four LaGG fighters and a single Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.[28]

The Gruppe moved to an airfield named Hasenfeld, also referred to as Jürgenfelde, located approximately 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) south of Insterburg, present-day Chernyakhovsk, on 20 October where they stayed until 7 November.[30] Here Birkner claimed five further aerial victories over LaGG fighters, one on 23 October, and two each on 25 and 27 October respectively.[28] On 7 November, III. Gruppe again moved to the airfield at Warzyn Pierwszy.[30] On 12 December, the Gruppe relocated to Krakau, present-day Kraków.[31] Two days later, Birkner was killed in a flying accident when his Bf 109 G-14/U4 (Werknummer 510531—factory number) suffered engine failure during the landing approach at Krakau.[32][33] Following his death, command of 9. Staffel was passed on to Hauptmann Otto-Karl Klemenz.[24]

Summary of career

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Aerial victory claims

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According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Birkner was credited with 117 aerial victories.[34] Spick also lists Birkner with 117 aerial victories claimed in 284 combat missions. His victories were recorded over the Eastern Front and included one USAAF P-51 fighter.[35] Included in his total are at least 15 Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmoviks.[36] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that Birkner was credited with 117 aerial victories. This figure includes 116 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and one over the Western Allies.[37]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 34 Ost 58842". 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.[38]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Birkner 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 – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Birkner did not receive credit.
  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
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[39]
Eastern Front – 4 February – 31 December 1943
1 1 October 1943 10:25 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 58842[40]
20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Bolschoj Tokmak 		13 29 October 1943 12:55 P-39?[Note 3] PQ 34 Ost 39362, northwest of Mishorin-Rog[42]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Mironovka
2 4 October 1943 09:07 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 58191[40]
15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Zaporizhia 		14 27 November 1943 09:05 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 49784[42]
55 km (34 mi) north-northwest of Nikopol
3 5 October 1943 08:58 Boston PQ 34 Ost 59582[43]
25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Dnepropetrovsk 		15 27 November 1943 14:20 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 47782[42]
55 km (34 mi) southwest of Bilozirka
4 9 October 1943 13:44 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 59732[43]
40 km (25 mi) southeast of Dnepropetrovsk 		16 28 November 1943 08:45 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 48783[42]
55 km (34 mi) southwest of Bilozirka
5 11 October 1943 07:30 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 58182, east of Zaporizhia[43]
5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia 		17 28 November 1943 13:47 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 48782[42]
55 km (34 mi) southwest of Bilozirka
6 11 October 1943 07:31 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 58182, east of Zaporizhia[43]
5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia 		18 28 November 1943 14:35 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 34 Ost 48472[42]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Nikopol
7 21 October 1943 07:40 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 39481[44]
vicinity of Pjatichatki 		19 15 December 1943 12:00 P-39 northeast of Novgorodka[45]
8 24 October 1943 09:35 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 58392[44]
30 km (19 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia 		20 17 December 1943 13:52 P-39 south of Novgorodka[45]
9 24 October 1943 09:36 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 58391[44]
30 km (19 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia 		21 19 December 1943 12:07 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 48654[45]
20 km (12 mi) northwest of Bilozirka
10 25 October 1943 10:05 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 39462[44]
40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Mironovka 		22 19 December 1943 14:20 LaGG-3 north of Bolschoj Tokmak[45]
11 25 October 1943 10:08 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 39483[44]
vicinity of Pjatichatki 		23 19 December 1943 14:22 LaGG-3 west of Malaya-Tomatshka[45]
12 29 October 1943 06:07 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 29524[44]
vicinity of Alekandrovka 		24 20 December 1943 11:56 LaGG-3 south-southeast of Novo-Nikolayevka[45]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[37]
Eastern Front – 1 January – 14 December 1944
25 3 January 1944 12:05 LaGG PQ 38623[13]
20 km (12 mi) south of Apostolove 		70♠ 30 May 1944 08:50 LaGG PQ 78599[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
26 3 January 1944 12:25 LaGG PQ 48114[13]
45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Nikopol 		71♠ 30 May 1944 14:40 P-39 PQ 78647[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Tudora
27 9 January 1944 14:07 P-39 PQ 29374[13]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Kirovohrad 		72♠ 30 May 1944 14:43 P-39 PQ 78652[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Tudora
28 15 January 1944 08:54 P-39 PQ 19491[13]
25 km (16 mi) west of Kirovohrad 		73♠ 30 May 1944 19:10 P-39 PQ 78643[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Tudora
29 15 January 1944 09:25 P-39 PQ 19493[13]
25 km (16 mi) west of Kirovohrad 		74♠ 30 May 1944 19:13 P-39 PQ 78812[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Iași
30 15 January 1944 12:15 P-39 PQ 19462[13]
25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Kirovohrad 		75 31 May 1944 10:31 LaGG PQ 78679[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) north of Iași
31 15 January 1944 12:21 P-39 PQ 29341[13]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Kirovohrad 		76 31 May 1944 10:36 LaGG PQ 78679[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) north of Iași
—
?[Note 5] 		15 January 1944
—
 P-39 77 31 May 1944 16:25 P-39 PQ 78676[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) north of Iași
32 15 April 1944 06:40 LaGG vicinity of Balaklava[46]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		78 3 June 1944 14:10 LaGG PQ 78733[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
33 15 April 1944 06:43 LaGG PQ 35254[47]
25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Simferopol 		79 3 June 1944 14:12 LaGG PQ 78733[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
34 15 April 1944 10:30 Il-2 PQ 35322[47]
Black Sea, 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Sevastopol 		80 3 June 1944 14:14 LaGG PQ 78811[20]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Iași
35 15 April 1944 10:32 LaGG PQ 35242[47]
Black Sea, 25 km (16 mi) south of Saky 		81 4 June 1944 16:15 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 78589[20]
25 km (16 mi) northwest of Iași
36 16 April 1944 13:03 Il-2 PQ 35361[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Sevastopol 		82 4 June 1944 16:25 P-39 PQ 78723[20]
20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Iași
37 16 April 1944 13:08 LaGG PQ 35132[47]
Black Sea, 25 km (16 mi) south of Euparorja 		83 4 June 1944 16:40 P-39 PQ 78559[20]
25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Tudora
38 18 April 1944 10:38 LaGG PQ 35823[47]
Black Sea, 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Sevastopol 		84 4 June 1944 17:15 P-39 PQ 78595[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
39 18 April 1944 15:50 LaGG PQ 35442[47]
vicinity of Sevastopol 		85 6 June 1944 17:24 P-39 PQ 78593[48]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
40 18 April 1944 16:05 LaGG PQ 35454[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol 		86 8 June 1944 12:19 Pe-2?[Note 3] PQ 78687[48]
41 18 April 1944 16:17 Il-2 vicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		87 8 June 1944 12:21 Pe-2?[Note 3] PQ 75685[48]
42♠ 19 April 1944 10:40 LaGG PQ 35471[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		88 8 June 1944 15:10 LaGG PQ 78586[48]
25 km (16 mi) northwest of Iași
43♠ 19 April 1944 10:43 LaGG PQ 35472[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		89 8 June 1944 15:30 LaGG PQ 6899[48]
44♠ 19 April 1944 10:44 LaGG vicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
—
?[Note 6] 		8 June 1944
—
 Il-2[48]
45♠ 19 April 1944 15:35 LaGG vicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		90 14 June 1944 17:29 LaGG PQ 78547[48]
45 km (28 mi) west-northwest of Iași
46♠ 19 April 1944 15:50 LaGG vicinity of Balaklava[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		91 24 June 1944 09:56 P-51 PQ 65133[48]
Black Sea, south of Cape Takyl
47♠ 19 April 1944 15:51 LaGG vicinity of Balaklava[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		92 1 July 1944 10:57 LaGG PQ 85841[48]
Black Sea, southwest of Ol'ginka
48 22 April 1944 09:38 Boston PQ 25481[47]
20 km (12 mi) west of Yelnya 		93 9 July 1944 09:57 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 45462[48]
49 22 April 1944 13:40 LaGG PQ 35712[47]
Black Sea, 55 km (34 mi) southwest of Sevastopol 		94 20 July 1944 12:15 LaGG PQ 41569[48]
45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Busk
50 23 April 1944 08:00 Pe-2 PQ 35331[47]
Black Sea, 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Sevastopol 		95 20 July 1944 16:38 P-39 PQ 40141[49]
vicinity of Lviv
51 23 April 1944 10:50 Il-2 PQ 35481[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Sevastopol 		96 21 July 1944 16:50 LaGG PQ 30262[49]
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Lviv
52 23 April 1944 11:20 LaGG vicinity of Belbek[47] 97 21 July 1944 16:55 LaGG PQ 30261[49]
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Lviv
53 24 April 1944 14:30 LaGG vicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		98 21 July 1944 17:22 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 40154[49]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Lviv
54 24 April 1944 15:35 Il-2 PQ 35391[47]
Black Sea, southwest of Sevastopol 		99 14 October 1944 15:35 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 16316[28]
30 km (19 mi) northwest of Timișoara
55 25 April 1944 07:33 LaGG vicinity of Balaklava[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		100♠ 16 October 1944 09:09 LaGG PQ 26767[28]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Prahovo
56 25 April 1944 07:45 LaGG PQ 35332[47]
Black Sea, 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Sevastopol 		101♠ 16 October 1944 09:10 LaGG PQ 26733[28]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Prahovo
57 25 April 1944 07:58 P-39 PQ 35454[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol 		102♠ 16 October 1944 14:15 LaGG PQ 25468[28]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Turnu Severin
58 27 April 1944 10:55 LaGG north of Balaklava[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		103♠ 16 October 1944 14:32 LaGG PQ 25455[28]
Turnu Severin
59 27 April 1944 17:55 P-39 north of Balaklava[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol 		104♠ 16 October 1944 16:00 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 35517[28]
30 km (19 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
60 27 April 1944 18:10 P-39 PQ 35452[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol 		105 17 October 1944 15:00 Pe-2 PQ 25356[28]
Turnu Severin
61 21 May 1944 09:46 P-39 PQ 78562[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Tudora 		106 18 October 1944 09:40 LaGG PQ 25632[28]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
62 22 May 1944 15:40 LaGG PQ 78792[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Iași 		107 18 October 1944 09:42 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 25637[28]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
63 23 May 1944 16:02 LaGG PQ 68791[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) north of Piatra Neamț 		108 18 October 1944 09:43 LaGG PQ 25639[28]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
64 23 May 1944 16:07 LaGG PQ 67183[18]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Piatra Neamț 		109 23 October 1944 14:00 LaGG PQ 25314[28]
20 km (12 mi) west of Orșova
65 28 May 1944 08:20 P-39 PQ 78811[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Iași 		110 25 October 1944 15:00 LaGG PQ 25586[28]
25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Majdanpek
66 28 May 1944 08:55 LaGG PQ 78715[18]
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Iași 		111 25 October 1944 15:02 LaGG PQ 25599[28]
25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Prahovo
67 28 May 1944 12:20 P-39 PQ 78511[18]
40 km (25 mi) west of Tudora 		112 27 October 1944 14:15 LaGG PQ 25529[28]
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Majdanpek
68 28 May 1944 17:40 P-39 PQ 68833[18]
north of Târgu Frumos 		113 27 October 1944 14:23 LaGG PQ 25533[28]
30 km (19 mi) southwest of Turnu Severin
69 29 May 1944 13:25 P-39 PQ 78543[18]
45 km (28 mi) west-northwest of Iași
According to Mathews and Foreman, aerial victories 114 to 117 were not documented.[50]
114 14 December 1944
—
 unknown[28] 116 14 December 1944
—
 unknown[28]
115 14 December 1944
—
 unknown[28]

Awards

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Notes

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  1. ^ 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]
  2. ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  3. ^ a b c According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin Il-2.[41]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  5. ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Barbas.[13]
  6. ^ According to Barbas, this unconfirmed claim is listed as his 90th aerial victory.[48]
  7. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 52.[55]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 89.
  2. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 474.
  4. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 475.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 461.
  6. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 461, 490.
  7. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 369.
  8. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 147.
  9. ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 370–371.
  10. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 148.
  11. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 372.
  12. ^ Musciano 1989, p. 133.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barbas 2010, p. 373.
  14. ^ a b Barbas 2010, p. 179.
  15. ^ Bergström 2008, p. 38.
  16. ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 186, 374–375.
  17. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 283.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Barbas 2010, p. 376.
  19. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 189.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barbas 2010, p. 377.
  21. ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 189, 378.
  22. ^ Schreier 1990, p. 182.
  23. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 253.
  24. ^ a b Barbas 2010, p. 281.
  25. ^ Weal 2001, p. 81.
  26. ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 191, 194.
  27. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 194.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Barbas 2010, p. 380.
  29. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  30. ^ a b Barbas 2010, p. 195.
  31. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 196.
  32. ^ Weal 2004, p. 81.
  33. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 321.
  34. ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 330.
  35. ^ Spick 1996, p. 231.
  36. ^ Weal 2004, p. 80.
  37. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 105–107.
  38. ^ Planquadrat.
  39. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 105.
  40. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 490.
  41. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 105–106.
  42. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 493.
  43. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 491.
  44. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 492.
  45. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 494.
  46. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 374.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Barbas 2010, p. 375.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barbas 2010, p. 378.
  49. ^ a b c d Barbas 2010, p. 379.
  50. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 107.
  51. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 134.
  52. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 52.
  53. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 43.
  54. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 133.
  55. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 222.

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.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish] (2008). Bagration to Berlin – The Final Air Battles in the East: 1944–1945. Ian Allan. ISBN 978-1-903223-91-8.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Musciano, Walter (1989). Messerschmitt Aces. New York: Aero. ISBN 978-0-8306-8379-6.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims – Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
  • 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 (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/II—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/II—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-05-5.
  • 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: The Jadgflieger and their Combat Tactics and Techniques. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Weal, John (2001). Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 37. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-084-1.
  • Weal, John (2004). Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten. Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 15. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-786-4.
  • Zabecki, David T., ed. (2019). The German War Machine in World War II. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-44-086918-1.
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