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Werner Mölders

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Werner Mölders
Werner Mölders
Nickname(s)Vati ("Pappy" or "Daddy")
Buried
Invalidenfriedhof Berlin
AllegianceNazi Germany Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1935 – 1941
RankOberst (Colonel)
UnitCondor Legion, JG 53, JG 51
Commands heldIII./JG 53, JG 51
Battles/warsSpanish Civil War
World War II
AwardsSpanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

Werner Mölders (18 March 1913 – 22 November 1941) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] Initially rejected by the Luftwaffe because of air-sickness, with 14 confirmed aerial victories, he became the leading German flying ace of the Spanish Civil War and the first pilot in aviation history to claim 100 aerial victories. The German Wehrmacht of the Third Reich as well as the Bundeswehr of the Federal Republic of Germany honored him by naming two fighter wings, a destroyer and barracks after Werner Mölders, a decision that was revoked in 2005.[2]

Born in 1913, Mölders joined the Luftwaffe in 1934. He volunteered for service in the Condor Legion supporting General Francisco Franco's Nationalist Falange in the Spanish Civil War. As a successor to Adolf Galland and squadron leader of the 3. Staffel (fighter squadron) of Jagdgruppe 88 (fighter group), he flew the Messerschmitt Bf 109. He was instrumental in the development of new fighter tactics leading to the finger-four formation. For his service he was awarded Germany's Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds (Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Brillianten). During World War II he became the first pilot to claim 20 aerial victories earning him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), the first fighter pilot to earn the award, only to be shot down and taken prisoner of war one week later.[3] Released two weeks later upon the armistice with France, Mölders was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51). During the Battle of Britain he was the first pilot to claim 40 victories and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub).[4]

Mölders, his tally standing at 68 aerial victories, and JG 51 were transferred to the Eastern front for the opening of Operation Barbarossa in the spring of 1941. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub and Schwertern) on 22 June 1941 for 72 aerial victories and shortly later surpassed Manfred von Richthofen's 80 aerial victories in World War I. Subsequently he received the first Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten) for claiming an unprecedented 101 aerial victories. Banned from further combat missions he was promoted to Oberst and appointed as Inspector General of Fighters at age 28. Mölders was inspecting the Luftwaffe units in the Crimea when he was ordered to Berlin to attend the state funeral of Ernst Udet. Flying as a passenger in a Heinkel He 111 the return flight to Berlin got into a heavy thunderstorm and one of the engines of the aircraft failed. The pilot attempted to land at Breslau but crashed the aircraft, killing Mölders on 22 November 1941.

Early life

Mölders was born on 18 March 1913 in Gelsenkirchen, the son of teacher Viktor Mölders and his wife Annemarie Mölders, née Riedel. His father was killed in action on 2 March 1915 as a Leutnant of the Reserves in the Königsinfanterie-Regiment Nr. 145 in the Forest of Argonne, France.[5] Werner Mölders was the third of four children, his sister Annemarie and his brother Hans were elder and brother Victor younger.[6] The widow Mölders and her four children moved into her parents house in Brandenburg an der Havel after Viktor Mölders had been killed. It was here in Brandenburg that Mölders befriended the fatherly Chaplain Erich Klawitter. Mölders' firm religious beliefs would result from this relationship.[7] From 1919 until 1931 Mölders attended the Grundschule and "Saldria-Gymnasium" in Brandenburg an der Havel. At school he detected his love for water sports, especially rowing. Mölders was a member of two rowing clubs, at first the "Saldria-Brandenburg" and later "Brandenburger Ruderclub", with which he had some success at different rowing-regattas. Mölders was also a member of the Bund Neudeutschland in der katholischen Jugendbewegung, a catholic youth organisation.[7] Mölders graduated from school in early 1931 with the Abitur and expressed the wish to become an officer.[5]

Mölders joined the II./Infanterie-Regiment 2 of the Reichswehr in Allenstein, Eastern Prussia on 1 April 1931, serving as an officer cadet in the infantry, attaining the rank of Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter on 1 October 1931 and Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier on 1 April 1932.[5] After completing his military basic training in October 1932 he was transferred to the Kriegsschule Dresden. On 1 June 1933 he successfully completed his training in Dresden and promoted to Fähnrich.[5] He again was transferred, this time to the 1. Preußisches Pionier-Bataillon (Infanterie-Regiment 2) at the Pioneer-School in Munich . During these hard but satisfying Fähnrich training times, Mölders for the first time wanted to fulfil his dream and volunteered for pilot training, only to be declared unfit for flying. He tried again and was given conditional permission (bedingt tauglich — with constraints) to begin flight training. [8]

After his promotion to Oberfähnrich on 1 February 1934 he started training as a pilot at the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (German transport flying school) in Cottbus (6 February 1934–31 December 1934).[9] He was constantly assailed by nausea and vomiting, but he eventually overcame them and completed the course as the best in the class. The next phase of his military pilots training began on 6 February 1934 and was held at the Kampffliegerschule (combat flying school) in Tutow and at the Jagdfliegerschule (fighter pilot school) at Schleißheim near Munich. During this phase he was promoted to Leutnant on 1 March 1934 and was officially transferred to the newly emerging Luftwaffe the same day. He received the newly created Pilots Badge of the Luftwaffe on 21 May 1935.[10]

On 1 July 1935 Leutnant Mölders was posted to Fliegergruppe Schwerin (I./JG 162 "Immelmann") and participated in the Remilitarization of the Rhineland on 7 March 1936. Mölders with his Staffel flew from Lippstadt over the Ruhrgebiet arriving in Düsseldorf as the first unit. Mölders became acquainted with Mrs. Luise Baldauf in this timeframe, whom he married shortly before his death. On 20 April 1936, Adolf Hitler's birthday, numerous promotions were handed out, including Mölders promotion to Oberleutnant, effective as of 1 April 1936. At the same time he became leader of the Jagdschulstaffel (fighter training squadron) of the II. Gruppe (2nd Group) of the Jagdgeschwader 134 "Horst Wessel". This group was under the command of Major Theo Osterkamp, who would become one of Mölders early mentors. He was appointed Staffelkapitän of 1./Jagdgeschwader 334 on 15 March 1937 and served as an instructor at Wiesbaden.[11]

Condor Legion

Schwarm formation and cross-over turn[12]

In 1936 the Spanish Civil War began and the Germans sent a Luftwaffe force, the Condor Legion, to assist the Falangists. In 1938 Mölders volunteered for the Condor Legion and arrived by sea in Cadiz on 14 April 1938. He was assigned to the 3rd Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 (J 88) commanded by Oberleutnant Adolf Galland.[Notes 1] The unit was stationed at the Valencia-Ebro front. Mölders took over command of the Staffel on 24 May 1938 when Galland returned to Germany. Initially the Staffel flew the Heinkel He 51 A-2 and re-equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 B-2. The He 51s were turned over to the 4th Staffel, commanded by Hauptmann Eberhard d'Elsa, and carried on until the end of the Spanish Civil War. Mölders claimed his first aerial victory, a Polikarpov I-15 "Curtiss" near Algar, on 15 July 1938. He was promoted to Hauptmann on 18 October 1938, effective as of 1 October 1938, for his exceptional achievements as commander and fighter pilot. Mölders claimed his last and 14th aerial victory of the conflict over a Polikarpov I-16 "Rata" near Mola on 3 November 1938.[13]

Together with other airmen in Spain, Mölders developed the technique known as the "finger-four" formation which improved a Flight's (Schwarm) all-round vision, combat flexibility, mutual protection and encouraged the pilot's initiative. The fighters now flew in two elements (Rotten) of two aircraft each. All four made up a Schwarm. He is often credited with inventing the cross-over turn.[14] The origins of the manoeuvre appeared in the Royal Air Force (RAF) Training Manual of 1922 as used by a Vic of five aircraft—a tight formation forming the letter "V" —and may even date back to as early as 1918. However, it fell into disuse due to its difficulty of performing it in a multi-aircraft formation with the contemporary spacing of less than 100 feet (30 m) between them. The wide lateral separation of 1,800 feet (550 m) between aircraft introduced by J 88 made it a practical proposition.[14]

From mid-1938 to the end of the year Mölders became the leading ace of the Condor legion, claiming fifteen aircraft shot down in Spain: two I-15 "Chato" ("Curtiss" to the Germans), twelve I-16 "Rata" and one Tupolev SB-2.[Notes 2] A "Rata" claimed on 23 September 1938 was not confirmed. Those under his command gave him the nickname Vati (Daddy) on account of his caring manner and educative effect he had on his men. He returned to Germany on 5 December 1938 with 14 confirmed aerial victories.[15] For his achievements in Spain he was honored with the Spanish Medalla de la Campaña and Medalla Militar on 4 May 1939 and the German Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds (Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern und Brillianten) on 6 June 1939.[16] The Legion Condor officially returned to Germany on 6 June 1939. The troops marched through Berlin to the Lustgarten, where the fallen were honored. A formal state banquet for the most highly decorated soldiers was held in the marble gallery of the Reichskanzlei. Mölders was seated at table 1, along with General der Flieger Hugo Sperrle, General Don Antonio Aranda, General Gonzalo Queipo de Llano, Oberst Walter Warlimont, Oberstleutnant von Donat, Leutnant Reinhard Seiler and Oberfeldwebel Ignatz Prestele.[17]

From 6 December 1938 until March 1939 Mölders served in a staff position with the Inspector of Fighters at the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Reich Air Ministry) in Berlin. His task was to devise new fighter pilot tactics. However, officially he was a member of the I. Gruppe Jagdgeschwader 133 (JG 133). In March 1939 he was given command as Staffelkapitän of 1./JG 133, taking over command from Oberleutnant Hubertus von Bonin. JG 133 was later renamed Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik As".[Notes 3][3][18]

World War II

Phoney War and the Battle of France

Mölders Staffel was stationed in the west protecting Germany's western boarder in the area of the Mosel – Saar – Pfalz at the outbreak of World War II on 1 September 1939.[19] Mölders crash landed his aircraft on the 8 September 1939 due to engine failure, flipping the aircraft over and injuring his back. The injury kept him out of combat for several days.[20] On 19 September Mölders was able to fly his first sortie after his back-injury. He shot down his first aircraft of the war, a Curtiss P-36, the next day on 20 September 1939 over the three borders area, which earned him the Iron Cross 2nd Class.[3][21]

JG 53 was ordered to form its III. Gruppe, thus establishing its authorized strength of three Gruppen, on 26 September 1939. Mölders was tasked with the forming of the new Gruppe after handing over command of 1./JG 53 to Oberleutnant Hans-Karl Mayer. The formation of III./JG 53 took place at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim and within two weeks Gruppenkommandeur Mölders was able to report that the Gruppe was conditionally operational with 40 pilots and 48 aircraft.[22]

Mölders aerial victories total had increased to 9, excluding those victories claimed in Spain, by the end of the Phoney War and the beginning of the Battle of France, Case Yellow (Fall Gelb)—the invasion of France and Low Countries—on 10 May 1940. This number includes one Bristol Blenheim, two "Curtiss" P-36 Hawks, two Morane-Saulnier M.S.406s and four Hawker Hurricanes.[23] He claimed his twentieth aerial victory on 27 May 1940, two "Curtiss" 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) southwest of Amiens. For this achievement he became the first fighter pilot to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and was mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht, the first of eleven references, on 29 May 1940.[24]

He was shot down on his 133rd combat mission of the war, engaging in aerial combat for the 32nd time, near Compiègne at about 18:40 on 5 June 1940 by Sous lieutenant René Pomier-Layrargues flying a French Air Force Dewoitine D.520.[25] Mölders was taken prisoner of war and liberated three weeks later on 30 June 1940 upon the armistice with France.[3] While in French captivity Mölders expressed the wish to shake hands with the pilot that had shot him down only to learn that Pomier-Layrargues was killed in action 30 minutes after the aerial combat with Mölders. Mölders was also subjected to controversial treatment in captivity. Initially he was abused receiving various abrasions to his face and his Knight's Cross was stolen. Another French officer intervened and treated him fairly, returning the stolen Knight's Cross. Later the responsible French officer was sentenced to death. Mölders took this case up with Hermann Göring requesting clemency which was granted.[26]

Battle of Britain

Theo Osterkamps birthday party on 15 April 1941 at Le Touquet on the Channel front.
from left to right: Major Dr. Wenzel (Mölders aide), Adolf Galland, Werner Mölders and Theo Osterkamp[27]

Returning to Germany, Mölders was promoted to Major on 19 June 1940 and announced as the new Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51) the next day. He took over the command on 28 July 1940 from the recently promoted Generalmajor Theo Osterkamp.[28] Mölders flew his first combat sortie with JG 51 on 29 July, attacked one Supermarine Spitfire flown by Flying Officer Lovell. Lovell crash landed his aircraft and was hospitalized.[29] On this mission, according to legend, Mölders was hit in a dogfight over Dover with the South African ace Sailor Malan. Sustaining three splinter wounds in the lower leg, one in the knee and one in the left foot. If Oberleutnant Richard Leppla had not shot down the pursuing Spitfire, Mölders might not have managed to make the emergency landing at Wissant, France.[30][31] Recent research seems to suggest Mölders was actually wounded in combat with Flight Lieutenant J.L. Webster—who was later killed in action on 5 September 1940—in a Spitfire of 41 Squadron.[29][32] His wound, although not serious, kept Mölders from further operational flying for a month. Generalmajor Osterkamp briefly led the Geschwader again during Mölders short period of convalescence. Mölders returned to the Geschwader on 7 August 1940, without medical clearance for combat. The reason for this was Operation Eagle Attack (codename Adlertag). Adolf Hitler had issued Führer-Directive N°17 (Weisung Nr. 17) on 1 August 1940. The strategic objective was to engage and defeat the Royal Air Force (RAF), gaining air superiority, in preparation for Operation Sealion (Unternehmen Seelöwe), the amphibious assault and invasion of Great Britain.[30]

Mölders returned to operational flying status and flew his next two combat missions on 28 August 1940. Mölders' aide and wingman, Oberleutnant Kircheis, was shot down and taken prisoner of war during one of these missions, successor became Oberleutnant Georg Claus.[33] He claimed two Hurricanes on 31 August and was mentioned again in the Wehrmachtbericht.[29] Oberleutnant Victor Mölders, Werner Mölders' younger brother, who had been appointed Staffelkapitän of the 2./JG 51 on 11 September, was shot down and taken prisoner of war on 5 October 1940.[34] Two Spitfires of the No. 92 Squadron RAF shot down near Dungeness on 20 September increased his number of aerial victories to 40. He was the first fighter pilot to achieve this number and was awarded the 2nd Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) of the war on 21 September 1941. The award was presented by Adolf Hitler on 23 September in the new Reichskanzlei in Berlin.[35]

After the award ceremony Mölders was invited by Hermann Göring to Göring's hunting lodge in the Rominter Heide. Mölders returned to his unit by the end of September and continued to achieve aerial victories. Three Hurricanes on 22 October took his tally to 51 aerial victories. He received a preferential promotion to Oberstleutnant in recognition of his 50 aerial victories on 25 October 1940.[4] A heavy Influenza then kept him grounded for a few weeks. His wingman in over 60 aerial combats, Oberleutnant Georg Claus, was killed over the Themse while Mölders was recovering from his flu.[36] Mölders claimed his last and 55th aerial victory of 1940—25 of which in the Battle of France and 30 in the Battle of Britain—on 1 December 1940.[37]

Mölders and members of JG 53 spent a couple of weeks skiing in the Vorarlberg before continuing operations against the RAF over the Channel and occupied France during early 1941.[38] His new wingman from January 1941 on was Oberleutnant Hartmann Grasser.[39] He claimed his first aerial victory after the lengthy vacation on 26 February 1941, the 60th aerial victory was claimed on 26 February and his tally stood at 68 when the Geschwader was retrieved from the Channel front. His log-book showed 238 combat missions plus a further 71 reconnaissance flights and had engaged in aerial combat 70 times.[40]

Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2, Stab/JG 51, Geschwaderkommodore Oberstleutnant Werner Mölders in June 1941.

Eastern Front

Oberst Werner Mölders

In June 1941 JG 51 and the majority of the Luftwaffe were transferred to the Eastern front in preparation of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. The first day of combat operations on 22 June 1941 resulted in Mölders shooting down three Tupolev SB bombers and one "Curtis" Hawk earning him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Mölders was the second German soldier to receive this award. Adolf Galland, Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 had received the award just one day before.[41] The award was presented by Adolf Hitler in the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg on 3 July 1941. By this date Mölders had claimed a further 10 aerial victories and his tally stood at 82. On 30 June, Mölders had become the highest-scoring fighter pilot in history of aerial warfare after downing five Soviet bombers[42] and bringing his score to 82, two more than the record set in World War I by Manfred von Richthofen, the "Red Baron".[43]

Under the leadership of Mölders JG 51 had claimed 500 Soviet aircraft destroyed since the beginning of hostilities in the east and 12 July 1941. In return JG 51 suffered 3 casualties. JG 51 also reported its 1,200 aerial victory of the war that day, the credit going to Hauptmann Leppa.[44] Three days later, on 15 July 1941, Mölders surpassed the century mark, claiming aerial victories number 100 and 101.[45] Mölders celebrated this achievement by performing a victory roll over the airfield. The following day he received news that he had been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten).[46] Mölders was the first of 27 German soldiers to have received this award. The Diamonds to the Knight's Cross were legally introduced on 28 September 1941, more than two months after Mölders earned the award. Mölders was promoted to Oberst on 20 July 1941, effective immediately, and banned from further combat flying. Surrendering command of JG 51 to Major Friedrich Beckh he was transferred to the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, a park position he held until 6 August 1941. Mölders was summoned to the Wolfsschanze again, where he received the Diamonds from Adolf Hitler on 26 July 1941. On 7 August 1941 he was appointed Inspector of Fighters (Inspekteur der Jagdflieger).[47]

High Command

Mölders with Arthur Laumann visiting JG 51 on 28 August 1941.[48]

An Oberst at 28, Mölders was appointed Inspector General of Fighters, a post responsible for deciding the ongoing tactical and operational doctrine of the Luftwaffe's fighter strategies. Returning to Russia in September 1941, he set up a command post at Chaplinka airfield, from where he flew in his personal Fieseler Fi 156 Storch on tours of the Jagdwaffe and personally directed German fighter operations.[49]

Mölders married Luise Baldauf, née Thurner, on 13 September 1941. Luise Baldauf was the widow of a friend who had been killed on active service.[50] The wedding ceremony was held by Erich Klawitter in Falkenstein, Taunus. Witnesses to the wedding included Leutnant Erwin Fleig and Oberleutnant Hartmann Grasser. Together they had a daughter, Verena, although Mölders was killed before she was born and thus never got to see her.[51]

He also flew unofficially on missions, and actively commanded JG 51 for several more months. On 9 August 1941 he took Herbert Kaiser on a mission against a formation of Il-2 Stormoviks. Mölders showed Kaiser how to shoot them down, hitting one behind the cockpit, where a fuel tank was located. The machine crashed. Kaiser then repeated what he had seen, and shot down two more.[52] Within the next two months it is suggested he unofficially shot down a further 30 or so Soviet aircraft. At least six victories are recorded in his fellow pilots' private log books.[53]

Mölders was a devoutly religious individual who demanded that all Allied aviators captured by those under his command be treated civilly, and often would invite captured pilots to dine with him.[54]

Death

Werner Mölders grave, 1941

On 22 November 1941 he was flying as a passenger in a Heinkel He 111 of Kampfgeschwader 27 "Boelcke" from the Crimea to Germany to attend the funeral of his superior, Ernst Udet. Attempting to land at Breslau during a thunderstorm, the aircraft crashed. Mölders, pilot Oberleutnant Kolbe and flight engineer Oberfeldwebel Hobbie were killed. Major Dr. Wenzel and radio operator Oberfeldwebel Tenz survived the crash landing. Dr. Wenzel sustained a broken arm and leg as well as a concussion and Tenz a broken ankle. Mölders fatal injuries included a broken back and a crushed ribcage. It remains subject to speculation if Mölders would have survived the crash if he would have used his seat belt.[55]

Mölders was given a state funeral in Berlin on 28 November 1941. His coffin was laid out in the honor court of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium. The guard of honor consisted of Johannes Schalk, Günther Lützow, Walter Oesau, Joachim Müncheberg, Adolf Galland, Wolfgang Falck, Herbert Kaminski and Karl-Gottfried Nordmann. Mölders was buried next to Ernst Udet's and Manfred von Richthofen's grave at the Invalidenfriedhof Cemetery in Berlin. The 8,8 cm Flak in Berlin Tiergarten fired salute and Hermann Göring spoke last words at the open grave.[56]

Legacy

Jagdgeschader 51 was christened "Mölders" on 22 November 1941, just hours after Mölders death. Its members were entitled to wear the cuffband "Mölders".[57]

Postwar, on 13 April 1968, a destroyer of the Federal German Navy was christened Mölders in Bath, Maine (USA). It was in service between 1969 and 2003. As of 24 June 2005 it is the central attraction at the Navy Museum in Wilhelmshaven.[57]

On 9 November 1972 a base of a Battalion of the 34th Signal Regiment of the Federal German Army in Visselhövede received the name "Mölders".[58]

Werner Mölders grave on the Invalidenfriedhof Berlin as seen today

Before the 1990 German reunification the Invalidenfriedhof was situated in East Berlin. In 1975 East German officials had all the graves leveled, including that of Werner Mölders. The grave was rebuilt in 1991 and rechristened by Mölders' school friend and Domherr of the St. Hedwig's Cathedral, Heribert Rosal on 11 October 1991. The ceremony was witnessed by guests from the United States, Great Britain, Austria, Spain and Hungary.[59][60]

The Fighter Wing 74 (Jagdgeschwader 74), stationed in Neuburg an der Donau received the name "Mölders" in 1973. The cuffbands were presented by Generalleutnant Günther Rall. In 2005 the German Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) decided to remove the name "Mölders" from the JG 74. The decision was enforced on 11 March 2005 and at 10:00 the flags and cufftitles were removed.[61] This was done in accordance with a decision from the German Parliament (Bundestag) in 1998 due to the 61st Anniversary of the bombing of the town of Guernica in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. According to Parliament, members of the Condor Legion, such as Mölders, should "not be honoured any more". [58][62]

Despite doubts as to Mölders' participation in the Bombing of Guernica (codename Übung Rügen), as well as his political opinions towards National Socialism, and a significant number of petitions from politicians and high-ranking active and retired servicemen, a report from the Office for Military History (Militärgeschichtliches Forschungsamt) in Potsdam was published concluding that it was questionable whether Mölders had distanced himself enough from National Socialism and the decision remained.[63]

In March 2005 over 100 German military officers signed an open letter protesting the intention of the German Defence Minister to enact a 1998 law banning the honouring of any German volunteer who served with the Condor Legion.[64]

Summary of career

Awards

References in the Wehrmachtbericht

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
Wednesday, 29 May 1940 Hauptmann Mölders errang seinen 20. Luftsieg.[68] Hauptmann Mölders achieved his 20th aerial victory.
Friday, 6 September 1940 Außer vier bereits genannten Offizieren haben in den Luftkämpfen der letzten Wochen drei weitere Jagdflieger 20 oder mehr Luftsiege errungen und zwar: Hauptmann Mayer, Hauptmann Oesau und Hauptmann Tietzen. An der Spitze der Sieger in Luftkämpfen steht Major Mölders mit 32 Abschüssen.[69] Besides those four officers already mentioned over the past weeks a further three fighter pilots achieved 20 or more aerial victories in aerial combat, these are: Hauptmann Mayer, Hauptmann Oesau und Hauptmann Tietzen. At the top of the victors stands Major Mölders with 32 aerial victories.
Wednesday, 25 September 1940 Major Mölders und Major Galland errangen ihren 40. Luftsieg.[70] Major Mölders and Major Galland achieved their 40th aerial victory.
Tuesday, 23 October 1940 Major Mölders schoß, wie schon bekanntgegeben, in einem Luftkampf gegen zahlenmäßig überlegene feindliche Jäger seinen 49. 50. und 51. Gegner ab.[71] Major Mölders shot down, as already announced, in aerial combat with numerically superior fighter forces his 49th, 50th and 51st opponent.
Sunday, 26 October 1940 Im laufe der gestrigen Luftkämpfe schossen unsere Jagdflugzeuge 17 feindliche Jäger ab. Dabei errang Oberstleutnant Mölders seinen 52. und 53. Luftsieg.[72] Out fighter force shot down 17 enemy fighter aircrafts during the course of yesterdays aerial combat. Oberstleutnant Mölders hereby achieved his 52nd and 53rd aerial victory.
Tuesday, 11 February 1941 Oberstleutnant Mölders errang seinen 56. Luftsieg.[73] Oberstleutnant Mölders achieved his 56th aerial victory.
Wednesday, 27 February 1941 Oberstleutnant Mölders errang gestern seinen 60. Luftsieg.[74] Oberstleutnant Mölders achieved his 60th aerial victory yesterday.
Friday, 18 April 1941 Oberstleutnant Mölders errang am 16. April seinen 64. und 65., Oberstleutnant Galland am 15. April seinen 59. und 60. Luftsieg.[75] Oberstleutnant Mölders achieved on 16 April his 64th and 65th, Oberstleutnant Galland on 15 April his 59th and 60th aerial victory.
Tuesday, 24 June 1941 Das Jagdgeschwader unter Führung von Oberstleutnant Mölders errang am 22. Juni seinen 750. Luftsieg.[76] The fighter wing under the leadership of Oberstleutnant Mölders achieved on 22 June their 750th aerial victory.
Tuesday, 1 July 1941 ...Oberstleutnant Mölders errang hierbei seinen 82., Hauptmann Joppien seinen 52. Luftsieg.[77] ...Oberstleutnant Mölders achieved hereby his 82nd., Hauptmann Joppien his 52nd aerial victory.
Wednesday, 16 July 1941 (So.) Bei den Kämpfen an der Ostfront schoß Oberstleutnant Mölders, Kommodore eines Jagdgeschwaders, gestern fünf Sowjetflugzeuge ab. Er hat damit in diesem Kriege insgesamt 101 Abschüsse erzielt und einschließlich seiner 14 Abschüsse im Spanienfeldzug insgesamt 115 Luftsiege errungen.
Der Führer und Oberste Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht hat diesem heldenhaften Vorbild der Luftwaffe und erfolgreichsten Jagdflieger der Welt als erstem Offizier der deutschen Wehrmacht die höchste deutsche Tapferkeitsauszeichnung, das Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillianten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes verliehen.[78]		 (Extra) Oberstleutnant Mölders, commodore of a fighter wing, shot down five Soviet aircraft yesterday in combat on the eastern front. He hereby achieved 101 aerial victories during this war and combined with his 14 aerial victories of the Spanish campaign a total of 115 aerial victories.
The Führer and commander in chief of the Wehrmacht awarded the highest German award for bravery, the Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, to this heroic archetype of the Luftwaffe and most successful fighter pilot of the World and first officer of the Wehrmacht.

Dates of rank

1 October 1931: Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter[5]
1 April 1932: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier[5]
1 June 1933: Fähnrich[5]
1 February 1934: Oberfähnrich[5]
1 March 1934: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)[79]
20 April 1936: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant), effective as of 1 April 1936[79]
18 October 1938: Hauptmann (Captain), effective as of 1 October 1938[79]
19 July 1940: Major (Major)[4]
25 October 1940: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)[4]
20 July 1941: Oberst (Colonel)[57]

Notes

Footnotes

  1. ^ Jagdgruppe 88, four squadrons equipped with the Heinkel He 51.
  2. ^ For a list of Spanish Civil War air aces see List of Spanish Civil War air aces.
  3. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.

Citations

  1. ^ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ Hagena 2008, pp. 7–12.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 33.
  4. ^ a b c d e Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 34.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 31.
  6. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 44.
  7. ^ a b Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 10.
  8. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 11.
  9. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 11, 32.
  10. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 11, 32, 66.
  11. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 11–12, 32.
  12. ^ Spick 1996, p. 18.
  13. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 12, 32.
  14. ^ a b Spick 1996, p. 15.
  15. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 14, 33, 40.
  16. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 33, 89.
  17. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 88–92.
  18. ^ Prien 1997, p. 30.
  19. ^ Obermaier and Held, p. 14.
  20. ^ Prien 1997, p. 40.
  21. ^ Prien 1997, p. 44.
  22. ^ Prien 1997, pp.50–51
  23. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 40.
  24. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 16.
  25. ^ Hooton 2007, p. 65
  26. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 16–18, 33.
  27. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p.149.
  28. ^ Aders and Held 1993, p. 62.
  29. ^ a b c Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 19.
  30. ^ a b Aders and Held 1993, p. 63.
  31. ^ Kaplan 2007, p. 56.
  32. ^ Shores and Williams, p. 622.
  33. ^ Aders and Held 1993, p. 67.
  34. ^ Aders and Held 1993, pp. 69, 71.
  35. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 19–20, 34, 122.
  36. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 20, 124–125.
  37. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 41.
  38. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 21, 137–141.
  39. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 147.
  40. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 21, 40–41.
  41. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 21, 41.
  42. ^ Bergström 2007, p. 27.
  43. ^ Weal 2001, p. 22.
  44. ^ Aders and Held 1993, p. 91.
  45. ^ Weal 2001, p. 18.
  46. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 21, 35.
  47. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 35.
  48. ^ Aders and Held 1993, pp.94–95.
  49. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 188–189
  50. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 22.
  51. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 35, 180–182, 209.
  52. ^ Weal 2001, p. 29.
  53. ^ Weal 2007, p. 11.
  54. ^ Weal 2006, p. 120.
  55. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 23.
  56. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, pp. 200–206.
  57. ^ a b c Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 35.
  58. ^ a b Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 36.
  59. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 206.
  60. ^ Hagena 2008, p. 119.
  61. ^ Hagena 2008, p. 132.
  62. ^ Hagena 2008, p. 8.
  63. ^ Hagena 2008, p. 138.
  64. ^ Kaplan 2007, p. 51.
  65. ^ Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 75.
  66. ^ a b Berger 2000, p. 228.
  67. ^ a b c d Scherzer 2007, p. 548.
  68. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 174.
  69. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 296.
  70. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 311.
  71. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 339.
  72. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 341.
  73. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 420.
  74. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 433.
  75. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 494.
  76. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 587.
  77. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 598.
  78. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, p. 617.
  79. ^ a b c Obermaier and Held 1996, p. 32.

References

  • Aders, Gebhard and Held, Werner (1993). Jagdgeschwader 51 'Mölders' Eine Chronik - Berichte - Erlebnisse - Dokumente (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-01045-3.
  • Berger, Florian (2000). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges (in German). Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5. (popular science)
  • Bergström, Christer and Mikhailov, Andrey (2000), Black Cross / Red Star Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume I, Operation Barbarossa 1941, California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN 0-935553-48-7.
  • Bergström, Christer (2007). Barbarossa - The Air Battle: July-December 1941. London: Chervron/Ian Allen. ISBN 978-1-85780-270-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945 (in German). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5. (popular science)
  • Fraschka, Günther (1994). Knights of the Reich. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military/Aviation History. ISBN 0-88740-580-0.
  • Hagena, Hermann (2008). Jagdflieger Werner Mölders - Die Würde des Menschen reicht über den Tod hinaus (in German). Aachen, Germany: Helios Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938208-66-3.
  • Hooton, E.R (2007). Luftwaffe at War; Gathering Storm 1933–39: Volume 1. London: Chervron/Ian Allen. ISBN 978-1-903223-71-7.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939–1945 (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 3-87341-065-6.
  • Obermaier, Ernst and Held, Werner (1996). Jagdflieger Oberst Werner Mölders - Bilder und Dokumente (in German). Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart, 4. Edition. ISBN 3-87943-869-2. (popular science)
  • Prien, Jochen (1997). Jagdgeschwader 53 A History of the "Pik As" Geschwader March 1937–May 1942. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History. ISBN 0-7643-0175-6.
  • Schaulen, Fritjof (2004). Eichenlaubträger 1940–1945 Zeitgeschichte in Farbe II Ihlefeld - Primozic (in German). Selent, Germany: Pour le Mérite. ISBN 3-932381-21-1.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Shores, Christopher and Clive Williams (1994). Aces High. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.
  • Sims, Edward H (1982). Jagdflieger Die großen Gegner von einst (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-87943-115-9.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 0-8041-1696-2.
  • Toliver, Raymond F. and Trevor J. Constable (1998). Die deutschen Jagdflieger-Asse 1939–1945 (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Motorbuch Verlag, 1977. ISBN 3-87943-193-0.
  • Weal, John (2001). Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front. Oxford, UK: Ospery. ISBN 1-84176-084-6.
  • Weal, John (2006). Jagdgeschwader 51 ‘Mölders’. Oxford, UK: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84603-045-1.
  • Weal, John (2007). More Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front. Oxford, UK: Ospery. ISBN 978-1-84603-177-9.
  • Williamson, Gordon (2006). Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients 1941–45. Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84176-644-5.
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, 1. September 1939 bis 31. Dezember 1941 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.
  • Helden der Wehrmacht - Unsterbliche deutsche Soldaten (in German). München, Germany: FZ-Verlag GmbH, 2004. ISBN 3-924309-53-1.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Werner Mölders.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of Jagdgeschwader 51 Mölders
27 July 1940 – 19 July 1941 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Inspekteur der Jagdflieger
7 August 1941 – 22 November 1941 		Succeeded by
Generalleutnant Adolf Galland

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