Jump to content

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by MisterBee1966 (talk | contribs) at 08:26, 23 January 2014 (→‎Squadron leader of the 12./NJG 1). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
Heinz Schnaufer wearing the Diamonds to his Knight's Cross
Nickname(s)Spook of Sint-Truiden
Born(1922-02-16)16 February 1922
Calw, Württemberg
Died15 July 1950(1950-07-15) (aged 28)
Bordeaux
Buried
Calw, Village Cemetery
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1939 – 1945
RankMajor
UnitNJG 1, NJG 4
Commands held12./NJG 1, IV./NJG 1, NJG 4
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsRitterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwerten und Brillanten
Other workwine business

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (16 February 1922 – 15 July 1950) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter pilot and is the highest scoring night fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five (in some services, notably the World War I German air force, classification as an ace required ten) or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] All of his 121 aerial victories were claimed during World War II at night, mostly against British four-engine bombers.[Note 1] For which he was awarded the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) on 16 October 1944. At the time of its presentation to Schnaufer it was Germany's highest military decoration.[Note 2] He was nicknamed "The Spook of St. Trond", from the location of his unit's base in occupied Belgium.

Born in Calw, Schnaufer began military service in the Third Reich by joining the Luftwaffe in 1939. After training at various pilot and fighter-pilot schools, he was posted to Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing), operating on the Western Front, in November 1941. He flew his first combat sorties in support of Operation Cerberus, the breakout of the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen from Brest. Schnaufer participated in the Defence of the Reich campaign from 1942 onwards, in which he would achieve most of his success. He claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 1/2 June 1942. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for 42 aerial victories on 31 December 1943. Schnaufer achieved his 100th aerial victory on 9 October 1944 and was awarded the Diamonds to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on 16 October. Schnaufer was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (NJG 4—4th Night Fighter Wing) on 4 November 1944. He was taken prisoner of war by British forces in May 1945. A year later he was released and returned to home town and took over the family wine business. He died of injuries sustained in a road accident on 13 July 1950 during a wine-purchasing visit to France. Schnaufer succumbed to his injuries in a hospital at Bordeaux on 15 July 1950, two days after the accident.

Childhood, education and early career

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was born on 16 February 1922 in Calw, located in the Free People's State of Württemberg, the German Reich, during the Weimar Republic era.[2] He was the first of four children of mechanical engineer (Diplom-Ingenieur) and merchant Alfred Schnaufer and his wife Martha, née Frey.[Note 3] The other three children were his brother Manfred, his sister Waltraut and his brother Eckart.[Note 4] His father owned and operated the family business, the winery Schnaufer-Schlossbergkellerei (literal translation for Schnaufer's Castle Mountain Winery), in the Lederstraße, Calw.[4]

House Schnaufer
Home of the Schlossbergkellerei

The winery had been founded by both his father and his grandfather, Hermann Schnaufer, shortly after World War I in 1919.[5] Following the death of his grandfather in 1928 the winery was run by his father alone. When his father unexpectedly died in 1940, his mother ran the business until her children took over the winery after World War II. The company then expanded the business and in addition to the winery offered wine imports, sparkling wines, and a distillery for wine and liqueur. The distribution channel worked with agents and sales offices throughout Germany.[4]

Schnaufer, at the age of six, went to the local Volksschule (primary school) at Calw. After completing his fourth grade, he received two years of schooling at the Oberschule, also in Calw. At an early age he expressed his wish to join an organisation of military character and joined the Deutsches Jungvolk (German Youth) in 1933.[6] After completing his six grade he took and passed the entry examination at the Backnang National Political Institutes of Education (Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalt—Napola), a secondary boarding school founded under the recently established Nazi State. The goal of the Napola schools was to raise a new generation for the political, military and administrative leadership of the Third Reich. Schnaufer was considered a very good student, finishing top of his class every year. Aged seventeen he graduated with his Abitur (diploma) in November 1939 with distinction. At the Napola school he also received the Reich Youth Sports Badge (Reichsjugendsportabzeichen), the base-certificate of the German Life Saving Association (Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft), the bronze Hitler Youth-Performance Badge (HJ-Leistungsabzeichen), and completed his B-license to fly glider aircraft.[2] In 1939 Schnaufer was one of two students posted to the Napola in Potsdam. The Flying Platoon (Fliegerzug) stationed in Potsdam centralised all the destined flyers from all the Napolas. Here he learned to fly glider aircraft, at first short hops on the DFS SG 38 Schulgleiter, and later on the two-seater Göppingen Gö 4 which was towed by a Klemm Kl 25.[7] During his stay at Potsdam, the film producer Karl Ritter was making the Ufa film Cadets in Potsdam. The Napola had detached two companies to work on the film, among them Schnaufer. It remains unclear exactly what role he played in this film.[8]

Following his graduation from school Schnaufer passed his entry exams for officer cadets of the Luftwaffe. He joined the Luftwaffe on 15 November 1939 and underwent his basic military training at the Fliegerausbildungsregiment 42 (42nd flight training regiment) at Salzwedel.[2] Schnaufer was appointed as Fahnenjunker (cadet) on 1 April 1940.[9] He then received his flight training at the Flugzeugführerschule A/B 3 (FFS A/B 3—flight school for the pilot license) at Guben, present-day the Cottbus-Drewitz Airport.[Note 5] He completed his A/B flight training on 20 August 1940. He was trained to fly the Focke-Wulf Fw 44, Fw 56 and Fw 58, and the Heinkel He 72, He 41 and He 51, the Bücker Bü 131, the Klemm Kl 35, the Arado Ar 66 and Ar 96, the Gotha Go 145 and the Junkers W 34 and A 35.[2]

Schnaufer then attended the advanced Flugzeugführerschule C 3 (FFS C 3—advanced flight school) at Alt Lönnewitz near Torgau and the blind flying school Blindflugschule 2 (BFS 2—2nd blind flying school) at Neuburg an der Donau from August 1940 to May 1941. This qualified him to fly multi-engine aircraft. During this assignment he was promoted to Fähnrich (cadet sergeant) on 1 September 1940, to Oberfähnrich (rank equivalent to Company Sergeant Major) on 1 February 1941 and to the officer rank of Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 April 1941.[2] He was then posted for ten weeks to the Zerstörerschule (destroyer school) at Wunstorf near Hanover. At Wunstorf Schnaufer and the aerial radio operator (Bordfunker) Friedrich Rumpelhardt were assigned as an aircrew team on 3 July 1941. Schnaufer's previous radio operator had proved unable to cope with aerobatics, and Schnaufer thoroughly tested Rumpelhardts ability to cope with aerobatics before they teamed up. Here the two decided to volunteer to fly as night fighters in defence of the increasing Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command offensive against Germany.[10] Following their training at Wunstorf, the two were sent to the Nachtjagdschule 1 (1st night fighter school) at Schleißheim near Munich, formerly the Zerstörerschule 1 (ZS 1—1st destroyer school), to learn the rudiments of night-fighting.[2] The night fighter training was carried out on the Ar 96, the Focke-Wulf Fw 58 and the Messerschmitt Bf 110. Training at night focused night takeoffs and landings, cooperation with searchlights, radio-beacon direction finding and cross country flights.[11]

World War II

A map of part of the Kammhuber Line stolen by a Belgian agent and passed-on to the British in 1942. The 'belt' and night fighter 'boxes' are shown

In November 1941 Schnaufer was posted to the II. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (II./NJG 1—2nd group of the 1st Night Fighter Wing) at the time based at Stade near Hamburg.[Note 6] Here, Schnaufer was assigned to the 5. Staffel (5./NJG 1—5th squadron of 1st Night Fighter Wing).[11] The Bf 110's of Schnaufer's II./NJG 1 at the time were not equipped with airborne radar such as the Lichtenstein radar. Night fighter intercept tactics had matured since its early beginnings in July 1940 and Schnaufer's II. Gruppe had already been credited with 397 victories. Missions against enemy bombers at the time for the most part were flown by means of ground-controlled interception, although the Luftwaffe was already experimenting with airborne radar. This air defence system, consisting of a series of radar stations with overlapping coverage, layered three deep, was conceived by Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General) Josef Kammhuber and was organised in the so-called Kammhuber Line. Conceptually the system was based on a combination of ground based radar stations, search lights and a Jägerleitoffizier (fighter pilot control officer). The Jägerleitoffizier had to vector the airborne night fighter by means of radio communication to a point of visual interception of the illuminated bomber. These interception tactics were referred to as the Himmelbett (canopy bed) procedure.[12]

On 15 January 1942, II./NJG 1 transferred to Sint-Truiden—Saint-Trond in the French pronunciation—in Belgium. Schnaufer entered front line service at a time when the Royal Air Force (RAF) was reassessing the air offensive against Germany. The effectiveness of British Bomber Command to accurately hit German targets had been questioned by the War Cabinet Secretary David Bensusan-Butt who published the Butt Report in August 1941. The report in parts concluded that the British crews failed to navigate to, identify, and bomb the targets. Although the report was not widely accepted by senior RAF commanders, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, instructed Commander-in-Chief Richard Peirse, that during the winter months only limited operations were to be conducted. Consequently, and flight operations further hindered by bad weather in the first months of 1942, II./NJG 1 only saw very limited action at the time.[13]

Channel Dash and night fighter pilot

Schnaufer's II. Gruppe, without having scored any victories while stationed at Sint-Truiden so far, was transferred to Koksijde Air Base on 8 February 1942. The objective of this assignment was to give the German capital ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen fighter protection in the breakout from Brest to Germany. The operation by the Kriegsmarine (War Navy) was codenamed Operation Cerberus (Channel Dash; 11–13 February 1942) by the Germans. In support of this, the Luftwaffe under the leadership of General der Jagdflieger (General of the Fighter Force) Adolf Galland, formulated an air superiority plan dubbed Operation Donnerkeil for the protection of the three German capital ships. II./NJG 1 was briefed of these plans on the early morning on 12 February. The plan called for protection of the German ships at all costs. The crews were told that if they ran out of ammunition they must ram the enemy aircraft. To the relief of the night fighters they were assigned to the first-line reserves.[14] The operation, which surprised the British, was successful and the night fighters were kept in their reserve role. On the evening of 12 February II./NJG 1 was relocated to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. On the afternoon of 13 February Schnaufer flew a reconnaissance mission over the Zuiderzee and the North Sea and relocated to Westerland on the island of Sylt. They then relocated again to Aalborg-West in Denmark from where they made a low-level flight in close formation over the Skaggerak landing at Stavanger-Sola. The following days they operated from the airfield at Forus making a short term landing Bergen-Herdla. In total Schnaufer made two operational flights without contact with the enemy. Following this assignment they returned to 5. Staffel's new base in Germany at Bonn-Hangelar via Oslo-Gardermoen, Aalborg, and Lüneburg.[15]

Radio control center for night fighters, Jägerleitoffiziere and assistants plotting courses and directing the airborne fighters.

Following the analysis of the Butt Report a number of decisions had been taken in February 1942 by the British High Command which changed the nature of the bomber war against Germany. On 14 February Air Chief Marshal Norman Bottomley issued the "Area Bombing Directive", which lifted the restrictions placed on the bombers in 1941. Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris, commonly known as "Bomber" Harris, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command. These decision coupled with the introduction of Gee, a radio navigation system which enabled better target-finding and bombing accuracy, led to the first Allied 1,000 bomber raid. In Operation Millennium, the RAF targeted and bombed Cologne on the night of 30/31 May 1942.[16] Schnaufer did not participate in the missions in defence of Cologne. The Himmelbett procedure had limitations in the number of aircraft which can be controlled. Therefore only the most experienced crews were deployed and Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer, who had yet to achieve their first aerial victory, were bypassed.[17] Prior to Operation Millennium, Schnaufer had been appointed Technischer Offizier (TO—Technical Officer) on 10 April 1942 and was located at Sint-Truiden again. As a Technical Officer, Schnaufer was responsible for the supervision of all technical aspects such as routine maintenance, servicing and modifications of the Gruppe. In this role he was no longer a member of the 5. Staffel but was then a member of the Stab (staff) of II./NJG 1.[18]

Schnaufer claimed his first aerial victory on their thirteenth combat mission flown one day after the attack on Cologne on the night 1/2 June 1942. Nominally this was the RAF's second 1,000 bomber raid against Germany, although the attacking force numbered 956 aircraft.[19] Schnaufer shot down a Handley Page Halifax south of Louvain in Belgium.[20] The aircraft probably was a Halifax from No. 76 Squadron piloted by Sergeant Thomas Robert Augustus West which was shot down at 01:55 on 2 June 1942 and crashed at Grez-Doiceau, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Louvain. West and another member of the crew were killed. This victory was achieved by ground-controlled interception of the Kammhuber Line. Once near to the target, Rumpelhardt had visually found the bomber and directed Schnaufer into attack position from below and astern. The Halifax went into flames after two firing passes. During this mission the Himmebett flight officer vectored them to a second bomber, a Bristol Blenheim. The attack had to be aborted after Hauptmann (Captain) Walter Ehle shot down the bomber from a more favourable attack position. Shortly before 03:00, they were then flying in the vicinity of Ghent, they spotted another target. Schnaufer made two unsuccessful attacks.[21] During their third attack, which closed the distance to 20 metres (66 ft), they were hit by the defensive gunfire. Schnaufer was hit in his left calf, the port engine was burning, the rudder control cables were severed, and an electrical short circuit caused the headlights to be permanently on. Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer considered baling out but decided to make an attempt for their home airfield after they managed to put out the flames and restart the engine. While Rumpelhardt made radio contact with the Sint-Truiden airbase, Schnaufer landed the aircraft without rudder control and on ailerons and engine-power alone.[22] This was the only time that their aircraft sustained damage in combat or any member of the crew was wounded. Both Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer were awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class ([Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) for their first aerial victory. Schnaufer, who had hoped that the bullet lodged in his calf would isolate itself so that he could stay on active duty, had to be admitted to a hospital in Brussels from 8–25 June. Rumpelhardt was given home leave until 26 June while Schnaufer was in the hospital.[23]

Lichtenstein cathode-ray tubes:
(left tube) indicated other aircraft ahead as bumbs.
(centre tube) indicated range to a specific target and whether they were higher or lower.
(right tube) indicated whether the target was to left or right.[24]

Schnaufer had to wait two months to achieve another victory, claiming the destruction of two Vickers Wellingtons and one Armstrong Whitworth Whitley within the space of 62 minutes in the early hours of the 1 August.[25] Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer flew their first combat mission with the Lichtenstein radar on the night 5/6 August 1942. Though they managed to make contact with an enemy aircraft they failed to shoot it down.[26] On the night of the 24/25 August 1942, Schnaufer became an ace (his fifth aerial victory), when he filed a claim for another Wellington. This was the first time Rumpelhardt had guided him into contact using the Lichtenstein airborne radar.[24] His next claim was made on the night of 28/29 August.[27] This was probably a No. 78 Squadron Halifax II W7809, piloted by Sergeant John A B Marshall of the Royal Australian Air Force, on a secondary attack against Saarbrücken. The primary attack force was targeting Nuremberg that night.[28] On the night of the 21/22 December 1942, Schnaufer shot down an Avro Lancaster; his first victory against this type. It was Schnaufer's seventh victory.[29] Schnaufer may also have been responsible for the destruction of another Lancaster that night. Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer had attacked a Lancaster and observed it catching fire followed by the aircraft plunging earthwards. Hauptmann Wilhelm Herget from I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (I./NJG 4—1st group of the 4th Night Fighter Wing) had also attacked a four-engined bomber in the same vicinity. The draw decided in favour of Herget who was given credit for the destruction of the Lancaster.[30]

Rumpelhardt is absent

By the end of 1942, Schnaufer's total stood at seven, with three victories recorded on the night of 1 August, which had earned him the Iron Cross 1st Class ([Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) in early September 1942. From the 29 November to 16 December 1942 Rumpelhardt was confined to the hospital bed with high fever.[31] Rumpelhard then attended various officer training courses from February to October 1943. During these eight months Schnaufer claimed 21 further aerial victories in the time frame 14 May to 3 October 1943; 12 of which with Leutnant Dr. Leo Baro, five with Oberfeldwebel Erich Handke, two with Oberleutnant Freymann and two with Unteroffizier Heinz Bärwolf as his radio operator.[32] Unteroffizier Heinz Wenning had also flown with Schnaufer on three flight's while Rumpelhardt was out ill.[33]

The II./NJG 1 saw little action in the first few months of 1943 and Schnaufer did not claim his next aerial victory until 14 May 1943. The II./NJG 1 Himmelbett control areas where located to catch the bombers heading for the Ruhr Area. Bomber Command had only made ten major attacks in that direction from January to April 1943. Consequently II./NJG 1 claimed no victories in January, two in February, one in March and three in April.[34] Schnaufer's number of aerial victories increased again during the Battle of the Ruhr. Schnaufer, with Baro as his radio operator, shot down a No. 214 Squadron Short Stirling R9242 at 02:14 on 14 May 1943 on an attack mission against Bochum. Four members of the crew, including pilot Sergeant R M Gibney, lost their lives. His next victory on the same mission at 03:07, his 9th overall, was a No. 98 Squadron Halifax JB873 returning from Bochum. The captain, Sergeant G Dane and 2nd pilot Sergeant J H Body were killed in the crash.[35] On the night of 29/30 May Bomber Command attacked Wuppertal. Schnaufer and Baro took off on the First Wave at 23:51 on 29 May and returned at 02:31 on the 30 May. They shot down two Stirlings, one at 00:48 and the other at 02:22, and one Halifax at 01:43.[36]

In June 1943 Schnaufer filed claims for a further five aerial victories. Schanufer and Baro were scrambled on 11/12 June in Bomber Commands attack on Düsseldorf and on 16/17 June in defence of Cologne. However in both missions they failed to make contact with the enemy. Their next success came when they shot down a Stirling on 22 June 1943 at 01:33 from No. 218 Squadron.[37] With Baro on the radio and radar, they managed another victory over a Wellington on 25 June 1943 at 02:58. On 29 June 1943 the two shot down three bombers in another attack on Cologne, a Lancaster and two Halifax bombers at 01:25, 01:45 and 01:55 respectively.[35] This brought the number of aerial victories he was credited with up to 17. Schnaufer was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 July 1943.[38] He had been eligible for this promotion since April 1943, why he was overlooked at the time remains unknown.[39]

Schnaufer claimed his last two aerial victories with Baro operating the radio on the night of 3/4 July, Bomber Command had again targeted Cologne. Their victims were a No. 196 Squadron Wellington shot down at 00:48 and a No. 149 Squadron Stirling at 02:33, bringing his total to 19 victories.[40] Following Baro as his radio operator was Oberleutnant Freymann, the signals operator of II. Gruppe. Under Himmelbett control they shot down a No. 49 Squadron Lancaster, on another Cologne bombing mission, on 9 July 1943 at 02:33.[41] He was awarded the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe ([Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) on 26 July 1943.[42]

A Lancaster dropping Window

In mid-July the Battle of the Ruhr was coming to an end and Bomber Command refocused its efforts on the port city of Hamburg in northern Germany. The codename for the attack was Operation Gomorrah; the objective was the destruction of Hamburg. The operations began on 24 July 1943 and during four major night-attacks by the RAF and two minor day-attacks by United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) between 40,000 and 50,000 civilians were killed. To counter the mounting success of the German night fighter force, which was directly attributed to the introduction of the Lichtenstein radar, the RAF introduced Window (Chaff or Düppel to the Germans). Window was a radar countermeasure in which aircraft spread a cloud of small, thin pieces of aluminium which effectively made it impossible for the German radar operator to identify the genuine target.[43] Saturation of the Himmelbett control areas by a bomber stream and the introduction of Window practically made the previous Himmelbett procedure obsolete. This was also evident to the German high command. To counter these British measures two new strategies were pursued, Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) and Zahme Sau (Tame Boar). Wilde Sau, conceived by Hans-Joachim Herrmann, was a technique by which the RAF bombers were mainly engaged by single-seat fighter planes, illuminated by searchlights, over the target area. The Zahme Sau procedure, proposed by Viktor von Loßberg, called for a night fighter to infiltrate the bomber stream. The position, altitude, and general direction was then broadcast. The information was received by other night fighters, who navigated to the bomber stream by themselves.[44] In Zahme Sau, the German night fighters were tracked and radio-controlled by means of Y-Verfahren (Y-Control).[45] Schnaufer did not make any claims during the Operation Gomorrha. Their next success came when he and Freymann shot down a Lancaster on 10/11 August 1943 at 00:32. The target that night was Nuremberg and it was the first aerial victory of the entire German night fighter force achieved by Y-Control. This was also the last victory with Freymann as Schnaufer's radio operator and the last as a member of II. Gruppe.[46]

Squadron leader of the 12./NJG 1

Schnaufer was transferred to IV Gruppe of NJG 1 (IV./NJG 1—4th group of the 1st Night Fighter Wing), based in the Netherlands at Leeuwarden Air Base, where he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 12. Staffel (12./NJG 1—12th squadron of 1st Night Fighter Wing) on 13 August 1943. He took over command from Oberleutnant Eberhard Gardiewski, who had been taken prisoner of war following combat with United States Army Air Forces B-17 Flying Fortress over the North Sea on a daylight mission. Gardiewski was shot down and rescued by the RAF air-sea rescue. IV./NJG 1 at the time was under the leadership of Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Jabs. Jabs' first impression of Schnaufer was not entirely favourable. Shortly after Schnaufer's arrival, on one of his first missions in Leeuwarden, Schnaufer had taken right of way during taxiing. This forced Jabs into second place in order of takeoff.[47]

Schnaufer, who had received the German Cross in Gold ([Deutsches Kreuz in Gold] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) on 16 August 1943, flew his first operational mission with 12./NJG 1 on the night of 17/18 August 1943.[42] Although uncertain, it is assumed that Handke was Schnaufer's radio and radar operator on this mission. Bomber Command had targeted Peenemünde and the V-weapons test centre that night. Schnaufer, who had been tasked with leading one of the first Zahme Sau missions under Y-Control, had to abort the mission early due to engine trouble.[48][Note 7]

Rear view of a Me 110 cockpit with MG FF/M Schräge Musik.

Around mid-September 1943 the two man Bf 110 crew was augmented by a third member, sometimes referred to as Bordmechaniker (air mechanic) or Bordschütze (air gunner). The reason for this was that the decline of the Himmelbett procedure, the introduction of the broadcast procedures Wilde Sau and Zahme Sau, and the growing threat of RAF intruder night fighter operations, had necessitated the need for another pair of watchful eyes to the rear. Unteroffizier Wilhelm Gänsler, who had already contributed to 17 claims made by Hauptmann Ludwig Becker, was Schnaufer's new lookout.[50] With Handtke and Gänsler as his crew, Schnaufer claimed his 26th aerial victory on 23 September 1943 over a No. 218 Squadron during a Wilde Sau intercept mission.[51]

In the second half of 1943 Schnaufer and his crew began experimenting with upward-firing autocannons, dubbed Schräge Musik. This allowed the night fighter to approach and attack the bombers from below—outside the bomber crew's usual field of view. An attack by a Schräge Musik-equipped night fighter typically came as a complete surprise to the bomber crew, who only realized a night fighter was close by when they came under fire. It is not exactly known when Schnaufer's Bf 110 was equipped with Schräge Musik. Rumpelhardt stated that the weapons system was installed prior to his return from officer training.[52] It is also not exactly known how many of his victories had been claimed using the upwards firing canons. According to Fritz Engau, who had known Schnaufer since Flugzeugführerschule C 3, 20 to 30 of Schnaufer's aerial victories had been claimed using upwards firing guns.[53]

Rumpelhardt had returned from his officer training courses in early October 1943 and rejoined Schnaufer's crew. Gänsler, Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer claimed two aerial victories on 9 October for aerial victories 29 and 30.[54] Oberleutnant Schnaufer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ([Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) for 42 victories on 31 December 1943. The presentation was made by Generalmajor (Major General) Joseph Schmid, commanding general of the I. Jagdkorps (1st Fighter Corps), on 3 January 1944.[55]

On the night before his 22nd birthday on 15 February 1944, Schnaufer and his crew claimed aerial victories 45 to 47. Bomber Command had sent 561 Lancasters and 314 Halifax four-engined bombers, supported by Mosquitoes night-fighters and bombers, destined for Berlin.[56] Schnaufer, who had been suffering from stomach pains all day, and his crew returned to Leeuwarden at 00:14. Rumpelhardt had been the first to congratulate him on his birthday over the intercom. Their fellow airmen had prepared a birthday celebration.[57] The stomach pains had become unbearable and Schnaufer was taken to a hospital with appendicitis. He stayed in the hospital for about two weeks before, together with Rumpelhardt, went on vacation back home. Carelessly lifting his suitcase, the stitches burst, mandating further hospitalisation. He flew his first mission after these events on 19 March 1944.[58]

Group commander of the IV./NJG 1

Six men all wearing military uniforms and decorations standing in row. The third man from the far right is shaking hands with another man.
Friedrich Lang, Erich Hartmann and Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer receive the Oak Leaves with Swords, Horst Kaubisch, Eduard Skrzipek and Adolf Glunz the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross from Adolf Hitler

Schnaufer was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) IV./NJG 1 on 1 March 1944, taking over command of the Gruppe from Jabs who was given command of NJG 1.[59] Schnaufer was promoted to Hauptmann on 1 May 1944.[60] He claimed five enemy aircraft on the night of 24/25 May. Hauptmann Schnaufer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ([Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) on 24 June for 84 victories and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords ([Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) on 30 July, with his total at 89.

In September 1944, IV./NJG 1 retreated into Germany, Schnaufer achieved his 100th victory on 9 October 1944. He was awarded the Brillanten personally by Adolf Hitler.

Geschwaderkommodore of Nachjagdgeschwader 4

Schnaufer was then appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (NJG 4—4th Night Fighter Wing) on 20 November 1944; the youngest Geschwaderkommodore in the Luftwaffe at 22. The Geschawaderstab as well as the II. Gruppe were stationed at Gütersloh. He flew his first combat mission as Geschwaderkommodore on the 22 November 1944 from Gütterloh and claimed two victores in the area of Dortmund. Schnaufer and his crew flew from Gütersloh to Berlin-Staaken on 27 November 1944 for the official presentation of the Diamonds to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords by Hitler.[61] Following the official photo session by Hitler's photographer Heinrich Hoffmann, Schnaufer met with Oberst (Colonel) Nicolaus von Below, Hitler's Luftwaffe adjutant, at the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Ministry of Aviation). Here Schnaufer and his crew were filmed for the German newsreels Die Deutsche Wochenschau. Three days later they returned to Gütersloh.[62]

At the end of the year, his victory total stood at 106.

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force pose with Schnaufer's Bf 110G-4 (G9+BA) at Schleswig, Germany, shortly after the end of the war (19 June 1945)

Schnaufer was ordered to Carinhall, the residence of the Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, on 8 February 1945. Göring informed him about the intent to appoint him as Inspekteur der Nachtjäger (Inspector of the night fighter force), a role held by Oberst Werner Streib at the time. Schnaufer pushed back, not wanting to push out his friend and mentor from this position. He argued that he would better serve the German cause in an enemy facing position. Göring was convinced and Schnaufer remained in his position as Geschwaderkommodore.[63]

The British propaganda radio station Soldatensender Calais (Soldiers' Radio Calais) congratulated Schnaufer on account of his 23rd birthday on 16 February 1945. The radio station explicitly addressed the soldiers of NJG 4 stationed in Gütersloh followed by the song "Das Nachtgespenst" [The Bogeyman] praising him for the honorary title given to him by the British bomber crews "The spook of St. Trond".[63]

Schnaufer's greatest one-night success came on 21 February 1945, when he claimed nine Lancaster heavy bombers in the course of one day. Two were claimed in the early hours of the morning and a further seven, in just 19 minutes, in the evening between 20:44 and 21:03.[64] On 7/8 March, he claimed three RAF four-engine bombers as his last victories of the war. He was then banned from further combat flying and was tasked with evaluating the then new Dornier Do 335, a twin-engine heavy fighter with a unique "push-pull" layout, for its suitability as night fighter. Disobeying his ban from combat flying, he flew his last mission of the war on 9 April 1945. Attempting to chase a Lancaster he took off from Faßberg Air Base at 22:00 and landed after 79 minutes at 23:19 without success.[65]

Schnaufer flew variants of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 exclusively.

Prisoner of war

Schnaufer was taken prisoner of war by the British Army in Schleswig-Holstein in May 1945. According to Schumann he was taken to England for interrogation. In this account British authorities were especially interested in knowing whether his achievements had been made under the influence of methamphetamine or other stimulating psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical functions or both. He was released later that year in November following a Diphtheria illness.[66]

According to Hinchliffe this is an incorrect statement. Hinchliffe based his account on Rumpelhardt's testimony who claims that Schnaufer was never taken to England. Rumpelhardt was released on 4 August 1945 and soon after Schnaufer was admitted to a hospital in Flensburg, ill with a combination of Diphtheria and scarlet fever.[67] Interrogation had begun in late May 1945 by a team of twelve officers from the Department of Air Technical Intelligence (DAT), led by Air commodore Roderick Aeneas Chisholm.[68] The German prisoners were brought to Eggebek. Here they conducted a number of interviews with various members of the night fighter force.[69]

Later life and death

Following his release from the hospital and as a prisoner of war—the exact date is unknown—Schnaufer took over the family wine business. He had never planned to run the family winery as his ambition had always been to pursue an officer's career in the Luftwaffe. However, in the immediate aftermath of World War 2 the business had virtually ceased to exist and Schnaufer was tasked with rebuilding it from scratch. He had to re-establish business links to suppliers and customers and to consolidate them. Then he had to expand and grow the business by making new contacts. Lastly, he had to create an infrastructure which supported the growth of the business.[70]

"Quality before Quantity."[71]

Heinz Schnaufer's business motto

As the wine business began to prosper, Schnaufer also gave thought to alternative employment possibilities[71] in peacetime aviation. With his wartime friend Hermann Greiner, he traveled from Weil am Rhein to Bern in Switzerland to meet South American diplomats; the two hoped to find employment as pilots in South America. To get to Bern, they crossed the Swiss-German border illegally.[72] The meeting was a failure. As they returned to Germany, they were caught by Swiss border guards attempting to make a second illegal border crossing. The Swiss handed them over to the French occupation authorities and they were imprisoned in Lörrach, where they remained until Schnaufer managed to make contact to a French general, who was a customer of the Schnaufer winery and had them released. This misadventure kept him away from his business for about half a year.[73]

One of the tail fins of Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer's Bf 110. It displays all of his 121 victories,Imperial War Museum (2010)

In July 1950, Schnaufer was on a wine buying visit to France. On the afternoon of the 13 July, he was heading south on the Route Nationale No. 10 in his Mercedes-Benz 170.[Note 8] Just south of Bordeaux, at about 18:30, he was involved in an collision with a Renault 22 truck.[Note 9] The collision ruptured the fuel tank of the Mercedes and ignited the petrol. Witnesses to the accident quickly put out the flames. Alice Ducourneau gave first aid to Schnaufer, who was bleeding from a wound from the back of his head. The police appeared at the scene of the accident at about 19:30 followed by an ambulance shortly after. Suffering a fractured skull, he was then immediately taken to the Saint-André Hôpital in Bordeaux.[3]

Schnaufer never regained consciousness and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital two days later on 15 July 1950. The investigation into the accident concluded that though the impact of the two vehicles was severe, it seemed unlikely that the collision itself was the cause of his injuries. It was speculated that at least one of the truck's cargo of 30 empty gas cylinders, which were thrown off by the collision, had struck Schnaufer on the head.[3] Subsequently the truck driver was charged with manslaughter and breach of traffic regulations before a court at Jauge, Cestas. The hearing began on 29 July 1950 and concluded with his conviction on 16 November 1950. Gasc was found guilty of not yielding the right of way, and his speed was considered too high. It was ruled that as a consequence of not observing the law, he involuntarily caused the death of Schnaufer.[74]

Schnaufer's Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4/U 8 was brought to England after the war. The aircraft was displayed in the London Hyde Park.[75] The port-side vertical stabiliser of this twin tailed aircraft, tallying all his victories, is preserved at the Imperial War Museum in London.[76] A fin from another Bf 110 flown by Schnaufer is at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The street "Heinz-Schnaufer-Straße" in Calw was named after him.[77]

Aerial victory credits

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was the top-scoring night fighter pilot of World War II. He was credited with 121 aerial victories claimed in just 164 combat missions. His victory total includes 114 RAF four-engine bombers; arguably accounting for more RAF casualties than any other Luftwaffe fighter pilot and becoming the third highest Luftwaffe claimant against the Western Allied Air Forces. His flight book indicated 2,300 takeoffs and 1,133 flying hours.[75]

  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Schnaufer 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 along with the + (plus) indicates almost certain identification.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates probable identification.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates possible identification.

Chronicle of aerial victories[78]
Victory Date Time Type Location Unit Serial No./Squadron No.
– II. Gruppe/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –
1 2 June 1942 01:55 Halifax II Grez-Doiceau, 15 km (9.3 mi) S of Louvain, Belgium No. 76 Squadron W1064/MP-J*
2 1 August 1942 02:47 Wellington IC 1 km (0.62 mi) SW Loon op Zand, Netherlands 25 Operational Training Unit DV439/-H*
3 1 August 1942 03:17 Wellington IC Huldenberg, Belgium 27 Operational Training Unit DV552/UJ-N+
4 1 August 1942 03:45 Whitley V Gilly, Charleroi, Belgium 24 Operational Training Unit BD347*
5 25 August 1942 02:54 Wellington III Near Loonbeek, Belgium No. 150 Squadron BJ651/JN-M*
6 29 August 1942 01:16 Halifax II Tombeek, 16 km (9.9 mi) SE of Brussels, Belgium No. 78 Squadron W7809/EJ*
7 21 December 1942 23:53 Lancaster I Poelkapelle, Belgium No. 106 Squadron R5914/ZN-+
8 14 May 1943 02:14 Stirling I Heerlen, Netherlands No. 214 Squadron R9242/BU-O*
9 14 May 1943 03:07 Halifax II Near Blanden, Belgium No. 78 Squadron JB873/EY-J+
10 30 May 1943 00:48 Stirling III S of Baelen, Belgium No. 218 Squadron BF565/HA-H+
11 30 May 1943 01:43 Halifax II Budingen, 7 km (4.3 mi) NW of Sint-Truiden, Belgium No. 35 Squadron DT804/TL-C+
12 30 May 1943 02:22 Stirling III Schaffen Air Base, 22 km (14 mi) N of Sint-Truiden, Belgium No. 218 Squadron BK688/HA-A+
13 22 June 1943 01:33 Stirling III Langdorp, Belgium No. 218 Squadron BK712/HA-D+
14 25 June 1943 02:58 Wellington Hamme-Mille, S of Louvain, Belgium
15 29 June 1943 01:25 Lancaster III Solwaster, SE of Verviers, Belgium No. 97 Squadron LM323/OF-U+
16 29 June 1943 01:45 Halifax V Wandre, NE of Liège, Belgium No. 76 Squadron DK137/NP-R+
17 29 June 1943 01:55 Halifax II Near Vottem, N of Liège, Belgium No. 35 Squadron HR812/TL-F+
18 4 July 1943 00:48 Wellington X Averbode, 7 km (4.3 mi) NW of Diest, Belgium No. 196 Squadron HE980ZO-+
19 4 July 1943 01:01 Stirling III Near Geetbets, 9 km (5.6 mi) NW of Sint-Truiden, Belgium No. 149 Squadron BF530/OJ-B+
20 9 July 1943 02:33 Lancaster III Near Grobbendonk, 23 km (14 mi) ESE of Antwerp, Belgium No. 49 Squadron ED663/EA-+
21 11 August 1943 00:32 Lancaster Hähnlein, 25 km (16 mi) SSW of Darmstadt, Germany
– 12. Staffel/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –
22 28 August 1943 03:59 Halifax II Jemeppe-sur-Sambre, 15 km (9.3 mi) W of Namur, Belgium No. 102 Squadron JB835/DY-X+
23 31 August 1943 22:41 Halifax II 2 km (1.2 mi) SE Kuinre, Zuider Zee No. 35 Squadron HR878/TL-J+
24 31 August 1943 03:53 Wellington X Near Lozen, N of Bree, Belgium No. 166 Squadron HE988/AS-U*
25 24 August 1943 00:09 Halifax II Near Eschede, 20 km (12 mi) NNE of Celle, Germany No. 77 Squadron JD379/KN-M*
26 23 September 1943 23:00 Stirling III 5 km (3.1 mi) S Kirchheimbolanden, Germany No. 218 Squadron EJ104/HA-G+
27 27 September 1943 23:31 Halifax Near Stemmen, W of Stadthagen, Germany
28 3 October 1943 21:50 Halifax II Near Lande, 8 km (5.0 mi) N of Minden, Germany No. 51 Squadron HR728/LK-D?
29 9 October 1943 01:13 Halifax II Near Schwaförden, 9 km (5.6 mi) N of Sulingen, Germany No. 158 Squadron HR945/NP-Y*
30 9 October 1943 01:42 Four-engined bomber Near Holtensen, SW of Hanover, Germany
31 18 October 1943 20:25 Lancaster III Near Negenborn, NNW of Hanover, Germany No. 101 Squadron DV230/SR-T*
32 20 October 1943 19:13 Lancaster III Near Gieten, E of Assen, Netherlands No. 7 Squadron JB175/MG-A+
33 20 October 1943 19:25 Lancaster III Near Harrenstätte, NW of Werlte, Germany No. 405 Squadron JB348/LQ-R+
34 22 October 1943 21:40 Lancaster III Near Dransfeld, Hanover, Germany No. 57 Squadron JB320/DX-X*
35 23 November 1943 18:50 Lancaster III 2 km (1.2 mi) NW Ter Apel, near Emmen, Netherlands No. 405 Squadron JA939/LQ-C+
36 23 November 1943 19:00 Lancaster III Lorup, NNW Cloppenburg, Germany No. 12 Squadron JB537/PH-N?
37 16 December 1943 18:01 Lancaster III Near Follega, Netherlands No. 7 Squadron JA853/MG-L+
38 16 December 1943 18:12 Lancaster I Near Lemmer, Netherlands No. 101 Squadron DV300/SR-W+
39 16 December 1943 18:23 Lancaster III SW Wolvega, Netherlands No. 49 Squadron JB545/EA-O+
40 16 December 1943 18:41 Lancaster II 2 km (1.2 mi) SW Wirdum, Netherlands No. 432 Squadron DS831/QO-N+
41 29 December 1943 18:50 Halifax II 5 km (3.1 mi) NE Meppel, Netherlands No. 10 Squadron JD314/ZA-X+
42 29 December 1943 19:45 Lancaster II Near Wietmarschen, W of Lingen, Germany No. 408 Squadron DS718/EQ-R+
43 27 January 1944 19:45 Lancaster III Near Essen, 4 km (2.5 mi) NW of Quakenbrück, Germany No. 12 Squadron JB283/PH-W?
44 30 January 1944 22:15 Lancaster In GK5, W of Amsterdam, Houtrakpolder, Netherlands No. 97 Squadron JB659/OF-J?[79]
45 15 February 1944 22:58 Lancaster III In the sea, DJ93 No. 103 Squadron ND363/PM-A+
46 15 February 1944 23:19 Lancaster II Near Hoorn, Netherlands No. 115 Squadron LL689/KO-P+[80]
47 15 February 1944 23:33 Lancaster I EL78 in the Wattenmeer, Netherlands No. 622 Squadron W4272/GJ-C+
48 22 March 1944 23:10 Lancaster III Halle, near Lembeck, 18 km (11 mi) S of Brussels, Belgium No. 9 Squadron LM430/WS-B+
49 25 March 1944 00:12 Four-engined bomber E of Dortmund, Germany
50 25 March 1944 00:21 Lancaster I Neuwarendorf, E of Münster, Germany No. 626 Squadron HK539/UM-A2*
51 25 March 1944 00:41 Four-engined bomber Near Varsseveld, Netherlands, NE Emmerich, Germany
– IV. Gruppe/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –
52 11 April 1944 23:15 Lancaster III Near Beerse, 6 km (3.7 mi) W of Turnhout, Belgium No. 83 Squadron ND389/OL-A+
53 11 April 1944 23:25 Lancaster I 2 km (1.2 mi) N Sint-Lenaarts, Belgium No. 49 Squadron LL899/EA-P+
54 25 April 1944 02:03 Lancaster I Near Alken, Belgium No. 115 Squadron HK542/KO-J*
55 25 April 1944 02:28 Lancaster II 3 km (1.9 mi) N Mechelen, Belgium No. 115 Squadron DS734/KO-Y+
56 25 April 1944 02:30 Halifax III 1 km (0.62 mi) W of Haasdonk, Belgium No. 192 Squadron LW622/DT-R*
57 25 April 1944 02:40 Halifax In the sea at LG 35
58 27 April 1944 02:05 Lancaster III 1 km (0.62 mi) S Achtmaal, Netherlands No. 156 Squadron JB307/GT-H+
59 27 April 1944 02:18 Lancaster II Over the sea, LG 38 No. 408 Squadron DS719/LQ-U*
60 28 April 1944 01:30 Halifax V 8 km (5.0 mi) N Aubel, Belgium, 15 km (9.3 mi) SW of Aachen, Germany No. 434 Squadron LL258/WL-W+
61 28 April 1944 01:40 Halifax III Verviers, Belgium No. 432 Squadron MZ588/QO-W+
62 9 May 1944 03:34 Halifax III Near Grand-Reng, 30 km (19 mi) SW of Charleroi, Belgium No. 432 Squadron LW594/QO-G+
63 13 May 1944 00:44 Halifax III Londerzeel, 8 km (5.0 mi) W of Mechelen, Belgium No. 426 Squadron LK883/OW-E*
64 13 May 1944 00:46 Halifax III 5 km (3.1 mi) ENE Hasselt, Belgium No. 158 Squadron HX334/NP-C?
65 13 May 1944 00:48 Halifax III Hoogstraten, 16 km (9.9 mi) NW of Turnhout, Belgium No. 466 Squadron LV919/HD-O+
66 22 May 1944 01:34 Lancaster 3 km (1.9 mi) S of Mol, Belgium
67 22 May 1944 01:51 Lancaster 10 km (6.2 mi) S of Herentals, Belgium No. 550 Squadron DV309/BQ-S+[81]
68 23 May 1944 01:23 Lancaster I Near Neerpelt, Belgium No. 75 Squadron ME690/AA-Z+
69 23 May 1944 01:36 Lancaster I Near Brecht, 22 km (14 mi) NE of Antwerp, Belgium No. 100 Squadron ME670/HW-Q*
70♠ 25 May 1944 01:15 Halifax III 3 km (1.9 mi) NW of Eindhoven, Netherlands No. 51 Squadron LK885/MH-Z+
71♠ 25 May 1944 01:18 Halifax III 2 km (1.2 mi) NNW of Tilburg, Netherlands No. 158 Squadron LW653/NP-T?
72♠ 25 May 1944 01:22 Halifax III 1.5 km (0.93 mi) W Goirle, SSW of Tilburg, Netherlands No. 76 Squadron MZ622/MP-L*
73♠ 25 May 1944 01:25 Halifax III Between Dongen and Tilburg, Netherlands No. 429 Squadron LW124/AL-N?
74♠ 25 May 1944 01:29 Lancaster 7 km (4.3 mi) SW of Tilburg, Netherlands
75 13 June 1944 00:27 Lancaster II Avesnes-les-Auvert, E of Cambrai, France No. 408 Squadron DS772/EQ-T+
76 13 June 1944 00:31 Lancaster II Cambrai airfield No. 408 Squadron DS726/EQ-Y*
77 13 June 1944 00:34 Lancaster II Tilloy, N of Cambrai, France No. 408 Squadron DS688/EQ-R+
78 16 June 1944 01:00 Lancaster N of Arras, France
79 17 June 1944 01:54 Four-engined bomber Dreumel, N of s'Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
80 17 June 1944 02:04 Halifax III Berkel, Netherlands No. 77 Squadron NA524/KN-F+
81 22 June 1944 01:25 Lancaster III Valkenswaard, Netherlands No. 44 Squadron LM582/KM-Q*
82 22 June 1944 01:30 Lancaster I 2 km (1.2 mi) S of Meeuwen, Belgium No. 207 Squadron ME683/EM-W*
83 22 June 1944 01:36 Lancaster III 5 km (3.1 mi) S of Opoeteren, Belgium No. 44 Squadron LM434/KM-F?
84 22 June 1944 02:05 Lancaster I 6 km (3.7 mi) S of Hamont, Belgium No. 630 Squadron ME843/LE-U*
85 21 July 1944 01:40 Lancaster I 1.5 km (0.93 mi) N of Boxtel, Netherlands No. 90 Squadron LM183/WP-L?
86 21 July 1944 01:51 Four-engined bomber 8 km (5.0 mi) N of Breda, Netherlands
87 29 July 1944 01:38 Lancaster I Pforzheim, Germany No. 467 Squadron ME856/PO-T?
88 29 July 1944 01:50 Four-engined bomber Eutingen, near Pforzheim, Germany
89 29 July 1944 01:57 Lancaster I Malmsheim, 20 km (12 mi) W of Stuttgart, Germany No. 106 Squadron ME778/ZN-O?
90 13 August 1944 00:48 Four-engined bomber Wasserliesch, Germany
91 13 August 1944 01:09 Lancaster III Werbomont, SSE of Liège, Belgium No. 635 Squadron ND694/F2-R*
92 13 August 1944 01:15 Four-engined bomber Gouvy, 28 km (17 mi) SSW of Malmédy, Belgium
93 13 August 1944 01:19 Four-engined bomber 3 km (1.9 mi) W of Mons, near Liège, Belgium
94 12 September 1944 23:07 Four-engined bomber RQ-RP
95 23 September 1944 22:56 Four-engined bomber JP-HP
96 23 September 1944 23:10 Four-engined bomber JO
97 23 September 1944 23:15 Four-engined bomber HO-JO
98 23 September 1944 23:25 Four-engined bomber JN-HN
99 9 October 1944 20:32 Four-engined bomber S of Bochum, Germany
100 9 October 1944 20:55 Four-engined bomber JO
101 6 November 1944 20:55 Four-engined bomber KP-IP
102 6 November 1944 19:34 Four-engined bomber KP-IP
103 6 November 1944 19:41 Four-engined bomber KP-IP
– Stab/Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 –
104 21 November 1944 19:05 Four-engined bomber KP
105 21 November 1944 19:11 Four-engined bomber KP
106 12 December 1944 20:00 Four-engined bomber MO-LO
107 3 February 1945 21:09 Four-engined bomber LO
108♠ 21 February 1945 01:53 Lancaster MM-MN
109♠ 21 February 1945 01:58 Lancaster MM
110♠ 21 February 1945 20:44 Lancaster HQ-HP
111♠ 21 February 1945 20:48 Lancaster HP-HO
112♠ 21 February 1945 20:51 Lancaster HP-HO
113♠ 21 February 1945 20:55 Lancaster HP-HO
114♠ 21 February 1945 20:58 Lancaster IO-JN
115♠ 21 February 1945 21:00 Lancaster JN-KM
116♠ 21 February 1945 21:03 Lancaster KM-KL
—
[Note 10] 		21 February 1945 21:10 Lancaster I KM-KL No. 463 Squadron NG329/JO-Z*
117 3 March 1945 21:55 Lancaster HQ
118 3 March 1945 22:04 Lancaster HQ
119 7 March 1945 20:41 Lancaster LR-MR
120 7 March 1945 20:47 Lancaster LS-MS
121 7 March 1945 21:56 Lancaster GC-HC

Awards

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
10 October 1944 [Der vom Führer mit dem Eichenlaub mit Schwertern zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes ausgezeichnete Hauptmann Schnaufer, Gruppenkommandeur in einem Nachtjagdgeschwader, errang in der Nacht vom 9. zum 10. Oktober seinen 100. Nachtjagdsieg.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)[97] During the night of the 9th to the 10th October Haupmann Schnaufer, Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) in a Nachtjagdgeschwader (night fighter wing), whom the Führer has decorated with the Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, scored his 100th night aerial victory.[98]

Dates of rank

1 April 1940: Fahnenjunker[9]
1 April 1941: Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter[9]
1 July 1940: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier[9]
1 September 1940: Fähnrich[9]
1 February 1941: Oberfähnrich[9]
1 April 1941: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)[9]
1 July 1943: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant)[9]
1 May 1944: Hauptmann (Captain)[9]
1 December 1944: Major (Major)[9]

Notes

  1. ^ For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
  2. ^ In 1944, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds was second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross ([Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help)), which was awarded only to senior commanders for winning a major battle or campaign, in the military order of the Third Reich. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds as the highest military order was surpassed on 29 December 1944 by the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds ([Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help)).
  3. ^ According to Schumann his mothers first name was Elisabeth.[2]
  4. ^ Waltraut married Schanufer's adjutant, Oberleutnant Georg Fengler, on 15 April 1950.[3]
  5. ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations. For pilots destined to fly multi-engine aircraft, the training was completed with the Luftwaffe Advanced Pilot's Certificate (Erweiterter Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein), also known as C-Certificate.
  6. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  7. ^ Five Bristol Beaufighter night fighters of No. 141 Squadron, under the command of Wing Commander Bob Braham, intercepted the German flight, and Feldwebel Georg Kraft and Feldwebel Heinz Vinke were both shot down by Braham. Kraft's radio operator Unteroffizier Rudi Dunger and Vinke were the only ones to survive.[49]
  8. ^ Registration number AWW 44-3425
  9. ^ The accident occurred at the intersection of road D1, present-day D211, and the N10, present-day D1010, in Cestas (44°42′04″N 0°42′20″W / 44.70111°N 0.70556°W / 44.70111; -0.70556). The truck, driven by Jean Antoine Gasc, was carrying a six ton load of empty gas cylinders.
  10. ^ Schnaufer did not claim this aerial victory. His cannon had malfunctioned during the attack and the crew did not observe the result of the attack.[82]
  11. ^ According to Scherzer on 3 August 1944.[90]

References

Citations
  1. ^ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Schumann 2000, p. 4.
  3. ^ a b c Hinchliffe 1999, p. 268.
  4. ^ a b "Die Entwicklung bis 1945". Schnaufer—Schlossbergkellerei GmbH (in German). Retrieved 25 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Die Firmengründung im Jahr 1919". Schnaufer—Schlossbergkellerei GmbH (in German). Retrieved 19 August 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 18.
  7. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 20–21.
  8. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 21.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Schumann 2000, p. 2.
  10. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 28–30.
  11. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 38.
  12. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 32–37, 39.
  13. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 40–41.
  14. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 41–42.
  15. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 43–45.
  16. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 44–46.
  17. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 47.
  18. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 45–46.
  19. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 47–48.
  20. ^ Foreman, Matthews and Parry 2004, p. 43.
  21. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 49.
  22. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 50.
  23. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 51, 298.
  24. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 56.
  25. ^ Foreman, Matthews and Parry 2004, p. 53.
  26. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 55–56.
  27. ^ Foreman, Matthews and Parry 2004, p. 56.
  28. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 60–61.
  29. ^ Foreman, Matthews and Parry 2004, p. 63.
  30. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 64–65.
  31. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 61.
  32. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 13.
  33. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 72.
  34. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 68, 70.
  35. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 74.
  36. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 75.
  37. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 77–78.
  38. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 87.
  39. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 72–73.
  40. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 81.
  41. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 85.
  42. ^ a b Schumann 2000, p. 5.
  43. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 85–86.
  44. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 88.
  45. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 89.
  46. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 90.
  47. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 91.
  48. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 93.
  49. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 93–94.
  50. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 98–100.
  51. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 102, 299.
  52. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 105–110.
  53. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 62, 112.
  54. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 121.
  55. ^ Schumann 2000, pp. 7, 16.
  56. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 144.
  57. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 145.
  58. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 146.
  59. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 7.
  60. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 174.
  61. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 18.
  62. ^ Schumann 2000, pp. 18–21.
  63. ^ a b Schumann 2000, p. 23.
  64. ^ Foreman, Matthews and Parry 2004, p. 236.
  65. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 24.
  66. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 32.
  67. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 257.
  68. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 248.
  69. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 251.
  70. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 260.
  71. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 261.
  72. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 262.
  73. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 263.
  74. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 270.
  75. ^ a b Schumann 2000, p. 29.
  76. ^ Imperial War Museum (2011). "EPH 2961 - fin fragment from a German Messerschmitt Me 110 aircraft (flown by Major Heinz Wolfgang Schnaufer)". Imperial War Museum Collection Search. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  77. ^ Google (24 July 2013). "Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  78. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 298–302.
  79. ^ "Crew Alan Hart". Battle of Berlin — November 1943–March 1944. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  80. ^ Chorley 1992, p. 78.
  81. ^ Chorley 1992, p. 231.
  82. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 302.
  83. ^ a b c Berger 1999, p. 314.
  84. ^ a b Thomas 1998, p. 273.
  85. ^ Kurowski 2007, p. 139.
  86. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 184.
  87. ^ Patzwall and Scherzer 2001, p. 417.
  88. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 384.
  89. ^ Von Seemen 1976, p. 304.
  90. ^ a b c d Scherzer 2007, p. 675.
  91. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 84.
  92. ^ Von Seemen 1976, p. 46.
  93. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 44.
  94. ^ Von Seemen 1976, p. 17.
  95. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 38.
  96. ^ Von Seemen 1976, p. 13.
  97. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 284.
  98. ^ Kurowski 1996, p. 380.
Bibliography
  • Berger, Florian (1999). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges (in German). Vienna, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 978-3-9501307-0-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Bowman, Martin (2011). 100 Group (Bomber Support): RAF Bomber Command in World War II. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword. ISBN 1-84415-418-1.
  • Chorley, W. R. (1992). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Aircraft and crew losses, 1944. London: Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-904597-91-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtsteile (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Foreman, John; Matthews, Johannes; Parry, Simon (2004). Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945. Walton on Thames, UK: Red Kite. ISBN 978-0-9538061-4-0.
  • Fraschka, Günther (1994). Knights of the Reich. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military/Aviation History. ISBN 978-0-88740-580-8.
  • Hagen, Hans-Peter (1998). Husaren des Himmels—Berühmte deutsche Jagdflieger und die Geschichte ihrer Waffe (in German). Rastatt, Germany: Moewig. ISBN 978-3-8118-1456-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Hinchliffe, Peter (1999). Schnaufer: Ace of Diamonds. Brimscombe Port, UK: Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-1690-8.
  • Kurowski, Franz (1996). Luftwaffe Aces. Winnipeg, Canada: J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing Inc. ISBN 978-0-921991-31-1.
  • Kurowski, Franz (2007). Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer. Würzburg, Germany: Weidlich und Flechsig. ISBN 978-3-88189-736-5.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Price, Alfred (1967). "One of our planes is missing..." (a.k.a. "Schnaufer's 13th Kill"), History of the Second World War (Magazine series), Vol. 4, No. 15. London: Purnell and Sons.
  • Schaulen, Fritjof (2005). Eichenlaubträger 1940 – 1945 Zeitgeschichte in Farbe III Radusch - Zwernemann (in German). Selent, Germany: Pour le Mérite. ISBN 978-3-932381-22-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Schumann, Ralf (2000). Ritterkreuzträger Profile Nr. 1 Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer — der erfolgreichste Nachtjäger des zweiten Weltkrieges (in German). UNITEC-Medienvertrieb. ASIN B0072RS3Q2  (23 July 2013). {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Von Seemen, Gerhard (1976). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 : die Ritterkreuzträger sämtlicher Wehrmachtteile, Brillanten-, Schwerter- und Eichenlaubträger in der Reihenfolge der Verleihung : Anhang mit Verleihungsbestimmungen und weiteren Angaben (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7909-0051-4. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Scutts, Jerry (1998). German Night Fighter Aces of World War 2. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-696-5.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Thomas, Franz (1998). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2: L–Z (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2300-9. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Williamson, Gordon (2006). Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients 1941–45. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-644-7.
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Frey, Gerhard; Herrmann, Hajo (2004). Helden der Wehrmacht - Unsterbliche deutsche Soldaten (in German). München, Germany: FZ-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-924309-53-4. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Oberleutnant Wolfgang Thimmig
 Commander of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4
20 November 1944 – 8 May 1945 		Succeeded by
none

Template:KCwithOLandSW Template:KCwithOL Template:Knight's Cross recipients of NJG 1

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heinz-Wolfgang_Schnaufer&oldid=591996269"