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Dietrich Hrabak

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Dietrich Hrabak
Born(1914-12-19)19 December 1914
Großdeuben
Died15 September 1995(1995-09-15) (aged 80)
Pfaffenhofen
Allegiance Nazi Germany (to 1945)
 West Germany
Service / branch Reichsmarine (to 1935)
 Luftwaffe
 German Air Force
Years of service1934–1945
1955–1970
RankOberst (Wehrmacht)
Generalmajor (Bundeswehr)
UnitJG 138, JG 76
CommandsJG 54, JG 52
Battles / wars
See battles

World War II

AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Dietrich "Dieter" Hrabak (19 December 1914 – 15 September 1995) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II. Following the war, he became a Generalmajor (major general) in the German Air Force of West Germany. As a fighter ace, he claimed 125 enemy aircraft shot down in over 1000 combat missions. The majority of his aerial victories were claimed over the Eastern Front with 16 claims over the Western Allies.

Born in Großdeuben, Hrabak grew up in the German Empire and the Weimar Republic. Following graduation from school, he volunteered for military service in the Reichsmarine in 1934. In November 1935, he transferred to the Luftwaffe. Following flight training, he was posted to a Jagdgeschwader (fighter wing). In 1939, Hrabak was made a Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) and with Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing) participated in the Invasion of Poland and Battle of France and claimed his first aerial victory on 13 May 1940. In July 1940, JG 76 was integrated into Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing). During the Battle of Britain, Hrabak was made a Gruppenkommandeur in JG 54 and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in October 1940. In 1941, he participated in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. In November 1942, Hrabak left JG 54 and was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing). There, following his 118th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 25 November 1943. In October 1944 Hrabak, returned to JG 54, serving as its last Geschwaderkommodore until the end of the war.

Following World War II, Hrabak initially worked in the private industry. During the Wiederbewaffnung (rearmament) of West Germany, Hrabak joined the newly established German Air Force in 1955. He then went on to command the Advanced Pilot Training Center at Fürstenfeldbruck. Following further command positions, Hrabak was named NATO's Chief of Air Defense/Central Europe until becoming special manager for the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter programme. Hrabak retired in September 1970 and died on 15 September 1995.

Early life and career

[edit]

Hrabak was born on 19 December 1914 in Großdeuben, part of Böhlen, in the Kingdom of Saxony, a federated state of the German Empire, the son of a real estate developer.[1] Following his graduation from the Königin-Carola-Gymnasium, a secondary school, he volunteered for military service. On 8 April 1934, Hrabak joined the Reichsmarine,[Note 1] the German navy of the Weimar Republic and in November 1935 transferred to the newly emerging Luftwaffe (German air force) as an Oberfähnrich (officer candidate). On 1 April 1936, Hrabak was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant).[1]

Following the Anschluss, Austria's annexation into Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938, Hrabak was posted to I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 138 (JG 138—138th Fighter Wing) stationed in Wien-Aspern also referred to as the "Wiener-Jagdgruppe" ("Vienna fighter group"). There, he was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 January 1939 and was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 1. Staffel (1st squadron) of JG 138.[1] On 1 May 1939, his unit I./JG 138 was re-designated I./Jagdgeschwader 76 (I./JG 76—1st group of the 76th Fighter Wing).[2]

World War II

[edit]

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. In preparation of the invasion, I. Gruppe of JG 76 had been moved to an airfield at Stubendorf, present-day Izbicko in Poland, in mid-August 1939 and supported the German advance on the central and southern sectors of the front.[3] On 3 September, Hrabak made a forced landing behind enemy lines following combat with PZL.23 light bombers and returned to his unit the next day.[4]

On 14 September, I. Gruppe was withdrawn from combat operations and returned to its home airfield at Wien-Aspern where it arrived on 26 September.[3] On 26 October, the Gruppenstab and 1. Staffel were ordered to Frankfurt Rhein-Main where it was united again with 2. and 3. Staffel on 2 November. From Frankfurt Rhein-Main, the Gruppe flew fighter protection during the "Phoney War" for the Frankfurt, Rhine and Saar region. In April 1940, I. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Mainz-Finthen, originally named Fliegerhorst Ober-Olm. The Gruppe stayed at Ober-Olm until the Battle of France began.[5]

On 13 May 1940, he claimed his first victory, and he claimed five more victories before the Armistice of 22 June 1940. On 26 June 1940, I. Gruppe of JG 76 was moved to the airfield at Waalhaven in the Netherlands and subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing). There, the Gruppe was tasked with providing aerial protection over the Dutch coastal area. On 5 July, I./JG 76 was officially integrated into JG 54 and was renamed to II./JG 54 and 1./JG 76 became 4./JG 54.[6]

On 25 August 1940 during the Battle of Britain, Hrabak was made Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 54. In consequence, Oberleutnant Hans Philipp was given command of 4./JG 54.[7] During the Battle of Britain he added ten victories against Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters. On 21 October 1940 Hrabak was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The presentation was made by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring in his personal command train at Beauvais on 23 October.[1]

On 29 March 1941, II./JG 54 was withdrawn from the English Channel and was ordered to Graz-Thalerhof. There the various squadrons were split up with 4. Staffel being subordinated to III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) and ordered to Deta in Romania. On 6 April, 4. Staffel flew combat missions in the Invasion of Yugoslavia. The next day, the Staffel flew combat air patrols on the Hungarian-Yugoslavian border. On 9 April, II./JG 54 was united again at Kecskemét, Hungary and returned to Deta on 11 April. The Gruppe was withdrawn from this theater on 19 April and ordered to an airfield at Zemun near Belgrade.[8]

Operation Barbarossa

[edit]
A map of Eastern Europe depicting the movement of military units and formations.
Map indicating Operation Barbarossa's attack plan

Following the surrender of the Royal Yugoslav Army on 17 April 1941, JG 54 received orders on 3 May 1941 to turn over all Bf 109-Es so they could receive the new Bf 109-F variant. Transition training was completed at Airfield Stolp-Reitz in Pomerania. Following intensive training, the Geschwader was moved to airfields in Eastern Prussia. II. Gruppe under command of Hrabak was moved to Trakehnen on 20 June 1941.[9] The Wehrmacht launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, on 22 June with II. Gruppe supporting Army Group North in its strategic goal towards Leningrad.[10]

In early November, the Gruppe was withdrawn from the Eastern Front for a period of rest and replenishment where they were based at airfields in Döberitz, and later at Uetersen. On 20 January 1942, the Gruppe began relocating to the Eastern Front where they would be based at Siverskaya near Leningrad.[11] In August to early September 1941, Hrabak was on home leave. He was promoted to Major (major) on 1 October 1942.[12]

Wing commander

[edit]

On 1 November 1942, Hrabak left JG 54 and took over command of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) as Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander). At the time, JG 52 was based at Prokhladny and Gonschtakowka and operated over the front at the Terek River in the Northern Caucasus.[13] In consequence, command of II. Gruppe of JG 54 was given to Major Hans Hahn.[14] Under Hrabak's leadership, JG 52 claimed its 10,000th aerial victory on 2 September 1944.[15]

On 23 November, the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of JG 52 began its retreat from the Caucasus region and moved to Maykop. There, Hrabak claimed his first aerial victory as Geschwaderkommodore on 13 December over a Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber. While the Battle of Stalingrad was coming to end, Hrabak and the Geschwaderstab were ordered to Rostov-on-Don on 20 January 1943 to organize fighter protection over the retreating Army Group A.[13]

Hrabak was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 July 1943.[16] On 2 August, Hrabak claimed his 100th victory. He was the 48th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[17] On 25 November 1943, Hrabak was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). He was the 337th member of the German armed forces to be so honored and at the time was credited with 118 aerial victories. The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair, Hitler's headquarters in Rastenburg, present-day Kętrzyn in Poland, on 9 December. Also presented with awards that day by Hitler were Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel, who received the Swords to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. Rudel's air gunner and radio operator Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant) Erwin Hentschel was honored with the Knight's Cross.[16]

On 20 September 1944, Hrabak scored the last of his 125 victories. In October 1944 Hrabak returned to JG 54, serving as its last Geschwaderkommodore until the end of the war. His greatest contribution to the Luftwaffe was not his combat record however but his command, tactical and leadership qualities, which endeared him to the men under his command and sealed his reputation within the Luftwaffe leadership.[18]

Later life

[edit]

In 1956, he commanded the Advanced Pilot Training Center at Fürstenfeldbruck. In 1962, he took charge of the air defense covering northern Germany and the Netherlands. In 1964, he was named NATO's Chief of Air Defense/Central Europe until becoming special manager for the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter programme. As a major general, he commanded the GAF's tactical command. Hrabak died on 15 September 1995 at the age of 80 in Pfaffenhofen which is part of Jesenwang, Germany.[19][20]

Summary of career

[edit]

Aerial victory claims

[edit]

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Hrabak was credited with 125 aerial victories.[21] Spick also lists Hrabak with 125 aerial victories, claimed in 820 combat missions, 109 of which on the Eastern Front and 16 on the Western Front.[22] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 125 aerial victory claims, all of which confirmed. This number includes 109 on the Eastern Front and 16 on the Western Front.[23]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 54291". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[24]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Barbas, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 76 –[25]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
1 13 May 1940 11:05 Potez 63 Authe, south of Sedan[26] 4 25 May 1940 16:45 Spitfire Gravelines[27]
2 18 May 1940 16:25 Curtiss west of Rethel[26] 5 3 June 1940 15:20 Curtiss west of Épernay[27]
3 19 May 1940 18:30 M.S.406 west of Laon[27] 6 6 June 1940 21:00 Curtiss northwest of Amiens[28]
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[25]
At the Channel and over England — 26 June – August 1940
7 11 August 1940 11:00 Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) off Dover[29]
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[25]
At the Channel and over England — August 1940 – 29 March 1941
8 26 August 1940 13:25 Spitfire Canterbury[30] 13 5 October 1940 12:25 Hurricane Rochester[31]
9 14 September 1940 17:00 Hurricane south of London[30] 14 8 October 1940 11:45 Spitfire north of Folkestone[31]
10 14 September 1940 11:35 Spitfire Ashford[30] 15 12 October 1940 11:05 Hurricane Tonbridge[31]
11 27 September 1940 13:00 Hurricane?[Note 2] south of London[31] 16 20 October 1940 11:00 Hurricane Ashford[32]
12 27 September 1940 16:20 Hurricane?[Note 2] Hastings[31]
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[25]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
17 23 June 1941 11:10 SB-2 north of Schlossberg[33] 21 22 July 1941 18:30 I-18 (MiG-1) Gogolewo[34]
18 30 June 1941 15:15 DB-3 northwest of Dünaburg[35] 22 25 July 1941 07:56 DB-3 Ssabsk[34]
19 30 June 1941 17:17 DB-3 northeast of Dünaburg[35] 23 25 July 1941 18:30 I-18 (MiG-1) south of Ropcha[34]
20 6 July 1941 18:30 DB-3 southeast of Ostrov[36] 24 30 July 1941 11:20 I-18 (MiG-1) Wladimirskaja[37]
– Stab of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[38]
Eastern Front — 20 January – 30 April 1942
25 5 February 1942 15:35 I-18 (MiG-1) northwest of Orelje[39] 38 16 March 1942 11:42 Pe-2 forest south of Lyuban[40]
26 6 February 1942 09:35 I-18 (MiG-1) southeast of Malaya Vishera[39] 39 19 March 1942 17:10 I-18 (MiG-1) 1 km (0.62 mi) southeast of Gremjatschewo[40]
27 26 February 1942 16:40 I-26 (Yak-1) southeast of Grusino[40] 40 22 March 1942 14:59 Pe-2 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Staraya Russa[40]
28 27 February 1942 08:20 I-18 (MiG-1) 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Kirishi[40] 41 28 March 1942 15:23 P-40 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Ramushevo[40]
29 27 February 1942 08:35 I-16 15 km (9.3 mi) south-southwest of Kirishi[40] 42 29 March 1942 15:39 I-18 (MiG-1) 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Staraya Russa[41]
30 5 March 1942 08:05 I-18 (MiG-1) 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Chudovo[40] 43 31 March 1942 14:58 I-18 (MiG-1) north of Parfino[41]
31 7 March 1942 07:29 Pe-2 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Dubzy[40] 44 1 April 1942 15:14 Il-2 northwest of Ramushevo[41]
32 13 March 1942 17:47 I-18 (MiG-1) west of Dubownik[40] 45 4 April 1942 12:07 I-18 (MiG-1) Gremjatschewo[41]
33 13 March 1942 16:48 I-18 (MiG-1) 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Chudovo[40] 46 4 April 1942 15:15 Il-2 east of Budogoschtsch[41]
34 14 March 1942 11:20 Il-2 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Kholm[40] 47 19 April 1942 18:20 Yak-1 south of Ramushevo[42]
35 14 March 1942 16:20 I-26 (Yak-1) forest northeast of Karlivka[40] 48 25 April 1942 08:20 Yak-1 east of Parfino[42]
36 14 March 1942 16:22 I-26 (Yak-1) forest east of Sawisha[40] 49 25 April 1942 18:20 Yak-1 Jam Jedrowo[42]
37 16 March 1942 08:20 I-26 (Yak-1) southwest of Gladi[40]
– Stab of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[38]
Eastern Front — 1 May – 31 October 1942
50 30 May 1942 09:15 MiG-3 west of Wyschitino[43] 59 22 August 1942 11:00 LaGG-3 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Kozelsk[44]
51 30 May 1942 16:10 MiG-3 southwest of Malaya Vishera[43] 60 22 August 1942 15:00 Il-2 PQ 54291[45]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Belyov
52 8 June 1942 15:05 MiG-3?[Note 3] 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast of Kresttsy[43] 61 22 August 1942 17:58 Il-2 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Uljanowo[45]
25 km (16 mi) west of Belyov
53 16 June 1942 10:50 MiG-3 southwest of Pola train station[43] 62 23 August 1942 06:55 Pe-2 PQ 64183, east of Belyov[45]
54 26 June 1942 16:50 MiG-3 30 km (19 mi) east of Spasskaja-Polist[43] 63 23 August 1942 11:05 U-2 PQ 55881, Kozelsk[45]
55 28 June 1942 11:18 P-40 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Kirishi[43] 64 1 September 1942 09:04 Yak-1 PQ 10164, Putilowo[46]
56 4 July 1942 21:00 Il-2 east of Podberesje[43] 65 2 September 1942 06:55 Yak-1 PQ 10221, north of Wysta[46]
57 17 July 1942 19:02 Yak-1 southeast of Pola train station[47] 66 2 September 1942 10:16 Il-2 PQ 00254[46]
northeast of Mga
58 19 July 1942 17:40 Yak-1 west of Beglowo[47] 67 12 September 1942 11:05 LaGG-3 PQ 10291, Pogotje[48]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[38]
Eastern Front — 1 November 1942 – 3 February 1943
68 13 December 1942 07:30 Pe-2 PQ 5463[49]
Adler airfield
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[50]
Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943
69 10 March 1943 10:25 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 88143, southwest of Abinskaja[51] 94 16 July 1943 17:40 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 61251, southeast of Prokhorovka[52]
70 10 March 1943 15:05 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 88154, east of Abinskaja[51] 95 1 August 1943 11:10 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 34 Ost 88282, Kalinowka[52]
71 12 March 1943 08:35 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 76584, northwest of Temrjuk[51] 96 1 August 1943 11:12 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 34 Ost 88282, Kalinowka[52]
72 13 March 1943 13:10 I-16 PQ 34 Ost 86351, Griwenskaja[51] 97 1 August 1943 18:45 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 34 Ost 88261, Marinowka[52]
73 18 March 1943 15:45 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 86541, south of Petrowskaja[51] 98 1 August 1943 18:47 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 34 Ost 88261, Marinowka[52]
74 18 March 1943 15:47 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 86541, southeast of Petrowskaja[51] 99 2 August 1943 17:00 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 34 Ost 98142, east of Dmitriyevka[52]
75 19 March 1943 09:25 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85574, north of Sslawjanskaja[51] 100 2 August 1943 17:04 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 34 Ost 98112, east of Dmitriyevka[52]
76 20 March 1943 08:00 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 86841, southwest of Popowitschewskaja[51] 101 20 August 1943 10:00 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 35 Ost 61538, Warwarowka[52]
77 20 March 1943 08:01 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 86841, Popowitschewskaja[51] 102 20 August 1943 17:40 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 88254, west of Dmitriyevka[52]
78 16 April 1943 08:18 P-39 southeast of Abinskaja[51] 103 20 August 1943 17:46 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 88262, east of Dmitriyevka[52]
79 20 April 1943 16:14 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75463, southwest of Kabardinka[51] 104 21 August 1943 08:05 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 34 Ost 88292, east of Kuibyschewo[52]
80 21 April 1943 11:05 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75371, west of Kabardinka[52] 105 21 August 1943 17:10 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 88238, northwest of Stepanowka[52]
81 21 April 1943 09:05 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 34 Ost 85152, east of Abinskaja[52] 106 21 August 1943 17:20 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 88228, west of Stepanowka[52]
82 8 May 1943 16:00 P-39 northwest of Krymskaja[52] 107 20 September 1943 08:30 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 34 Ost 58131, northeast of Zaporizhia[52]
83 5 July 1943 07:32 Yak-1?[Note 5] PQ 35 Ost 61156, north of Tomarowka[52] 108 24 September 1943 15:45 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 58423, southeast of Zaporizhia[52]
84 5 July 1943 11:32 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 35 Ost 61331, north of Tomarowka[52] 109 25 September 1943 16:35 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 58473, southeast of Zaporizhia[52]
85 5 July 1943 18:00 Boston?[Note 6] PQ 35 Ost 61552, southeast of Belgorod[52] 110 26 September 1943 10:40 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 58571, southeast of Zaporizhia[52]
86 6 July 1943 16:20 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61243, northwest of Belgorod[52] 111 27 September 1943 16:00 La-5 PQ 34 Ost 59573, north of Zaporizhia[52]
87 6 July 1943 18:00 Boston PQ 35 Ost 61152, northwest of Belgorod[52] 112 27 September 1943 16:30 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 58672, northwest of Bolschoj Tokmak[52]
88 6 July 1943 18:05 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61132, northwest of Belgorod[52] 113 5 October 1943 15:20 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 58813, west of Bolschoj Tokmak[52]
89 8 July 1943 08:10 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61622, southeast of Belgorod[52] 114 8 October 1943 08:40 La-5 PQ 34 Ost 66662, east of Saporoshskaja[52]
90 8 July 1943 08:13 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61633, southeast of Belgorod[52] 115 8 October 1943 15:10 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 34 Ost 66651, northwest of Kossa Tschuschka[52]
91 16 July 1943 06:45 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 35 Ost 61251, northeast of Belgorod[52] 116 23 October 1943 09:15 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 34 Ost 58551, southeast of Wassijewka[52]
92 16 July 1943 11:15 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61254, northeast of Belgorod[52] 117 25 October 1943 14:25 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 34 Ost 57154, west of Melitopol[52]
93 16 July 1943 11:33 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61223, north of Belgorod[52] 118 25 October 1943 14:30 La-5?[Note 5] PQ 34 Ost 57324, south of Melitopol[52]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[53]
Eastern Front — 1 January – 30 September 1944
119 21 March 1944 15:20?[Note 7] P-39 PQ 18631[54]
5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Troitskoye 		122 2 June 1944 11:32 Il-2 m.H.[Note 4] PQ 78733[55]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
120 3 May 1944 15:00 Yak-7 PQ 68833[54]
north of Târgu Frumos 		123 8 June 1944 15:52 La-5 north of Iași[55]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Țuțora
121 31 May 1944 18:55 P-39 PQ 78643[55]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Țuțora 		124 8 June 1944 19:20 P-39 PQ 78674[55]
8 km (5.0 mi) north of Iași
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[53]
Eastern Front — 1 October 1944 – 8 Maz 1945
125 30 October 1944 10:05 P-39 45 km (28 mi) east-southeast of Libau

Awards

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Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The German Reichsmarine was renamed the Kriegsmarine on 1 June 1935.
  2. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Supermarine Spitfire.[25]
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Yakovlev Yak-1.[38]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov of unknown type.[53]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin Il-2.[53]
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:26.[53]

References

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Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Stockert 2013, p. 171.
  2. ^ Prien et al. 2000a, p. 263.
  3. ^ a b Prien et al. 2000a, p. 445.
  4. ^ Prien et al. 2000a, p. 450.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2001, p. 438.
  6. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 304.
  7. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 310.
  8. ^ Prien et al. 2003a, p. 313.
  9. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, pp. 212, 222.
  10. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 212.
  11. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 209.
  12. ^ Stockert 2013, p. 172.
  13. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006a, p. 383.
  14. ^ Prien et al. 2006b, p. 140.
  15. ^ Weal 2004, p. 112.
  16. ^ a b Stockert 2013, p. 173.
  17. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  18. ^ Kaplan 2007, p. 53.
  19. ^ Heaton & Lewis 2014, pp. 215–229.
  20. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 44.
  21. ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 330.
  22. ^ Spick 1996, p. 231.
  23. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 556–558.
  24. ^ Planquadrat.
  25. ^ a b c d e Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 556.
  26. ^ a b Prien et al. 2000b, p. 376.
  27. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2000b, p. 377.
  28. ^ Prien et al. 2000b, p. 378.
  29. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 313.
  30. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2002, p. 314.
  31. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2002, p. 315.
  32. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 316.
  33. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 228.
  34. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003b, p. 233.
  35. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003b, p. 230.
  36. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 231.
  37. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 234.
  38. ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 557.
  39. ^ a b Prien et al. 2005, p. 220.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Prien et al. 2005, p. 222.
  41. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2005, p. 223.
  42. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2005, p. 224.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2006b, p. 145.
  44. ^ Prien et al. 2006b, p. 149.
  45. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2006b, p. 150.
  46. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2006b, p. 151.
  47. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006b, p. 146.
  48. ^ Prien et al. 2006b, p. 152.
  49. ^ Prien et al. 2006a, p. 391.
  50. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 557–558.
  51. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2012, p. 206.
  52. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am Prien et al. 2012, p. 207.
  53. ^ a b c d e Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 558.
  54. ^ a b Barbas 2016, p. 73.
  55. ^ a b c d Barbas 2016, p. 75.
  56. ^ a b Thomas 1997, p. 306.
  57. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 59.
  58. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 200.
  59. ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 406.
  60. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 236.
  61. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 75.

Bibliography

[edit]
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  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
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  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Heaton, Colin; Lewis, Anne-Marie (2014). "A Leader of Aces: Generalmajor Dietrich Anton Hrabak". The German Aces Speak II: World War II Through the Eyes of Four More of the Luftwaffe's Most Important Commanders. MBI Publishing Company. pp. 215–236. ISBN 978-0-7603-4590-0.
  • Kaplan, Philip (2007). Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe in World War II. Auldgirth, Dumfriesshire, UK: Pen & Sword Aviation. ISBN 978-1-84415-460-9.
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  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
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  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 2—Der "Sitzkrieg"—1.9.1939 bis 9.5.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 2—The "Phoney War"—1 September 1939 to 9 May 1940] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-59-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940 [Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-61-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-64-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
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  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2005). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6.12.1941 bis 30.4.1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-76-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-77-9.
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  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/II—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/II—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-05-5.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
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  • Weal, John (2004). Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten. Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 15. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-786-4.
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Military offices
Preceded by Commander of Jagdgeschwader 52
1 November 1942 – 30 September 1944 		Succeeded by
Oberstleutnant Hermann Graf
Preceded by
Oberstleutnant Anton Mader
 Commander of Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz
1 October 1944 – 8 May 1945 		Succeeded by
none
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