fbpx
Wikipedia

Heinrich Klöpper

January 01, 1970

Heinrich (Heinz) Klöpper (9 January 1918 – 29 November 1943) was a former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Heinrich Klöpper was credited with 94 victories.

Heinrich Klöpper
Born(1918-01-09)9 January 1918
Groß Bülten, Kingdom of Prussia
Died29 November 1943(1943-11-29) (aged 25)
Vollenhove, Netherlands
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1939–1943
RankOberleutnant (first lieutenant)
UnitJG 77, JG 51, JG 2, JG 1
Commands held7./JG 1
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Career edit

Klöpper was born on 9 January 1918 in Größ Bülten, present-day part of Ilsede, at the time in the Province of Hanover within the German Empire.[1]

In 1940 Heinrich (Heinz) Klöpper served with Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing), during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain he recorded his first two victories. On 15 May, elements of 2. Staffel of JG 77 engaged five Armée de l'air Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighters west of Dinant. During this encounter, Klöpper claimed a M.S.406 fighter shot down, which was not confirmed, but was himself shot down and had to bail out of his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E. He landed safely near the advancing German tanks.[2]

On 21 November, I. Gruppe of JG 77 was redesignated and became the IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing). In consequence, Klöpper's former 2. Staffel of JG 77 became 11. Staffel of JG 51.[3]

On the first day of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, he claimed his first victory on the Eastern Front, when he shot down a Russian SB-3 bomber. On 27 October 1941 he claimed a double Soviet victory, shooting down two LaGG-3 fighters. Another double on 5 July 1942, an Il-2 and an I-16 Rata; and five victories on 7 July 1942. Another five victories on 4 August 1942; a MiG-3, a Pe-2 and three Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.

On 4 September 1942, Klöpper was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 65 aerial victories claimed.[4]

Defense of the Reich edit

In May 1943, Klöpper was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing). He succeeded Hauptmann Günther Specht who was transferred.[5] On the Western Front his 91st victim was a B-17 bomber on 5 November 1943. His 92nd, was a P-38 Lightning fighter on 13 November 1943. His 93rd aerial victory was the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber, "Sack-Time Sally", claimed on 26 November 1943.[6] His 94th and final victory was a P-38 at Hasselt claimed on 29 November 1943.

On 29 November 1943, Klöpper was killed in action following aerial combat with USAAF approximately 20 to 30 Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters of the 55th Fighter Group, supported by few Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters. The combat occurred at an altitude of 9,000 meters (30,000 feet) in the area of Groningen, Leeuwarden and Meppel, ending over the Zuiderzee. Following this encounter, Klöpper crashed his Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 410 106—factory number) southwest of Meppel after flying through a low cloud cover.[7]

Summary of career edit

Aerial victory claims edit

During his career, he shot down a total of 94 enemy planes in approximately 500 combat missions (18 victories were on the Western Front), of which eight were four engined bombers and seven Il-2 Sturmoviks. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 89 aerial victories, plus further one unconfirmed claim. This figure includes 80 claims on the Eastern Front and nine claims over the Western Allies, including four four-engined heavy bombers.[8]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 05 Ost 0021". 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.[9]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Klöpper 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 Klöpper 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 Claim Date Time Type Location
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 –
Battle of France — 10 May – 1 June 1940
—
[Note 1] 		15 May 1940
—
 M.S.406[11]
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 –[10]
Action at the Channel and over England — 25 August 1940 – 7 June 1941
1 5 October 1940 18:35 Spitfire Dungeness[12]
– 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –[13]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
2 22 June 1941 16:25 SB-3 Mivhatki[14] 15 13 August 1941 09:58 I-18 (MiG-1) 20 km (12 mi) north of Yelnya[15]
3 24 June 1941 09:30 SB-3 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Siemieczewo[14] 16 14 August 1941 15:30 I-18 (MiG-1) 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Yelnya[15]
4 26 June 1941 10:48 DB-3[14] 17 8 September 1941 05:40 I-18 (MiG-1) 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Snob[16]
5 30 June 1941 13:15 R-10 (Seversky) 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Sauditsche[17] 18 9 September 1941 12:50 R-3?[Note 2] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Krolowetz[16]
6 11 July 1941 10:32 Pe-2 Kraschino[19] 19 9 September 1941 14:40 DB-3 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Kostobobr[16]
7 11 July 1941 15:35 I-16 Koely[19] 20 9 September 1941 14:55 DB-3 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Novgorod[16]
8 16 July 1941 10:14 DB-3 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Gusino[20] 21 6 October 1941 13:20 Pe-2 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Spas-Demensk[21]
9 26 July 1941 09:12 DB-3 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Kowali[22] 22 6 October 1941 17:00 I-18 (MiG-1) 20 km (12 mi) north of Juchnov[21]
10 4 August 1941 08:30 Pe-2 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Alekssino[23] 23 12 October 1941 16:05 I-18 (MiG-1) 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Kremensloje[21]
11 8 August 1941 05:10 Pe-2 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Kochany[23] 24 27 October 1941 15:20 Yak-1?[Note 3] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Weretja[21]
12 9 August 1941 11:20 SB-3 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Sacharjoskaja[23] 25 27 October 1941 15:23 Yak-1?[Note 3] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Weretja[21]
13 9 August 1941 18:20 I-16 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Bryansk[23] 26 29 October 1941 13:40 I-16 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Moshaisk[21]
14 9 August 1941 18:55 Pe-2 southern edge of Dankowo[23]
– 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" –[8]
Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943
27 29 May 1942 13:25 LaGG-3 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Batischtschewo[24] 55 5 August 1942 11:35 MiG-3 18 km (11 mi) northeast of Zubtsov[25]
28 4 June 1942 15:10 MiG-3 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Batischtschewo[24] 56 9 August 1942 06:00 LaGG-3 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Zubtsov[25]
29 13 June 1942 12:35 MiG-3[24] 57 9 August 1942 12:10 Hurricane 15 km (9.3 mi) south-southwest of Zubtsov[25]
30 5 July 1942 11:30 I-16?[Note 4] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bjeloj[24] 58 9 August 1942 12:12 Hurricane 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Zubtsov[25]
31 5 July 1942 11:45 I-16 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Bjeloj[24]
—
 5 August 1942
—
 LaGG-3 20 km (12 mi) south of Zubtsov[25]
32♠ 7 July 1942 13:30 LaGG-3 5 km (3.1 mi) south-southeast of Simnizy[24] 59 10 August 1942 07:50 LaGG-3 7 km (4.3 mi) south-southeast of Zubtsov[25]
33♠ 7 July 1942 13:40 LaGG-3 3 km (1.9 mi) west of Simnizy[24] 60 18 August 1942 17:00 LaGG-3 7 km (4.3 mi) northeast of Wassilijeswkoje[25]
40 km (25 mi) south-southeast of Gagarin
34♠ 7 July 1942 16:55 MiG-3 eastern edge of Kosjoslk[24] 61 19 August 1942 14:25 LaGG-3 18 km (11 mi) northwest of Rzhev[26]
35♠ 7 July 1942 17:10 MiG-3 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Belew[24] 62 23 August 1942 18:00 MiG-3 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of Zubtsov[26]
36♠ 7 July 1942 17:16 MiG-3 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Belew[24] 63 23 August 1942 18:15 Il-2 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Rzhev[26]
37 11 July 1942 05:52 LaGG-3 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Simnizy[27] 64 24 August 1942 07:30 Il-2 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast of Rzhev[26]
38 11 July 1942 05:53 LaGG-3 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Simnizy[27] 65 24 August 1942 12:17 P-39 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Zubtsov[26]
39 11 July 1942 05:57 LaGG-3 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Simnizy[27] 66 25 August 1942 06:40 LaGG-3 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Rzhev[26]
40 11 July 1942 19:45 LaGG-3 25 km (16 mi) north-northwest of Zhizdra[27] 67 28 October 1942 14:20 MiG-3 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[26]
41 13 July 1942 16:02 MiG-3 25 km (16 mi) west of Suchinitschi[27] 68 28 October 1942 15:03 Yak-1 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Uswjaty[26]
42 27 July 1942 06:00 LaGG-3 1 km (0.62 mi) east of Mozhaysk[27] 69 29 October 1942 15:15 MiG-3 25 km (16 mi) east of Vitebsk[26]
southeast of Vitebsk
43 1 August 1942 11:07 LaGG-3 14 km (8.7 mi) northwest of Rzhev[27] 70 29 October 1942 15:20 MiG-3 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Surazh[26]
southeast of Surazh
44 1 August 1942 11:15 Il-2 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Rzhev[27] 71 30 October 1942 10:15 MiG-3 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Vitebsk[26]
southeast of Vitebsk
45 1 August 1942 11:21?[Note 5] U-2 20 km (12 mi) south of Rzhev[25] 72 30 October 1942 10:20 MiG-3 28 km (17 mi) southeast of Vitebsk[26]
southeast of Vitebsk
46 2 August 1942 14:45 MiG-3 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Rzhev[25] 73 30 October 1942 10:33?[Note 6] MiG-3 8 km (5.0 mi) northeast of Surazh[26]
northeast of Surazh
47 3 August 1942 09:20 LaGG-3 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Rzhev[25] 74 7 November 1942 12:20 MiG-3 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[26]
25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Staraya Toropa
48 3 August 1942 10:00 MiG-3 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Rzhev[25] 75♠ 9 November 1942 07:32 Pe-2 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Welish[29]
15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Maklok
49♠ 4 August 1942 05:20 Pe-2 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Zubtsov[25] 76♠ 9 November 1942 07:41 MiG-3 27 km (17 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[29]
30 km (19 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa
50♠ 4 August 1942 05:25 Il-2 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Zubtsov[25] 77♠ 9 November 1942 07:43 MiG-3 39 km (24 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[29]
40 km (25 mi) west-southwest of Staraya Toropa
51♠ 4 August 1942 05:27 Il-2 18 km (11 mi) southeast of Zubtsov[25] 78♠ 9 November 1942 07:45?[Note 7] MiG-3 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[29]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa
52♠ 4 August 1942 15:25 MiG-3 18 km (11 mi) east of Zubtsov[25] 79♠ 9 November 1942 08:10 MiG-3 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[29]
40 km (25 mi) west-southwest of Staraya Toropa
53♠ 4 August 1942 18:35 Il-2 7 km (4.3 mi) southeast of Zubtsov[25] 80 11 November 1942 12:16 MiG-3 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[29]
54 5 August 1942 11:30 MiG-3 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Zubtsov[25] 81 11 November 1942 12:18 MiG-3 11 km (6.8 mi) southwest of Staraya Toropa[29]
25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Staraya Toropa
– 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[28]
Western Front — 1 January – April 1943
82?[Note 8] 17 January 1943 15:32 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost 0021[30] 84 13 March 1943?[Note 9] 15:30 Spitfire 30 km (19 mi) west of Baie de Somme[30]
50 km (31 mi) northwest of Abbeville
83 10 February 1943 11:21 Spitfire Orne estuary[30] 85 28 March 1943 12:31 Spitfire south of Beachy Head[30]
100 km (62 mi) northeast of Dieppe
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 1 –[28]
Western Front — May – 29 November 1943
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, Klöpper claimed one undocumented aerial victory in the timeframe 16 August to 30 September 1943.[31] This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[28]
87 10 October 1943 15:19 B-17 22 km (14 mi) northeast of Münster[32]
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, Klöpper claimed one undocumented aerial victory in the timeframe 11 to 31 October 1943.[31] This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[28]
89 3 November 1943 13:10 B-17 Mellum[32] 91 26 November 1943 13:10 B-24 PQ 05 Ost S/DN-4[32]
vicinity of Hasselt
90 5 November 1943 13:54 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/KH-1[32]
vicinity of Haamstede 		92 29 November 1943 14:15 P-38 PQ 05 Ost S/FN-4/5[32]

Awards edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[10]
  2. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as Ilyushin Il-2.[18]
  3. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3.[18]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as Ilyushin Il-2.[18]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:22.[18]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:38.[28]
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:50.[28]
  8. ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[28]
  9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed ao 23 March 1943.[28]

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 146.
  2. ^ Prien 1992, pp. 286–287.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2002, pp. 97, 101.
  4. ^ Weal 2006, p. 82.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2008, p. 190.
  6. ^ B-24 42-40749.
  7. ^ Prien et al. 2008, pp. 183–184, 200.
  8. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 647–648.
  9. ^ Planquadrat.
  10. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 646.
  11. ^ Prien 1995, p. 2380.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 420.
  13. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 646–647.
  14. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003, p. 334.
  15. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 342.
  16. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2003, p. 344.
  17. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 335.
  18. ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 647.
  19. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 337.
  20. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 338.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2003, p. 345.
  22. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 339.
  23. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2003, p. 341.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2006, p. 353.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Prien et al. 2006, p. 355.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Prien et al. 2006, p. 356.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2006, p. 354.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 648.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2006, p. 357.
  30. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2010, p. 443.
  31. ^ a b Prien et al. 2008, p. 197.
  32. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2008, p. 195.
  33. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 119.
  34. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 235.
  35. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 449.
  36. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 260.

Bibliography edit

  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. . Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Forsyth, Robert (2017). Jagdgeschwader 1 'Oesau' Aces 1939–45. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 134. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-2291-8.
  • 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 Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen (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 (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 (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über 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 (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/I—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/I—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-69-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-77-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2008). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/II—Reichsverteidigung—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/II—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-85-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/IV—Einsatz im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/IV—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-92-2.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Weal, John (2006). Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 22. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-045-1.
  • Accident description for B-24 42-40749 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 December 2023.

January 01, 1970
heinrich, klöpper, heinrich, heinz, klöpper, january, 1918, november, 1943, former, luftwaffe, fighter, recipient, knight, cross, iron, cross, during, world, credited, with, victories, born, 1918, january, 1918groß, bülten, kingdom, prussiadied29, november, 19. Heinrich Heinz Klopper 9 January 1918 29 November 1943 was a former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II Heinrich Klopper was credited with 94 victories Heinrich KlopperBorn 1918 01 09 9 January 1918Gross Bulten Kingdom of PrussiaDied29 November 1943 1943 11 29 aged 25 Vollenhove NetherlandsAllegiance Nazi GermanyService wbr branch LuftwaffeYears of service1939 1943RankOberleutnant first lieutenant UnitJG 77 JG 51 JG 2 JG 1Commands held7 JG 1Battles warsWorld War II Eastern Front Western Front Battle of France Battle of Britain Operation Barbarossa Defence of the ReichAwardsKnight s Cross of the Iron Cross Contents 1 Career 1 1 Defense of the Reich 2 Summary of career 2 1 Aerial victory claims 2 2 Awards 3 Notes 4 References 4 1 Citations 4 2 BibliographyCareer editKlopper was born on 9 January 1918 in Gross Bulten present day part of Ilsede at the time in the Province of Hanover within the German Empire 1 In 1940 Heinrich Heinz Klopper served with Jagdgeschwader 77 JG 77 77th Fighter Wing during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain he recorded his first two victories On 15 May elements of 2 Staffel of JG 77 engaged five Armee de l air Morane Saulnier M S 406 fighters west of Dinant During this encounter Klopper claimed a M S 406 fighter shot down which was not confirmed but was himself shot down and had to bail out of his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E He landed safely near the advancing German tanks 2 On 21 November I Gruppe of JG 77 was redesignated and became the IV Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51 JG 51 51st Fighter Wing In consequence Klopper s former 2 Staffel of JG 77 became 11 Staffel of JG 51 3 On the first day of Operation Barbarossa the German invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941 he claimed his first victory on the Eastern Front when he shot down a Russian SB 3 bomber On 27 October 1941 he claimed a double Soviet victory shooting down two LaGG 3 fighters Another double on 5 July 1942 an Il 2 and an I 16 Rata and five victories on 7 July 1942 Another five victories on 4 August 1942 a MiG 3 a Pe 2 and three Il 2 ground attack aircraft On 4 September 1942 Klopper was awarded the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for 65 aerial victories claimed 4 Defense of the Reich edit In May 1943 Klopper was appointed Staffelkapitan squadron leader of 7 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 1 JG 1 1st Fighter Wing He succeeded Hauptmann Gunther Specht who was transferred 5 On the Western Front his 91st victim was a B 17 bomber on 5 November 1943 His 92nd was a P 38 Lightning fighter on 13 November 1943 His 93rd aerial victory was the Consolidated B 24 Liberator bomber Sack Time Sally claimed on 26 November 1943 6 His 94th and final victory was a P 38 at Hasselt claimed on 29 November 1943 On 29 November 1943 Klopper was killed in action following aerial combat with USAAF approximately 20 to 30 Lockheed P 38 Lightning fighters of the 55th Fighter Group supported by few Republic P 47 Thunderbolt fighters The combat occurred at an altitude of 9 000 meters 30 000 feet in the area of Groningen Leeuwarden and Meppel ending over the Zuiderzee Following this encounter Klopper crashed his Bf 109 G 6 Werknummer 410 106 factory number southwest of Meppel after flying through a low cloud cover 7 Summary of career editAerial victory claims edit During his career he shot down a total of 94 enemy planes in approximately 500 combat missions 18 victories were on the Western Front of which eight were four engined bombers and seven Il 2 Sturmoviks Mathews and Foreman authors of Luftwaffe Aces Biographies and Victory Claims researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 89 aerial victories plus further one unconfirmed claim This figure includes 80 claims on the Eastern Front and nine claims over the Western Allies including four four engined heavy bombers 8 Victory claims were logged to a map reference PQ Planquadrat for example PQ 05 Ost 0021 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 9 Chronicle of aerial victories This and the Ace of spades indicates those aerial victories which made Klopper 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 Klopper 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 Claim Date Time Type Location 2 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 Battle of France 10 May 1 June 1940 Note 1 15 May 1940 M S 406 11 2 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 10 Action at the Channel and over England 25 August 1940 7 June 1941 1 5 October 1940 18 35 Spitfire Dungeness 12 11 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 13 Operation Barbarossa 22 June 5 December 1941 2 22 June 1941 16 25 SB 3 Mivhatki 14 15 13 August 1941 09 58 I 18 MiG 1 20 km 12 mi north of Yelnya 15 3 24 June 1941 09 30 SB 3 5 km 3 1 mi south of Siemieczewo 14 16 14 August 1941 15 30 I 18 MiG 1 4 km 2 5 mi southeast of Yelnya 15 4 26 June 1941 10 48 DB 3 14 17 8 September 1941 05 40 I 18 MiG 1 5 km 3 1 mi south of Snob 16 5 30 June 1941 13 15 R 10 Seversky 10 km 6 2 mi west of Sauditsche 17 18 9 September 1941 12 50 R 3 Note 2 15 km 9 3 mi southwest of Krolowetz 16 6 11 July 1941 10 32 Pe 2 Kraschino 19 19 9 September 1941 14 40 DB 3 10 km 6 2 mi west of Kostobobr 16 7 11 July 1941 15 35 I 16 Koely 19 20 9 September 1941 14 55 DB 3 20 km 12 mi southeast of Novgorod 16 8 16 July 1941 10 14 DB 3 5 km 3 1 mi east of Gusino 20 21 6 October 1941 13 20 Pe 2 15 km 9 3 mi west of Spas Demensk 21 9 26 July 1941 09 12 DB 3 15 km 9 3 mi east of Kowali 22 22 6 October 1941 17 00 I 18 MiG 1 20 km 12 mi north of Juchnov 21 10 4 August 1941 08 30 Pe 2 5 km 3 1 mi south of Alekssino 23 23 12 October 1941 16 05 I 18 MiG 1 15 km 9 3 mi east of Kremensloje 21 11 8 August 1941 05 10 Pe 2 10 km 6 2 mi northeast of Kochany 23 24 27 October 1941 15 20 Yak 1 Note 3 15 km 9 3 mi northeast of Weretja 21 12 9 August 1941 11 20 SB 3 5 km 3 1 mi north of Sacharjoskaja 23 25 27 October 1941 15 23 Yak 1 Note 3 15 km 9 3 mi northeast of Weretja 21 13 9 August 1941 18 20 I 16 25 km 16 mi northwest of Bryansk 23 26 29 October 1941 13 40 I 16 15 km 9 3 mi southeast of Moshaisk 21 14 9 August 1941 18 55 Pe 2 southern edge of Dankowo 23 11 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 Molders 8 Eastern Front 1 May 1942 3 February 1943 27 29 May 1942 13 25 LaGG 3 15 km 9 3 mi south of Batischtschewo 24 55 5 August 1942 11 35 MiG 3 18 km 11 mi northeast of Zubtsov 25 28 4 June 1942 15 10 MiG 3 20 km 12 mi northeast of Batischtschewo 24 56 9 August 1942 06 00 LaGG 3 10 km 6 2 mi southeast of Zubtsov 25 29 13 June 1942 12 35 MiG 3 24 57 9 August 1942 12 10 Hurricane 15 km 9 3 mi south southwest of Zubtsov 25 30 5 July 1942 11 30 I 16 Note 4 10 km 6 2 mi northwest of Bjeloj 24 58 9 August 1942 12 12 Hurricane 15 km 9 3 mi south of Zubtsov 25 31 5 July 1942 11 45 I 16 15 km 9 3 mi northwest of Bjeloj 24 5 August 1942 LaGG 3 20 km 12 mi south of Zubtsov 25 32 7 July 1942 13 30 LaGG 3 5 km 3 1 mi south southeast of Simnizy 24 59 10 August 1942 07 50 LaGG 3 7 km 4 3 mi south southeast of Zubtsov 25 33 7 July 1942 13 40 LaGG 3 3 km 1 9 mi west of Simnizy 24 60 18 August 1942 17 00 LaGG 3 7 km 4 3 mi northeast of Wassilijeswkoje 25 40 km 25 mi south southeast of Gagarin 34 7 July 1942 16 55 MiG 3 eastern edge of Kosjoslk 24 61 19 August 1942 14 25 LaGG 3 18 km 11 mi northwest of Rzhev 26 35 7 July 1942 17 10 MiG 3 12 km 7 5 mi northwest of Belew 24 62 23 August 1942 18 00 MiG 3 6 km 3 7 mi southwest of Zubtsov 26 36 7 July 1942 17 16 MiG 3 5 km 3 1 mi east of Belew 24 63 23 August 1942 18 15 Il 2 10 km 6 2 mi east of Rzhev 26 37 11 July 1942 05 52 LaGG 3 5 km 3 1 mi southwest of Simnizy 27 64 24 August 1942 07 30 Il 2 3 km 1 9 mi southeast of Rzhev 26 38 11 July 1942 05 53 LaGG 3 2 km 1 2 mi south of Simnizy 27 65 24 August 1942 12 17 P 39 5 km 3 1 mi east of Zubtsov 26 39 11 July 1942 05 57 LaGG 3 10 km 6 2 mi southeast of Simnizy 27 66 25 August 1942 06 40 LaGG 3 12 km 7 5 mi northwest of Rzhev 26 40 11 July 1942 19 45 LaGG 3 25 km 16 mi north northwest of Zhizdra 27 67 28 October 1942 14 20 MiG 3 25 km 16 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 26 41 13 July 1942 16 02 MiG 3 25 km 16 mi west of Suchinitschi 27 68 28 October 1942 15 03 Yak 1 5 km 3 1 mi northeast of Uswjaty 26 42 27 July 1942 06 00 LaGG 3 1 km 0 62 mi east of Mozhaysk 27 69 29 October 1942 15 15 MiG 3 25 km 16 mi east of Vitebsk 26 southeast of Vitebsk 43 1 August 1942 11 07 LaGG 3 14 km 8 7 mi northwest of Rzhev 27 70 29 October 1942 15 20 MiG 3 25 km 16 mi southeast of Surazh 26 southeast of Surazh 44 1 August 1942 11 15 Il 2 20 km 12 mi southeast of Rzhev 27 71 30 October 1942 10 15 MiG 3 25 km 16 mi southeast of Vitebsk 26 southeast of Vitebsk 45 1 August 1942 11 21 Note 5 U 2 20 km 12 mi south of Rzhev 25 72 30 October 1942 10 20 MiG 3 28 km 17 mi southeast of Vitebsk 26 southeast of Vitebsk 46 2 August 1942 14 45 MiG 3 10 km 6 2 mi northwest of Rzhev 25 73 30 October 1942 10 33 Note 6 MiG 3 8 km 5 0 mi northeast of Surazh 26 northeast of Surazh 47 3 August 1942 09 20 LaGG 3 10 km 6 2 mi northeast of Rzhev 25 74 7 November 1942 12 20 MiG 3 25 km 16 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 26 25 km 16 mi west southwest of Staraya Toropa 48 3 August 1942 10 00 MiG 3 15 km 9 3 mi northwest of Rzhev 25 75 9 November 1942 07 32 Pe 2 35 km 22 mi northeast of Welish 29 15 km 9 3 mi northeast of Maklok 49 4 August 1942 05 20 Pe 2 15 km 9 3 mi northeast of Zubtsov 25 76 9 November 1942 07 41 MiG 3 27 km 17 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 29 30 km 19 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 50 4 August 1942 05 25 Il 2 15 km 9 3 mi east of Zubtsov 25 77 9 November 1942 07 43 MiG 3 39 km 24 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 29 40 km 25 mi west southwest of Staraya Toropa 51 4 August 1942 05 27 Il 2 18 km 11 mi southeast of Zubtsov 25 78 9 November 1942 07 45 Note 7 MiG 3 20 km 12 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 29 15 km 9 3 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 52 4 August 1942 15 25 MiG 3 18 km 11 mi east of Zubtsov 25 79 9 November 1942 08 10 MiG 3 40 km 25 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 29 40 km 25 mi west southwest of Staraya Toropa 53 4 August 1942 18 35 Il 2 7 km 4 3 mi southeast of Zubtsov 25 80 11 November 1942 12 16 MiG 3 30 km 19 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 29 54 5 August 1942 11 30 MiG 3 15 km 9 3 mi east of Zubtsov 25 81 11 November 1942 12 18 MiG 3 11 km 6 8 mi southwest of Staraya Toropa 29 25 km 16 mi west southwest of Staraya Toropa 3 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 Richthofen 28 Western Front 1 January April 1943 82 Note 8 17 January 1943 15 32 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost 0021 30 84 13 March 1943 Note 9 15 30 Spitfire 30 km 19 mi west of Baie de Somme 30 50 km 31 mi northwest of Abbeville 83 10 February 1943 11 21 Spitfire Orne estuary 30 85 28 March 1943 12 31 Spitfire south of Beachy Head 30 100 km 62 mi northeast of Dieppe 7 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 1 28 Western Front May 29 November 1943 According to Prien Stemmer Rodeike and Bock Klopper claimed one undocumented aerial victory in the timeframe 16 August to 30 September 1943 31 This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman 28 87 10 October 1943 15 19 B 17 22 km 14 mi northeast of Munster 32 According to Prien Stemmer Rodeike and Bock Klopper claimed one undocumented aerial victory in the timeframe 11 to 31 October 1943 31 This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman 28 89 3 November 1943 13 10 B 17 Mellum 32 91 26 November 1943 13 10 B 24 PQ 05 Ost S DN 4 32 vicinity of Hasselt 90 5 November 1943 13 54 B 17 PQ 05 Ost S KH 1 32 vicinity of Haamstede 92 29 November 1943 14 15 P 38 PQ 05 Ost S FN 4 5 32 Awards edit Iron Cross 1939 2nd and 1st Class Wound Badge in Black 25 June 1943 Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 20 October 1941 as Feldwebel in a Jagdgeschwader 33 German Cross in Gold on 21 August 1942 as Oberfeldwebel in the VI Jagdgeschwader 51 34 Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 September 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 11 Jagdgeschwader 51 Molders 35 36 Notes edit This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman 10 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as Ilyushin Il 2 18 a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as Lavochkin Gorbunov Gudkov LaGG 3 18 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as Ilyushin Il 2 18 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11 22 18 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10 38 28 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07 50 28 This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman 28 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed ao 23 March 1943 28 References editCitations edit Obermaier 1989 p 146 Prien 1992 pp 286 287 Prien et al 2002 pp 97 101 Weal 2006 p 82 Prien et al 2008 p 190 B 24 42 40749 Prien et al 2008 pp 183 184 200 a b Mathews amp Foreman 2015 pp 647 648 Planquadrat a b Mathews amp Foreman 2015 p 646 Prien 1995 p 2380 Prien et al 2002 p 420 Mathews amp Foreman 2015 pp 646 647 a b c Prien et al 2003 p 334 a b Prien et al 2003 p 342 a b c d Prien et al 2003 p 344 Prien et al 2003 p 335 a b c d Mathews amp Foreman 2015 p 647 a b Prien et al 2003 p 337 Prien et al 2003 p 338 a b c d e f Prien et al 2003 p 345 Prien et al 2003 p 339 a b c d e Prien et al 2003 p 341 a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al 2006 p 353 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Prien et al 2006 p 355 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Prien et al 2006 p 356 a b c d e f g h Prien et al 2006 p 354 a b c d e f g h Mathews amp Foreman 2015 p 648 a b c d e f g Prien et al 2006 p 357 a b c d Prien et al 2010 p 443 a b Prien et al 2008 p 197 a b c d e Prien et al 2008 p 195 Patzwall 2008 p 119 Patzwall amp Scherzer 2001 p 235 Scherzer 2007 p 449 Fellgiebel 2000 p 260 Bibliography edit Bergstrom Christer in Swedish Bergstrom Black Cross Red Star website Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat Archived from the original on 22 December 2018 Retrieved 19 December 2023 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 Forsyth Robert 2017 Jagdgeschwader 1 Oesau Aces 1939 45 Aircraft of the Aces Vol 134 New York NY Bloomsbury Publishing ISBN 978 1 4728 2291 8 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 Patzwall Klaus D 2008 Der Ehrenpokal fur besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War in German Norderstedt Germany Verlag Klaus D Patzwall ISBN 978 3 931533 08 3 Prien Jochen 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 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 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 2003 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 6 I Unternehmen BARBAROSSA Einsatz im Osten 22 6 bis 5 12 1941 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 6 I Operation BARBAROSSA Action in the East 22 June to 5 December 1941 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 69 4 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2006 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 9 II Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad 1 5 1942 bis 3 2 1943 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 9 II From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad 1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 77 9 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2008 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 10 II Reichsverteidigung 1 1 bis 31 12 1943 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 10 II Defense of the Reich 1 January to 31 December 1943 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 85 4 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2010 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 10 IV Einsatz im Westen 1 1 bis 31 12 1943 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 10 IV Action in the West 1 January to 31 December 1943 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 92 2 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 Militaer Verlag ISBN 978 3 938845 17 2 Weal John 2006 Jagdgeschwader 51 Molders Aviation Elite Units Vol 22 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84603 045 1 Accident description for B 24 42 40749 at the Aviation Safety Network Retrieved on 15 December 2023 Portals nbsp Aviation nbsp Biography Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Heinrich Klopper amp oldid 1206550267, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.