Misplaced Pages

Heinrich Sturm

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
German World War II fighter pilot

Heinrich Sturm
Born(1920-06-12)12 June 1920
Dieburg, Hesse
Died22 December 1944(1944-12-22) (aged 24)
Csór, Hungary
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branch Luftwaffe
RankHauptmann (captain)
Commands4./JG 52, 5./JG 52
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Heinrich Sturm (12 June 1920 – 22 December 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 158 enemy aircraft shot down in an unknown number of combat missions. All of his aerial victories were claimed over the Eastern Front. He was "ace-in-a-day" four times, shooting down five or more aircraft on a single day.

Born in Dieburg, Sturm joined the military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany and was trained as a fighter pilot. He was then posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) in the summer 1941. JG 52 was based on the central sector of the Eastern Front, where he claimed his first aerial victory on 16 October 1941. In September 1943, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 4. Staffel (4th squadron) of JG 52. Sturm was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944 and severely wounded by bomb shrapnel on 16 April. Following his convalescence, he returned to JG 52, taking command of 5. Staffel. Sturm was killed in a takeoff accident on 22 December 1944 in Csór, Hungary.

Career

Sturm was born on 12 June 1920 in Dieburg in the Province of Hesse-Nassau as part of the Weimar Republic. Following fighter pilot training, he was posted to 6. Staffel (6th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd fighter wing) with the rank of Feldwebel (Sergeant) in the summer of 1941. At the time, JG 52 was based on the Eastern Front, supporting Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. His commanding officer in 6. Staffel was Oberleutnant Rudolf Resch, a squadron subordinated to II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 52 headed by Hauptmann Erich Woitke.

On 2 October, German forces launched Operation Typhoon, the failed strategic offensive to capture Moscow. In support of this offensive, the Gruppe had moved to an airfield west of Kalinin, present-day Tver, on 16 October. Two days later, Sturm claimed his first three aerial victory when he shot down a Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber. Sturm then returned to Germany, where he served as an instructor at a fighter pilot school and attended the Kriegsschule.

Eastern Front

Following his return to the Eastern Front, he was assigned to the Gruppenstab (headquarters unit) II. Gruppe of JG 52. On 1 January 1943, he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant). Sturm claimed his first aerial victory with the Gruppenstab, and tenth in total, on 13 February when he shot down a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighter south of Novorossiysk. At the time, II. Gruppe was based at Slavyansk-na-Kubani and fighting over the Kuban bridgehead following the German defeat in the Battle of Stalingrad. The commanding officer of II. Gruppe was Hauptmann Johannes Steinhoff. On 13 March, the Gruppe moved to an airfield at Anapa where it remained until 5 July. On 24 March, Steinhoff left the Gruppe and was replaced by Hauptmann Helmut Kühle.

Sturm claimed three LaGG-3 fighters shot down on 15 April near Abinskaya, taking his total to 22 aerial victories. Five days later he became an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time, bringing his total to 30. That day, he shot down a Lavochkin La-5 fighter on mission before noon, and three Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack aircraft and a further La-5 fighter near Gelendzhik in the afternoon. He reached his 40th aerial victory on 6 June when he shot down two La-5 fighters. On 23 July, Sturm was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold).

Squadron leader and death

II./JG 52 insignia

On 1 August 1943, Sturm was appointed acting Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 4. Staffel (4th squadron) of JG 52. He replaced Leutnant Helmut Lipfert in this capacity who was transferred to the 6. Staffel (4th squadron) of JG 52. Sturm later officially became the Staffelkapitän of 4. Staffel on 1 September, succeeding Hauptmann Gerhard Barkhorn who was given command of II. Gruppe. That day, the Gruppe moved to an airfield at Karlivka where they fought in the aftermath of the Belgorod–Kharkov offensive operation, also referred to as the fourth Battle of Kharkov. Here, Sturm claimed his first aerial victory as Staffelkapitän when he shot down a La-5 fighter. In November, the Red Army launched the Kerch–Eltigen operation leading to the Crimean offensive in early 1944. On 2 November, II. Gruppe was moved to Baherove where elements of the Gruppe remained until 19 March 1944. On 5 November, Sturm again became an "ace-in-a-day" when he shot down an Il-2 ground attack aircraft and five Yakovlev Yak-1 fighters over the Soviet bridge heads. The following day, he claimed six further victories, five Yak-1 fighters and a Bell P-39 Airacobra, making him yet again an "ace-in-a-day".

On 13 December, Sturm claimed his last aerial victory of 1943 when he shot down a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter east of Eltingen, present-day part of Kerch. On 28 February 1944, 4. and 5. Staffel was ordered to Grammatikowo located near Sovietskyi. Sturm was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 26 March 1944. On 8 April, Sturm claimed eight aerial victories, including 100th in total, his last "ace-in-a-day" achievement. He was the 66th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. A few weeks later on 16 April, he was wounded badly by bomb debris in an attack on the airfield at Chersonesus at Sevastopol on the Crimea. In consequence, command of 4. Staffel was passed on to Leutnant Hans Waldmann.

In August 1944, he returned to JG 52 and took over command of 5. Staffel (5th squadron) on 1 September. He replaced Otto Fönnekold, who was killed in action on 31 August. On 22 December 1944, he claimed his last two aerial victories. Taking off for another sortie from Csór that day, one of his Bf 109 G-6/U4 (Werknummer 442036—factory number) aircraft's landing gear struts hit a truck, killing him in the accident. The following day, command of 5. Staffel was given to Leutnant Peter Düttmann.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Sturm was credited with 158 aerial victories. Spick lists Sturm with 157 aerial victories claimed in an unknown number of combat missions, all of them on the Eastern Front. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that he is attributed with 158 aerial victories, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front. The archives revealed records for 123 of these claims. However, there are 52 additional claims attributed to II. Gruppe of JG 52 in the timeframe November to December 1944 that have no names associated to them. The authors assume that many of these claims belong to Sturm. According to Prien, Stemmer, Balke, and Bock, it is currently impossible to verify the exact number of aerial victories claimed by Sturm. According to the authors, the number could be closer to 124. The authors Daniel and Gabor Horvath compared Soviet enemy loss reports to Sturm's claims over Hungary. In the timeframe 18 October to 22 December 1944, Sturm claimed 13 aerial victories, while the authors found eight matching Soviet losses, a corroboration of 62%.

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 19424". 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 km). 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.

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Sturm 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
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –
Operation Barbarossa — June – December 1941
1 18 October 1941 13:27 Pe-2
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –
Eastern Front — 7 May 1942 – 3 February 1943
2 28 May 1942 18:35 Il-2 6 8 December 1942 08:21 Boston PQ 19424
3 30 June 1942 09:22 LaGG-3 7 8 December 1942 17:15? Il-2 PQ 29652
4 28 August 1942 I-180 (Yak-7) 11:12 PQ 49172
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Pitomnik
8 17 December 1942 07:47 LaGG-3 PQ 49772
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Aksal
5 30 October 1942 09:23 Yak-1 PQ 95823
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Lazarevskoye
9 17 December 1942 13:20? Il-2 PQ 3976
Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 –
Eastern Front — 4 February – 1 August 1943
10 13 February 1943 15:17 LaGG-3 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Novorossiysk 26♠ 20 April 1943 11:10 La-5 PQ 34 Ost 75461, 1 km (0.62 mi) south of Datscho
southwest of Kabardinka
11 23 February 1943 06:38 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75211
southeast of Gostagajewskaja
27♠ 20 April 1943 16:10 LaGG-3? PQ 34 Ost 75462
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Gelendzhik
12 23 February 1943 06:42 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 7525 28♠ 20 April 1943 16:13 Il-2 m.H. PQ 34 Ost 75464, 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Gelendzhik
Black Sea, 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Kabardinka
13 5 March 1943 09:17 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 8656, Flamanskaja 29♠ 20 April 1943 16:14 Il-2 m.H. PQ 34 Ost 85371
vicinity of Gelendzhik
14 5 March 1943 09:21 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 8662 30♠ 20 April 1943 16:19? La-5 PQ 34 Ost 75462, over of Kabardinka
15 10 March 1943 14:10 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 8515
20 km (12 mi) north of Novocherkassk
31 21 April 1943 11:02 MiG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75462
16 10 March 1943 14:15 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 8516
20 km (12 mi) north of Novocherkassk
32 21 April 1943 11:20 MiG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75464
Black Sea, 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Kabardinka
17 12 March 1943 11:25 U-2 PQ 34 Ost 85234
vicinity of Cholmskaja
33 23 April 1943 07:20 Pe-2 PQ 34 Ost 85561
Black Sea, south of Gelendzhik
18 22 March 1943 13:45 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 86393
south of Nowo-Nikplajewskaja
34 9 May 1943 16:28 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 75264, 6 km (3.7 mi) south of Krymskaja
east of Nowo-Bakanskoja
19 22 March 1943 13:55 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 86454
south of Dneprowskaja
35 30 May 1943 07:46 Il-2 m.H. PQ 34 Ost 75352
Black Sea, south of Anapa
20 15 April 1943 12:05 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85142, 3 km (1.9 mi) northwest of Abinskaya
southeast of Krymsk
36 31 May 1943 17:39 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 76894, east of Kijewskoje
21 15 April 1943 15:17 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85181
northeast of Usun
37 3 June 1943 17:47 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 76893, 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Kijewskoje
south of Bakanskij
22 15 April 1943 15:20? LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85184
southeast of Tscherkassowski
38 3 June 1943 18:09? La-5 PQ 34 Ost 76773, southwestern edge of Kijewskoje
northeast of Krymsk
23 16 April 1943 16:13 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 85273
vicinity of Dneprowskaja
39 3 June 1943 18:11 La-5 PQ 34 Ost 75232, 6 km (3.7 mi) southeast of Kijewskoje
north of Krymsk
24 17 April 1943 11:05 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 86452
8 km (5.0 mi) south of Novorossiysk
40 6 June 1943 07:36 La-5 PQ 34 Ost 76894, east of Kijewskoje
25 17 April 1943 11:10 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85371, 3 km (1.9 mi) southwest of Gelendzhik 41 6 June 1943 07:37 Il-2 m.H.
?
PQ 34 Ost 76894, east of Kijewskoje
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –
Eastern Front — September – 31 December 1943
42? 1 September 1943 13:32 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 41812
25 km (16 mi) north of Busk
63♠ 5 November 1943 07:22 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66731, south of Eltigen
43 1 September 1943 16:36 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 60322
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Merefa
64♠ 5 November 1943 07:30 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66732
vicinity of Tobetschik
44 5 September 1943 08:01 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 51874
15 km (9.3 mi) south of Bohodukhiv
65♠ 5 November 1943 11:47 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66671, east of Kerch
45 5 September 1943 08:02 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 51873
15 km (9.3 mi) south of Bohodukhiv
66♠ 5 November 1943 12:07 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66672
east of Kerch
46 6 September 1943 06:20 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 41483
30 km (19 mi) south-westsouth of Lebedin
67♠ 5 November 1943 15:00 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66641, northwest of Bakssy
east of Bulganak
47 6 September 1943 15:20 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 60184
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Merefa
68♠ 6 November 1943 07:35 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66564
vicinity of Kerch
48 7 September 1943 05:45 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 60334
25 km (16 mi) east of Taranovka
69♠ 6 November 1943 07:45 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 66732, east of Eltigen
vicinity of Tobetschik
49 2 October 1943 17:07 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 58683
5 km (3.1 mi) north of Bolschoj Tokmak
70♠ 6 November 1943 11:05 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66841
Kerch Strait, southwest of Tamanj
50 13 October 1943 15:41 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 10154
20 km (12 mi) south of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi
71♠ 6 November 1943 11:45 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66813
Kerch Strait, vicinity of Kap Tusla
51 13 October 1943 15:42 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 10161
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi
72♠ 6 November 1943 11:47 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66813
Kerch Strait, vicinity of Kap Tusla
52 13 October 1943 15:45 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 10133
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi
73♠ 6 November 1943 15:10 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 6653
53 15 October 1943 05:49 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 10131, 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Traktomirow
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi
74 30 November 1943 12:03 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66732, east of Eltigen
vicinity of Tobetschik
54 15 October 1943 15:17 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 10124
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi
75 30 November 1943 12:07 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66592
south of Kerch
55 22 October 1943 15:09 Il-2 m.H. PQ 34 Ost 39321
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Alexandrija
76 2 December 1943 07:19 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 6673, 1 km (0.62 mi) south of Eltigen
56 22 October 1943 15:14 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 39324
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Alexandrija
77 2 December 1943 07:25 Il-2 1 km (0.62 mi) southeast of Tobetschik
57 26 October 1943 07:35 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 57142
20 km (12 mi) west of Melitopol
78 2 December 1943 07:29 Il-2 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast of Ortmaeti
58 29 October 1943 11:07 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 47182
25 km (16 mi) northwest of Ivanovka
79 5 December 1943 07:43 Yak-9 south of Kossa Tusla
59 2 November 1943 13:30 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 66813
Kerch Strait, vicinity of Kap Tusla
80 9 December 1943 11:15 Il-2 southeast of Kossa Tusla
60 4 November 1943 09:07 Il-2 m.H. PQ 34 Ost 66641, northwest of Bakssy
east of Bulganak
81 11 December 1943 11:40 P-39 east of Kamysch-Burun
61 4 November 1943 14:17 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 6653 82 13 December 1943 09:46 P-40 east of Eltigen
62♠ 5 November 1943 07:15 Il-2 m.H. PQ 34 Ost 66813
Kerch Strait, vicinity of Kap Tusla
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –
Eastern Front — 1 January – April 1944
83 12 January 1944 06:55 Boston Adshim-Uschkai
vicinity of Kap Tarchan
95 7 April 1944 17:12? Yak-1 PQ 55242
84 12 January 1944 06:57 P-39 PQ 66533
vicinity of Bagerowo
96♠ 8 April 1944 11:25 Il-2 PQ 37891
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Perekop
85 12 January 1944 08:40 P-39 PQ 6563
vicinity of Grammatikowo
97♠ 8 April 1944 11:27 Yak-1 vicinity of An-Najman
86 12 January 1944 11:30 P-39 PQ 66561
vicinity of Malyj
98♠ 8 April 1944 13:35 Yak-1 PQ 37814
10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Perekop
87 7 February 1944 06:18 Yak-1 Cape Khroni 99♠ 8 April 1944 13:40 Il-2 vicinity of An-Najman
88? 8 February 1944 10:08 Yak-9 east of Bulganek 100♠ 8 April 1944 15:45 Yak-7 PQ 37894
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Perekop
89 10 February 1944 15:12? Yak-9 vicinity of Bulganek
east of Bulganek
101♠ 8 April 1944 17:31 P-39 PQ 46114
east of Tomoschewka
90 15 February 1944 06:08 P-39 PQ 66671
east of Kerch
102♠ 8 April 1944 17:44 Yak-1 vicinity of An-Najman
91 14 March 1944 15:35 Yak-7 PQ 47751
30 km (19 mi) south of Dornburg
103♠ 8 April 1944 17:47 Yak-1 PQ 36232
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Perekop
92 26 March 1944 16:00? Yak-1 PQ 47843
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Genitschek
104 10 April 1944 08:16 Yak-7 Tomaschewka
93 6 April 1944 13:39 Yak-1 PQ 47771
south of Gromovka
105 13 April 1944 08:22 Yak-7 vicinity of Sevastopol
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol
94 7 April 1944 17:10? Il-2 PQ 55132
vicinity of Feodosia
106 13 April 1944 13:30 Yak-7 vicinity of An-Najman
Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 –
Eastern Front — September 1944
107 24 September 1944 09:22 Ju 87 PQ 37445
10 km (6.2 mi) west-northwest of Turda
109 24 September 1944 11:45 La-5 PQ 37318
40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Klausenburg
108 24 September 1944 11:40 Il-2 PQ 37453
10 km (6.2 mi) north of Turda
110 25 September 1944 13:37 Hs 129 PQ 37487
vicinity of Turda
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –
Eastern Front — October – December 1944
111 18 October 1944 15:29 Yak-7 PQ 18617
north of Miki Peres
118 31 October 1944 15:28 Il-2 PQ 97243
west of Kecskemét
112 20 October 1944 07:59 La-5 PQ 08841
30 km (19 mi) east of Szolnok
119 2 November 1944 11:35 Yak-9 PQ 98811
30 km (19 mi) north-northwest of Nagykőrös
113 29 October 1944 14:35 La-5 PQ 08735
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Szolnok
120 23 November 1944 11:21 Il-2 PQ 98454
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Gyöngyös
114 29 October 1944 14:36 Il-2 PQ 08754
vicinity of Szolnok
121 23 November 1944 11:22 Il-2 PQ 98455
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Gyöngyös
115 31 October 1944 15:18 La-5 PQ 97222
north of Kecskemét
122 22 December 1944 unknown vicinity of Csór
116 31 October 1944 15:23 Il-2 PQ 97256
vicinity of Kecskemét
123 22 December 1944 unknown vicinity of Csór
117 31 October 1944 15:26 La-5 PQ 97224
north of Kecskemét

Awards

Notes

  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. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:15.
  3. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:30.
  4. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as Ilyushin Il-2 mit Heckschütze, with rear gunner.
  5. ^ The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  6. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:17.
  7. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:15.
  8. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 18:06.
  9. According to Barbas claimed as Lavochkin La-5.
  10. This claim is not listed by Barbas.
  11. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:12.
  12. Barbas attributed this claim to an unknown pilot and not to Sturm.
  13. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:52.
  14. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:06.
  15. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:10.

References

Citations

  1. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 212.
  2. Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  3. Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 122.
  4. Prien et al. 2003, p. 37.
  5. Barbas 2005, p. 81.
  6. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 46.
  7. Barbas 2005, p. 341.
  8. Barbas 2005, p. 124.
  9. Barbas 2005, p. 285.
  10. Barbas 2005, p. 125.
  11. Barbas 2005, p. 343.
  12. Barbas 2005, p. 344.
  13. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 347.
  14. Barbas 2005, p. 288.
  15. Prien et al. 2012, pp. 374.
  16. Barbas 2005, p. 132.
  17. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 351.
  18. Barbas 2005, p. 152.
  19. Barbas 2005, p. 354.
  20. Barbas 2005, p. 357.
  21. Barbas 2005, p. 155.
  22. Barbas 2005, pp. 362–363.
  23. Bergström 2008, p. 47.
  24. Obermaier 1989, p. 244.
  25. Barbas 2005, p. 319.
  26. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 286.
  27. Schreier 1990, p. 189.
  28. Weal 2004, p. 112.
  29. Weal 2001, p. 81.
  30. Barbas 2005, p. 323.
  31. Zabecki 2019, p. 329.
  32. Spick 1996, p. 229.
  33. Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1293–1295.
  34. Prien et al. 2022, p. 204.
  35. Horvath & Horvath 2022, pp. 190–196.
  36. Planquadrat.
  37. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1440.
  38. Prien et al. 2006, p. 482.
  39. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 496.
  40. Prien et al. 2006, p. 484.
  41. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1293.
  42. Prien et al. 2006, p. 489.
  43. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 497.
  44. Prien et al. 2006, p. 492.
  45. Prien et al. 2012, p. 378.
  46. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 381.
  47. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 379.
  48. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 380.
  49. Prien et al. 2012, p. 383.
  50. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 384.
  51. Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1293–1294.
  52. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 388.
  53. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 391.
  54. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 392.
  55. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 389.
  56. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 390.
  57. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 393.
  58. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 394.
  59. Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1294–1295.
  60. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 358.
  61. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1294.
  62. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 362.
  63. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 359.
  64. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 363.
  65. Barbas 2005, p. 360.
  66. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 361.
  67. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1295.
  68. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 368.
  69. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 369.
  70. ^ Barbas 2005, p. 370.
  71. Dixon 2023, p. 89.
  72. Patzwall 2008, p. 202.
  73. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 467.
  74. Scherzer 2007, p. 734.
  75. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 417.

Bibliography

  • Barbas, Bernd (2005). Die Geschichte der II. Gruppe des Jagdgeschwaders 52 [The History of 2nd Group of Fighter Wing 52] (in German). Selbstverl. ISBN 978-3-923457-71-7.
  • Bergström, Christer (2008). Bagration to Berlin – The Final Air Battles in the East: 1944–1945. Ian Allan. ISBN 978-1-903223-91-8.
  • Bergström, Christer . "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  • Bergström, Christer ; 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 (2000) . 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.
  • Horvath, Daniel; Horvath, Gabor (2022). Verified Victories: Top JG 52 Aces Over Hungary 1944–45. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company. ISBN 978-1-915070-87-6.
  • 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.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-21-9.
  • 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 (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/II—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/II—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-70-0.
  • 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/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. 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.
German World War II flying aces with 100+ aerial victories
300+
250–299
200–249
150–199
100–149
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients of Jagdgeschwader 52
Oak Leaves with JG 1. Knight's Cross with JG 54. Oak Leaves with JG 53. Swords with JG 77.
Portals: Categories: