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Friedrich Geisshardt

April 12, 2024

Friedrich Geißhardt[Note 1] (22 January 1919 – 6 April 1943) was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award in the armed forces of Germany during World War II.

Friedrich Geißhardt
Friedrich Geißhardt
Born(1919-01-22)22 January 1919
Sonnefeld, Oberfranken
Died6 April 1943(1943-04-06) (aged 24)
Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Ghent, German-occupied Belgium
Buried
Bourdon German war cemetery, France
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1937–43
RankHauptmann (captain)
UnitLG 2, JG 77, JG 26
Commands heldIII./JG 26
Battles/wars
See battles

World War II

AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Geißhardt is credited with 102 victories in 642 combat missions, including 37 close air support missions. He achieved 63 of his victories over the Eastern Front. In his total are at least seventeen Spitfires.[2] Geißhardt was mortally wounded in combat with US bombers on 5 April 1943 and succumbed to his injuries the next day.

Early life and career edit

Geißhardt was born on 22 January 1919 in Sonnefeld, near Coburg in Oberfranken. He was the son of a teacher who had died early from wounds sustained during World War I. Aged fifteen, he joined the Flying Hitler Youth (Flieger-HJ) and became a glider pilot.[3] He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1937 and was transferred to the 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Lehrgeschwader 2 (LG 2—2nd Squadron of the 2nd Demonstration Wing) on 1 July 1939.[2][Note 2]

World War II edit

During the opening phase of the German invasion of Poland, I.(Jagd)/LG 2 (1st Fighter Group of the 2nd Demonstration Wing) relocated to Lauenburg (now Lębork), near Bromberg, in support of the 4. Armee (4th Army). Unteroffizier (a non-commissioned officer) Geißhard claimed his first aerial victory, a PZL P.24 fighter, that day.[4] The following day, flying a Messerschmitt Bf 109 E, Geißhardt had to make an emergency landing behind Polish lines near Włocławek following combat with Polish PZL P.11 fighter aircraft. After several hours in Polish captivity, he escaped during the confusion caused by a German Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber attack. He returned to German lines after walking and riding on a stolen horse for five days.[5] He was promoted to Leutnant der Reserve (second lieutenant of the military reserve forces) on 1 December 1939.[3]

Geißhardt was transferred to the 1./LG 2 (1st Squadron of the 2nd Demonstration Wing) on 27 February 1940. By the end of 1940, he claimed six Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft shot down during the Battle of Britain, followed by six more claims in early 1941.[2] On 6 April 1941, Geißhardt shot down four Hawker Fury biplane fighter aircraft in the aerial battles against the Yugoslav Royal Air Force's 36th Fighter Group during the Balkans Campaign.[6] During the German Invasion of Crete he claimed two Hawker Hurricanes. He was posted as an adjutant of the Stab to the I.(Jagd)/LG 2 at the end of April 1941.[2]

Eastern Front edit

Following the Invasion of Crete, I.(Jagd)/LG 2 was again subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) on 18 June 1941 and was moved to Bucharest, Romania in preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941. JG 77 supported the German advance as part of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South).[7] On 21 June, the Gruppe was ordered to Roman, a forward airfield near the Siret river.[8] Geißhardt claimed his first aerial victory on the Eastern Front, his twentieth overall, over a Tupolev SB-2 bomber at 05:52 on 23 June 1941.[9]

He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 30 August 1941, after 27 aerial victories. He shot down further enemy aircraft in quick succession in the early part of 1942.[2] On 3 and 4 February 1942, Geißhardt and Oberleutnant Erwin Clausen shot down three Polikarpov R-5s or Polikarpov R-Zs of 622 LBAP (Legkii Bombardirovochnyy Aviatsionyy Polk—Light Bomber Aviation Regiment) and 672 LBAP.[10] He claimed his 40th victory on 1 March 1942 over a Yakovlev fighter aircraft in the vicinity of Sloviansk.[9] On 19 April 1942, Geißhardt took his total to 51 aerial victories when he shot down three Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3, also referred to by the Germans as I-61.[11] The next day, he became an "ace-in-a-day" when he shot down five further I-61s, earning him his second named reference in the Wehrmachtbericht propaganda bulletin.[12]

On 25 April 1942, Geißhardt became an "ace-in-a-day" for the second time which earned him his third and final named reference in the Wehrmachtbericht radio report. On three separate combat missions in the area of Sloviansk, he was credited with seven aerial victories, three I-61s, three Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-1 and one biplane of unknown type.[13] Geißhardt, who had been promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 April 1942, was appointed Staffelkapitän of the 3./JG 77 (3rd Squadron of the 77th Fighter Wing) on 26 April 1942.[3]

Geißhardt was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 23 June 1942 for 79 aerial victories. The award was presented at the Führerhauptquartier at Rastenburg on 28/29 June 1942. By this date, he had claimed three more victories for an accumulated number of 82 victories.[2][14] Two other Luftwaffe officers were presented with the Oak Leaves that day by Hitler, the night-fighter pilot Hauptmann (captain) Helmut Lent and fellow JG 77 pilot Oberleutnant Heinrich Setz.[15]

Malta and North Africa edit

Shortly after the Oak Leaves presentation, I. Gruppe under the command of Hauptmann Heinrich Bär was ordered from the Eastern Front to the Mediterranean theatre of operations. On 29 June, I. Gruppe moved from Baherove, via Odessa, Băneasa, Sofia, Thessaloniki to Eleusis, where they arrived on 1 July.[16] The unit was then ordered to Sicily where it arrived at the Comiso airfield on 5 July 1942 and was subordinated to the command of Jagdgeschwader 53 Pik-As (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing).[17] By the end of October 1942, Geißhardt was credited with destruction of nine enemy aircraft in the aerial battles of Malta, all of them Spitfire fighter aircraft. On 11 July 1942, he claimed two Spitfires shot down, one of which was not confirmed.[18] He was credited with another Spitfire shot down in combat over Luqa on 20 July.[19] On a combat air patrol flown from 09:30 to 10:35 on 29 July, Geißhardt again claimed yet again a Spitfire shot down over Malta.[20] Geißhardt's Gruppe was then reequipped with the Bf 109 G-2, conversion completed on 1 September. Geißhardt claimed one more Spitfire on 8 September 1942,[21] I. Gruppe's 700th aerial victory on 10 October,[22] and his 89th on 10 October.[23] He claimed his last two victories over Malta on 15 October,[24] and was promoted to Hauptmann on 24 October 1942.[25]

I. Gruppe began transferring to the North African theatre on 26 October 1942. That day, Geißhardt and five other pilots from 3. Staffel flew to Tripoli, Libya.[26] There, he added nine more victories, among them his century on 10 November 1942.[2] He was the 30th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[27]

Western Front and death edit

 
His grave at the Bourdon German war cemetery.

Geißhardt arrived at Wevelgem on 11 January 1943 to take over command as Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of the III. Gruppe (3rd group) of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) from Major Josef Priller. Geißhardt's arrogance grated on some of the pilots, who felt that he treated his fellow pilots who had not yet earned the Knight's Cross with too much disdain.[28]

Geißhardt, who was flying Fw 190 A-4 (Werknummer 7051—factory number) in Priller's Schwarm, was severely wounded in combat with United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group flying a mission to the Erla aircraft factory at Antwerp on 5 April 1943. He had been hit by the defensive fire from the bombers. He was bleeding profusely from a wound in the abdomen but managed to make a smooth landing on the airfield at Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Belgium. He succumbed to his injuries early the next morning on 6 April 1943.[28]

Summary of career edit

Aerial victory claims edit

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Geißhardt was credited with 104 aerial victories.[29] Spick lists Geißhardt with 102 enemy aircraft shot down in 642 combat missions, of which one was claimed during the invasion of Poland, 14 during the Battle of France and Britain, 75 over the Eastern Front, nine in the Mediterranean theater and three over North Africa.[30] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 93 aerial victory claims, plus eight further unconfirmed claims. This figure includes 60 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 33 over the Western Allies.[31]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 76892". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[32]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Geißhardt an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Geißhardt did not receive credit.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Unit Claim Date Time Type Location Unit
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 in Poland –[33]
September 1939
1 9 September 1939 16:30 PZL P.24[34] 2.(J)/LG 2
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 against England –[35]
June – November 1940
2 4 July 1940 15:40 Hurricane 1.(J)/LG 2 5 24 August 1940 12:30 Spitfire Dover[36] 1.(J)/LG 2
3 4 July 1940 20:00 Hurricane Dungeness[37] 1.(J)/LG 2 6 7 September 1940 18:00 Hurricane Maidstone[38] 1.(J)/LG 2
4 13 August 1940
—
 Blenheim[36] 1.(J)/LG 2 7 23 September 1940 10:35 Spitfire[39] 1.(J)/LG 2
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Channel Front –[40]
November 1940 – March 1941
8 2 February 1941 15:30 Spitfire 40 km (25 mi) west of Cap Gris-Nez[39] 1.(J)/LG 2
—
?[Note 3]		 25 February 1941
—
 Spitfire Deal[41] 1.(J)/LG 2
9 11 February 1941 17:22 Spitfire Cap Blanc-Nez[39] 1.(J)/LG 2 11 24 March 1941 19:45 Spitfire?[Note 4] middle of the English Channel[41] 1.(J)/LG 2
10 14 February 1941 13:13?[Note 5] Spitfire west of Dover[41] 1.(J)/LG 2 12 27 March 1941 18:15?[Note 6] Spitfire southwest of Folkstone[41] Stab I./LG 2
—
?[Note 7]		 14 February 1941
—
?[Note 8]		 Spitfire west of Dover[41] 1.(J)/LG 2
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 during the Balkan Campaign –[40]
April 1941
13 6 April 1941 06:12 Fury Kumanovo[42] Stab I./LG 2 15 6 April 1941 06:20 Fury Kumanovo[42] Stab I./LG 2
14 6 April 1941 06:15 Fury Kumanovo[42] Stab I./LG 2 16 6 April 1941
—
 Fury Kumanovo[42] Stab I./LG 2
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 in Crete –[43]
May 1941
17 16 May 1941 17:10?[Note 9] Hurricane Maleme[42] Stab I./LG 2 18 26 May 1941 15:30 Hurricane[42] Stab I./LG 2
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Eastern Front –[44]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
19 23 June 1941 05:52 SB-2 Grossolowo[45] Stab I./LG 2 23 2 July 1941 12:55 I-153[45] Stab I./LG 2
20 23 June 1941 18:50 I-18 Czernowitz[45] Stab I./LG 2 24 7 July 1941 11:00 I-16 Bălți[45] Stab I./LG 2
21 27 June 1941 09:25 I-16[45] Stab I./LG 2 25 11 July 1941 10:12 MiG-3[46] Stab I./LG 2
22 2 July 1941 08:50 MiG-3 Tudora[45] Stab I./LG 2
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, Geißhardt claimed his 26th aerial victory on 11 July 1941 over a Polikarpov I-16 fighter, or on 17 July 1941 over a Tupolev SB-2 bomber.[47]
27 3 August 1941 14:15 DB-3 Mamaia[46] Stab I./LG 2
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Eastern Front –[48]
Winter War — December 1941 – April 1942
28 28 December 1941 15:30?[Note 10] I-16[50] Stab I./LG 2 48 8 April 1942 15:30 I-16[51] Stab I./JG 77
29 23 January 1942 15:30 I-16[52] Stab I./JG 77 49 19 April 1942 09:15 I-61[51] Stab I./JG 77
30 24 January 1942 09:35?[Note 11] I-16[52] Stab I./JG 77 50 19 April 1942 11:18 I-61[51] Stab I./JG 77
31 24 January 1942 12:05?[Note 12] I-16[52] Stab I./JG 77 51 19 April 1942 15:25 I-61[51] Stab I./JG 77
32 3 February 1942 09:45?[Note 13] R-5[52] Stab I./JG 77 52♠ 20 April 1942 08:12 I-61[51] Stab I./JG 77
33 11 February 1942 14:02?[Note 14] I-153[52] Stab I./JG 77 53♠ 20 April 1942 08:14 I-61[51] Stab I./JG 77
34 18 February 1942 12:40 DB-3[52] Stab I./JG 77 54♠ 20 April 1942 11:40 I-61[51] Stab I./JG 77
35 18 February 1942 12:45 DB-3 Stab I./JG 77 55♠ 20 April 1942 14:57 I-61[53] Stab I./JG 77
36 20 February 1942 14:30 LaGG-3 Stab I./JG 77 56♠ 20 April 1942 14:58 I-61[53] Stab I./JG 77
37 24 February 1942 13:57?[Note 15] I-16[55] Stab I./JG 77 57 21 April 1942 15:10 I-61 Stab I./JG 77
38 24 February 1942 14:00?[Note 15] I-16[55] Stab I./JG 77 58 21 April 1942 15:10 I-61 Stab I./JG 77
39 28 February 1942 16:10 LaGG-1 Stab I./JG 77 59 22 April 1942 07:00 LaGG-1 Stab I./JG 77
40 1 March 1942 16:50 Yak Stab I./JG 77 60 22 April 1942 07:00 LaGG-1 Stab I./JG 77
41 9 March 1942 14:20 LaGG-1 Stab I./JG 77 61♠ 25 April 1942 07:00 LaGG-3[53] Stab I./JG 77
42 16 March 1942 13:20?[Note 16] R-5[57] Stab I./JG 77 62♠ 25 April 1942 12:00 I-16[53] Stab I./JG 77
43 21 March 1942 14:45 DB-3 Stab I./JG 77 63♠ 25 April 1942 12:00 I-16[53] Stab I./JG 77
44 21 March 1942 17:03 I-16[57] Stab I./JG 77 64♠ 25 April 1942 12:00 I-16[53] Stab I./JG 77
45 24 March 1942 07:00 I-26 (Yak-1)[57] Stab I./JG 77 65♠ 25 April 1942 16:00 LaGG-3[53] Stab I./JG 77
46 6 April 1942 15:00 I-61 Stab I./JG 77 66♠ 25 April 1942 16:00 LaGG-3[53] Stab I./JG 77
47 6 April 1942 16:50 R-5 Stab I./JG 77 67♠ 25 April 1942 16:00 I-153[53] Stab I./JG 77
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Eastern Front –[58]
Kerch, Sevastopol, Izium — May/June 1942
68 7 May 1942 14:30 R-5[59] 3./JG 77 76 20 May 1942 15:45 LaGG-3[60] 3./JG 77
69 7 May 1942 14:30 I-153[59] 3./JG 77 77 28 May 1942 16:15 Yak-1 PQ 76892[60] 3./JG 77
70 7 May 1942 16:20?[Note 17] LaGG-3[59] 3./JG 77 78 28 May 1942 16:15 Yak-1 PQ 76894[60] 3./JG 77
71 7 May 1942 16:35?[Note 17] LaGG-3[59] 3./JG 77
—
 1 June 1942 14:35 LaGG-3?[Note 18] PQ 66536[60] 3./JG 77
72 8 May 1942 12:35?[Note 19] I-15[59] 3./JG 77 79 9 June 1942 15:35?[Note 20] Il-2 Taman[60] 3./JG 77
73 15 May 1942 16:00 I-16[59] 3./JG 77 80 16 June 1942 17:00 LaGG-3 Taman[60] 3./JG 77
74 17 May 1942 05:27?[Note 21] LaGG-3[65] 3./JG 77 81 22 June 1942 18:50?[Note 22] LaGG-3 PQ 75152[67] 3./JG 77
75 18 May 1942 15:30?[Note 23] R-10[65] 3./JG 77 82 22 June 1942 18:55?[Note 22] LaGG-3 PQ 75161[67] 3./JG 77
– Claims with I. Gruppe/Jagdgeschwader 77 over Sicily –[68]
July – October 1942
83 11 July 1942 17:46 Spitfire[69] 3./JG 77 87 8 September 1942
—
 Spitfire[70] 3./JG 77
—
 11 July 1942
—
 Spitfire[69] 3./JG 77 88[Note 24] 10 October 1942 08:50 Spitfire[70] 3./JG 77
84 20 July 1942 14:10 Spitfire[71] 3./JG 77 89 13 October 1942 17:18 Spitfire[70] 3./JG 77
85 26 July 1942 10:10 Spitfire[71] 3./JG 77 90[Note 25] 15 October 1942 11:00 Spitfire[73] 3./JG 77
86 29 July 1942 10:20 Spitfire[71] 3./JG 77 91[Note 26] 15 October 1942 11:05 Spitfire[73] 3./JG 77
– Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 in North Africa –[74]
October – November 1942
92 3 November 1942
—
 P-40[75] 3./JG 77 97 5 November 1942
—
 P-40 north of Fukah[75] 3./JG 77
93 4 November 1942
—
 P-40 west of El Dabaa[75] 3./JG 77 98 5 November 1942
—
 P-40 north of Fukah[75] 3./JG 77
94 4 November 1942
—
 P-40 west of El Dabaa[75] 3./JG 77 99 9 November 1942
—
 P-40 east of Halfaya Pass[75] 3./JG 77
95 4 November 1942
—
 P-40[75] 3./JG 77 100 10 November 1942
—
 Spitfire[75] 3./JG 77
96 4 November 1942
—
 P-40[75] 3./JG 77

Awards edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ His name, in German, is spelled with a "sharp S"; see ß.
  2. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  3. ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed in Prien's 1995 book.[40]
  4. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed as a Hawker Hurricane.[40]
  5. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 13:00.[40]
  6. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 18:45.[40]
  7. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, this claim is listed as his 11th aerial victory.[40]
  8. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 13:05.[40]
  9. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 17:00.[43]
  10. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 15:10.[49]
  11. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 10:00.[49]
  12. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 14:00.[49]
  13. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 12:00.[49]
  14. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 14:15.[49]
  15. ^ a b According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 15:00.[54]
  16. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 13:25.[56]
  17. ^ a b According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 16:30.[61]
  18. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed as a Polikarpov I-16.[62]
  19. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 15:30.[61]
  20. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 16:00.[63]
  21. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 05:00.[64]
  22. ^ a b According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 18:45.[66]
  23. ^ According to Prien's 1995 book, claimed at 15:00.[64]
  24. ^ 700th victory for I. Gruppe of JG 77[22]
  25. ^ Potentially a Spitfire of No. 249 Squadron RAF flown by F/Sgt N.G. Bryden, who was wounded and baled out into the sea.[72]
  26. ^ Potentially a Spitfire of No. 249 Squadron RAF flown by P/O V.K. Moody, who crash-landed at Takali, Malta.[72]
  27. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot and adjutant in the Stab I.(Jagd)/Lehrgeschwader 2.[79]
  28. ^ According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 77.[79]

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Obermaier 1989, p. 51.
  3. ^ a b c Stockert 2012, p. 1.
  4. ^ Weal 1996, p. 10.
  5. ^ Prien 1992, pp. 84–85.
  6. ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 181.
  7. ^ Prien 1993, p. 628.
  8. ^ Prien 1993, p. 630.
  9. ^ a b Prien 1993, p. 642.
  10. ^ Bergström & Mikhailov 2001, p. 76.
  11. ^ Prien 1993, p. 966.
  12. ^ a b Prien 1993, p. 967.
  13. ^ a b Prien 1993, p. 973.
  14. ^ Weal 2007, p. 26.
  15. ^ Prien 1993, p. 1090.
  16. ^ Prien 1993, p. 1082.
  17. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1226.
  18. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1236.
  19. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1244.
  20. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1251.
  21. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1264.
  22. ^ a b Prien 1994, p. 1276.
  23. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1282.
  24. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1285.
  25. ^ Stockert 2012, p. 2.
  26. ^ Prien 1994, p. 1291.
  27. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  28. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 43.
  29. ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 331.
  30. ^ Spick 1996, p. 233.
  31. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 377–379.
  32. ^ Planquadrat.
  33. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2378.
  34. ^ Prien et al. 2000, p. 433.
  35. ^ Prien 1995, pp. 2382–2383.
  36. ^ a b Prien et al. 2002, p. 394.
  37. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 393.
  38. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 395.
  39. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2002, p. 397.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien 1995, p. 2384.
  41. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2002, p. 398.
  42. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2003a, p. 311.
  43. ^ a b Prien 1995, p. 2385.
  44. ^ Prien 1995, pp. 2386–2398.
  45. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2003b, p. 404.
  46. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003b, p. 406.
  47. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 406, 409.
  48. ^ Prien 1995, pp. 2399–2404.
  49. ^ a b c d e Prien 1995, p. 2399.
  50. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 281.
  51. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2005, p. 285.
  52. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2005, p. 282.
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2005, p. 286.
  54. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2400.
  55. ^ a b Prien et al. 2005, p. 283.
  56. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2401.
  57. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2005, p. 284.
  58. ^ Prien 1995, pp. 2405–2409.
  59. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2006, p. 259.
  60. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2006, p. 262.
  61. ^ a b Prien 1995, p. 2405.
  62. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2407.
  63. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2408.
  64. ^ a b Prien 1995, p. 2406.
  65. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 260.
  66. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2409.
  67. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 263.
  68. ^ Prien 1995, pp. 2420–2421.
  69. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 295.
  70. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004, p. 297.
  71. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004, p. 296.
  72. ^ a b Cull & Galea 2016.
  73. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 298.
  74. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2422.
  75. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2004, p. 299.
  76. ^ a b c Thomas 1997, p. 194.
  77. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 133.
  78. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 193.
  79. ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 330.
  80. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 60.

Bibliography edit

  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Mikhailov, Andrey (2001). Black Cross / Red Star Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume II, Resurgence January–June 1942. California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN 0-935553-51-7.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. . Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1998). The JG 26 War Diary Volume Two 1943–1945. London: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-86-2.
  • Cull, Brian; Galea, Frederick (2016). 249 at Malta: RAF's Top-Scoring Fighter Squadron. London: Fonthill Media. ISBN 978-1-78155-554-5.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
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April 12, 2024
friedrich, geisshardt, friedrich, geißhardt, note, january, 1919, april, 1943, german, former, luftwaffe, fighter, recipient, knight, cross, iron, cross, with, leaves, during, world, flying, fighter, military, aviator, credited, with, shooting, down, five, mor. Friedrich Geisshardt Note 1 22 January 1919 6 April 1943 was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat 1 The Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award in the armed forces of Germany during World War II Friedrich GeisshardtFriedrich GeisshardtBorn 1919 01 22 22 January 1919Sonnefeld OberfrankenDied6 April 1943 1943 04 06 aged 24 Sint Denijs Westrem Ghent German occupied BelgiumBuriedBourdon German war cemetery FranceAllegiance Nazi GermanyService wbr branch LuftwaffeYears of service1937 43RankHauptmann captain UnitLG 2 JG 77 JG 26Commands heldIII JG 26Battles warsSee battlesWorld War II Invasion of Poland Battle of Britain Balkans Campaign Battle of Crete Operation Barbarossa Siege of Malta North African Campaign Defense of the Reich DOW AwardsKnight s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak LeavesGeisshardt is credited with 102 victories in 642 combat missions including 37 close air support missions He achieved 63 of his victories over the Eastern Front In his total are at least seventeen Spitfires 2 Geisshardt was mortally wounded in combat with US bombers on 5 April 1943 and succumbed to his injuries the next day Contents 1 Early life and career 2 World War II 2 1 Eastern Front 2 2 Malta and North Africa 2 3 Western Front and death 3 Summary of career 3 1 Aerial victory claims 3 2 Awards 4 Notes 5 References 5 1 Citations 5 2 BibliographyEarly life and career editGeisshardt was born on 22 January 1919 in Sonnefeld near Coburg in Oberfranken He was the son of a teacher who had died early from wounds sustained during World War I Aged fifteen he joined the Flying Hitler Youth Flieger HJ and became a glider pilot 3 He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1937 and was transferred to the 2 Staffel 2nd squadron of Lehrgeschwader 2 LG 2 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Demonstration Wing on 1 July 1939 2 Note 2 World War II editDuring the opening phase of the German invasion of Poland I Jagd LG 2 1st Fighter Group of the 2nd Demonstration Wing relocated to Lauenburg now Lebork near Bromberg in support of the 4 Armee 4th Army Unteroffizier a non commissioned officer Geisshard claimed his first aerial victory a PZL P 24 fighter that day 4 The following day flying a Messerschmitt Bf 109 E Geisshardt had to make an emergency landing behind Polish lines near Wloclawek following combat with Polish PZL P 11 fighter aircraft After several hours in Polish captivity he escaped during the confusion caused by a German Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber attack He returned to German lines after walking and riding on a stolen horse for five days 5 He was promoted to Leutnant der Reserve second lieutenant of the military reserve forces on 1 December 1939 3 Geisshardt was transferred to the 1 LG 2 1st Squadron of the 2nd Demonstration Wing on 27 February 1940 By the end of 1940 he claimed six Royal Air Force RAF aircraft shot down during the Battle of Britain followed by six more claims in early 1941 2 On 6 April 1941 Geisshardt shot down four Hawker Fury biplane fighter aircraft in the aerial battles against the Yugoslav Royal Air Force s 36th Fighter Group during the Balkans Campaign 6 During the German Invasion of Crete he claimed two Hawker Hurricanes He was posted as an adjutant of the Stab to the I Jagd LG 2 at the end of April 1941 2 Eastern Front edit Following the Invasion of Crete I Jagd LG 2 was again subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 77 JG 77 77th Fighter Wing on 18 June 1941 and was moved to Bucharest Romania in preparation for Operation Barbarossa the German invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941 JG 77 supported the German advance as part of Heeresgruppe Sud Army Group South 7 On 21 June the Gruppe was ordered to Roman a forward airfield near the Siret river 8 Geisshardt claimed his first aerial victory on the Eastern Front his twentieth overall over a Tupolev SB 2 bomber at 05 52 on 23 June 1941 9 He received the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 30 August 1941 after 27 aerial victories He shot down further enemy aircraft in quick succession in the early part of 1942 2 On 3 and 4 February 1942 Geisshardt and Oberleutnant Erwin Clausen shot down three Polikarpov R 5s or Polikarpov R Zs of 622 LBAP Legkii Bombardirovochnyy Aviatsionyy Polk Light Bomber Aviation Regiment and 672 LBAP 10 He claimed his 40th victory on 1 March 1942 over a Yakovlev fighter aircraft in the vicinity of Sloviansk 9 On 19 April 1942 Geisshardt took his total to 51 aerial victories when he shot down three Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 3 also referred to by the Germans as I 61 11 The next day he became an ace in a day when he shot down five further I 61s earning him his second named reference in the Wehrmachtbericht propaganda bulletin 12 On 25 April 1942 Geisshardt became an ace in a day for the second time which earned him his third and final named reference in the Wehrmachtbericht radio report On three separate combat missions in the area of Sloviansk he was credited with seven aerial victories three I 61s three Lavochkin Gorbunov Gudkov LaGG 1 and one biplane of unknown type 13 Geisshardt who had been promoted to Oberleutnant first lieutenant on 1 April 1942 was appointed Staffelkapitan of the 3 JG 77 3rd Squadron of the 77th Fighter Wing on 26 April 1942 3 Geisshardt was awarded the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub on 23 June 1942 for 79 aerial victories The award was presented at the Fuhrerhauptquartier at Rastenburg on 28 29 June 1942 By this date he had claimed three more victories for an accumulated number of 82 victories 2 14 Two other Luftwaffe officers were presented with the Oak Leaves that day by Hitler the night fighter pilot Hauptmann captain Helmut Lent and fellow JG 77 pilot Oberleutnant Heinrich Setz 15 Malta and North Africa edit Shortly after the Oak Leaves presentation I Gruppe under the command of Hauptmann Heinrich Bar was ordered from the Eastern Front to the Mediterranean theatre of operations On 29 June I Gruppe moved from Baherove via Odessa Băneasa Sofia Thessaloniki to Eleusis where they arrived on 1 July 16 The unit was then ordered to Sicily where it arrived at the Comiso airfield on 5 July 1942 and was subordinated to the command of Jagdgeschwader 53 Pik As JG 53 53rd Fighter Wing 17 By the end of October 1942 Geisshardt was credited with destruction of nine enemy aircraft in the aerial battles of Malta all of them Spitfire fighter aircraft On 11 July 1942 he claimed two Spitfires shot down one of which was not confirmed 18 He was credited with another Spitfire shot down in combat over Luqa on 20 July 19 On a combat air patrol flown from 09 30 to 10 35 on 29 July Geisshardt again claimed yet again a Spitfire shot down over Malta 20 Geisshardt s Gruppe was then reequipped with the Bf 109 G 2 conversion completed on 1 September Geisshardt claimed one more Spitfire on 8 September 1942 21 I Gruppe s 700th aerial victory on 10 October 22 and his 89th on 10 October 23 He claimed his last two victories over Malta on 15 October 24 and was promoted to Hauptmann on 24 October 1942 25 I Gruppe began transferring to the North African theatre on 26 October 1942 That day Geisshardt and five other pilots from 3 Staffel flew to Tripoli Libya 26 There he added nine more victories among them his century on 10 November 1942 2 He was the 30th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark 27 Western Front and death edit nbsp His grave at the Bourdon German war cemetery Geisshardt arrived at Wevelgem on 11 January 1943 to take over command as Gruppenkommandeur group commander of the III Gruppe 3rd group of Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter JG 26 26th Fighter Wing from Major Josef Priller Geisshardt s arrogance grated on some of the pilots who felt that he treated his fellow pilots who had not yet earned the Knight s Cross with too much disdain 28 Geisshardt who was flying Fw 190 A 4 Werknummer 7051 factory number in Priller s Schwarm was severely wounded in combat with United States Army Air Forces USAAF B 17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group flying a mission to the Erla aircraft factory at Antwerp on 5 April 1943 He had been hit by the defensive fire from the bombers He was bleeding profusely from a wound in the abdomen but managed to make a smooth landing on the airfield at Sint Denijs Westrem Belgium He succumbed to his injuries early the next morning on 6 April 1943 28 Summary of career editAerial victory claims edit According to US historian David T Zabecki Geisshardt was credited with 104 aerial victories 29 Spick lists Geisshardt with 102 enemy aircraft shot down in 642 combat missions of which one was claimed during the invasion of Poland 14 during the Battle of France and Britain 75 over the Eastern Front nine in the Mediterranean theater and three over North Africa 30 Mathews and Foreman authors of Luftwaffe Aces Biographies and Victory Claims researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 93 aerial victory claims plus eight further unconfirmed claims This figure includes 60 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 33 over the Western Allies 31 Victory claims were logged to a map reference PQ Planquadrat for example PQ 76892 The Luftwaffe grid map Jagermeldenetz covered all of Europe western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude an area of about 360 square miles 930 km2 These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km 4 km 1 9 mi 2 5 mi in size 32 Chronicle of aerial victories This and the Ace of spades indicates those aerial victories which made Geisshardt an ace in a day a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day This and the dash indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Geisshardt did not receive credit This and the question mark indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien Stemmer Rodeike Bock Mathews and Foreman Claim Date Time Type Location Unit Claim Date Time Type Location Unit Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 in Poland 33 September 19391 9 September 1939 16 30 PZL P 24 34 2 J LG 2 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 against England 35 June November 19402 4 July 1940 15 40 Hurricane 1 J LG 2 5 24 August 1940 12 30 Spitfire Dover 36 1 J LG 23 4 July 1940 20 00 Hurricane Dungeness 37 1 J LG 2 6 7 September 1940 18 00 Hurricane Maidstone 38 1 J LG 24 13 August 1940 Blenheim 36 1 J LG 2 7 23 September 1940 10 35 Spitfire 39 1 J LG 2 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Channel Front 40 November 1940 March 19418 2 February 1941 15 30 Spitfire 40 km 25 mi west of Cap Gris Nez 39 1 J LG 2 Note 3 25 February 1941 Spitfire Deal 41 1 J LG 29 11 February 1941 17 22 Spitfire Cap Blanc Nez 39 1 J LG 2 11 24 March 1941 19 45 Spitfire Note 4 middle of the English Channel 41 1 J LG 210 14 February 1941 13 13 Note 5 Spitfire west of Dover 41 1 J LG 2 12 27 March 1941 18 15 Note 6 Spitfire southwest of Folkstone 41 Stab I LG 2 Note 7 14 February 1941 Note 8 Spitfire west of Dover 41 1 J LG 2 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 during the Balkan Campaign 40 April 194113 6 April 1941 06 12 Fury Kumanovo 42 Stab I LG 2 15 6 April 1941 06 20 Fury Kumanovo 42 Stab I LG 214 6 April 1941 06 15 Fury Kumanovo 42 Stab I LG 2 16 6 April 1941 Fury Kumanovo 42 Stab I LG 2 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 in Crete 43 May 194117 16 May 1941 17 10 Note 9 Hurricane Maleme 42 Stab I LG 2 18 26 May 1941 15 30 Hurricane 42 Stab I LG 2 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Eastern Front 44 Operation Barbarossa 22 June 5 December 194119 23 June 1941 05 52 SB 2 Grossolowo 45 Stab I LG 2 23 2 July 1941 12 55 I 153 45 Stab I LG 220 23 June 1941 18 50 I 18 Czernowitz 45 Stab I LG 2 24 7 July 1941 11 00 I 16 Bălți 45 Stab I LG 221 27 June 1941 09 25 I 16 45 Stab I LG 2 25 11 July 1941 10 12 MiG 3 46 Stab I LG 222 2 July 1941 08 50 MiG 3 Tudora 45 Stab I LG 2According to Prien Stemmer Rodeike and Bock Geisshardt claimed his 26th aerial victory on 11 July 1941 over a Polikarpov I 16 fighter or on 17 July 1941 over a Tupolev SB 2 bomber 47 27 3 August 1941 14 15 DB 3 Mamaia 46 Stab I LG 2 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Eastern Front 48 Winter War December 1941 April 194228 28 December 1941 15 30 Note 10 I 16 50 Stab I LG 2 48 8 April 1942 15 30 I 16 51 Stab I JG 7729 23 January 1942 15 30 I 16 52 Stab I JG 77 49 19 April 1942 09 15 I 61 51 Stab I JG 7730 24 January 1942 09 35 Note 11 I 16 52 Stab I JG 77 50 19 April 1942 11 18 I 61 51 Stab I JG 7731 24 January 1942 12 05 Note 12 I 16 52 Stab I JG 77 51 19 April 1942 15 25 I 61 51 Stab I JG 7732 3 February 1942 09 45 Note 13 R 5 52 Stab I JG 77 52 20 April 1942 08 12 I 61 51 Stab I JG 7733 11 February 1942 14 02 Note 14 I 153 52 Stab I JG 77 53 20 April 1942 08 14 I 61 51 Stab I JG 7734 18 February 1942 12 40 DB 3 52 Stab I JG 77 54 20 April 1942 11 40 I 61 51 Stab I JG 7735 18 February 1942 12 45 DB 3 Stab I JG 77 55 20 April 1942 14 57 I 61 53 Stab I JG 7736 20 February 1942 14 30 LaGG 3 Stab I JG 77 56 20 April 1942 14 58 I 61 53 Stab I JG 7737 24 February 1942 13 57 Note 15 I 16 55 Stab I JG 77 57 21 April 1942 15 10 I 61 Stab I JG 7738 24 February 1942 14 00 Note 15 I 16 55 Stab I JG 77 58 21 April 1942 15 10 I 61 Stab I JG 7739 28 February 1942 16 10 LaGG 1 Stab I JG 77 59 22 April 1942 07 00 LaGG 1 Stab I JG 7740 1 March 1942 16 50 Yak Stab I JG 77 60 22 April 1942 07 00 LaGG 1 Stab I JG 7741 9 March 1942 14 20 LaGG 1 Stab I JG 77 61 25 April 1942 07 00 LaGG 3 53 Stab I JG 7742 16 March 1942 13 20 Note 16 R 5 57 Stab I JG 77 62 25 April 1942 12 00 I 16 53 Stab I JG 7743 21 March 1942 14 45 DB 3 Stab I JG 77 63 25 April 1942 12 00 I 16 53 Stab I JG 7744 21 March 1942 17 03 I 16 57 Stab I JG 77 64 25 April 1942 12 00 I 16 53 Stab I JG 7745 24 March 1942 07 00 I 26 Yak 1 57 Stab I JG 77 65 25 April 1942 16 00 LaGG 3 53 Stab I JG 7746 6 April 1942 15 00 I 61 Stab I JG 77 66 25 April 1942 16 00 LaGG 3 53 Stab I JG 7747 6 April 1942 16 50 R 5 Stab I JG 77 67 25 April 1942 16 00 I 153 53 Stab I JG 77 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 on the Eastern Front 58 Kerch Sevastopol Izium May June 194268 7 May 1942 14 30 R 5 59 3 JG 77 76 20 May 1942 15 45 LaGG 3 60 3 JG 7769 7 May 1942 14 30 I 153 59 3 JG 77 77 28 May 1942 16 15 Yak 1 PQ 76892 60 3 JG 7770 7 May 1942 16 20 Note 17 LaGG 3 59 3 JG 77 78 28 May 1942 16 15 Yak 1 PQ 76894 60 3 JG 7771 7 May 1942 16 35 Note 17 LaGG 3 59 3 JG 77 1 June 1942 14 35 LaGG 3 Note 18 PQ 66536 60 3 JG 7772 8 May 1942 12 35 Note 19 I 15 59 3 JG 77 79 9 June 1942 15 35 Note 20 Il 2 Taman 60 3 JG 7773 15 May 1942 16 00 I 16 59 3 JG 77 80 16 June 1942 17 00 LaGG 3 Taman 60 3 JG 7774 17 May 1942 05 27 Note 21 LaGG 3 65 3 JG 77 81 22 June 1942 18 50 Note 22 LaGG 3 PQ 75152 67 3 JG 7775 18 May 1942 15 30 Note 23 R 10 65 3 JG 77 82 22 June 1942 18 55 Note 22 LaGG 3 PQ 75161 67 3 JG 77 Claims with I Gruppe Jagdgeschwader 77 over Sicily 68 July October 194283 11 July 1942 17 46 Spitfire 69 3 JG 77 87 8 September 1942 Spitfire 70 3 JG 77 11 July 1942 Spitfire 69 3 JG 77 88 Note 24 10 October 1942 08 50 Spitfire 70 3 JG 7784 20 July 1942 14 10 Spitfire 71 3 JG 77 89 13 October 1942 17 18 Spitfire 70 3 JG 7785 26 July 1942 10 10 Spitfire 71 3 JG 77 90 Note 25 15 October 1942 11 00 Spitfire 73 3 JG 7786 29 July 1942 10 20 Spitfire 71 3 JG 77 91 Note 26 15 October 1942 11 05 Spitfire 73 3 JG 77 Claims with Jagdgeschwader 77 in North Africa 74 October November 194292 3 November 1942 P 40 75 3 JG 77 97 5 November 1942 P 40 north of Fukah 75 3 JG 7793 4 November 1942 P 40 west of El Dabaa 75 3 JG 77 98 5 November 1942 P 40 north of Fukah 75 3 JG 7794 4 November 1942 P 40 west of El Dabaa 75 3 JG 77 99 9 November 1942 P 40 east of Halfaya Pass 75 3 JG 7795 4 November 1942 P 40 75 3 JG 77 100 10 November 1942 Spitfire 75 3 JG 7796 4 November 1942 P 40 75 3 JG 77Awards edit Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class 17 September 1939 76 1st Class 10 July 1940 76 Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for fighter pilots Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 13 July 1941 2 Bild des Reichsmarschalls im Silberrahmen 76 German Cross in Gold on 24 April 1942 as Leutnant in the I Jagdgeschwader 77 77 Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight s Cross on 30 August 1941 as Leutnant war officer and pilot in the I Jagdgeschwader 77 78 Note 27 101st Oak Leaves on 23 June 1942 as Oberleutnant war officer pilot and adjutant in the Stab I Jagdgeschwader 77 80 Note 28 Three named references in the Wehrmachtbericht 29 June 1941 21 April 1942 and 14 May 1942 12 13 Notes edit His name in German is spelled with a sharp S see ss For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II This unconfirmed claim is not listed in Prien s 1995 book 40 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed as a Hawker Hurricane 40 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 13 00 40 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 18 45 40 According to Prien s 1995 book this claim is listed as his 11th aerial victory 40 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 13 05 40 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 17 00 43 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 15 10 49 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 10 00 49 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 14 00 49 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 12 00 49 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 14 15 49 a b According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 15 00 54 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 13 25 56 a b According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 16 30 61 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed as a Polikarpov I 16 62 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 15 30 61 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 16 00 63 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 05 00 64 a b According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 18 45 66 According to Prien s 1995 book claimed at 15 00 64 700th victory for I Gruppe of JG 77 22 Potentially a Spitfire of No 249 Squadron RAF flown by F Sgt N G Bryden who was wounded and baled out into the sea 72 Potentially a Spitfire of No 249 Squadron RAF flown by P O V K Moody who crash landed at Takali Malta 72 According to Scherzer as pilot and adjutant in the Stab I Jagd Lehrgeschwader 2 79 According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitan of the 3 Jagdgeschwader 77 79 References editCitations edit Spick 1996 pp 3 4 a b c d e f g h Obermaier 1989 p 51 a b c Stockert 2012 p 1 Weal 1996 p 10 Prien 1992 pp 84 85 Shores Cull amp Malizia 1987 p 181 Prien 1993 p 628 Prien 1993 p 630 a b Prien 1993 p 642 Bergstrom amp Mikhailov 2001 p 76 Prien 1993 p 966 a b Prien 1993 p 967 a b Prien 1993 p 973 Weal 2007 p 26 Prien 1993 p 1090 Prien 1993 p 1082 Prien 1994 p 1226 Prien 1994 p 1236 Prien 1994 p 1244 Prien 1994 p 1251 Prien 1994 p 1264 a b Prien 1994 p 1276 Prien 1994 p 1282 Prien 1994 p 1285 Stockert 2012 p 2 Prien 1994 p 1291 Obermaier 1989 p 243 a b Caldwell 1998 p 43 Zabecki 2019 p 331 Spick 1996 p 233 Mathews amp Foreman 2015 pp 377 379 Planquadrat Prien 1995 p 2378 Prien et al 2000 p 433 Prien 1995 pp 2382 2383 a b Prien et al 2002 p 394 Prien et al 2002 p 393 Prien et al 2002 p 395 a b c Prien et al 2002 p 397 a b c d e f g h Prien 1995 p 2384 a b c d e Prien et al 2002 p 398 a b c d e f Prien et al 2003a p 311 a b Prien 1995 p 2385 Prien 1995 pp 2386 2398 a b c d e f Prien et al 2003b p 404 a b Prien et al 2003b p 406 Prien et al 2003b p 406 409 Prien 1995 pp 2399 2404 a b c d e Prien 1995 p 2399 Prien et al 2005 p 281 a b c d e f g Prien et al 2005 p 285 a b c d e f Prien et al 2005 p 282 a b c d e f g h i Prien et al 2005 p 286 Prien 1995 p 2400 a b Prien et al 2005 p 283 Prien 1995 p 2401 a b c Prien et al 2005 p 284 Prien 1995 pp 2405 2409 a b c d e f Prien et al 2006 p 259 a b c d e f Prien et al 2006 p 262 a b Prien 1995 p 2405 Prien 1995 p 2407 Prien 1995 p 2408 a b Prien 1995 p 2406 a b Prien et al 2006 p 260 Prien 1995 p 2409 a b Prien et al 2006 p 263 Prien 1995 pp 2420 2421 a b Prien et al 2004 p 295 a b c Prien et al 2004 p 297 a b c Prien et al 2004 p 296 a b Cull amp Galea 2016 a b Prien et al 2004 p 298 Prien 1995 p 2422 a b c d e f g h i Prien et al 2004 p 299 a b c Thomas 1997 p 194 Patzwall amp Scherzer 2001 p 133 Fellgiebel 2000 p 193 a b Scherzer 2007 p 330 Fellgiebel 2000 p 60 Bibliography edit Bergstrom Christer in Swedish Mikhailov Andrey 2001 Black Cross Red Star Air War Over the Eastern Front Volume II Resurgence January June 1942 California Pacifica Military History ISBN 0 935553 51 7 Bergstrom Christer in Swedish Bergstrom Black Cross Red Star website Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat Archived from the original on 22 December 2018 Retrieved 25 January 2024 Caldwell Donald L 1998 The JG 26 War Diary Volume Two 1943 1945 London Grub Street ISBN 978 1 898697 86 2 Cull Brian Galea Frederick 2016 249 at Malta RAF s Top Scoring Fighter Squadron London Fonthill Media ISBN 978 1 78155 554 5 Fellgiebel Walther Peer in German 2000 1986 Die Trager des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 1945 Die Inhaber der hochsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile The Bearers of the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 1945 The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches in German Friedberg Germany Podzun Pallas ISBN 978 3 7909 0284 6 Mathews Andrew Johannes Foreman John 2015 Luftwaffe Aces Biographies and Victory Claims Volume 2 G L Walton on Thames Red Kite ISBN 978 1 906592 19 6 Obermaier Ernst 1989 Die Ritterkreuztrager der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 1945 The Knight s Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 1945 in German Mainz Germany Verlag Dieter Hoffmann ISBN 978 3 87341 065 7 Patzwall Klaus D Scherzer Veit 2001 Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II The German Cross 1941 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2 in German Norderstedt Germany Verlag Klaus D Patzwall ISBN 978 3 931533 45 8 Prien Jochen 1992 Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77 Teil 1 1934 1941 History of Jagdgeschwader 77 Volume 1 1934 1941 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 19 9 Prien Jochen 1993 Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77 Teil 2 1941 1942 History of Jagdgeschwader 77 Volume 2 1941 1942 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 22 9 Prien Jochen 1994 Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77 Teil 3 1942 1943 History of Jagdgeschwader 77 Volume 3 1942 1943 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 26 7 Prien Jochen 1995 Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77 Teil 4 1944 1945 History of Jagdgeschwader 77 Volume 4 1944 1945 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 29 8 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2000 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 1 Vorkriegszeit und Einsatz uber Polen 1934 bis 1939 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 1 Pre War Period and Action over Poland 1934 to 1939 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 54 0 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2002 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 4 II Einsatz am Kanal und uber England 26 6 1940 bis 21 6 1941 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 4 II Action at the Channel and over England 26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 64 9 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2003a Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 5 Heimatverteidigung 10 Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941 Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum Oktober 1940 bis November 1941 Einsatz im Westen 22 Juni bis 31 Dezember 1941 Die Erganzungsjagdgruppen Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflosung Anfang 1942 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 5 Defense of the Reich 10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941 Action in the Mediterranean Theater October 1940 to November 1941 Action in the West 22 June to 31 December 1941 The Supplementary Fighter Groups Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 68 7 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2003b Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 6 II Unternehmen BARBAROSSA Einsatz im Osten 22 6 bis 5 12 1941 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 6 II Operation BARBAROSSA Action in the East 22 June to 5 December 1941 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 70 0 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2004 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 8 II Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum November 1941 bis Dezember 1942 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 8 II Action in the Mediterranean Theater November 1941 to December 1942 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 74 8 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2005 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 9 I Winterkampf im Osten 6 12 1941 bis 30 4 1942 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 9 I Winter War in the East 6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 76 2 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2006 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 9 III Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad 1 5 1942 bis 3 2 1943 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 9 III From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad 1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 78 6 Scherzer Veit 2007 Die Ritterkreuztrager 1939 1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer Luftwaffe Kriegsmarine Waffen SS Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbundeter Streitkrafte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives The Knight s Cross Bearers 1939 1945 The Holders of the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army Air Force Navy Waffen SS Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives in German Jena Germany Scherzers Miltaer Verlag ISBN 978 3 938845 17 2 Shores Christopher F Cull Brian Malizia Nicola 1987 Air War for Yugoslavia Greece and Crete 1940 41 London Grub Street ISBN 978 0 948817 07 6 Spick Mike 1996 Luftwaffe Fighter Aces New York Ivy Books ISBN 978 0 8041 1696 1 Stockert Peter 2012 1997 Die Eichenlaubtrager 1939 1945 Band 2 The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939 1945 Volume 2 in German 4th ed Bad Friedrichshall Germany Friedrichshaller Rundblick ISBN 978 3 9802222 9 7 Thomas Franz 1997 Die Eichenlaubtrager 1939 1945 Band 1 A K The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939 1945 Volume 1 A K in German Osnabruck Germany Biblio Verlag ISBN 978 3 7648 2299 6 Weal John 1996 Bf 109D E Aces 1939 41 Aircraft of the Aces Vol 11 London UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 85532 487 9 Weal John 2007 More Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front Aircraft of the Aces Vol 76 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84603 177 9 Zabecki David T ed 2019 The German War Machine in World War II Santa Barbara California ABC Clio ISBN 978 1 44 086918 1 Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939 1945 Band 1 1 September 1939 bis 31 Dezember 1941 The Wehrmacht Reports 1939 1945 Volume 1 1 September 1939 to 31 December 1941 in German Munchen Germany Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH amp Co KG 1985 ISBN 978 3 423 05944 2 Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939 1945 Band 2 1 Januar 1942 bis 31 Dezember 1943 The Wehrmacht Reports 1939 1945 Volume 2 1 January 1942 to 31 December 1943 in German Munchen Germany Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH amp Co KG 1985 ISBN 978 3 423 05944 2 Portals nbsp Aviation nbsp BiographyFriedrich Geisshardt at Wikipedia s sister projects nbsp Media from Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia 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