August Geiger (pilot)

August Geiger (6 May 1920 – 29 September 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 53 aerial victories making him the nineteenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.[1][Note 1] All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in Defense of the Reich missions, the majority at night against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command and one daytime claim over a United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

For the American architect, see August Geiger (architect).
August Geiger
Born6 May 1920
Überlingen, Weimar Republic
Died29 September 1943(1943-09-29) (aged 23)
Zuiderzee, German-occupied Netherlands
Buried
Ysselsteyn German war cemetery, Netherlands
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1939–43
RankHauptmann (captain)
UnitNJG 1
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Born in Überlingen, Geiger grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he joined the military service in 1939 and was trained to fly Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter. In mid-1941, he transferred to Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing) where he became a night fighter pilot and claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 25/26 June 1942. Geiger was appointed squadron leader of 7. Staffel (7th squadron) of NJG 1 in January 1943. Following his 26th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 May 1943. Geiger was killed in action when he was shot down by an RAF night fighter on the night of 29 September 1943. He was posthumously bestowed with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Early life and career

Geiger was born on 6 May 1920 in Überlingen, near Lake Constance, which was part of the Republic of Baden during the Weimar Republic.[3] He was the son of a typographer. After graduation from school and receipt of his Abitur (university entry qualification), Geiger joined the Luftwaffe on 15 November 1939 as a Fahnenjunker (cadet). Following flight training,[Note 2] he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 April 1941.[4]

World War II
A map of part of the Kammhuber Line. The 'belt' and night fighter 'boxes' are shown.

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. Following the 1939 aerial Battle of the Heligoland Bight, Royal Air Force (RAF) attacks shifted to the cover of darkness, initiating the Defence of the Reich campaign.[5] By mid-1940, Generalmajor (Brigadier General) Josef Kammhuber had established a night air defense system dubbed the Kammhuber Line. It consisted of a series of control sectors equipped with radars and searchlights and an associated night fighter. Each sector named a Himmelbett (canopy bed) would direct the night fighter into visual range with target bombers. In 1941, the Luftwaffe started equipping night fighters with airborne radar such as the Lichtenstein radar. This airborne radar did not come into general use until early 1942.[6]

Night fighter career

In mid-1941, Geiger was posted as to 8. Staffel (8th squadron) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing).[Note 3] He claimed his first aerial victory on 9 July 1941 over a Handley Page Halifax bomber shot down 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Nijmegen at 23:32.[7] He received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 19 October 1942.[4]

On 1 March 1943, Geiger shot down a Halifax bomber from No. 35 Squadron with an almost intact H2S ground scanning radar system. This allowed the Germans to analyze the radar which led to the development of the FuG 350 (FuG—Funkgerät) Naxos radar detector, which allowed the night fighters to home on to the H2S emitting signals.[8] On the night of 29/30 March 1943, Geiger became an "ace-in-a-day" taking his total to 21 aerial victories. That night he claimed one Halifax, two Vickers Wellington and three Avro Lancaster bombers.[9] One of his victims was Lancaster ED391, of No. 460 Squadron RAAF. Flight Sergeant David Harold Victor Harlick and his crew died.[10] He was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 April.[4] On 1 May 1943 Geiger downed Halifax DT471 of 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron flown by H P Atkinson. Atkinson, and one other crewmember died.[11]

Geiger was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 22 May 1943, the nomination had been submitted for 26 aerial victories claimed earlier.[4] The presentation was made by Generalmajor Kammhuber. On 1 July, he was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) and received the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 31 August 1943.[12] That night Geiger claimed his 44th victory over Stirling EH961 from No. 196 Squadron RAF. Sergeant J. Griffiths and two other members of the seven man crew were killed. Crew member and gunner Sergeant C P Pierce was among the youngest fatalities in the RCAF in 1943, aged 18.[13]

On 29 September 1943, Geiger was shot down by the Bristol Beaufighter VI of Wing commander Bob Braham of No. 141 Squadron RAF over the Zuiderzee, Netherlands.[14] Geiger and his radio operator Feldwebel Dieter Koch managed to bail out of their Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 (Werknummer 5477—factory number), but both drowned.[15][16][17] On 2 March 1944, Geiger was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), the 416th officer or soldier of the Wehrmacht so honored. He was buried at the German war cemetery Ysselsteyn in the Netherlands.[12]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

Foreman, Parry and Matthews, authors of Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 51 nocturnal victory claims.[18] Matthews and Foreman also published Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, listing Geiger with 48 claims, plus two further unconfirmed claims.[19]

Awards

Promotions
1 April 1941:Leutnant (second lieutenant)[4]
1 April 1943:Oberleutnant (first lieutenant)[4]
1 July 1943:Hauptmann (captain)[12]

Notes
  1. According to Obermaier he was credited with 54 aerial victories.[2]
  2. 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 the C-Certificate.
  3. For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  4. According to Matthews and Foreman, this claim was with 9. Staffel.[20]
  5. According to Matthews and Foreman, this claim was unconfirmed.[20]

References

Citations
  1. Scutts 1998, p. 88.
  2. Obermaier 1989, p. 61.
  3. Bowman 2016a, p. 86.
  4. Stockert 2007, p. 33.
  5. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 9.
  6. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 27.
  7. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 25.
  8. Bowman 2016b, pp. 37–38.
  9. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 72.
  10. Chorley 1996, p. 88.
  11. Chorley 1996, p. 130.
  12. Stockert 2007, p. 34.
  13. Chorley 1996, p. 303.
  14. Scutts 1998, pp. 54–55.
  15. Bowman 2016a.
  16. Shores 1983, p. 152.
  17. Scutts 1998, p. 56.
  18. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, pp. 35–150.
  19. Matthews & Foreman 2015, pp. 375–376.
  20. Matthews & Foreman 2015, p. 376.
  21. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 46.
  22. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 47.
  23. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 48.
  24. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 49.
  25. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 52.
  26. Bowman 2016a, p. 92.
  27. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 54.
  28. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 58.
  29. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 68.
  30. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 77.
  31. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 78.
  32. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 79.
  33. Bowman 2016a, p. 146.
  34. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 82.
  35. Bowman 2016a, p. 151.
  36. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 85.
  37. Bowman 2016a, p. 155.
  38. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 88.
  39. Bowman 2016a, p. 157.
  40. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 90.
  41. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 93.
  42. Chorley 1996, p. 231.
  43. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 96.
  44. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 98.
  45. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 104.
  46. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 108.
  47. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 109.
  48. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 110.
  49. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 111.
  50. Bowman 2016a, p. 208.
  51. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 114.
  52. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 116.
  53. Foreman, Parry & Matthews 2004, p. 118.
  54. Patzwall 2008, p. 83.
  55. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 132.
  56. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 192.
  57. Scherzer 2007, p. 329.
  58. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 79.

Bibliography
  • Bowman, Martin (2016a). Nachtjagd, Defenders of the Reich 1940–1943. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-4738-4986-0.
  • Bowman, Martin (2016b). Voices in Flight: Path Finder Force. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-4738-8117-4.
  • Chorley, W. R (1996). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Aircraft and crew losses: 1943. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-9045-9791-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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.
  • Foreman, John; Parry, Simon; Matthews, Johannes (2004). Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939–1945. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-0-9538061-4-0.
  • Matthews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • 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.
  • Scutts, Jerry (1998). German Night Fighter Aces of World War 2. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-696-5.
  • Shores, Christopher (1983). Air Aces. Presidio Press. ISBN 978-0-86124-104-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Shores, Christopher F. and Clive Williams (1994). Aces High: a Tribute to the most notable fighter pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.
  • Stockert, Peter (2007). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 5 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 5] (in German). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. OCLC 76072662.
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