Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik As' - JG53
- Aircrew Luftwaffe 8./JG53 Heinz Kunert 1940 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace 2./JG53 Christian Hansen 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace 2./JG53 Heinz Bretnutz 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace 2./JG53 Heinz Bretnutz 1940 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace JG27 Heinz Pietzsch Bretnutz 02
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace JG53 Heinz Bretnutz France Nov 1940 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace JG53 Heinz Bretnutz France Nov 1940 02
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace JG53 Heinz Bretnutz France Nov 1940 03
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace JG53 Heinz Bretnutz France Nov 1940 04
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Molders accident He 111 KG27 1G+TH Nov 22 1941 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe aces Werner Molders with Galland and Goring 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 02
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 03
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 04
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 05
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 06
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 08
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders 09
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders and Generaloberst Heinz Guderian 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders and Generaloberst Heinz Guderian 02
- Aircrew Luftwaffe Ace Werner Molders Bf 109E3 in Trier Euren Mar 1940 FB Heli Schmidt
- Aircrew Luftwaffe pilot Herbert Tzschoppe from 3./JG53 POW 15th Sep 1940 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe pilot Herbert Tzschoppe who became a POW on 15th Sep 1940 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe Werner Molders Funeral Nov 28 1941 01
- Aircrew Luftwaffe Werner Molders Funeral Nov 28 1941 02
- Aircrew Luftwaffe Werner Molders Funeral Nov 28 1941 03
- Aircrew Luftwaffe Werner Molders Funeral Nov 28 1941 04
- Aircrew Luftwaffe Werner Molders Funeral Nov 28 1941 05
- Aircrew Molders was killed in He 111 KG27 (1G+TH) Nov 22 1941 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 armed with 250kg bomb France 1940 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 armed with a 250kg bomb France 1940 03
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 France 1940 02
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 Nosecap Types 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 White 7 with personal emblem 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 White 7 with personal emblem 02
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 with a personal emblem 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 with the happy cow emblem 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 JG53 with the happy cow emblem 02
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3B JG53 with a decorated 250 kg bomb France 1940 Avions 189 P29
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3B JG53 Yellow 4 armed with 250 kg bomb France Oct 1940 Avions 189 P29
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 Jagdgeschwader 53 France 1940 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 JG53 Black 2 France 1940 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 JG53 Yellow 16 undergoing routine field maintanence 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 JG53 dispersal area 1940 ebay 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4s of JG53 showing 3 aircraft written off during landing accidents 1940 ebay 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 Stab II./JG52 Richard von Weizsacker personal emblem France 1940 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E ErgGr JG53 Black 6 with Simba shot at St Jean d Angely ebay 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E ErgGr JG53 shot at St Jean d Angely ebay 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E I./ErgGr JG53 line up France 1941 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 engine change France Dec 1940 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 Nosecap Types 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 Nosecap Types ebay 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 spray painting the Pikas emblem France Nov 1940 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 taking off from France Battle of Braitain 1940 01
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 White 7 and 6 Dinan France 1940 ebay 01
Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 France 1940 01-03
Photo's 01-03: The interrogation reports of several pilots from JG53 shed some interesting light on the history of the Geschwader's markings. According to these reports, when first formed, the personnel of JG53 adopted as their badge the Ace of Spades, or card of death and are believed to have worn uniforms with a distinctive cut to show they belonged to an elite unit (in much the same way as RAF fighter pilots denoted their status by leaving the top button of their tunics unfastened). However, in the Summer of 1940, Reichsmarschall Goring ordered that the special uniforms and the Ace of Spades badge were to be dropped and the Geschwader became known as the Red Ring Geschwader on account of the red circle which was then painted round the engine cowling. Neither the reasons for Goring's order, nor the particular significance of the red ring, are yet fully understood but it was probably intended as a punishment and may also have had some ideological relevance. Throughout September and October, JG53 was very active, two or more sorties per day being the rule rather than the exception and rest days were only taken when bad weather prevented flying. Whether this hard work had any bearing on the original order suppressing the Geschwader emblem being later rescinded is not known.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 engine change France Dec 1940 01
Photo 01: Normally, engines were changed after 100 hours, more frequently if required, and was a task which could be accomplished quite comfortably in a day, even when the heavy lifting equipment shown here was not available. This Bf 109 was operated by JG53.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 France Nov 1940 01
Photo 01: On 22 November, JG53's red ring was painted out and the 'Pik-As' emblem reintroduced. Clearly this was considered an occasion of some importance as a PK photographer was dispatched to ensure the event was recorded, his photographs showing that the 'PikAs' emblem was applied to the newly painted yellow cowlings with the aid of a stencil. Interestingly, the Hakenkreuz was not re-applied at the same time.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 France Nov 1940 02
Photo 02: Pilots of JG53 engage in some horseplay shortly after the reintroduction of their 'Pik As' insignia.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 Nosecap Types 01
Photo 01: Mechanics at work on the DB601 engine of a Bf 109E-1 from JG53 (note 'PikAs' emblem on cowling in background) in the Summer of 1940. The color of the spinner tip usually signified the aircraft's Staffel, in this case yellow identifying 3.,6., or 9. Staffel.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 Nosecap Types 02
Photo 02: The larger format JG53 'Pik As' as applied after the removal of the red ring. The aircraft in the photograph is also fitted with one of the two styles of nosecaps commonly seen on Bf 109Es during the second half of 1940.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53 (W6+) Damenlandung or lady's landing 1940 01
Photo 01: Further to the subject of Luftwaffe slang, if the aircraft turned right over, as with this Bf 109E-3 from JG53, it was referred to as a 'Damenlandung' or 'lady's landing' on account of the fact that it was 'on her back with her legs in the air'!
Messerschmitt Bf 109E 2.JG53 (W +-) La Villiaza Guernsey 1940 01
Photo 01: Messerschmitt Bf 109E JG53.2 photographed at La Villiaza airfield on the island of Guernsey (Channel Islands), the horizontal bar and red ring identify this as an aircraft of II./JG53. Note that although belonging to the same Geschwader as the other aircraft shown above, the camouflage more closely resembles the usual style of the period. Although frequently photographed on Guernsey, JG53 was located on permanent bases in France and used the island only as a forward airfield.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E 3./JG53 France 1940 01
Photo 01: A sinister embellishment to the ETC under a Messerschmitt Bf 109E of 3./JG53. In this Geschwader, the Jabostaffeln were the 3.,4. and 8. Staffeln.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E 7./JG53 (W10+I) Wiesbaden 1939 01
Photo 01:Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 of 7./JG53 white 10 and 14 in the background Wiesbaden 1939
Messerschmitt Bf 109E3 JG53 Brest airfield France July 1940 web 01
Photo 01:Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 Brest airfield 1940 in July Bf 109 with painted over PikAs symbol and red ribbon. In the red band you can still see the "PikAs" symbol. This was done with washable paint. The second from the left was my uncle Hans Krämer The third, my uncle Heinz Raaf The fourth was my father Otto Schmidt Copyright 2020 Helmut Schmidt
IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' - COD game skins
- COD game skin by ES Bf 109E JG53 Battle of France NM
- COD game skin by ES Bf 109E JG53 Battle of France SNM
- COD CF Bf 109E 2./JG53 Black 1 Battle of France 1940 V01
- COD CF Bf 109E 2./JG53 Black 5 Battle of France 1940 V01
- COD CF Bf 109E 2./JG53 Black 5 Battle of France 1940 V02
- COD CF Bf 109E 2./JG53 Black 7 Battle of France 1940 V01
- COD CF Bf 109E 2./JG53 Black 7 Battle of France 1940 V02
- COD CF Bf 109E 2./JG53 Black 9 Battle of France 1940 V01
- COD ES Bf 109E JG53 Battle of France NM
- COD ES Bf 109E JG53 Battle of France SNM
IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' Blitz
IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad
DCS World - has no 3D model
Luftwaffe pilot Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnütz
Units: 2J/88 in Spain, Stfkpt 6./JG-53 (9/39), Stfkpt 6./JG-53 (6/40), Kdr II./JG-53 (Channel)
Awards: RK(10/22/40), Spanish Cross-G(6/6/39), EK 1 & 2, Wound Badge, Fighter Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: Bf 109D('39), Bf 109E-1 WNr 4112'Blk <<'(5% dam 10/20/40), Bf 109E-1 'Yel 10', Bf 109F-2 WNr 6674 'Black <<+-' (lost 6/22/41)
Remarks: Plus 2 victories in Spain. 12 balloons. His first victory, a Fesselballon, 20 September, 1939. His 2nd, a Curtis Hawk S of Bienwald on 25 September, 1939. Nos 3 & 4, both Morane 406's SW of Saargemünd on 31 October, 1939 in Bf 109D 'Yellow 10'. His 5th a Wellingtom in the Saargemund area, 31 March, 1940. His 9th a Bloch 151 E of Compiegne on 7 June, 1940. His 10th a Spitfire S of Swanage on 8 August, 1940. His 15th a Spitfire at Hawkinge on 5 September, 1940. On 20 October, 1940, he was required to force land his Wk# 4112 after downing his 20th an RAF Hurricane, but the Hurricane cause his damage in the engagement. He crashed at St Inglevert, France. His 25th & 26th both Hurricanes at Ashford on 30 November, 1940. His 30th a Lysander N of Deal on 4 May, 1941. On 22 June, 1941, after shooting down a Russian SB-2 bomber in his Wk# 6674, he had to force land as a result of return fire striking his engine, and was seriously wounded. After being hidden by friendly locals, he was hospitalized too late, and he died 27 June 1941, from complications after losing a leg on the Eastern Front. 244 missions.
Luftwaffe pilot Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnütz
Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnütz was born on 24 January 1914 at Mannheim. From autumn 1938 until March 1939, Leutnant Bretnütz served with 2.J88 in Spain. He gained two victories in the Spanish Civil War to record J88's 266th and 278th victories. On 6 June 1939, Bretnütz was awarded the Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern. On his return to Germany, Bretnütz was posted to 6./JG53. He claimed his first victory of World War 2 on 25 September 1939, when he shot down a French Curtiss Hawk fighter near Bienwald. On 31 March 1940, he shot down two French Morane fighters near Saargemünd to record his fourth and fifth victories.
Bretnütz was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG53 on 24 June 1940. During the Battle of Britain, he was to become one of the most successful German fighter pilots. On 20 October, he shot down a RAF Hurricane fighter to record his 20th victory in World War 2 but received damage to his Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr.4112) Black << necessitating an emergency landing at St Inglevert in France. Hauptmann Bretnütz was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 22 October for 20 aerial victories and 12 balloons shot down. On 10 October 1940, Bretnütz was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG53. He recorded his 30th victory of World War 2 on 3 May 1941. Bretnütz led II./JG53 during the invasion of Russia. He had 34 victories to his credit at this time.
On 22 June 1941, Bretnütz shot down a Russian SB-2 twin-engine bomber. His Bf 109F-2 (W.Nr. 6674) 'Chevron Triangle' was hit in the engagement however, necessitating an emergency landing in the area of the front lines between Erzvilkas and Nemaksciai. Badly wounded, he was rescued by farmers who hid him from retreating Russian troops. He was finally handed over to advancing German troops on 26 June. Hospitalised, he had his left leg amputated but died of complications from the operation on 27 June.
'Pietzsch' Bretnütz was credited with 35 victories in 244 missions. He recorded 2 victories during the Spanish Civil War and one over the Eastern front. Additionally, he claimed 12 balloons shot down.
Luftwaffe pilot List of aerial victories for Heinz 'Pietsch' Bretnütz
No Date Time A/c Type Unit Location / Comments 1 6.11.1938 - I-15 2. J/88 Spain / 266th victory J/88 2 28.12.1938 - SB-2 2. J/88 Spain / 278th victory J/88 - 20.9.1939 9:55 Baloon 6./JG53 3 25.9.1939 12:20 Curtiss 6./JG53 S Bienwald - 30.9.1939 - Battle 6./JG53 not confirmed 4 31.3.1940 15:55 Morane 6./JG53 SW Saargemünd / Morane 406 of GC III/7, Armée de l'Air 5 31.3.1940 15:57 Morane 6./JG53 SW Saargemünd / Morane 406 of GC III/7, Armée de l'Air 6 31.3.1940 20:00 Wellington 6./JG53 probably wrong identification 7 12.5.1940 12:00 Potez 63 6./JG53 Luxembourg / Po 63-11 (Nr 444) of GR I/22, Armée de l'Air, 3 POW 8 21.5.1940 11:14 Potez 63 6./JG53 E Montmédy / Po 63 (Nr 630) of GAO 518, Armée de l'Air, 1 killed 9 25.5.1940 20:02 Morane 6./JG53 10 7.6.1940 7:05 Bloch 151 6./JG53 E Compiegne 11 8.8.1940 17:15 Spitfire 6./JG53 S Swanage / Spitfire of 152Sqn, RAF 12 13.8.1940 18:45 Spitfire 6./JG53 13 16.8.1940 14:36 Hurricane 6./JG53 14 16.8.1940 14:37 Hurricane 6./JG53 15 5.9.1940 - E/a 6./JG53 16 6.9.1940 10:16 Hurricane 6./JG53 17 7.9.1940 - E/a 6./JG53 18 15.9.1940 - Hurricane 6./JG53 19 5.10.1940 12:40 Hurricane 6./JG53 20 11.10.1940 8:55 Spitfire II./JG53 21 12.10.1940 17:33 Spitfire II./JG53 22 20.10.1940 16:25 Hurricane II./JG53 London 23 28.10.1940 - E/a II./JG53 24 7.11.1940 - Spitfire II./JG53 25 8.11.1940 17:37 Spitfire II./JG53 26 11.11.1940 13:15 Hurricane II./JG53 27 15.11.1940 14:10 Lysander II./JG53 Lysander of 4Sqn, RAF flown by P/O Empson 28 30.11.1940 15:25 Hurricane II./JG53 29 1.12.1940 - Spitfire II./JG53 30 19.3.1941 17:25 Spitfire II./JG53 Bexhill-Hailsham / Spitfire II of 610Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Hale 31 10.4.1941 19:10 Blenheim II./JG53 E Southend 32 3.5.1941 17:03 Spitfire II./JG53 S Dungeness / Spitfire of 1 PRU, RAF flown by P/O Panton 33 4.5.1941 12:53 Lysander II./JG53 5km E Deal 34 17.5.1941 19:18 Hurricane II./JG53 Hurricane of 71Sqn, RAF flown by P/O Kolendorski 35 22.6.1941 - SB-2 II./JG53 Victories : 35
Awards : Ritterkreuz (22 October 1940)
Units : J/88, JG53
http://www.luftwaffe.cz/bretnutz.htmlLuftwaffe pilot Asisbiz Database of aerial victories for Heinz Bretnutz
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 20-Sep-39 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Fesselballon 09.55 25-Sep-39 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Curtiss P-36 250m 12.20 S. Bienwald 31-Oct-39 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Morane 406 15.55 SW of Saargemund 31-Oct-39 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Morane 406 15.57 SW of Saargemund 31-Mar-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Wellington 20.00 12-May-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Potez 63 5500m 12.00 Luxenburg 21-May-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Potez 63 11.14 East of Montmedy 25-May-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Morane 406 20.02 07-Jun-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Bloch 151 3000-3500m 07.05 E Compiegne 08-Aug-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Spitfire 4500m 17.15 S Swanage 15-Aug-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Spitfire 5000m 18.45 SW Portland 15-Aug-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Hurricane 5000m 19.02 15-20km SW Cherbourg 16-Aug-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Hurricane 14.36 16-Aug-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Hurricane 14.37 05-Sep-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Spitfire 7500-1000m 16.05 Hawkinge 06-Sep-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Hurricane 10.16 05-Oct-40 Heinz Bretnutz 6./JG53 Hurricane 12.40 Maidstone 11-Oct-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 08.55 - 12-Oct-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 850m 17.33 - 20-Oct-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Hurricane 200m 16.25 - 08-Nov-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 17.37 08-Nov-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Hurricane 6500m 14.58 20km NE Brighton 11-Nov-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Hurricane 13.15 15-Nov-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Lysander 14.10 30-Nov-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Hurricane 6500-4500m 15.23 Ashford 30-Nov-40 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Hurricane 15.25 Ashford 19-Mar-41 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 17.20 N. Dungeness 09-Apr-41 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Blenheim 19.10 E. Southend 10-Apr-41 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Blenheim 19.10 03-May-41 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 250m 17.03 Dungeness 04-May-41 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Lysander 20m 12.53 N. Deal 17-May-41 Heinz Bretnutz Stab II./JG53 Hurricane 19.18
Luftwaffe pilot Harro Harder
Units: 1(J)/88 Legion Condor, 1(J)/LG-2(9/39), Stfkpt 1(Erg)./ZG-210(10/39), Kdr III./JG-53(8/40 Villaze/Guernsey)
Awards: Spanish Cross-Br, EK 1 & 2, Destroyer Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: He 70, Bf 108, Bf 109B-2 'Black 6x36' in J/88, Bf 109E-3 Bf 109E-3 '<<+I' (lost 8/12/40)
Remarks: KIA after aerial combat with a Spitfire east of the Isle of Wight. His body washed ashore at Dieppe one month later. His brother, Jurgen, kept his memory alive, carrying the name 'Harro' on all his 109's, before his own death in 1945, the last of three fighter pilot Harder brothers. 3rd highest scorer in Spain with 11 victories. One known WWII victory, his 1st, a Polish P-24 in the Lubien area, 9 September, 1939. Nos.2, 3 & 4, all Spitfires S of Portland, near the Isle of Wight on 11 August, 1940. Nos. 5 & 6, both Spitfires (n.b.), E of the Isle of Wight on 12 August, 1940. Bowers/Lednicer, 33 victories including 11 in Spain.
Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz database list of 6 aerial victories for Harro Harder
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location Saturday, September 09, 1939 Harro Harder 1.(J)/LG2 PZL P-24 17:00 Lubien area Sunday, August 11, 1940 Harro Harder Stab III./JG53 Spitfire 4500m 11:53 Portland/Insel Wight Sunday, August 11, 1940 Harro Harder Stab III./JG53 Spitfire 600m 11:50 20km S Portland/Wight Sunday, August 11, 1940 Harro Harder Stab III./JG53 Spitfire 11:40 Monday, August 12, 1940 Harro Harder Stab III./JG53 Spitfire 13:25 East of Isle of Wight Monday, August 12, 1940 Harro Harder Stab III./JG53 Spitfire 13:20 East of Isle of Wight
Luftwaffe pilot Hubert Kroeck
Units: 2/J 88 in Spain, Stfkpt 6./JG-134(3/37), Stfkpt 4./JG-53(10/39), Kdr Erg./JG-53(9/40), JGr-200 (9/44)
Awards: Spanish Cross, EK 2(4/1/40), Fighter Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: Bf 109E-3 'White 1' (10/39) & F in JG-53, Bf 109G in JGr-200
Remarks: JG-26 per Butler Pilot List when it was known as JG-134 in '37. One victory in Spain.
Luftwaffe pilot Gunther Furher von Maltzahn - Baron Günther von 'Henri' Maltzahn
Units: Stab II./JG-53 ('39), Kdr II./JG-53 (8/40 Dinan-Guernsey), Kdr ./JG-53 (9/40 Cherbourg-Eaples), Jafü
Awards: RK(12/30/40)-EL(7/24/41), DK-G(12/23/42), EP(3/23/42), EK 1 & 2, Wnd Bdg, Ftr Oper.Clasp w/'400'
Known Aircraft: Bf 109E WNr1347, Bf 109F-2's WNr 5484 & WNr 8311 (both 30% 6/41) and WNr's 6683 and 8326 (also 30% dam 7/15/41), both 'Black <<-+-', Bf 109F-4 WNr 7282 'Black <<-+-' (lost 5/11/42)
Remarks: His first victory, a Potez 63 near Saarbrücken, 30 September, 1939. A 2nd, a Morane 406 SW of Saargemünd on 31 October, 1939. A 3rd, a Morane SW of Saargemünd on 31 March, 1940. His 4th a Spitfire S of Swanage on 8 August, 1940. Became an 'Ace' on 16 August, 1940, downing a Spitfire, no location. Nos.9 & 10, both Spitfires in the London/Dungeness area on 27 September, 1940. His 15th a Spitfire between Dover & Calais on 19 April, 1941. Channel pilot. Barbarossa pilot, shot down by an I-15, and made a forced landing on 15 July, 1941, after his radiator was hit. His 50th victory, a Hurricane on 19 December, 1941, piloted by American F/O Pete Steele of RAF No.126 Sq., downed over Malta. Shot down in his F-4 on 11 May, 1942, probably by F/O Nash, and rescued by a Seenot aircraft. His 1st Soviet victory, a DB-3 NW of Brest-Litovsk on 22 June, 1941. His 68th a P-40 over Tunisia on 4 January, 1943. 2nd Luft Squadron to achieve 1000 aerial victories under his leadership. Promoted to Jafu OberItalien & Staff positions for the remainder of the war. Deceased 24 June, 1953 in Düsseldorf. 497 combat missions, 33 victories in Russia.
Luftwaffe pilot List of 37 aerial victories for Gunther Furher von Maltzahn
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 30-Sep-39 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Potez 63 11.34 Saarbrucken 31-Oct-39 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Morane 406 15.53 SW of Saargemund 08-Aug-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 8800m 17.05 15km S. Swanage 16-Aug-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 7500m 18.10 - 01-Sep-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 6500m 12.10 - 05-Sep-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 5200m 16.05 - 06-Sep-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Hurricane 4000m 10.10 - 24-Sep-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 6000m 09.53 SE London 27-Sep-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 10.19 27-Sep-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab II./JG53 Spitfire 16.25 12-Oct-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 17.40 01-Dec-40 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 15.15 31-Mar-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire Low Level 11.35 NW Calais 16-Apr-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire 1000m 18.40 Dungeness 19-Apr-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire 6500m 19.09 Calais/Dover 09-May-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire - N. Calais 22-Jun-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 DB-3 1200m 16.30 NW Brest-Litovsk 19-Dec-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 16.55 Malta 21-Dec-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 12.00 Malta 26-Dec-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 11.12 - 26-Dec-41 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 3500m 16.55 SE Insel Malta 25-Jan-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 50m 10.40 - 25-Jan-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 5000m 10.35 - 04-Feb-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 2500m 15.53 E. Malta 11-Feb-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Beaufighter 15.45 - 15-Feb-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Beaufort 18.00 - 15-Feb-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Beaufort 5000m 16.08 - 01-Apr-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire 6500m 14.55 E. Insel Malta 1500-10m (E. Hal Far) 09-Apr-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire 7000m 17.28 Malta 14-Apr-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Tomahawk 4000m 10.40 - 25-Apr-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire 500m 15.28 Malta 25-May-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire 15.20 14-Jun-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Hurricane 3000m 17.32 Pl.Qu. 8934/03 Ost (Raum Malta) 03-Dec-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 P-38 Lightning 5800m 11.38 Bizerta 14-Dec-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 Spitfire 12.18 Jefna sicht 18-Dec-42 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 B-17 Fortress II 6500-0m 12.10 NW Medjez el Bab 04-Jan-43 Gunther Furher von Maltzahn Stab /JG53 P-40 Warhawk 3000m 12.21 5km S. Protville
Luftwaffe pilot Hans Karl Mayer
Units: Legion Condor, Stafkpt 1./JG-53 (10/39), Kdr I./JG-53 (8/40 Rennes-Le Touquet)
Awards: RK(9/3/40), Spanish Cross, EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: Bf 109E-3 'White 2' & Bf 109E-4 'White 8' in 1/JG-53, Bf 109E-4/B(10/40) in Stab I/JG-53, Bf 109E-7 WNr 4138 'White 8' (9/40 Etaples, lost )
Remarks: Blumensaat replacemnt. KIA after being shot down in Wk# 4138 by a Spitfire of RAF No. 603 Sq. while on a check-out flight in an unarmed Bf 109E-7 'White 8' over the English Channel. His body later washed ashore on the Kent coast 27 October, 1940. Buried Hawkinge Cem., Kent, German Plot 'O', Row 3, Gr 4 (M.Croft). His first victory, a Potez 63 west of Losheim, 5 November, 1939. His 2nd, a Hurricane NW of Merzig on 21 April, 1940. His 3rd, a Morane 406 15 km S of Metz 11 May, 1940. On 14 May, 1940, he shot down five enemy AC near Sedan. His 9th a Hawk 75 S of Attigny on 25 May, 1940. Nos.10 & 11, both Hurricanes over the English Channel on 12 August, 1940. His 12th a Hurricane at Portland on 13 August, 1940. No 13, a Hurricane at Salisbury on 15 August, 1940. A 14th a Spitfire over England on 18 August, 1940. A 15th a Spitfire over the Isle of Wight on 24 August, 1940. His 20th a Hurricane near London on 9 September, 1940. 8 victories in Spain making him one of the most successful in Spain. Exact number of victories in the West is unknown, but at least 30. Another source states his given name as 'Karl Heinz'. Another source states victories at 46.
Asisbiz database list of 33 aerial victories for Hans Karl Mayer
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location Sunday, November 05, 1939 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Potez 63 15:15 West of Losheim Sunday, April 21, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 12:05 NW Merzig Saturday, May 11, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Morane 406 7000m 07:53 10-15km S Metz Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 16:23 Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Fairey Battle 16:24 Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Blenheim 16:30 Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Blenheim 16:40 SW Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Fairey Battle 16:55 South of Sedan Saturday, May 25, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hawk-75A 12:05 South of Attigny Sunday, November 05, 1939 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Potez 63 15:15 West of Losheim Sunday, April 21, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 12:05 NW Merzig Saturday, May 11, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Morane 406 7000m 07:53 10-15km S Metz Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 16:23 Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Fairey Battle 16:24 Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Blenheim 16:30 Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Blenheim 16:40 SW Sedan Tuesday, May 14, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Fairey Battle 16:55 South of Sedan Saturday, May 25, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 P-40 Warhawk 12:05 South of Attigny Monday, August 12, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 13:20 Monday, August 12, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 2000m 13:25 Kanal 11/5 Tuesday, August 13, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 6500m 17:00 Portland Thursday, August 15, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 18:45 Salisbury Saturday, August 24, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Spitfire 17:40 Isle of Wight Sunday, August 25, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Hurricane 6000-300m 18:30 West of Portland Sunday, August 25, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Spitfire 14:30 East of Portsmouth Sunday, August 25, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Spitfire 17:35 Portsmouth Friday, September 06, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer Stab I./JG53 Hurricane 500m 10:30 NW Dungeness Saturday, September 07, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer Stab I./JG53 Hurricane 18:00 Monday, September 09, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer Stab I./JG53 Hurricane 19:05 Sunday, September 15, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 5500m 12:45 10km S London Sunday, September 15, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 2500m 13:10 Maidstone Monday, August 26, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Spitfire 14:30 E. Portsmouth Monday, August 26, 1940 Hans-Karl Mayer 1./JG53 Spitfire 17:35 Portsmouth
Luftwaffe pilot Hptm. Wilhelm Meyerweissflog
Units: Stab./JG-53 (Channel)
Awards: Fighter Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: Bf 109E-1 WNr 5375 '<I-+-' (lost )
Remarks: POW during aerial combat with a Spitfire over Chatham, force landing near Monkton. Source: Jochen Prien
Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz database list of aerial victories for
Luftwaffe pilot Major Dr. Erich Mix
Units: I/JG-334, Stab I/JG-53 (9/39), Kdr III/JG-2 (8/40 Le Harve-Octeville), Kdr JG-1
Awards: EK 1 & 2, Wound Badge, Fighter Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: Bf 109B in JG-334, Bf 109D in '39, Bf 109E-1 '<o' in JG-53, Bf 109E-3 '<<' (5/40) in III/JG-2, Bf 109F-4/B WNr 7059 (dam 7/41)
Remarks: WWI pilot with 3 victories. Channel pilot shot down and forced landed his severly damaged 109E in France 21 May, 1940. One known victory, his 1st, a Morane near Saargemünd, 21 September, 1939. His 2nd & 3rd, both Moranes south of Saarbrücken, 22 November, 1939. A 4th a Morane at Becquigny, E of Boussicourt on 21 May, 1940. A 5th a Hurricane over England on 9 September, 1940. A 6th a Blenheim 10 km W of Den Haag on 7 July, 1941. Bowers/Lednicer, 16 victories.
Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz database list of 6 aerial victories for Erich Mix
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location Thursday, September 21, 1939 Erich Mix Stab I./JG53 Morane 16:15 Saargemund Wednesday, November 22, 1939 Erich Mix Stab I./JG53 Morane S Saarbrucken Wednesday, November 22, 1939 Erich Mix Stab I./JG53 Morane S Saarbrucken Tuesday, May 21, 1940 Erich Mix Stab III./JG2 Morane 1600m 10:55 Becquigny E Boussicourt Monday, September 09, 1940 Erich Mix Stab III./JG2 Hurricane 19:40 Monday, July 07, 1941 Erich Mix Fhr.d.JagdKr. Blenheim 12:45 100km W. Den Haag
Luftwaffe pilot Werner Molders
Youth
Werner Molders was born at Gelsenkirchen/Westfalia on 18 March 1913. At the time of Werner's birth his father, Victor, was working as a teacher in England but with the outbreak of war in August 1914 he was forced to escape home to Germany aboard a neutral Dutch ship. On returning home, he joined the German Army and was subsequently commissioned as a Leutnant, only to be killed while serving with Infantrie Regiment 145 near Vauquois on the Argonne Front on 2 March 1915 shortly before Werner's second birthday. Following the death of her husband his mother, Anna-Maria, returned to her family in Brandenburg/Havel, faced with the difficult task of raising four children (Hans Anne-Marie, Werner and Victor) on her own. The Molders family were devout Catholics but lived in a very strong Protestant environment. Since religion can often offer a form of lonely sanctuary, Werner developed into a very serious boy and would retain a seriousness all his life.
Service in the Army
Deciding to follow in his father's footsteps, Werner wanted to become an army officer. Obtaining his 'Abitur' at the age of 17, he enlisted in the small army allowed to Germany by the provisions of the 1919 Versailles Treaty. On 1 April 1931, he joined II./IR 2 at Allenstein in East Prussia. In October 1932, he was transferred to the Kriegsschule at Dresden and to the Pionierschule at Miinchen in June 1932. With aviation becoming the great dream of many young Germans who remembered the First World War exploits of Bokke and von Richthofen, the rise to power of the National Socialist Party in 1933 and the creation of a new air force gave Werner the opportunity to transfer to that arm of the services. But, as with his future contemporary Adolf Galland, Molders would also suffer problems. Whereas Galland's eyes were deficient, Molders suffered from a fear of heights, a fear that he would conquer with a major effort of willpower.
Service in the Luftwaffe
On 6 February 1934 Molders joined the DVS (Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule) at Cottbus and remained there until the end of that year. Following his promotion to Leutnant on 1 March 1934, he trained with Kampfliegerschule Tutow and jagdfliegerschule Schleissheim until the middle of 1935. On 1 July 1935, he was transferred to Fliegergruppe Schwerin, a ground support unit which was later redesignated I./St.G. 162 Immelmann. Flying He-45s and He-46s, he was transferred to fighters the following year. Promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 April 1936, he led the Jagdschulstaffel of II./JG134 Horst Wessel at Werl in Westfalia where his commanding officer was Major Theodor Osterkamp, a veteran of the First World War, credited with 32 aerial victories. On 15 March 1937 Molders took command of I.Staffel of I./JG334 at Wiesbaden and his unit, equipped with the Heinkel He-51, would be successively redesignated I./JG133, and then I./JG53 Pik As.
The Spanish Civil War
The seriously-minded Molders was still a bachelor when he was sent to Spain in May 1938. On the 24th of that month he succeeded Adolf Galland as Kapitan of 3./J88. This was the first time that the paths of the two men crossed. At the same time, the obsolete He 51s were replaced by the new Bf 109 Dora which would later be replaced by the Emil becoming the best fighter used by either side during the Spanish Civil War. Combining his own abilities with the qualities of the Messerschmitt fighter, Molders quickly achieved success and in his first aerial engagement, shot down an 1-15. Four days later, two further victories were added, another 1-15 and an 1-16.With the exception of an SB-2 shot down on 23 August 1938, Molders would claim only Polikarpov fighters until the end of his stay in Spain. On his return to Germany on 5 December 1938, he was credited with 14 victories plus an additional three that were unconfirmed. Promoted to Hauptmann as the highest scoring German ace of the Spanish Civil War, he was then temporarily assigned (as had been Galland earlier) to the Air Ministry to study and improve fighter tactics based upon experiences gained during the Spanish conflict. His influence was to be enormous in that he proposed the deployment of a loose formation of four aircraft - the 'Schwarm' - broken up into two elements of two - the'Rotte'.
The 'Sitzkrieg' While Galland was transferred to II.(Schlacht)/LG 2 equipped with the Hs-123, Molders returned to his old fighter unit to lead I./JG53 (formerly-1.I.JG133). It was during this time that he acquired his nickname of 'Vati' ('Papa') due to his serious nature, experience and rigidity. This nickname was not intended as offensive but one which was born out of respect. No-one feared Molders and he was very popular amongst his pilots. He was not an impetuous man and could drink a glass of beer like the rest - but never two!
If his successes in Spain were partly due to his good fortune in receiving the best aircraft of its time, then the Sitzkrieg - or Phoney War - was to prove that he was an excellent fighter pilot and tactician. His introduction to the new campaign was, nevertheless, quite unsettling. On 8 September 1939, he led three other Bf 109s in an attack on six French Curtiss H-75s of GC11/4 north of Karlsruhe. In the ensuing dogfight, Molders' Bf 109 was heavily damaged, forcing him to crash land in a field near Wolfersweiler. Trapped in his cockpit and slightly wounded, he had to wait for a local Flak crew to release him. Strangely, the French pilots involved claimed two victories, attributed to three pilots (SIC Cruchant being credited with two claims combined with two other pilots)!
Molders recovered quickly and claimed his first victory over the border twelve days later. Taking off with his Schwarm to Trier, he destroyed another H-75 of GC11/5 from a patrol escorting a reconnaissance aircraft. Sgt Quequiner, piloting N°21, was able to bale out of this aircraft which crashed near Merzig.
After being promoted Kommandeur of III./JG53, Molders celebrated his new command by shooting down a Blenheim I (16694) of No. 57Sqn engaged in reconnaissance along the Moselle on 30 October 1939 but would have to wait until 22 December to obtain his third victory in France. While escorting a Do-17P of 1.(F)/123, he attacked some fighters identified as 'Moranes' but which were in fact, Hurricane Is of No. 73Sqn RAE With his wingman, Oblt. von Hahn, he shot down two (11967 and N2385) near Budange. With the onset of bad weather, the first months of 1940 were quiet but on 2 March, at the end of a very scrappy encounter, Hptm. Molders and Uftz. Neuhoff were able to claim two Hurricanes (11808 and L1958) from No. 73Sqn which crashed near Metz. The following day, again around Metz, Molders engaged a Morane Saulnier 406 of GCII/3. This was claimed destroyed but, in fact, C/C Koerber, although wounded, managed to land his damaged aircraft at Toul airfield. On 26 March, another MS-406 was claimed near Trier, but this proved to be a Hurricane of No. 73Sqn whose pilot, F/O Edgar James 'Cobber' Kain of the RNZAF, baled out after having previously been shot down on 2 March! On 2 April, another Hurricane, this time from No.1Sqn, was shot down near St Avold but the pilot was able to force-land his heavily damaged fighter behind the Allied lines and avoid capture.
On 20 April, III./JG53 were flying in the Zweibrucken area where they encountered Curtiss H-75s of GC11/4 escorting a Potez 63.11 reconnaissance aircraft of GR11/36. In the combat that ensued, anti-aircraft guns shot at both sides! An H-75 N°136 fell to Molders while another was damaged by Flak. The pilot, C/C Cruchand, was seriously wounded but managed to crash-land his fighter near Biesbriick. On 23 April, Molders claimed his last victory of the Sitzkrieg when he shot down a Hurricane I (N2391) of No. 73Sqn during the morning near Sierck-les-Bains, the pilot, Sgt C. Campbell parachuting to safety. During this campaign, Hptm. Molders was credited with nine additional victories while Adolf Galland flew only ground support. By the time Galland did transfer to the fighter arm, Werner Molders had 23 official victories.
The Campaign in the West
On 10 May 1940, III./JG53 was based at Wiesbaden airfield and Molders had to wait four days before he was credited with his first victory during the invasion of the West, this being a Hurricane on the 14th of the month. During the first days of the attack and mainly over France, III./JG53 had to escort the bombers and were ordered not to attack enemy fighters. On 15 May, Werner Molders at the celebratory dinner after receiving the Ritterkreuz on 29 May 1940 having achieved 20 aerial victories at this time, another Hurricane was claimed by the Kommandeur, but it would be a French cockade that was later painted on the rudder of all his aircraft to record that particular victory. On 17 May, III./JG53 was transferred to Douzy, near Sedan in France from where the unit flew air cover sorties over the Wehrmacht spearheads advancing near Cambrai. On 19 May, Molders was credited with a 'P-36' (almost certainly a Bloch 152, which was often confused with the Curtiss). During the evening of the 20th Molders claimed his 13th victim, a British bomber described as a 'Wellesley'. On 21 May, three MS-406s were shot down (apparently aircraft from GC1/6 and III./6) and on the 22nd, it was the turn of a Potez 63.11, N0315 of GAO1/514, shot down near Montagne de Reims. Another Morane was lost during the evening of 25 May (Molders' 18th victory) and on the 27th two Blochs, thought to have been from GC1/8, were claimed south of Amiens.
With 20 victories over France and 14 in Spain, Molders was awarded the Ritterkreuz which was presented to him on Loe airfield, near Le Selve. On 31 May, near Abbeville, Molders shot down a LeO 451 of GB1/12. On 3 June, during Operation Paula (launched primarily as a propaganda operation), Molders claimed two victories - a Curtiss H-75 (which, in fact, was a Bloch 152, and which was subsequently identified on his rudder with a British roundel!) and, very unusually, a Spitfire. Exactly, what a Spitfire was doing near Paris at a time when all RAF units had retreated to their bases in England to fight over Dunkirk is unclear. The 'Spitfire' was probably a D.520 of GC1/3. Two days later, Molders experienced altogether different circumstances. At around noon, he was credited with the destruction of a Bloch 152 (N°651 of GC 118?) and a Potez 63.11 (N0250 of GAO 501?) and later that afternoon, whilst on his second mission of the day, he spotted some 'Moranes' attacking some Bf 109s. He decided to intervene but the 'MS-406s' turned out to be potent D.520s of GC11/7. Having under estimated the enemy type, Molders was shot down by S/Lt Rene Pommier Layrargues, his Bf 109E-3 crashing near Canly. Molders was able to parachute to safety, but was captured on the ground by soldiers of 195e RALT, an artillery unit who set upon him before an officer intervened. Interested in the man who shot him down, Molders asked to meet him, only to find that Pommier Layrargues was already dead, having been brought down and killed at Marissel a few minutes after their engagement.
Molders ended the Westfeldzug in a French POW camp at Montferrand.With the fall of France, he was eventually freed at the end of June 1940 and this is where there is cause for some interesting speculation! If he had been captured by the British in May, he would almost certainly have been sent to a POW camp in Canada, ending the war in safety and terminating the career of a great pilot. But as a prisoner of the French, he was liberated and became - posthumously - a flying legend. Which was the better fate?
The Battle of Britain
After a short period of leave, Molders, promoted to Major on 19 July, returned to III./JG53. Soon afterwards, however, he left to take over command of JG51. At that time, Adolf Galland was appointed to lead III./JG26 after having shot down 14 planes in the Westfeldzug whilst with JG27.
As is often the case, establishing a new command proved hectic for Molders. On 28 July, the new Kommodore damaged a Spitfire I (P9429) of No. 41Sqn, RAF. Wounded in the thigh, the pilot, F/O A.D.J. Lovell, managed to land his damaged aircraft at Hornchurch. F/O Lovell survived to become an ace in his own right, only to be killed in a flying accident in 1945. Shortly afterwards, Molders himself was shot down by F/Lt John Webster of the sameSqn. This was Webster's fifth claim but he was killed on 5 September 1940 when his parachute failed to open after baling out following a collision with another Spitfire of 41Sqn. (Author's note: another source attributes this claim to the ace, 'Sailor' Malan of 74Sqn). Wounded in the knee, Molders was able to force-land his damaged Bf 109 on the French coast. He returned to his unit on 7 August, but would have to wait some time before he could fly again.
On 26 August 1940, Molders submitted his 27th claim, another Spitfire. By 20 September, his score had reached 40 enemy aircraft shot down, proof that the battles over England were very intense and on that day, he was credited with two more Spitfires (X4417 and N3248) of No. 92Sqn and was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Ritterkreuz. He was only the second member of the German armed forces to receive the decoration. Four days later, Adolf Galland also received the award, becoming the third person to do so. It was at about this time that German newspapers devised a kind of competition between the two aces. One publication would be 'for Molders' another 'for Galland'; in reality however, Molders was not interested in such 'competition'. He told Galland: 'In this war; you will be the Richthofen and I the Bolcke' - yet further proof that the serious Kommodore was more interested in tactics than glory.
Molders score continued to increase; on 27 September, it was a Spitfire over Kent, possibly P9364 of No. 222Sqn. piloted by Sgt Ernest Scott, who was killed after having shot down a Bf 109 - his fifth confirmed victory. On 11 October, another Spitfire I went down (X4562 of No. 66Sqn) and next day, three Hurricane Is (P3896,V7251 andV7426) of No. 145Sqn. On 17 October, Molders claimed another Spitfire (R6800 LZ-N of No.66Sqn.) followed by three more Hurricanes on 22 October (possibly from Nos. 46 and 257Sqn's) off the English coast. Molders now had his fiftieth victory. Galland reached this total eight days later. From the beginning of October, Molders became the first pilot to test the new Bf 109F in combat, which soon proved superior to contemporary British fighters. Certainly, this also helped in his subsequent successes.
After spending a few days leave skiing, JG51's Kommodore returned to action at the beginning of 1941. Exploiting the relative inactivity of the Luftwaffe in the west (the German High Command was preparing to attack the Soviet Union and had moved many units to the east), the RAF were beginning to conduct sorties over France and the fighting now took place mainly off the French coast. On 20 February, Molders claimed two Spitfires (his 57th and 58th victories). Five days later, a Spitfire II (X4592 of No. 611Sqn) was shot down, and on the following day he scored his 60th victory. Galland had to wait until 15 April to attain the same score.
On 13 March, Molders shot down another British ace, S/Ldr Aeneas 'Donald' MacDonnel. MacDonnel, from No. 64Sqn, was born in Baku in 1913, and was the 22nd Hereditary Chief of the Glengarry Clan. Leading a sweep over Northern France, MacDonnel (credited with nine or ten victories) was shot down by Molders (his 62nd victory) and baled out into the Channel. He was rescued by a German motor boat but remained a prisoner of war until 1945.
The new versions of the Hurricane and Spitfire proved no match for the Bf 109E. This is well indicated by a list of Molders's claims for the period:
Hurricane II of No.615Sqn two Hurricane II's of No.601Sqn (one claimed as a 'Spitfire') Hurricane II (Z3087) of No.601Sqn Hurricane II (Z2743) of No.601Sqn Spitfire II of No.92Sqn.Molders' aerial victories declined following the transfer of JG51 to the East. On 21 June, Adolf Galland - then with 69 claims - was the first Luftwaffe pilot to add the Swords to his Ritterkreuz. On the eve of Barbarossa - the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Molders had 'only' 68 claims, but on the day of the invasion, he claimed an I-153 (which must have brought back memories of Spain!) and three SB-2s shot down. He was awarded the Swords but this time as the second pilot to receive the decoration.
At this time, Soviet aircraft and pilots were seen as generally inferior to their German counterparts and this enabled Molders and his men to claim unprecedented scores and on 30 June, he was credited with the destruction of no fewer than five enemy aircraft. By 15 July 1941, on his 291st combat mission he claimed his 100th and 101st victories and was awarded the Diamonds to his Ritterkreuz. By comparison, Galland, would have to wait until 28 January 1942 for this decoration.
By this time, Molders had achieved an almost mythical status, seen to be deserving of 'protection'. He was ordered not to fly ('Flugverbot) to avoid risking his life at the front and was transferred to the Air Ministry in Berlin. On 7 August 1941, he was promoted to Inspector of Fighters and left his unit and on 13 September 1941, he married Louise Baldauf, the widow of a fallen comrade.
Molders could have remained safely at the Ministry, close to his wife, but he was preoccupied with the Soviet campaign and visited the Eastern Front many times. In the autumn of 1941, he went to the Crimea to lead the combined operations of Stukas and fighters where he discovered an important supply problem which he tried to resolve. In spite of the Flugverbot, he wanted to have a clearer picture of the situation in the air by flying again. On 8 and 11 November, Molders borrowed a Bf 109 of III./JG77 and shot down three more Soviet aircraft over Sevastopol and the Kertsch peninsula, though he did not record them officially. Future Ritterkreuztriiger, Herbert Hahne, remembered serving as Molders' wingman at this time. After spotting enemy aircraft, the Inspector led his Kaczmarek, giving him instructions by radio and 'donating' him his victories. It would seem that 'Vati' Molders enjoyed the role of 'counsellor' and adviser.
On 17 November 1941, Generaloberst Ernst Udet committed suicide and Molders was called back to Berlin to assist with the funeral. Four days later, he began his journey to the capital as a passenger in a He-111 of III./KG27 piloted by Oblt. Kolbe, another former flyer from Spain. The weather was bad and following an interim stop at Lemberg, the Heinkel took off again but the weather conditions continued to deteriorate. Near Breslau, the port engine failed and the crew tried to land at the nearest available airfield, Schmiedefelde. At low altitude, the second engine cut and the He-111 (1G+TH) hit the ground near Martin Quander Farm at N°132 Flughafenstrasse. Molders was killed at 11.30 on 22 November. He was succeeded as Inspector of Fighters by Adolf Galland.
As is often the case after a plane crash (Balbo, Sikorsky, Todt, etc.), rumors circulated in some quarters about a plot to kill Molders but post-war research has found these to be totally without foundation. It is true that Molders, as a devout Catholic, criticized the Nazi Party many times for its activities against the church. But to kill Germany's greatest ace for such beliefs at such a critical period in the war is, in the author's opinion, inconceivable.
Werner Molders was buried in the Invalidenfriedhof at Berlin where Manfred von Richthofen already lay. His Geschwader, JG51, later adopted the honor name 'Jagdgeschwader Molders'. As a postscript to this biography it is worth quoting the words of another ace, Dietrich Hrabak: 'Wir waren nur jagdflieger. Molders was mehr als das!': 'We were only fighter pilots. Molders was more than that!'.
Werner 'Vati' Mölders was born on 18 March 1913, at Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhrgebiet. He joined the army in 1931 and served as an officer cadet in the Infantry. In 1934, with the rebirth of the Luftwaffe as a result of Hitler coming to power, Mölders requested a transfer to become a pilot. At his first attempt to join the Luftwaffe, he was declared unfit for flying. He tried again and was accepted for flying training. He was badly afflicted by air sickness but overcame the problem through sheer willpower.
On 1 July 1935, Leutnant Mölders was posted to Fliegergruppe Schwerin (later to be redesignated I./StG 162). He was appointed Staffelkapitän of 1./JG334 (later to be redesignated 1./JG53) on 15 March 1936. On 1 April 1936, he was transferred to the Schulstaffel of JG134 to undertake instructing duties. For two years he was an instructor at Wiesbaden. He volunteered for the Condor Legion and arrived by sea in Cadiz on 14 April that year. He took over from Adolf Galland at the head of 3.J/88. During the Spanish conflict he showed considerable qualities not only as a pilot and marksman but also, and especially, as a tactician and organiser. Together with other airmen, in Spain he developed the technique known as the 'finger four', or fan, which improved a flight's all-round vision and encouraged the pilots' initiative.
Between 15 July and 3 November 1938, he shot down fourteen aircraft: eleven I-16 'Mosca', two Polikarpov I-15 'Chato' and one SB-2 'Katyuska', as well as one unconfirmed I-16 victory, most of these at the controls of the Bf 109 C-1 coded 6-79 'Luchs'. He was awarded the Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern und Brillanten in recognition of his achievements. At the end of the year he returned to Germany as the highest scoring German pilot of the Spanish conflict, with a glowing reputation and a maturity beyond his years and rank. At the beginning of World War II, Mölders was Staffelkapitän of 1./JG53 'Pik As', based at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim. He became known by those under his command as 'Vati' (Daddy) Mölders. He shot down his first aircraft of the Second World War on 21 September 1939, a French Curtiss 75 A fighter. On 1 November he went on to command III./JG53, also based at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim. On 27 May 1940, after his 20th victory, a French Curtiss 75 A SW of Amiens, he was promoted to Hauptmann and decorated with the Knight's Cross. He was shot down in combat on 5 June 1940, by French ace Sous Lieutenant René Pommier Layragues (6 victories) flying a D.520 of GC II/7 after having scored 25 victories during 128 missions and was taken prisoner. He was liberated two weeks later upon the armistice with France. He returned to Germany to be promoted to Major and given command of JG51 as Kommodore. On 28 July 1940, during his first flight with his new unit, he succeeded in downing a Spitfire, but his aircraft was then hit by the enemy aircraft. Severely wounded in the legs, Mölders just managed to make an emergency landing at the airfield at Wissant in France. It was not until a month later that he was able to return to combat, most likely flying the Bf 109E-4 W.Nr. 2404, as well as W.Nr. 3737, (shot down over England while being flown by Hptm Asmus on 25 October, with no stab markings according to the crash report, but 49 victory bars). He quickly brought his score up by downing 28 British fighters during the remainder of the Battle of Britain, including his 40th a Spitfire over Dungeness, on 20 September, for which he was awarded the Oak Leaves (No. 2) the next day. On 22 October he downed three RAF Hurricanes to become the first Luftwaffe pilot to reach a score of 50 aerial victories. By the end of the Battle of Britain he had a total of 54 victories, and he would add one more before the end of the year.
He continued flying and fighting over the Channel Front until early May, by which time he had brought down an additional 13 British aircraft. On 22 June 1941, the first day of Operation Barbarossa on the Eastern Front, he shot down four Russian aircraft, one I-153 and three SB-2 bombers, his 69th through 72nd victories, and was awarded the Schwertern (No. 2). He was the first pilot to surpass von Richthofen's WW I record score of 80 on 30 June, when he shot down 5 SB-2 bombers to score his 78th to 82nd victories on a day that JG51 claimed 110 SB-2 and DB-3 bombers.
He shot down a further four enemy aircraft on 5 July for his 83rd to 86th victories. On 15 July he became the first pilot in history to record 100 victories and was immediately awarded the Brillanten (No.1), the first German soldier to be so recognized. He was immediately forbidden to fly combat on the personal orders of Göring. At only 28 years of age, he was promoted to Oberst and appointed Inspector General of Fighters on 7 August. Even though ordered to cease flying combat missions, he continued to do so and achieved several unconfirmed victories over the Crimea. He personally instructed many pilots on how to achieve success, and helped develop the forward air controller concept. On 22 November 1941, he was flying as a passenger in a He 111 from the Crimea to Germany to attend the funeral of Ernst Udet. Landing during a thunderstorm at Breslau the aircraft crashed and Mölders and the pilot were killed. In his memory, on 20 December 1941, JG51 was bestowed the honor name 'Mölders'.
He flew a total of some 330 missions during the Second World War, 100 of these on the Eastern Front, during which he shot down a total of 101 aircraft, 33 of these in the East. He also was the top scorer of the Legion Condor in Spain with 14 victories achieved in some 100 missions, and helped develop many of the modern fighter tactics still in use today.
No Date Time A/c Type Unit Location Comments 1. 15.7.1938 - Curtiss 3. J/88 Algar area 2. 17.7.1938 - Curtiss 3. J/88 N Liria 3. 19.7.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 W Villar del Arzobispo 4. 19.8.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 Flix area 5. 23.8.1938 - SB-2 3. J/88 Albi area 6. 9.9.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 Flix area 7. 13.9.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 Flix area 8. 23.9.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 SW Ginestar - 23.9.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 not confirmed 9. 10.10.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 NE Flix 10. 15.10.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 W La Figuera 11. 15.10.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 Sierra de Montsant area 12. 31.10.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 NW Flix 13. 31.10.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 S Ribarroja 14. 3.11.1938 - Rata 3. J/88 Mola area 15. 20.9.1939 14:30 Curtiss 1./JG53 W Merzig Hawk H-75A of GC II/5, Armée de l'air flown by Sgt Queginer, baled out 16. 30.10.1939 11:12 Blenheim III./JG53 Near Klüsserath Blenheim I (L6694) of 18Sqn, RAF flown by Flt Lt AA Dilnot, crew killed 17. 22.12.1939 15:05 Morane III./JG53 15km NE Metz Hurricane (N2385) of 73Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt RM Berry, killed 18. 2.3.1940 12:20 Hurricane III./JG53 Völklingen Possibly Hurricane I (L1808) of 73 S1n, RAF flown by F/O EJ Kain (19/0/2 victories), crash-landed at Toul 19. 3.3.1940 13:55 Morane III./JG53 Metz Morane 406 of GC II/3, Armée de l'air flown by Cpl Chef Korber, crash-landed at Toul 20. 26.3.1940 15:00 Morane III./JG53 Diedenhofen Hurricane I of 73Sqn, RAF flown by F/O N Orton, returned damaged 21. 2.4.1940 12:10 Hurricane III./JG53 St Avold Hurricane I of 1Sqn, RAF flown by P/O CD Palmer, baled out 22. 20.4.1940 11:54 Curtiss III./JG53 Zweibrücken area Probably Hawk H-75A (No 136) of GC II/4, Armée de l'air flown by Adj Chef Cruchant, crash-landed near Bliesbück badly wounded 23. 23.4.1940 11:14 Hurricane III./JG53 S Diedenhofen Probably Hurricane I (N2391) of 73Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt CNS Campbell, baled out wounded 24. 14.5.1940 16:30 Hurricane III./JG53 Sedan-Charville 25. 15.5.1940 13:05 Hurricane III./JG53 Sedan 26. 19.5.1940 9:35 Curtiss III./JG53 NE Reims 27. 20.5.1940 19:15 Vickers III./JG53 Compiegne Possibly Vickers Wellesley 28. 21.5.1940 17:30 Morane III./JG53 29. 21.5.1940 17:50 Morane III./JG53 30. 21.5.1940 19:18 Morane III./JG53 31. 22.5.1940 17:50 Potez 63 III./JG53 SW Mourmelon airfield 32. 25.5.1940 18:55 Morane III./JG53 Villers Cotterets Forest 33. 27.5.1940 9:10 Curtiss III./JG53 15km SW Amiens Mölders said it was a Bloch 152 34. 27.5.1940 9:11 Curtiss III./JG53 15km SW Amiens Mölders said it was a Bloch 152 35. 31.5.1940 19:00 LeO 45 III./JG53 Abbéville-Amiens LeO 451 36. 3.6.1940 14:30 Curtiss III./JG53 Paris Possibly D.520 37. 3.6.1940 15:00 Spitfire III./JG53 Paris 38. 5.6.1940 11:20 Bloch III./JG53 Compiegne 39. 5.6.1940 11:23 Potez 63 III./JG53 Compiegne 40. 28.7.1940 - Spitfire Stab/JG51 Dover Spitfire I of 41Sqn, RAF flown by F/O ADJ Lovell (18.5/2/10.666 victories), crash-landed wounded 41. 26.8.1940 12:55 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Folkestone 42. 28.8.1940 10:40 Curtiss Stab/JG51 NE Dover 43. 28.8.1940 18:40 Hurricane Stab/JG51 Canterbury 44. 31.8.1940 9:50 Hurricane Stab/JG51 between Folkestone and Dover 45. 31.8.1940 9:50~ Hurricane Stab/JG51 between Folkestone and Dover 46. 31.8.1940 9:50~ Hurricane Stab/JG51 between Folkestone and Dover 47. 6.9.1940 14:40 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Folkestone 48. 7.9.1940 18:30 Spitfire Stab/JG51 London 49. 9.9.1940 18:45 Spitfire Stab/JG51 London 50. 11.9.1940 17:05 Hurricane Stab/JG51 SE London 51. 14.9.1940 17:40 Spitfire Stab/JG51 SW London 52. 16.9.1940 8:50 Hurricane Stab/JG51 London 53. 20.9.1940 12:34 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Near Folkestone Spitfire of 92Sqn, RAF flown by P/O HP Hill 54. 20.9.1940 12:34 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Near Folkestone Spitfire of 92Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt PR Eyles 55. 27.9.1940 17:00 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Near Maidstone Possibly Spitfire I (P9364) of 222Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt E Scott (5/3/0 victories), killed 56. 28.9.1940 15:00 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Near Littlestone 57. 11.10.1940 12:30 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Near Folkestone Spitfire I (X4562) of 66Sqn, RAF flown by P/O JHT Pickering, baled out over Canterbury, wounded 58. 12.10.1940 10:40 Hurricane Stab/JG51 Liquizue 59. 12.10.1940 10:40 Hurricane Stab/JG51 Cauberberg 60. 12.10.1940 10:45 Hurricane Stab/JG51 Dungeness 61. 15.10.1940 9:15 Hurricane Stab/JG51 Kneleig 62. 17.10.1940 16:25 Spitfire Stab/JG51 London 63. 22.10.1940 15:40 Hurricane Stab/JG51 NW Maidstone 64. 22.10.1940 15:40~ Hurricane Stab/JG51 NW Maidstone 65. 22.10.1940 15:40~ Hurricane Stab/JG51 NW Maidstone 66. 25.10.1940 10:45 Spitfire Stab/JG51 NW Dover Spitfire I (P7365) of 603Sqn, RAF flown by P/O SF Soden 67. 25.10.1940 13:10 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Margate Spitfire I (P7309) of 603Sqn, RAF flown by P/O P Oliver 68. 29.10.1940 13:55 Hurricane Stab/JG51 Dungeness 69. 1.12.1940 15:15 Hurricane Stab/JG51 Ashforth 70. 10.2.1941 17:29 Spitfire Stab/JG51 5km NNE Calais 71. 20.2.1941 16:56 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Dover 72. 20.2.1941 16:59 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Dover 73. 25.2.1941 15:20 Spitfire Stab/JG51 N Gravelines 74. 26.2.1941 18:22 Spitfire Stab/JG51 SW Dungeness 75. 12.3.1941 19:15 Spitfire Stab/JG51 Dungeness Spitfire II of 74Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt JN Glendinning (4/1/1 victories), killed 76. 13.3.1941 15:22 Spitfire Stab/JG51 SW Boulogne Spitfire of 64Sqn, RAF flown by Sqn Ldr ARD MacDonnell (12.5.1.7 victories), baled out, POW 77. 15.4.1941 - Spitfire Stab/JG51 Boulogne 78. 16.4.1941 - Hurricane Stab/JG51 SW Dungeness 79. 16.4.1941 - Spitfire Stab/JG51 S Le Touquet 80. 4.5.1941 - Hurricane Stab/JG51 E Canterbury 81. 6.5.1941 - Hurricane Stab/JG51 Dover 82. 8.5.1941 - Spitfire Stab/JG51 Dover 83. 22.6.1941 - Curtiss Stab/JG51 I-153 of 123 IAP/10SAD, VVS 84. 22.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 85. 22.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 86. 22.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 87. 22.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 88. 24.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 89. 25.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 90. 29.6.1941 - Pe-2 Stab/JG51 91. 29.6.1941 - I-16 Stab/JG51 92. 30.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 Bobyruysk area 93. 30.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 Bobyruysk area 94. 30.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 Bobyruysk area 95. 30.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 Bobyruysk area 96. 30.6.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 Bobyruysk area 97. 5.7.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 98. 5.7.1941 - SB-2 Stab/JG51 99. 5.7.1941 - I-18 Stab/JG51 MiG-3 100. 5.7.1941 - I-18 Stab/JG51 MiG-3 101. 9.7.1941 - Curtiss Stab/JG51 Rogachev-Orsha-Smolensk area I-153 102. 9.7.1941 - Curtiss Stab/JG51 Rogachev-Orsha-Smolensk area I-153 103. 9.7.1941 - I-16 Stab/JG51 Rogachev-Orsha-Smolensk area 104. 10.7.1941 - RZ Stab/JG51 Rogachev-Orsha-Smolensk area 105. 10.7.1941 - RZ Stab/JG51 Rogachev-Orsha-Smolensk area 106. 11.7.1941 - E/a Stab/JG51 Rogachev-Orsha-Smolensk area 107. 11.7.1941 - E/a Stab/JG51 108. 12.7.1941 - E/a Stab/JG51 109. 13.7.1941 - E/a Stab/JG51 110. 13.7.1941 - E/a Stab/JG51 111. 14.7.1941 - Pe-2 Stab/JG51 112. 14.7.1941 - Pe-2 Stab/JG51 113. 14.7.1941 - Pe-2 Stab/JG51 114. 15.7.1941 - E/a Stab/JG51 115. 15.7.1941 - E/a Stab/JG51 - 8.11.1941 - Il-2 Stab/JG77 Victories : 115
Awards : Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
Units : J/88, JG53, JG51http://www.luftwaffe.cz/molders.html
Luftwaffe pilot List of Aerial victories for Werner Molders
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 20-Sep-39 Werner Molders 1./JG53 Hawk-75A 07.45 Sierck 30-Oct-39 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Blenheim 11.12 Klusserath NE Trier 22-Dec-39 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hurricane 15.05 15km NE Metz 02-Mar-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hurricane 12.15 S Bitsch 03-Mar-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Morane 13.55 12km SE Diedenhofen 26-Mar-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Morane 15.00 Wolkenfeld 02-Apr-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hurricane 12.10 S Saargemund 20-Apr-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hawk-75A 11.54 7km W Saargemund 23-Apr-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hurricane 11.14 S Diedenhofen 14-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hurricane 16.30 Sedan 15-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hurricane 13.05 Charleville 19-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Bloch 152 09.35 NE Reims 20-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Wellesley 19.15 Compiegne 21-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Morane 406 17.30 SW Compiegne 21-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Morane 406 17.50 SW Compiegne 21-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Morane 406 19.18 SW Compiegne 22-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Potez 63 17.50 SW Mourmelon-le-Grand 25-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Morane 406 18.55 Foret de Compiegne 27-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hawk-75A 09.10 15km W Amiens 27-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hawk-75A 09.11 15km W Amiens 31-May-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 LeO 451 19.00 30km S Abbeville 03-Jun-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hawk-75A 3000m 14.40 SE Paris 03-Jun-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Hawk-75A 14.30 Paris 05-Jun-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Bloch 11.20 West of Compiegne 05-Jun-40 Werner Molders Stab III./JG53 Potez 63 11.23 NW Pont Ste Maxance 28-Jul-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 15.30 Dover 26-Aug-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 12.55 Folkestone 28-Aug-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 18.25 Canterbury 28-Aug-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hawk-75A 10.05 NE Dover 31-Aug-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 10.00 NE Folkestone 31-Aug-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 10.01 NE Folkestone 31-Aug-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 10.10 NE Folkestone 06-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 14.45 Folkestone 07-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 18.32 South of London 09-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 18.45 South of London 11-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 17.10 SE London 14-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 17.30 SW London 16-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 09.24 South of London 20-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 12.34 Dungeness 20-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 12.35 Dungeness 27-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 17.03 Maidstone 28-Sep-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 15.01 Littlestone 11-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 12.30 Folkestone 12-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 10.43 Canterbury 12-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 14.12 Dungeness 12-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 10.40 Lympne 15-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 09.15 South of London 17-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 16.22 South of London 22-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 15.40 NW Maidstone 22-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 15.41 NW Maidstone 22-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 15.42 NW Maidstone 25-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 10.45 NW Dover 25-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 13.20 Margate 29-Oct-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 13.55 Dungeness 01-Dec-40 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 15.15 Ashford 10-Feb-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Hurricane 17.29 5km NE Calais 20-Feb-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 16.56 Dover 20-Feb-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 16.57 Dover 25-Feb-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 15.20 N. Gravelines 25-Feb-41 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 26-Feb-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 18.37 SE Dungeness 26-Feb-41 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 12-Mar-41 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Spitfire 3500m off Dungeness 13-Mar-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 15.22 20km W. Cap Gris Nez 15-Apr-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 18.00 SW Boulogne 16-Apr-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Hurricane 18.42 SW Dungeness 16-Apr-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 18.32 5km W. Berck 28-Apr-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Hurricane 13.10 Dungeness 04-May-41 Werner Molders Stab /JG51 Hurricane 2000m 12.30 5km E Deal 04-May-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Hurricane 2000m 12.17 5km E. Deal 06-May-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Hurricane 12.00 Dover 08-May-41 Werner Molders StabJG51 Spitfire 12.20 vor Dover
Luftwaffe pilot Friedrich-Karl 'Tutti' Müller
Friedrich-Karl 'Tutti' Müller was born on 25 Decemeber 1916 at Berlin-LichteRGelde. At the outbreak of World War 2, Müller was serving with 8./JG53. By the end of the french campaign, Leutnant Müller had accumulated eight victories, including his first, a French Curtiss Hawk 75 fighter, shot down on 27 May 1940. Müller participated in the Battle of Britain flying with the Stabsstaffel of III./JG53. He added two RAF fighters to his tally during the aerial battles over England. Müller participated in the invasion of Russia and by the beginning of September 1941, had recorded his 20th victory, a Russian I-61 fighter shot down on 27 August. On 1 November, Müller was appointed Staffelkapitän of 1./JG53. In spring 1942, Müller led 1./JG53 to the Mediterranean theatre. Operating from bases in Sicily, Müller claimed three RAF Hurricane fighters shot down over Malta during this period to record his 22nd through 24th victories. In May 1942, I./JG53 was relocated back to the Eastern front. Müller was particularly successful during this period. In August, Müller claimed 25 victories, including five enemy aircraft shot down on 12 August (47-51). In the period 1 to 19 September, Müller claimed 35 victories, including six Russia Il-2 Sturmovik ground-attack aircraft shot down on 9 September (78-83), five enemy aircraft on 17 September (88-92) and seven on 18 September (93-99). On 19 September, he claimed his 100th and 101st victories resulting in Oberleutnant Müller being awarded the Ritterkreuz. He was awarded the Eichenlaub (Nr. 126) on 23 September.
On 1 November 1942, Hauptmann Müller was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG53 and led the unit to Tunisia. In the period from 25 November 1942 to 30 April 1943, Müller claimed 12 victories to raise his score to 115. However, he was lucky to escape injury on 25 January 1943, when his Bf 109 G-2 (W.Nr. 145 10) '<<+' overturned on landing at Bizerte. In early May, he was to claim three further victories over Sicily and southern Italy. Müller, suffering nervous and physical exhaustion, then embarked on a long leave from the front. On 12 February 1944, Major Müller was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of Sturmgruppe IV./JG3 operating on Reichverteidigung duties. He claimed three USAAF fourengined bombers shot down on 8 March to record his 120th through 122nd victories. On 24 March 1944, Major Müller was appointed Kommodore of JG3. On 18 April, Müller claimed three USAAF B-17 four-engined bombers shot down. Müller was killed in a landing accident at Salzwedel on 29 May 1944, when his Bf 109 G-6 (W.Nr. 410 827) suddenly stalled at a height of 15m. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Oberstleutnant. 'Tutti' Müller was credited with 140 victories in over 600 missions. He recorded 53 victories over the Western front, including 23 four-engined bombers.
Luftwaffe pilot List of aerial victories Friedrich-Karl 'Tutti' Müller
No Date Time A/c Type Unit Location / Comments 1. 11.5.1940 7:50 Morane 1./JG53 2. 3.6.1940 14:55 Hurricane 8./JG53 3. 5.6.1940 18:20 Morane 8./JG53 4. 5.6.1940 18:24 Morane 8./JG53 5. 7.6.1940 16:53 Morane 8./JG53 6. 10.6.1940 - Morane 8./JG53 7. 10.6.1940 - Morane 8./JG53 8. 10.6.1940 - Morane 8./JG53 9. 5.9.1940 16:25 Spitfire 8./JG53 10. 6.9.1940 - Spitfire 8./JG53 11. 29.4.1941 - Spitfire 8./JG53 Dungeness / possibly not confirmed 12. 22.6.1941 16:45 I-17 III./JG53 13. 22.6.1941 16:48 I-17 III./JG53 14. 26.7.1941 8:00 I-17 III./JG53 15. 27.7.1941 10:20 Pe-2 III./JG53 16. 30.7.1941 19:24 I-17 III./JG53 17. 8.8.1941 - I-16 III./JG53 18. 23.8.1941 17:55 I-16 III./JG53 Velikiye Luki area 19. 24.8.1941 18:48 I-153 III./JG53 20. 27.8.1941 18:35 I-61 III./JG53 21. 9.9.1941 - E/a III./JG53 22. 20.12.1941 9:23 Hurricane 1./JG53 Malta 23. 27.12.1941 12:05 Hurricane 1./JG53 Malta 24. 10.4.1942 18:18 Hurricane 1./JG53 Hal Far / Hurricane (Z3766) of 185Sqn flown by P/O C Broad, baled out wounded 25. 3.6.1942 16:12 I-61 1./JG53 26. 18.6.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 27. 28.6.1942 14:38 MiG-1 1./JG53 28. 2.7.1942 6:50 MiG-1 1./JG53 29. 2.7.1942 7:00 MiG-1 1./JG53 30. 3.7.1942 18:15 LaGG-3 1./JG53 31. 6.7.1942 16:37 LaGG-3 1./JG53 32. 8.7.1942 11:37 Il-2 1./JG53 33. 8.7.1942 11:43 Il-2 1./JG53 34. 12.7.1942 9:05 Boston 1./JG53 35. 26.7.1942 8:43 LaGG-3 1./JG53 36. 26.7.1942 8:45 LaGG-3 1./JG53 37. 26.7.1942 8:47 LaGG-3 1./JG53 38. 28.7.1942 9:55 R-5 1./JG53 39. 28.7.1942 16:35 U-2 1./JG53 40. 29.7.1942 8:32 LaGG-3 1./JG53 41. 29.7.1942 17:50 I-16 1./JG53 42. 1.8.1942 7:06 LaGG-3 1./JG53 43. 2.8.1942 11:27 I-180 1./JG53 44. 4.8.1942 13:40 MiG-1 1./JG53 45. 6.8.1942 7:00 Il-2 1./JG53 46. 8.8.1942 6:16 ER-2 1./JG53 47. 12.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 48. 12.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 49. 12.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 50. 12.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 51. 12.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 52. 13.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 53. 16.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 54. 19.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 55. 19.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 56. 21.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 57. 21.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 58. 21.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 59. 21.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 60. 22.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 61. 23.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 62. 23.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 63. 23.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 64. 30.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 65. 30.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 66. 30.8.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 67. 2.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 68. 2.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 69. 2.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 70. 2.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 71. 5.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 72. 5.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 73. 6.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 74. 6.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 75. 6.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 76. 7.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 77. 8.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 78. 9.9.1942 - Il-2 1./JG53 79. 9.9.1942 - Il-2 1./JG53 80. 9.9.1942 - Il-2 1./JG53 81. 9.9.1942 - Il-2 1./JG53 82. 9.9.1942 - Il-2 1./JG53 83. 9.9.1942 - Il-2 1./JG53 84. 16.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 85. 16.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 86. 16.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 87. 16.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 88. 17.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 89. 17.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 90. 17.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 91. 17.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 92. 17.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 93. 18.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 94. 18.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 95. 18.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 96. 18.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 97. 18.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 98. 18.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 99. 18.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 100. 19.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 101. 19.9.1942 - E/a 1./JG53 102. 27.11.1942 11:15 Spitfire I./JG53 10km NE Medjez-el-Bab 103. 28.11.1942 15:35 Spitfire 1./JG53 20km E Mateur 104. 28.11.1942 15:43 P-38 1./JG53 15km E Mateur 105. 31.1.1943 - B-17 1./JG53 106. 31.1.1943 - P-38 1./JG53 Near Gabes a/f 107. 25.2.1943 12:15 Spitfire 1./JG53 108. 10.3.1943 - P-38 1./JG53 109. 23.3.1943 - P-38 1./JG53 110. 19.4.1943 17.00 B-25 1./JG53 111. 19.4.1943 17:08 Spitfire 1./JG53 112. 20.4.1943 9:53 Spitfire 1./JG53 113. 24.4.1943 16:12 Spitfire 1./JG53 114. 24.4.1943 16:14 Spitfire 1./JG53 115. 30.4.1943 12:15 P-40 1./JG53 Near Zembra Is. 116. 20.5.1943 - P-40 I./JG53 117. 23.5.1943 - Spitfire I./JG53 118. 6.3.1944 13:05 B-17 Stab IV./JG3 N Gifhorn-Rathenow 119. 6.3.1944 13:14 B-17 Stab IV./JG3 N Gifhorn-Rathenow 120. 8.3.1944 13:30 B-17 Stab IV./JG3 Celle-Rathenow 121. 8.3.1944 15:30 B-24 Stab IV./JG3 Potsdam-Brandenburg 122. 8.3.1944 15:34 B-24 HSS Stab IV./JG3 Potsdam-Brandenburg 123. 8.4.1944 14:16 B-24 Stab JG3 124. 9.4.1944 11:40 B-24 Stab JG3 125. 9.4.1944 11:40 B-24 HSS Stab JG3 126. 11.4.1944 11:00 B-17 Stab JG3 127. 11.4.1944 11:04 B-17 Stab JG3 128. 13.4.1944 14:00 B-17 Stab JG3 129. 13.4.1944 14:05 B-17 Stab JG3 130. 18.4.1944 14:32 B-17 Stab JG3 131. 18.4.1944 14:38 B-17 Stab JG3 132. 22.4.1944 19:46 B-24 Stab JG3 133. 22.4.1944 19:46 B-24 Stab JG3 134. 24.4.1944 13:35 B-17 Stab JG3 135. 24.4.1944 13:50 B-17 Stab JG3 136. 8.5.1944 9:30 B-24 Stab JG3 137. 8.5.1944 12:00 P-51 Stab JG3 138. 8.5.1944 12:25 B-17 Stab JG3 139. 12.5.1944 12:32 B-17 Stab JG3 Giessen-Frankfurt area 140. 12.5.1944 12:37 B-17 Stab JG3 Giessen-Frankfurt area Victories : 140
Awards : Knight`s Cross with Oak Leaves
Units : JG53, JG3http://www.luftwaffe.cz/mulleRGk2.html
Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz.com Database: List of aerial victories for Friedrich-Karl Muller
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 27-May-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Hawk-75A 09.10 15km W Amiens 03-Jun-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Hurricane 14.55 Paris 05-Jun-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Morane 406 4500m 18.24 Compiegne 05-Jun-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Morane 406 3500m 18.20 Compiegne 07-Jun-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Morane 406 3000m 16.53 Compiegne 10-Jun-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Morane 406 3000m 08.30 10km S epernay 10-Jun-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Morane 406 4500m 08.20 SW Reims 05-Sep-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Spitfire 700m 16.25 - 06-Sep-40 Friedrich-Karl Muller 8./JG53 Spitfire 5000m 10.25 Dungeness 29-Apr-41 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab III./JG53 Spitfire - Dungeness 20-Dec-41 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Hurricane 09.23 La Valetta 27-Dec-41 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Hurricane 6000m 12.05 30km E. Insel Malta 10-Apr-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Spitfire 2000m 18.18 N. Hal Far 03-Jun-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-61 16.12 28-Jun-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-1 14.38 02-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-1 06.50 02-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-1 07.00 03-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 4000m 18.15 3km E FlPl Sossue-Obaja 06-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 16.37 08-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 11.43 08-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 11.37 12-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 A-20 Boston 09.05 26-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 08.45 26-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 08.47 26-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 08.43 28-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 R-5 10m 09.55 Flugpl Proletarskaya 28-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 U-2 16.35 West of Salsk Bodennahe (Rostov) 29-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-16 Rata 17.50 3km N Salsk 29-Jul-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 700m 08.32 1km NW Salsk 01-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 1200m 07.06 39 242 02-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-180 25m 11.27 39 433 04-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-1 13.40 SW Petrovskaya Bodennahe 06-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 800m 07.00 38 232 08-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 ER-2 2000m 06.16 S Tinguta 09-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-3 2000m 12.08 49 173 09-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 400m 16.10 39 421 10-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-3 2000m 17.12 39 750 12-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 2000m 04.22 38 112 12-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-3 1000m 04.29 39 460 12-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-3 3000m 04.32 39 460 18-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 1000m 07.15 NW Katschalinskaya 18-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 07.20 SE Katschalinskaya Bodennahe 20-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 ER-2 1000m 04.45 Pauschino 21-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-180 3000m 17.25 Krassnovarssik 23-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-180 2500m 06.50 Geroditschtsche 23-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 800m 12.10 Gorodischche 23-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 1000m 12.13 Gorodischche 24-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 2500m 12.00 N Stalingrad 25-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-3 08.45 E Radkovo Bodennahe 30-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-1 500m 13.18 Kotluban 30-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 17.15 N Sarepta Bodennahe 30-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 500m 17.10 SW Sarepta 30-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-1 1000m 13.22 Duboy 30-Aug-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 500m 17.08 SW Sarepta 04-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 1500m 15.25 6km ostw Stalingrad 05-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 1000m 05.07 Flugplatz W Tschtula 05-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 1000m 12.32 Stalingrad 07-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 300m 15.51 15km South Bhf Kotluban 07-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-1 800m 11.28 4km NE Bhf Kotluban 07-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 11.25 b/HP-564km 07-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 800m 07.20 8km NE HP-564km 09-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 500m 05.36 ostw Stalingrad 09-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 500m 09.25 ostw Stalingrad 09-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-153 500m 05.30 ostw Stalingrad 11-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-153 1500m 12.37 4km ostw Stalingrad 11-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 400m 14.40 20km NE Kotluban 11-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 1500m 15.35 oststrand von Stalingrad 13-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 2000m 16.45 Sudostteil Stalingrad 15-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 P-40 Warhawk 1000m 16.25 Mitte Stalingrad 15-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-153 300m 12.25 Mitte Stalingrad 15-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-16 Rata 300m 12.35 4km ostw Stalingrad 16-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 I-153 300m 15.35 Grassnaya 16-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 1500m 15.28 Bhf Petrask (sic) 16-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 2000m 15.24 4km nordostw Vodstroy 16-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-5 1500m 06.30 10km E Stalingrad 16-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 2000m 15.22 6km nordostw Vodstroy 17-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 4000m 16.30 49 210 17-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 P-40 Warhawk 3000m 06.28 5km North of Achtuba 17-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 MiG-3 4000m 16.22 49 122 18-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 100-200m 05.55 49 182 18-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 100-200m 05.56 49 152 18-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 05.58 49 122 18-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 100m 05.59 40 793 19-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 Yak-1 2000m 08.40 40 750 19-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 50m 08.53 49 130 19-Sep-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./JG53 LaGG-3 800m 08.52 49 120 27-Nov-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 1300m 11.15 10km NE Medjez-el-Bab 28-Nov-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 5000m 15.35 20km S. Mateur 28-Nov-42 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 P-38 Lightning 1500m 15.43 15km E Mateur 23-Jan-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 B-17 Fortress 4500m 11.55 20km SW Medjez-el-Bab 31-Jan-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 P-38 Lightning 4000m 12.10 10km SE Tabarka 31-Jan-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 B-17 Fortress 4000m 12.08 10km SE Tabarka 25-Feb-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 12.15 15km W. Souk el Kleu 10-Mar-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 P-38 Lightning 3000m 15.55 Souk-el-Arba 23-Mar-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 P-38 Lightning 6800m 12.48 15km NW Cap Ferrat 19-Apr-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 100m 17.08 20km WSW Post E-21 19-Apr-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 B-25 Mitchell 10m 17.00 Post E-19 20-Apr-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 1500m 09.53 20km W Feldpost NrE-21 24-Apr-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire Low Level 16.12 4km W Bir Mderga 24-Apr-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire Low Level 16.14 3km W Depienne 30-Apr-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 P-40E Warhawk 12.15 5km NW Cap Bon 23-May-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 7000m 10.25 6km NE La Valetta 04-Jul-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Kdo.Herr. Halifax 5000m 01.28 Margraf Koln 05-Jul-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JG53 Spitfire 8000m - - 11-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JGHerrmann Halifax 4200m 00.44 3-5km NNE FlPl Biblis 11-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./JGHerrmann Halifax 4200m 00.45 Vermutlich N Heidelberg 18-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Lancaster 1000m 01.45 Swinemunde 18-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JGHerrmann Lancaster 1000m 01.58 10km NW Swinemunde 24-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Stirling 4200m 01.15 Berlin 24-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Stirling 1500m 00.58 Berlin 24-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Halifax 6000m 00.15 Gässen bei Gentheim 28-Aug-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Lancaster 3200m 02.12 18-15km SW oder W Nurnburg 06-Sep-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Stirling 4800m 00.37 10km N Speyer 06-Sep-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Halifax 500m 00.07 6km S. Mannheim 07-Sep-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Lancaster 4300m 00.37 25km SE Munchen 07-Sep-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Lancaster 5000m 00.48 Munchen 27-Sep-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Lancaster 5200m 23.09 i gegend Hildesheim 02-Oct-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Halifax 5600m 23.34 Munchen-Stadtmitte 03-Oct-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 4-mot. Flzg. 4800m 22.42 10-15km SE Kassel 04-Oct-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Halifax 7000m 21.38 Hulst 09-Oct-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Halifax 500m 01.29 NW Hannover 18-Oct-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Lancaster 50m 20.24 Raum Hildesheim 18-Oct-43 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG300 Lancaster 6200m 20.26 Raum Hildesheim 20-Feb-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./NJGr./10 Lancaster 6000m 04.14 S Leipzig 06-Mar-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab IV./JG3 B-17 Fortress 4000m 13.14 GH-4 (Erkner) 06-Mar-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab IV./JG3 B-17 Fortress 7800m 13.05 GF-8 (Klaistow) 08-Mar-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab IV./JG3 B-24 HSS 6000m 15.34 FU 08-Mar-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab IV./JG3 B-24 Liberator 4500m 15.30 FA-5 08-Mar-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab IV./JG3 B-17 Fortress 300m 13.30 HD-2 (SW Burg) 08-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-24 Liberator Low Level 14.16 N. Braunschweig 09-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-24 Liberator Hss 6500m 11.40 30-40km N Rugen 11-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 5000m 11.00 HB S Braunschweig 11-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6500m 11.04 bei Magdeburg 13-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6300m 14.05 QT-RT (N Aschaffenburg) 13-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6300m 14.00 QT-RT (N Aschaffenburg) 18-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6300m 14.38 FF (Nauen area W Berlin) 18-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6800m 14.32 FF (Nauen area W Berlin) 22-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-24 Liberator 6300m 19.47 NQ-OQ (Westerwald SE Bonn) 22-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-24 Liberator 6300m 19.46 NQ-OQ (Westerwald SE Bonn) 24-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6500m 13.35 CC (E Augsburg) 24-Apr-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6500m 13.50 CD (Raum N. Munchen) 08-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-24 Liberator 09.30 FA-9 (W Gifhorn) 08-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 1800m 12.25 FT-1 (SW Hoya) 08-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 12.25 FT-1 ((SW Hoya) 08-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 P-51 Mustang 8000m 12.00 GU-2 (N. Hannover) 12-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6500m 12.32 05 Ost S/QR (Wiesbaden) 12-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab /JG3 B-17 Fortress 6500m 12.37 05 Ost S/PR 23-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./NJGr./10 Lancaster 3200m 01.16 North of Dorn 23-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./NJGr./10 Halifax 5800m 00.54 10-15km NE-NW Dortmund 25-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./NJGr./10 4-mot. Flzg. 300m 01.06 Roermond 25-May-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./NJGr./10 4-mot. Flzg. 4500m 01.00 Roermond 23-Aug-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller 1./NJGr./10 Mosquito 8000-3000m 23.25-30 Eindhoven 12-Sep-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./NJG11 Lancaster 5200m 23.06 NW Frankfurt a Main 04-Dec-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./NJG11 Lancaster 4000m 19.43 SW Karlsruhe 04-Dec-44 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./NJG11 Lancaster 2000-3000m 19.35 Worth-Lautersbad 14-Jan-45 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./NJG11 Lancaster - - 20-Feb-45 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./NJG11 4-mot. Flzg. - - 20-Feb-45 Friedrich-Karl Muller Stab I./NJG11 4-mot. Flzg. - -
Luftwaffe pilot Wilfried Pufahl
Units: Stab II./JG-53 (5/40 France; 6/41 S.U.), Stab./JG-53 (7/41 S.U.), Stfkpt 7./JG-53 (4/42 Comiso)
Awards: EP, EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: Bf 109E-3 '<3+-' (5/40), Bf 109F-2 (7/41), Bf 109F-4 'White 1+-' (5/42 Libya)
Remarks: His first known victory, a Soviet I-153 NW of Robryn on 22 June, 1941. On 15 July, 1941, Pufahl made a wheels up emergency landing in a 109F-2 after aerial combat over Tyranowka Russia, no AC damage report given. Magnus Report. His 7th victory was a Spitfire over Malta on 10 April, 1942. On 30 May, 1942, he was mistakenly shot down by a Ju 88 gunner, forcing him to make an emergency landing S of Gazala. A P-40 west of El Adem on 31 May, 1942. His 8th & 9th victories were two Spitfires southeast of Böne N. Africa on 14 November, 1942. His 10th a Spitfire on 27 December, 1942.
Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz database list of 6 aerial victories out of 10 for Wilfried Pufahl
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location Sunday, June 22, 1941 Wilfried Pufahl Stab JG53 I-153 1000m 07:28 NW Robryn Friday, April 10, 1942 Wilfried Pufahl 7./JG53 Spitfire 15:00 Jafu Sizilien Sunday, May 31, 1942 Wilfried Pufahl 7./JG53 P-40 Warhawk 18:50 Based Afrika Fliegerfuhrer Afrika Saturday, November 14, 1942 Wilfried Pufahl 7./JG53 Spitfire 800m 09:25 10km SE Bone Saturday, November 14, 1942 Wilfried Pufahl 7./JG53 Spitfire 1500m 09:20 30km SE Bone Sunday, December 27, 1942 Wilfried Pufahl 7./JG53 Spitfire
Luftwaffe pilot Erich 'Schmidtchen' Schmidt
Erich 'Schmidtchen' Schmidt was born on 17 November 1914 at Neuhaus am Rennweg in the Sonneberg region of Thuringen.Schmidt was posted to JG53 at the beginning of 1940. Leutnant Schmidt was assigned to 9./JG53. He recorded his first victory on 12 August 1940 when he claimed a RAF Spitfire fighter shot down over the Isle of Wight. By the end of the aerial offensive against England, Schmidt had accumulated 17 victories, including three Spitfires shot down on 15 September to record his fifth through seventh victories.Operating over the Eastern front, Schmidt was to be particularly successful. On the opening day of Operation Barbarossa, 22 June 1941, Schmidt shot down four Russian aircraft (18-21). He recorded his 30th victory on 4 July when he shot a Russian I-16 fighter. Leutnant Schmidt was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 23 July by Oberst Werner Molders (115 victories, RK-Br, killed in action 22 November 1941) for 30 victories.
Members of the ground crew paint victory bar number 44 on the rudder of Erich Schmidt`s 'Yellow 11'. Surash, 27 August 1941. On 26 July, Schmidt shot down five Russian DB-3 twin-engined bombers (32-36). He claimed his 40th victory, an I-16 fighter, on 7 August. On 31 August 1941, Schmidt's Bf 109F-2 (W.Nr. 12633) 'Yellow 6' was hit by flak. He was seen to bale out of his stricken machine but has remained missing ever since.
Luftwaffe pilot List of 47 aerial victories for Erich 'Schmidtchen' Schmidt
No Date Time A/c Type Unit Location / Comments 1 12.8.1940 12:37 Spitfire 9./JG53 Isle of Wight 2 31.8.1940 20:42 Spitfire 9./JG53 Dover area 3 5.9.1940 16:35 Spitfire 9./JG53 4 9.9.1940 18:55 Spitfire 9./JG53 London area 5 15.9.1940 12:44 Spitfire 9./JG53 S London 6 15.9.1940 - Spitfire 9./JG53 S London 7 15.9.1940 15:36 Spitfire 9./JG53 8 17.9.1940 16:41 Spitfire 9./JG53 9 27.9.1940 13:33 Spitfire 9./JG53 London area 10 30.9.1940 14:33 Spitfire 9./JG53 Dungeness-Hastings-London 11 2.10.1940 11:06 Spitfire 9./JG53 London 12 2.10.1940 11:10 Spitfire 9./JG53 London 13 5.10.1940 12:33 Hurricane 9./JG53 SE London 14 7.10.1940 14:20 Spitfire 9./JG53 15 10.10.1940 - Spitfire 9./JG53 16 1.11.1940 - Hurricane 9./JG53 17 30.11.1940 - Spitfire 9./JG53 18 22.6.1941 7:16 I-16 9./JG53 Grodno area 19 22.6.1941 11:35 DJ-6 9./JG53 20 22.6.1941 18:25 I-17 9./JG53 21 22.6.1941 20:45 DJ-6 9./JG53 22 25.6.1941 8:33 SB-3 9./JG53 23 25.6.1941 11:30 SB-3 9./JG53 24 26.6.1941 7:28 DB-3 9./JG53 25 26.6.1941 7:41 DB-3 9./JG53 26 27.6.1941 5:08 DB-3 9./JG53 27 27.6.1941 14:57 DB-3 9./JG53 28 27.6.1941 18:34 DB-3 9./JG53 29 2.7.1941 20:09 I-153 9./JG53 30 4.7.1941 12:21 I-16 9./JG53 31 14.7.1941 18:05 I-17 9./JG53 32 26.7.1941 9:35 DB-3 9./JG53 33 26.7.1941 10:10 DB-3 9./JG53 34 26.7.1941 10:12 DB-3 9./JG53 35 26.7.1941 18:28 DB-3 9./JG53 36 26.7.1941 18:32 DB-3 9./JG53 37 2.8.1941 13:45 I-18 9./JG53 38 5.8.1941 10:41 I-18 9./JG53 39 5.8.1941 10:46 I-18 9./JG53 40 7.8.1941 10:22 I-16 9./JG53 41 19.8.1941 13:05 I-16 9./JG53 Velikiye Luki area 42 23.8.1941 17:00 I-18 9./JG53 Velikiye Luki area 43 25.8.1941 14:55 Il-2 9./JG53 Velikiye Luki-Toropets area 44 27.8.1941 16:25 I-153 9./JG53 45 29.8.1941 15:35 I-16 9./JG53 46 29.8.1941 15:44 I-18 9./JG53 47 29.8.1941 15:46 I-18 9./JG53 Victories : 47
Awards : Ritterkreuz (23 July 1941)
Units : JG53Web Reference:
http://www.luftwaffe.cz/schmidt.html
Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz Database of 47 aerial victories for Erich 'Schmidtchen' Schmidt
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 12-Aug-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 12.37 Isle of Wight 31-Aug-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 18.42 05-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 16.35 09-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 18.55 15-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 12.44 15-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 4000m 13.08 10km South of London 15-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 15.36 17-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 16.41 27-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 13.33 30-Sep-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 14.33 02-Oct-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 11.06 Thames Estuary 02-Oct-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 11.10 Thames Estuary 05-Oct-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Hurricane 12.33 Thames Estuary 07-Oct-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 14.20 Mayfield 10-Oct-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 4500m 11.30 Thames Estuary 01-Nov-40 Erich Schmidt 8./JG53 Spitfire 5000m 12.45 Tunbridge-Wells 30-Nov-40 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 Spitfire 5000m 11.30 North of Dover 12-Dec-41 Erich Schmidt 7./JG53 Hurricane 16.00 14-Apr-42 Erich Schmidt 7./JG53 Spitfire 13.10 21-Apr-42 Erich Schmidt 7./JG53 Spitfire 17.45 05-Jun-42 Erich Schmidt 7./JG53 P-40 Warhawk 17.58 25km SE Gazala Bucht 18-May-43 Erich Schmidt 7./JG53 P-38 Lightning 14.15 35km NW Marettimo 19-May-43 Erich Schmidt 9./JG53 P-40 Warhawk 6000m 14.20 10km SE Catania 13-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG-5 3200m 17.46 51 341 15-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG-5 3800m 07.26 51 172 15-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG-5 4200m 10.46 51 341 17-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG 1800m 07.29 41 452 17-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Pe-2 3200m 08.31 51 171 17-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Pe-2 2500m 08.35 41 292 20-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG-5 1800m 14.49 51 771 20-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Yak-1 1800m 10.55 51 541 21-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG-5 1600m 06.24 51 543 23-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Yak-1 1400m 15.58 88 281 24-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG-3 1200m 06.09 88 424 24-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Il-2 Sturmovik m.H. Low Level 14.58 88 332 24-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 LaGG-5 1000m 17.57 88 413 28-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Il-2 Sturmovik m.H. 800m 11.21 40 222 29-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Yak-1 1800m 06.49 51 894 29-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Il-2 Sturmovik m.H. 200m 16.04 60 273 29-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Yak-1 Low Level 16.10 60 321 30-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Yak-1 1200m 16.54 88 732 30-Aug-43 Erich Schmidt 6./JG52 Il-2 Sturmovik m.H. 800m 16.51 88 734
Luftwaffe pilot Hans-Jurgen Cramon von Taubadel - Hans-Jürgen v. Cramon-Taubadel
Units: Stfkpt Flg.Gr. Döbernitz, Kdr I./JG-54 ('39), Kdr Stab./JG-53 (1/40 Wiesbaden)
Awards: DK-G(1/1/45), EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp
Known Aircraft: Ar 65, Bf 109D, Bf 109E 'Black <-+-' (dam 8/16/40)
Remarks: Flew two fighter sweeps on 16 August, 1940, damaging his E model on the 2nd landing. WWI pilot. Served as one of the 1st Stfkpt in Döbernitz in 1934. Stfkpt 2/JG-70 prior to going to II/JG-54. Channel pilot. Jet Black 'Ace of Spades' cowling insignia. One known victory, a Fr. Morane 406 12 km east of Colmar on 21 December, 1939. His 2nd, a Hurricane 20 km N of Dungeness on 27 September, 1940.
Luftwaffe pilot List of 3 aerial victories for Hans-Jurgen Cramon von Taubadel
Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 21-Dec-39 Hans-Jurgen Cramon von Taubadel Stab I./JG54 Morane 406 150-200m 12.15 12km E. Colmar 21-Dec-39 Hans-Jurgen Cramon von Taubadel Stab I./JG54 Morane 12.15 East of Colmar 27-Sep-40 Hans-Jurgen Cramon von Taubadel Stab /JG53 Hurricane 7500m 11.00 20km N. Dungeness The Geschwader Kommodore of Stab.JG53 during 1940 was Major Hans-Jurgen Cramon von Taubadel. During the Battle of Britain, as it did throughout the second world war, JG53 flew Bf 109's. In this period of 1940 the Bf 109E-3 was the version that most pilots were given. There were two 7.92mm machine guns (MG17) mounted on the nose above the inverted Daimler Benz engine and two 20mm cannon (MGFF) mounted in the wings. While JG53 was making a reputation for itself during the Battle of Britain, information fell to Reichsmarshall Goering that Major Jurgen von Cramon-Taubadel's wife was Jewish.
Inflamed at this fact, Goering ordered the whole of Stab./JG53 to remove the 'Pik As' from their planes, and replace it with a red stripe around the engine cowling of their Bf 109's, as punishment for this 'outrageous insult to the Fuhrer.' All of Stab.JG53's planes immediately were stripped of their 'Pik As' insignia, but soon afterward, the whole of Stab.JG53 stripped the swastikas off the tails of their planes in protest to this 'mark of shame.' During the entire Battle of Britain, Stab.JG53's planes were easily recognizable because of the red band around their engine cowlings, as well as the absence of a swastika on the tail of their Bf 109's. Soon after the battle, due, no doubt to the protest of the pilots, Stab.JG53 was allowed to paint the 'Pik As' back on their Bf 109's, and remove the red band from their cowlings.
Wiesbaden, Germany Map
Bibliography: +
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- Stenman, Kari and Kalevi Keskinen. Finnish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 23). London: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1998. ISBN 1-85532-783-X.
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Messerschmitt Bf 109 operational history Bibliography: +
- Beale, Nick, Ferdinando D'Amico and Gabriele Valentini. Air War Italy: Axis Air Forces from Liberation of Rome to the Surrender. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife, 1996. ISBN 1-85310-252-0.
- Bergström, Christer. Barbarossa – The Air Battle: July–December 1941. London: Chevron/Ian Allan, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-270-2.
- Bergström, Christer and Martin Pegg. Jagdwaffe:The War in Russia, January–October 1942. Luftwaffe Colours, Volume 3 Section 4. London: Classic Colours Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-903223-23-7.
- Feist, Uwe. The Fighting Me 109. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1993. ISBN 1-85409-209-X.
- Green, William. Messerschmitt Bf 109: The Augsburg Eagle; A Documentary History. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishing Group Ltd., 1980. ISBN 0-7106-0005-4.
- Hooton, Edward R. Blitzkrieg in the West, 1939 -1940 (Luftwaffe at War: 2). Hersham, Surrey, UK: Midland Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-272-6.
- Jackson, Robert. Aircraft of World War II: Development – Weaponry – Specifications. Enderby, Leicester, UK, Amber Books, 2003. ISBN 1-85605-751-8.
- Mankau, Heinz and Peter Petrick. Messerschmitt Bf 110, Me 210, Me 410. Raumfahrt, Germany: Aviatic Verlag, 2001. ISBN 3-925505-62-8.
- Mason, Francis K. Messerschmitt Bf 109B, C, D, E in Luftwaffe & Foreign service. London, UK: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1973. ISBN 0-85045-152-3.
- Massimello, Giovanni and Giorgio Apostolo. Italian Aces of World War Two. Oxford/New York, Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-84176-078-0.
- Morgan, Eric B. and Edward Shacklady. Spitfire: The History. Stamford, UK: Key Books Ltd, 2000. ISBN 0-946219-48-6.
- Neulen, Hans Werner. In the skies of Europe – Air Forces allied to the Luftwaffe 1939–1945. Ramsbury, Marlborough, THE CROWOOD PRESS, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-799-1
- Price, Alfred. Spitfire Mark I/II Aces 1939–41 (Aircraft of the Aces 12). London: Osprey Books, 1996, ISBN 1-85532-627-2.
- Punka, György. "A Messzer": Bf 109s in the Royal Hungarian "Honvéd" Air Force. Budapest, Hungary: OMIKK, 1995. ISBN 963-593-208-1.
- Savic, D. and B. Ciglic. Croatian Aces of World War II (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 49). Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-435-3.
- Stenman, Kari and Kalevi Keskinen. Finnish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 23). London: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1998. ISBN 1-85532-783-X.
Some of the most widely used Book References:
- Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase One: July-August 1940 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 1) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Eddie J Creek (Author)
- Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase Two: August-September 1940 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 2) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Martin Pegg (Author)
- Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase Three: September-October 1940 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 3) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Martin Pegg (Author)
- Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase Four: November 1940-June 1941 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 4) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Martin Pegg (Author)
Magazines: +
- Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
- Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
- EDUARD - https://www.eduard.com/
- EDUARD - Are in my opinion are what modelers are looking for loads of pictures and diagrams and have become a leading historical information source. *****
- FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
- Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
- Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
- Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
- Luftwaffe IM Focus (German) - https://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/
- Embleme der Luftwaffe Band-1 (German) - https://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/
- Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
- Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
- Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
- model airplane international magazine - https://adhpublishing.com/shop/store/magazine-backissues/model-airplane-international-backissues/
- Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/
Web References: +
- eBay - https://picclick.de/ or https://www.ebay.com
- Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com
- Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109
- Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#cite_ref-100
- Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_operational_history
- Flickr.com - https://www.flickr.com/photos/farinihouseoflove/2209839419/in/photostream
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