Heinrich Ehrler
Heinrich Ehrler (14 September 1917 – 4 April 1945) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II. As a fighter ace, he is credited with 208 enemy aircraft shot down in over 400 combat missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with nine claims over the Western Front which included eight in the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
Heinrich Ehrler | |
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Born | Oberbalbach, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire | 14 September 1917
Died | 4 April 1945 27) Stendal, Free State of Prussia, Nazi Germany | (aged
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1935–45 |
Rank | Major (major) |
Unit | JG 77, JG 5 and JG 7 |
Commands held | JG 5 "Eismeer" |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Born in Oberbalbach, Ehrler grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany as one of 12 children in his family. He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935, initially service with the artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. He participated in the Spanish Civil War and following the outbreak of World War II transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force). Following flight training, he was posted to the 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77–77th Fighter Wing), and later reassigned to 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5–5th Fighter Wing).
Scapegoated for the loss of the German battleship Tirpitz, Ehrler was court-martialled, stripped of his command and sentenced to three years and two months Festungshaft (honorable imprisonment).[1] Ehrler's sentence was later commuted and his loss of rank rescinded, and in February 1945 he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7–7th Fighter Wing). According to his fellow pilots, Ehrler thereafter flew in the increasingly desperate air battles without the purpose and dedication that had made him one of the Luftwaffe's most successful aces.[2] On 4 April 1945, he claimed his last three victories by shooting down two Allied bombers and destroying a third by ramming with his damaged aircraft after having run out of ammunition.[2]
Early life and career
Ehrler was born on 14 September 1917 in Oberbalbach, today part of Lauda-Königshofen, in the district of Tauberbischofsheim of the Grand Duchy of Baden. He was one of eight children of a laborer. When his mother died, his father married again. The second marriage added four more children to the family.[3]
Following a vocational education as a butcher, Ehrler joined the military service of the Wehrmacht on 29 October 1935. He initially served with the 7th battery of Artillerie-Regiment 25 (25th artillery regiment) in Ludwigsburg. He then transferred to the Luftwaffe where he served with Flak-Regiment 8 (8th anti-aircraft artillery regiment) from 7 April to 1 November 1936.[3]
From 2 November 1936 to 15 August 1937, Ehrler served with the 3./Flakabteilung 88 (3rd company of the 88th anti-aircraft department) of the Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil War. Following this assignment, he then served with the 14./Flak-Regiment 5 (14th company of the 5th anti-aircraft artillery regiment) from 24 August 1938 to 1 August 1939. He was then posted to 1./Reserve-Flakabteilung 502 (1st company of the 502nd reserve anti-aircraft battalion) on 2 August 1939.[3]
World War II
World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Ehrler, who was still serving with the anti-aircraft artillery, requested transfer to the fighter force of the Luftwaffe on 3 January 1940.[Note 1] His transfer request was accepted and he underwent flight training from 1 February to 4 November 1940. During this training period he was promoted to Feldwebel (staff sergeant) on 1 July and to Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 January 1941.[3]
On 1 February 1941, Ehrler was posted to 4. Staffel (4th Squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77–77th Fighter Wing), later redesignated to 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5–5th Fighter Wing), based in Norway.[Note 2] There, he scored his first victory in May 1941 and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse) on 19 September 1941.[3] JG 77 supported X. Fliegerkorps (under Luftflotte 5) in operations against Britain from bases in Norway, often providing fighter cover for Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber attacks against British shipping. JG 77 was restructured as JG 5 Eismeer in January 1942.[5]
War on the Arctic Front
Ehrler claimed his second victory on 19 February 1942. He led a patrol of three aircraft of 4. Staffel and shot down a Polikarpov I-18.[6] In early May, Ehrler was transferred to 6. Staffel of JG 5.[7] The Allied Convoy PQ 16, consisting of 35 merchant vessels and protected by 15 escort ships, was sighted by German reconnaissance aircraft on 16 May 1942. Over the following days, the convoy came under multiple attacks from Kampfgeschwader 30 (KG 30–30th Bomber Wing) and Kampfgeschwader 26 (KG 26–26th Bomber Wing). On 30 May 1942, JG 5 engaged in combat as well.[3] In aerial combat, JG 5 claimed 43 fighter aircraft and 7 bombers shot down.[8] That morning at 09:20, Ehrler, Feldwebel Rudolf Müller, Unteroffizier Hans Döbrich and another pilot each claimed a Hawker Hurricane shot down. At the time and in the same area of this encounter, Podpolkovnik (lieutenant colonel) Boris Safonov, commander 2nd Guards Mixed Aviation Regiment of the Soviet Naval Aviation, was shot down in his Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and killed in action.[9] Between 12:35 and 14:00 on 2 June, Ehrler flew on mission providing fighter escort for Ju 87 attacking Murmansk. On this mission, the Germans encountered Hurricane and P-40 fighters. Ehrler claimed a P-40 destroyed. However, Soviet record only document the loss of two Hurricanes from 2 GvSAP (Gvardeyskiy Smeshannyy Aviatsionnyy Polk—Guards Composite Aviation Regiment).[10]
Squadron leader
Ehrler was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 6. Staffel of JG 5 after the former squadron leader Oberleutnant Hanns-Diether Hartwein was killed in action on 21 August 1942. Ehrler claimed his 45th and 46th aerial victory on 2 September. On 4 September, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The presentation was made by the Fliegerführer Nord Oberst Alexander Holle at Petsamo, later known as Pechenga.[8] On 19 September, on a mission to Murmashi, Ehrler claimed two Hurricanes destroyed, taking his total number of aerial victories to 60.[11]
![](../I/German-aces.jpg.webp)
In combat near the Murmansk-Moscow railway on 9 January 1943, Ehrler claimed two Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 and a Hurricane shot down.[12] He was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 February 1943.[13] In the afternoon of 27 March, II. Gruppe and III. Gruppe provided fighter escort for Messerschmitt Bf 110s and Focke-Wulf Fw 190s attacking the Soviet airfield at Murmashi. The flight encountered 30 Soviet fighters over Shonguy and Murmashi. In this engagement, the Germans claimed fourteen aerial victories, among them five by Ehrler. Soviet records document the loss of six aircraft.[14] The next day, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold).[13]
On 1 May 1943, Ehrler was promoted to Hauptmann (captain).[15] On 8 June 1943, Ehrler was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 40th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[16] On 1 August, Ehrler was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair, Hitler's headquarters in Rastenburg. Six other Luftwaffe officers were presented with awards that day by Hitler, Hauptmann Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld, Hauptmann Manfred Meurer, Oberleutnant Theodor Weissenberger, Oberleutnant Joachim Kirschner, Hauptmann Werner Schröer were also awarded the Oak Leaves, and Major Helmut Lent received the Swords to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.[17]
Ehrler claimed aerial victories 113 to 115 on 18 August 1943. These were his first claims after the Oak Leaves presentation. Ehrler took off at 14:10 from Pontsalenjoki, heading north where he claimed two P-40 destroyed. During this mission, he lost his wingman Feldwebel Christian Stolz who was shot down by anti artillery fire. Later that day, Ehrler shot down a Lavochkin La-5 northeast of Loukhi airfield.[18]
Group and wing commander
On 1 September 1943, Ehrler was unofficially appointed Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) of III. Gruppe of JG 5. The position had to be backfilled following Major Günther Scholz's promotion to Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of JG 5 thus succeeding Oberstleutnant Gotthard Handrick. Ehrler's command of 6. Staffel was passed on to Oberleutnant Weissenberg.[19] Ehrler then went on vacation for approximately one month.[20] Following his return, Ehrler claimed his first aerial victory as Gruppenkommandeur and 116th in total over a P-40 on 24 September.[21] On 25 November, following ten days of relative quiet, the Soviet Air Forces conducted a coordinated attack on Titovka, and the airfields Høybuktmoen at Kirkenes and Luostari near Pechenga. Titovka was attacked by sixteen Ilyushin Il-2 and six P-40, escorted by six Yakovlev Yak-1 and four Yakovlev Yak-9. Høybuktmoen was hit by twelve Petlyakov Pe-2 escorted by twelve Bell P-39 Airacobra and six Yak-9.[22] The Luostari airfield was struck by sixteen Il-2 and six P-40, protected by fourteen Yak-1 and six Hurricanes.[23] That day, Ehrler claimed two P-40s and two Il-2 ground attack aircraft, taking his total to 120 aerial victories.[24]
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In 1944, III. Gruppe flew its first mission in force on 29 January. That day, all three Staffeln took off at 11:40 and encountered a number of Yakovlev Yak-7 fighters from 122 IAD PVO (Istrebitel'naya Aviatsionnaya Diviziya Protivo-Vozdushnaya Oborona—Fighter Aviation Division of the Home Air Defense) south of Murmashi. During this encounter, III. Gruppe pilots filed four claims including Ehrler's 121st aerial victory. However, Soviet records only account for the loss of one aircraft.[25] On 13 March, a German convoy left Kirkenes while an inbound convoy was arriving. That day, III. Gruppe was continuously in the air, providing fighter protection for the ships. Ehrler increased his total number of aerial victories to 124 that day after he claimed a P-40 at 13:35 followed by a P-39 and an Il-2 shortly after.[26]
Ehrler was credited with nine aerial victories in a 24 hours period on 25/26 May 1944, bringing his tally up to 155.[27] Parts of III. Gruppe were ordered to relocate from Pechenga to Svartnes at 17:17 on 25 May. At 21:00, 19 Bf 109s under the leadership of Ehrler were scrambled from Svartnes to fend off approximately 80 Soviet aircraft attacking a German convoy. During this encounter III. Gruppe claimed 33 aerial victories, including twenty "Boston" bombers, eight P-40s and five P-39s. However, Soviet records only account for five losses that day. Ehrler claimed four victories in this engagement which took his total to 150 aerial victories. The next day, Ehrler again led 19 Bf 109s from III. Gruppe in defense of the German convoy. This time the Germans reported combat with approximately 100 Soviet aircraft and claimed 40 aerial victories, among them five by Ehrler. Again, Soviet records do not match this figure, they document the loss of nine aircraft.[28]
On 30 May 1944, Ehrler unintentionally made a crash landing in Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 411963—factory number) at Pechenga airfield and sustained minor injuries in the accident. [28][29] On 1 June 1944, 9. Staffel was officially detached from III. Gruppe and subordinated to II. Gruppe which had left Finland in April 1944 and fought in Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich). Not every pilot of 9. Staffel was impacted by this order. Some pilots stayed in Pechenga and formed a newly created Kommandostaffel (commando squadron), later renamed to Eismeerstaffel (Arctic Sea squadron).[30]
On 1 August, Ehrler was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of JG 5, replacing Oberstleutnant Scholz who given the position of Jagdfliegerführer Norwegen. In consequence of this decision, Oberleutnant Franz Dörr was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III. Gruppe and Leutnant Walter Schuck was given command of 7. Staffel, redesignated to 10. Staffel.[31] On 9 November, Ehrler left his command post at Banak, heading to Bardufoss airfield to get firsthand information about organizational changes and training progress. There, he learned that many pilots were still unfamiliar with the Fw 190; not even the more senior pilots had flown the aircraft. Additionally, he learned that the new pilots lacked combat experience, nor had they been trained in formation flying. Subsequently, Ehrler ordered the 9. Staffel to train on the Fw 190 while he placed the junior pilots in the Kommandostaffel. To oversee these activities, he postponed his return to 12 November.[32]
Sinking of the Tirpitz
On 12 November 1944 the Royal Air Force (RAF) launched Operation Catechism, the raid which sank the battleship Tirpitz. Avro Lancaster bombers from No. 617 and No. 9 squadrons were sent to Håkøya, a little west of Tromsø, where the Tirpitz was based.[33] At the time, Ehrler was based at Bardufoss with 12 operational Fw 190 A-3s. Ehrler, who had gone to Bardufoss to assist with training a large influx of inexperienced pilots and helping veterans convert to the Fw 190, did not know the exact location of the battleship and had been told she was based near Tromsø. At no time was the commander informed his unit's sole responsibility was the protection of the ship.[34]
The command and control center at Bardufoss was informed shortly before 08:00 that three Lancasters had been sighted at 07:39 in the vicinity of Mosjøen heading east. Shortly later, a second bulletin informed that a further Lancaster was sighted heading northeast. The reason for this delay in communication was that the message had been routed from Mosjøen to Fauske and then to the Luftwaffe headquarters at Narvik. The communication officer in charge, Leutnant Leo Beniers, immediately forwarded this information to Tromsø. At 08:18 the Luftwaffe fighter control center was informed which issued an air alarm for the area of Bodø. At 08:34 further four Lancasters were reported but plotted in the wrong Planquadrat (PQ—grid reference) of the Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz). Due to this error, neither Ehrler nor Dörr were informed of the approaching bombers.[35]
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That day, Ehrler had preemptively ordered 9. Staffel of JG 5 at Bardufoss airfield on three-minute readiness while the Kommandostaffel was still undergoing training and had been placed on 15-minute readiness. Ehrler, who had planned to fly to Alta, entered his command post at 08:50, unaware of the unfolding events. As he was just about to leave the command post, Tirpitz signaled that they heard aircraft engine noise of unknown origin and altitude, Tirpitz did not report approaching enemy bombers. At 09:18, Ehrler ordered cockpit readiness for 9. Staffel and placed the Kommandostaffel on three-minute readiness. The situation remained unclear for Ehrler until 09:21–09:23 when a second aircraft noise message arrived. He then at 09:23 sounded the alarm and scrambled 9. Staffel. In parallel, Dörr who was alarmed by the fighters taking off, arrived at the command post and took charge of the Kommandostaffel. Ehrler was airborne at 09:25 while takeoff of 9. Staffel was delayed by five minutes due to a landing Junkers Ju 52.[36] Adding to the confusion, when the British aircraft were detected by the German air defence staff at Tromsø, they asked the airfield command if any fighter aircraft were ready for takeoff. The question was affirmed, but the JG 5 staff thought the enquiry concerned the flight to Alta.[37][38] The naval officers on board Tirpitz were notified Erhler was airborne before the British began their attack at 09:38.[39]
Ehrler was already airborne when he realized that his radio transmitter was not working.[36] Unable to communicate with his command center nor with the other pilots, he was unsure in what direction to fly. He decided to continue flying to Alta. At 09:30, Oberleutnant Werner Gayko, the commander of 9. Staffel, finally took off, followed by the other aircraft. At 09:42, Ehrler reached the vicinity of Storsteinnes when he observed to his left a distant mushroom shaped cloud and anti-artillery bursts.[40] He then decided to head towards the smoke before heading west, hoping to cut off the bombers. He searched the coast heading northeast and southwest, and then to Malnes and to the vicinity of Heia before finally flying to Alta.[41] When it finally became clear that the target was the Tirpitz, it was too late for the fighters to intercept, and the Tirpitz was destroyed with much loss of life. 9. Staffel also did not find the bombers and returned to Bardufoss airfield.[42]
![](../I/Tirpitz_(AWM_SUK14095).jpg.webp)
After this unsuccessful action, Ehrler and Dörr faced a court martial hearing in Oslo on the grounds of not having understood the seriousness of the attack. The allegations included a delay in scrambling the fighters, leaving the squadron and falsely claiming that Ehrler's radio had ceased to operate, preventing him from leading the squadron against the enemy aircraft.[43] Ehrler and Dörr were both made responsible for the loss and tried before the 2nd senate of the Reichskriegsgericht on 17, 18 and 20 December 1944 under the chair of Generalrichter Dr. Ernst Reuter. Both were charged with cowardice before the enemy, a charge which had to be dropped. Ehrler was also charged for having abnormal ambition. The court believed that Ehrler abandoned his command post to claim his 200th aerial victory thus disobeying a direct order from the Reichsmarschall which demanded that such a mission should have been led from the ground. While Dörr was acquitted from all charges, Ehrler was found guilty, relieved of command, demoted and sentenced to three years imprisonment for insubordination. In addition, the court concluded that Ehrler lacks the necessary experience to lead a fighter unit on the Western Front.[44] Ehrler had been recommended for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) prior to the loss of Tirpitz, but the award was not approved.[45]
The sentence may have been politically motivated. Dönitz was now in the ascendant over Göring, who ultimately court-martialled Ehrler, perhaps to placate the commander-in-chief of the navy. Ehrler's combat record likely saved him from execution. Ehrler was not helped by persistent rumours that he was on unofficial leave with a girlfriend in Oslo as nearly a thousand sailors died.[46][47]
Schuck, one of his junior officers, appealed to Reichskommissar Josef Terboven.[48] On 12 January 1945 Terboven hand-delivered Schuck's affidavit in support of Ehrler to Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. Further investigations and testimonies indicated that the aircrews did not know that the Tirpitz had been moved to the new location at Håkøya a couple of weeks earlier, and Heinrich Ehrler was a convenient scapegoat for the failure to protect Tirpitz.[49] The investigation concluded the reason for the failure was poor communication between the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe.[50] Ehrler was exonerated. On 1 March 1945, Hitler officially pardoned Ehrler, the Führer HQ announced his return to front-line service, where he would have the chance to "rehabilitate himself."[48] Ehrler's sentence was commuted and his loss of rank rescinded. He was reassigned to a Messerschmitt Me 262 fighter squadron in Germany.[51]
Defense of the Reich and death
![](../I/Messerschmitt_Me_262_at_Evergreen_Aviation_Museum.jpg.webp)
Ehrler was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7–7th Fighter Wing) on 27 February 1945 under the command of Major Weissenberger, his former comrade from JG 5. JG 7 was equipped with the Me 262 jet fighter, and was given the task of Reichsverteidigung. During the next five weeks, Ehrler claimed further eight aerial victories while flying with the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of JG 7.[51][52][Note 3] On 21 March 1945, the United States Strategic Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force attacked various Luftwaffe airfields in Germany with approximately 1,300 heavy bombers, escorted by 750 fighter aircraft. That day, Ehrler for the first time flew the Me 262 operationally and claimed the destruction of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.[53] The next day, the Eighth Air Force again targeted various military installations and airfields in Germany.[54] Flying from Parchim airfield, Ehrler claimed another B-17 bomber shot down.[55][56] On 23 March, the Fifteenth Air Force headed for Ruhland where the Schwarzheide synthetic fuel factory (Synthesewerk Schwarzheide or Hydrierwerk Brabag) was based. The bombers came under attack by 14 Me 262s from JG 7 over Chemnitz. In this encounter, Ehrler shot down two B-24 Liberator bombers.[57][58] The next day, he claimed his fifth aerial victory while flying the Me 262, making him a jet ace. That day, 1,714 bombers, escorted by approximately 1,300 fighter aircraft, targeted 18 Luftwaffe airfields. In the vicinity of Dessau, Ehrler attacked bombers from the 463rd Bombardment Group and 483d Bombardment Group and shot down a B-17.[59] On 31 March, the USAAF Eighth Air Force targeted the oil refineries at Zeitz and Bad Berka, as well as other targets of opportunity. In parallel, the RAF Bomber Command bombed the Blohm+Voss shipyards in Hamburg. In the afternoon, Ehrler claimed a North American P-51 Mustang fighter, escorting B-17s and B-24s to their target areas.[60]
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Various authors present conflicting information regarding Ehrler's last aerial victories, as well as date and cause of death. Depending on source, his last combat and death occurred on either 4 or 6 April 1945. In one account presented by Forsyth, Ehrler was shot down by a P-51 northeast of Scharlibbe. According to both Boehme and Forsyth, the Luftwaffe combat report signed by Weissenberger and Schuck, a former JG 5 pilot, dates his death on 6 April.[61] In addition, Boehme points out that the report does not reveal the cause of death. On 7 April, a body was recovered near Stendal. An autopsy indicated that it was Ehrler who was then buried at Stendal on 10 April.[52] Forsyth states that the USAAF reported no combat with Me 262s on 6 April. Subsequently, Forsyth speculates that this combat may have taken place on 4 April and that the report is incorrectly labeled.[61] The authors Morgan and Weal concur with the events presented by Boehme, while Heaton, Matthews and Foreman are more in line with Forsyth, stating Ehrler was killed in action on 4 April 1945.[51][62][63]
On 4 April, RAF Bomber Command targeted Nordhausen with 243 Lancaster bombers while the USAAF Eighth Air Force sent 950 B-17s and B-24s to Luftwaffe airfields at Kaltenkirchen, Parchim, Perleberg, Wesendorf, Faßberg, Hoya, Dedelstorf and Eggebek, as well as the U-boat yards at Finkenwerder and shipyards at Kiel. This bomber force was protected by 800 escort fighters.[64] In the Forsyth account, Ehrler claimed his final two aerial victories on this date.[61] On 6 April, the Eighth Air Force attacked Halle, Leipzig and Gera with a force of 641 heavy bombers, escorted by 600 P-51s and Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters. According to Boehme, Ehrler claimed two B-17s shot down from this attack force before being killed.[65] Alternatively, both authors report that Ehrler may have died while ramming an enemy bomber. According to Ehrler's final received transmission, he radioed "Theo, I've just used all my ammunition. I'm going to ram. Good bye. See you in Valhalla."[52][61] Schuck who followed the radio transmission exchange over the loudspeaker in the operations room recalls Ehrler's last words slightly differently. He believes they were: "Theo, Heinrich here. Have just shot down two bombers. No more ammunition. I'm going to ram. Auf Wiedersehen, see you in Valhalla!"[66][67]
On 11 December 2018, the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, a Swiss, German-language daily newspaper, published an article by the missing in action researcher Uwe Benkel. According to this article, Benkel, aided by relatives, found remnants of Ehrler's Me 262 and body. A recovery of the remains is planned, an event desperately awaited by Ehrler's brother.[68]
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
Matthews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that Ehrler was credited with more than 182 aerial victories. This figure includes at least 173 claims made on the Eastern Front and 9 on the Western Front, including seven four-engined bombers and eight victories with the Me 262 jet fighter. However, the authors indicate that the records for JG 5 are incomplete. They speculate that the actual number of confirmed victories could also be as low as 150 to 175.[69]
Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Ehrler an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day. | |||||||||
Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location |
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 –[62] | |||||||||
1 | 2 September 1941 | 15:00~ | Beaufort | southwest of Stavanger | |||||
According to Matthews and Foreman, the 2nd aerial victory was not documented.[62] | |||||||||
– 13. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 –[62] | |||||||||
3 | 8 November 1941 | — |
SB-2 | northwest of Loukhi | ?[Note 4] | 30 November 1941 | — |
unknown | |
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[71] | |||||||||
4 | 24 January 1942 | 13:20?[Note 5] | Hurricane | west of Pummanki[72] | 9 | 28 April 1942 | 11:00 | Hurricane | vicinity of Pummanki[73] |
5 | 24 January 1942 | 15:45 | MiG-3 | S Tr 14[72] | 10 | 30 April 1942 | 15:20 | Hurricane | vicinity of Shonguy[73] |
6 | 19 February 1942 | 10:58 | I-18?[Note 6] | vicinity of Loukhi[72] | 11?[Note 7] | 12 May 1942 | 14:30 | Hurricane | south of Murmansk[75] |
7 | 4 March 1942 | 12:05 | Hurricane[72] | 12 | 17 May 1942 | 09:00 | MiG-3?[Note 6] | 4–5 km (2.5–3.1 mi) north of Petrijärvi[75] south of Pummanki | |
8 | 24 March 1942 | 18:20 | Hurricane[72] | ||||||
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[76] | |||||||||
13 | 28 May 1942 | 15:00+ | P-40 | 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Murmashi[77] | 24 | 25 June 1942 | 09:00+?[Note 8] | Hurricane | 8 km (5.0 mi) north of Murmansk[78] |
14 | 29 May 1942 | 23:00+ | Hurricane | Kola Bay[77] | 25 | 29 June 1942 | — |
P-40 | 7 km (4.3 mi) east of Shonguy[78] |
15 | 29 May 1942 | 23:00+ | Hurricane | Kola Bay[77] | 26?[Note 7] | 30 June 1942 | 09:00~ | Hurricane | 3 km (1.9 mi) east of Shonguy[78] |
16 | 29 May 1942?[Note 9] | 09:00+ | Hurricane | eastern exit of Kola Bay[79] | 27 | 1 July 1942 | 17:10~ | Hurricane | northern edge of Murmansk[78] |
17 | 1 June 1942 | 15:30~ | Hurricane | 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Murmansk[79] | 28 | 7 July 1942 | 17:00+ | Hurricane | 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Murmansk[78] |
18 | 2 June 1942 | — |
P-40 | 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Murmansk[79] | 29 | 7 July 1942 | 17:00+ | P-40 | 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Murmansk[78] |
19?[Note 7] | 13 June 1942 | — |
Hurricane | 20 km (12 mi) west of Murmansk[79] | 30 | 8 July 1942 | 10:00~ | Hurricane | 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Murmansk[78] |
20 | 18 June 1942 | 04:15 | Hurricane | 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Murmansk[79] | 31 | 18 July 1942 | 17:00+ | Hurricane | 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Murmansk[80] |
21 | 22 June 1942 | — |
Hurricane | 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Murmansk[78] | 32 | 18 July 1942 | 17:00+ | Hurricane | 20–25 km (12–16 mi) north of Murmansk[80] |
22 | 23 June 1942 | 15:00+ | Hurricane | 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Murmansk[78] | 33 | 19 July 1942 | — |
Spitfire | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Murmansk[80] |
23 | 25 June 1942 | 09:00+?[Note 8] | Hurricane | 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Murmansk[78] | 34 | 19 July 1942 | 10:00+ | P-39 | 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Shonguy[80] |
According to Matthews and Foreman, aerial victories 35 to 41 were not documented.[81] | |||||||||
42?[Note 7] | 21 August 1942 | — |
Yak-1[82] | 44?[Note 7] | 21 August 1942 | — |
I-180 (Yak-7) | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Murmansk[82] | |
43?[Note 7] | 21 August 1942 | — |
I-180 (Yak-7) | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Murmansk[82] | |||||
According to Matthews and Foreman, aerial victories 45 to 52 were not documented.[81] | |||||||||
53 | 8 September 1942 | — |
Hurricane | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Murmansk | 55[Note 10] | 9 September 1942 | 11:00? | Hurricane | vicinity of Kola |
54[Note 11] | 9 September 1942 | 11:00? | Hurricane | vicinity of Kola | |||||
According to Matthews and Foreman, aerial victories 56 to 58 were not documented.[81] According to Mombeek, Ehrler claimed three aerial victories of unknown type on 31 August 1942 labeled as victories 56 to 58.[82] | |||||||||
59 | 19 September 1942 | 14:00+ | Hurricane[83] | 60 | 19 September 1942 | 14:00+ | Hurricane[83] | ||
According to Matthews and Foreman, aerial victories 61 to 64 were not documented.[81] | |||||||||
65 | 19 January 1943?[Note 12] | 10:00 | LaGG-3 | Kandalaksha[84] | 67 | 19 January 1943?[Note 12] | 10:00 | Hurricane | Kandalaksha[84] |
66 | 19 January 1943?[Note 12] | 10:00 | LaGG-3 | Kandalaksha[84] | |||||
According to Matthews and Foreman, the 68th aerial victory was not documented.[81] | |||||||||
69 | 25 January 1943 | — |
Hurricane | ||||||
According to Matthews and Foreman, aerial victories 70 to 72 were not documented.[81] | |||||||||
73♠ | 27 March 1943 | 14:00~ | P-40 | vicinity of Tuloma[85] | 95 | 3 June 1943 | — |
P-39 | |
74♠ | 27 March 1943 | 14:00~ | P-40 | vicinity of Tuloma[85] | 96 | 6 June 1943 | — |
Hurricane[86] | |
75♠ | 27 March 1943 | 14:00~ | P-40 | vicinity of Tuloma[85] | 97 | 6 June 1943 | — |
Hurricane[86] | |
76♠ | 27 March 1943 | 14:00~ | P-40 | vicinity of Tuloma[85] | 98 | 6 June 1943 | — |
Hurricane[86] | |
77♠ | 27 March 1943 | 14:00~ | P-40 | vicinity of Tuloma[85] | 99 | 6 June 1943 | — |
Hurricane[87] | |
78♠ | 13 April 1943 | — |
Hurricane | 100 | 8 June 1943 | 17:29 | Typhoon[87] | vicinity of Kola railroad | |
79♠ | 13 April 1943 | — |
Hurricane | 101 | 8 June 1943 | 17:30 | Typhoon[87] | vicinity of Kola railroad | |
80♠ | 13 April 1943 | — |
Hurricane | 102 | 8 June 1943 | — |
Typhoon | ||
81♠ | 13 April 1943 | — |
P-40 | vicinity of Murmashi | 103 | 8 June 1943 | — |
Typhoon | |
82♠ | 13 April 1943 | 17:00+ | P-39?[Note 13] | 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Murmashi 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Murmansk[85] |
104 | 15 June 1943 | — |
P-39 | |
83♠ | 13 April 1943 | 17:00+ | P-39 | 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Murmashi 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Murmansk[85] |
105 | 15 June 1943 | — |
P-39 | |
84 | 19 April 1943 | 11:25~ | P-39 | 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Murmashi 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Murmansk[85] |
106 | 15 June 1943 | — |
P-39 | |
85 | 19 April 1943 | 11:25~ | P-39 | 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Murmashi 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Murmansk[85] |
107 | 21 June 1943 | 19:41 | P-39 | 3 km (1.9 mi) west of Rutschi[87] |
86 | 19 April 1943 | 11:25~ | P-40 | 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Murmashi 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Murmansk[86] |
108 | 17 July 1943 | — |
Pe-2 | Vardø/Poluostrov Rybachiy |
87?[Note 7] | 22 April 1943 | 13:00+ | P-51 | 6 km (3.7 mi) east of Kola[86] | 109 | 17 July 1943 | — |
Pe-2 | Vardø/Poluostrov Rybachiy |
88?[Note 7] | 22 April 1943 | 13:00+ | P-40 | 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Kola[86] | 110 | 17 July 1943 | — |
Pe-2 | Vardø/Poluostrov Rybachiy |
89 | 29 April 1943 | — |
P-39 | 111 | 20 July 1943 | — |
Hurricane | ||
90 | 29 April 1943 | — |
P-39 | 112 | 20 July 1943 | — |
Hurricane | ||
91 | 29 April 1943 | — |
P-39 | 113 | 18 August 1943 | 14:35 | P-40 | northeast of Loukhi airfield[88] | |
92 | 30 April 1943 | — |
P-40 | 114 | 18 August 1943 | 14:36 | P-40 | north of Loukhi[88] | |
93 | 30 April 1943 | — |
P-39 | 115 | 18 August 1943 | 16:13 | La-5 | northeast of Loukhi airfield[89] | |
94 | 11 May 1943 | — |
P-39 | 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Murmashi | |||||
– Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[90] | |||||||||
116 | 24 September 1943 | 08:50 | P-40[91] | 140♠ | 11 May 1944 | 03:20 | Yak-9 | ||
117 | 25 November 1943 | 11:55 | P-40 | 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of Pechenga | 141♠ | 11 May 1944 | 07:34 | P-39 | |
118 | 25 November 1943 | 11:58 | P-40 | 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Pechenga | 142♠ | 11 May 1944 | 07:36 | P-39 | |
119 | 25 November 1943 | 12:03 | Il-2 | 18 km (11 mi) east of Pechenga | 143 | 16 May 1944 | 21:46 | P-39[92] | |
120 | 25 November 1943 | 12:05 | Il-2 | 27 km (17 mi) east of Pechenga | 144 | 16 May 1944 | 21:47 | P-39 | |
121 | 29 January 1944 | 12:17 | Yak-7 | 145 | 16 May 1944 | 21:48 | P-39 | ||
122 | 13 March 1944 | 13:35 | P-40[93] | Poluostrov Rybachiy | 146 | 16 May 1944 | 21:52 | Il-2 | |
123 | 13 March 1944 | 13:37 | P-39[93] | south of Vayda-Guba | 147 | 25 May 1944 | 21:43 | P-39 | northeast of Berlevåg |
124 | 13 March 1944 | 13:40 | Il-2[93] | southwest of Tobowka | 148 | 25 May 1944 | 21:45 | P-39 | northeast of Berlevåg[94] |
125♠ | 17 March 1944 | 10:52 | P-39[93] | 149 | 25 May 1944 | 21:47 | Boston | north-northeast of Berlevåg[94] | |
126♠ | 17 March 1944 | 10:52 | P-39[93] | north of Rybachy Peninsula | 150 | 25 May 1944 | 21:48 | P-40 | north-northeast of Berlevåg |
127♠ | 17 March 1944 | 10:53 | Boston[93] | north of Prummaki | 151♠ | 26 May 1944 | 04:48 | Boston | northwest of Vadsø |
128♠ | 17 March 1944 | 13:49 | Yak-9[93] | north of Prummaki | 152♠ | 26 May 1944 | 04:49 | Boston | northwest of Vadsø |
129♠ | 17 March 1944 | 15:34 | Yak-9[93] | 153♠ | 26 May 1944 | 05:02 | P-40 | northeast of Hamningberg | |
130♠ | 17 March 1944 | 15:35 | Yak-9[95] | 154♠ | 26 May 1944 | 05:05 | P-39 | north of Vadsø | |
131♠ | 17 March 1944 | 15:36 | Yak-9[95] | 155♠ | 26 May 1944 | 05:06 | P-39 | north of Vadsø | |
132 | 12 April 1944 | 14:17 | Yak-9[96] | 156♠ | 17 July 1944 | 18:37 | P-39 | west of Pechenga | |
133 | 12 April 1944 | 14:19 | Yak-9[96] | 157♠ | 17 July 1944 | 18:40 | P-39 | west of Pechenga | |
134 | 23 April 1944 | 10:46 | P-39 | 158♠ | 17 July 1944 | 18:42 | P-39 | southeast of Pechenga | |
135 | 23 April 1944 | 10:49 | P-40 | 159♠ | 17 July 1944 | 19:16 | Yak-9 | northeast of Kirkenes | |
136 | 23 April 1944 | 10:50 | P-40 | 160♠ | 17 July 1944 | 19:18 | Yak-9 | Linakhamari | |
137 | 23 April 1944 | 10:50 | P-40 | 161 | 21 July 1944 | 06:01 | P-40 | northwest of Hamningberg[97] | |
138♠ | 11 May 1944 | 03:17 | Il-2 | 162 | 21 July 1944 | 06:05 | P-40 | northeast of Hamningberg[97] | |
139♠ | 11 May 1944 | 03:19 | Yak-9 | ||||||
– 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[98] | |||||||||
163[Note 14] | 17 August 1944 | 09:45 | Yak-9[99] | 165[Note 14] | 17 August 1944 | 10:07 | Boston[99] | vicinity of Kirkenes | |
164[Note 14] | 17 August 1944 | 10:06 | Boston[99] | 166[Note 14] | 17 August 1944 | 10:08 | Boston[99] | ||
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[98] | |||||||||
167 | 23 August 1944 | 12:37 | P-39[100] | 170 | 16 September 1944 | 12:06 | P-39[100] | ||
168 | 23 August 1944 | 12:38 | P-39[100] | 171 | 26 September 1944 | 14:25 | Yak-7 | vicinity of Vadsø | |
169 | 16 September 1944 | 12:04 | P-39[100] | 172 | 26 September 1944 | 14:36 | Yak-9 | vicinity of Vadsø | |
Aerial victories 173 to 198 were not documented. | |||||||||
199[Note 15] | 22 October 1944 | 09:15 | unknown[101] | 200 | 20 November 1944 | 11:00~ | Pe-3 | vicinity of Banak[101] | |
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 7 –[98] | |||||||||
201 | 21 March 1945 | 12:45~?[Note 16] | B-17 | vicinity of Wittenberge | 205 | 24 March 1945 | — |
B-17[103] | vicinity of Reichswald |
202 | 22 March 1945 | 12:45 | B-17 | Cottbus-Bautzen-Dresden[56] | 206 | 31 March 1945 | — |
P-51[104] | vicinity of Brandenburg |
203 | 23 March 1945 | — |
B-24 | vicinity of Chemnitz[105] | 207 | 6 April 1945?[Note 17] | — |
B-17 | vicinity of Berlin[65] |
204 | 23 March 1945 | — |
B-24 | vicinity of Chemnitz[105] | 208 | 6 April 1945?[Note 17] | — |
B-17 | vicinity of Berlin[65] |
Awards
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
- Iron Cross (1939)
- Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 20 July 1942 as Leutnant and pilot[107]
- German Cross in Gold on 18 March 1943 as Leutnant in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 5[108]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Notes
- 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.[4]
- For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
- For a list of Luftwaffe Jet aces see List of German World War II jet aces
- According to Mombeek listed as 1st aerial victory claimed with 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77.[70]
- According to Matthews and Foreman at 13:29.[62]
- According to Matthews and Foreman claimed as a Hawker Hurricane.[62]
- According to Mombeek listed without an aerial victory number.[74]
- According to Mombeek claimed at approximately 10:00.[78]
- According to Mombeek claimed on 30 May 1942.[79]
- According to Mombeek, this was the 55th aerial victory claimed.[82] Matthews and Foreman list this claim with an unknown claim number.[81]
- According to Mombeek, this was the 54th aerial victory claimed.[82] Matthews and Foreman list this claim with an unknown claim number.[81]
- According to Mombeek claimed on 9 January 1943.[84]
- According to Mombeek claimed as a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.[85]
- According to Mombeek with III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 5.[99]
- According to Mombeek, this was the 199th aerial victory claimed.[101] Matthews and Foreman list this claim with an unknown claim number.[98]
- According to Boehme, the combat leading to this aerial victory claim occurred at 09:15 in the vicinity of Dresden.[102]
- According to Matthews and Foreman on 4 April 1945.[98]
References
Citations
- Toliver & Constable 1996, p. 311.
- Toliver & Constable 1996, p. 312.
- Stockert 2012, p. 269.
- Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
- Hafsten 1991, p. 145.
- Mombeek 2003, p. 143.
- Mombeek 2003, p. 173.
- Stockert 2012, p. 270.
- Mombeek 2003, p. 185.
- Mombeek 2003, p. 191.
- Weal 2016, p. 57.
- Weal 2016, p. 61.
- Stockert 2012, p. 271.
- Mombeek 2003, p. 339.
- Stockert 2012, p. 272.
- Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
- Stockert 2012, p. 280.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 52–53.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 62.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 73.
- Weal 2016, p. 79.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 91.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 93.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 95.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 135.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 149.
- Stockert 2012, p. 273.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 180.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 244.
- Mombeek 2010, p. 181.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 89.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 123.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 126.
- Zetterling & Tamelander 2009, p. 307.
- Mombeek 2011, pp. 126–127.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 127.
- Zetterling & Tamelander 2009, p. 308.
- Hafsten 1991, p. 220.
- Zetterling & Tamelander 2009, p. 309.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 128.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 129.
- Mombeek 2011, pp. 128–130.
- Forsgren 2014, Chapter 6—Aftermath.
- Mombeek 2011, pp. 138–139.
- Berger 1999, p. 392.
- Girbig 2012, pp. 255–260.
- Hooton 1999, p. 65.
- Schuck 2009, p. 183.
- Hafsten 1991, p. 221.
- Schuck 2009, p. 177.
- Morgan & Weal 1998, p. 60.
- Boehme 1992, p. 152.
- Forsyth 2008, pp. 70–71.
- Forsyth 2008, p. 73.
- Forsyth 2008, p. 74.
- Boehme 1992, p. 127.
- Forsyth 2008, p. 75.
- Smith & Creek 2000, p. 627.
- Forsyth 2008, pp. 76–77.
- Forsyth 2008, pp. 83–84.
- Forsyth 2008, p. 91.
- Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 268.
- Heaton 2012, p. 157.
- Forsyth 2008, p. 88.
- Boehme 1992, p. 151.
- Schuck 2009, p. 201.
- Heaton 2012, p. 156.
- Vogel 2018.
- Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 268–271.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 257.
- Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 268–269.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 258.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 259.
- Mombeek 2011, pp. 260, 262–263, 265, 270.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 260.
- Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 269–270.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 261.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 263.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 262.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 264.
- Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 269.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 265.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 266.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 267.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 269.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 270.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 271.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 272.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 273.
- Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 270–271.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 274.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 283.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 279.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 284.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 280.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 281.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 289.
- Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 271.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 290.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 291.
- Mombeek 2011, p. 293.
- Boehme 1992, p. 124.
- Boehme 1992, p. 130.
- Boehme 1992, p. 139.
- Boehme 1992, p. 129.
- Thomas 1997, p. 147.
- Patzwall 2008, p. 71.
- Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 99.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 290.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 170.
- Von Seemen 1976, p. 118.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 70.
- Von Seemen 1976, p. 36.
Bibliography
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- Bergström, Christer; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
- Boehme, Manfred (1992). JG 7 The World's First Jet Fighter Unit 1944/1945. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-88740-395-8.
- 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.
- Forsgren, Jan (31 July 2014). Sinking the Beast: The RAF 1944 Lancaster Raids Against Tirpitz. Fonthill Media. ISBN 978-1-78155-318-3.
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- Heaton, Colin (2012). The Me 262 Stormbird: From the Pilots Who Flew, Fought, and Survived It. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Zenith Imprint. ISBN 978-0-76034-263-3.
- Hooton, Edward (1999) [1997]. Eagle in Flames: The Fall of the Luftwaffe. London, UK: Arms and Armour. ISBN 978-1-86019-995-0.
- Matthews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims – Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
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- Mombeek, Eric (2010). Eismeerjäger—Zur Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 5—Band 3 [Fighters in the Artic Sea—The History of the 5th Fighter Wing—Volume 3]. Linkebeek, Belgium: ASBL, La Porte d'Hoves. ISBN 978-2-930546-02-5.
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Military offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Oberstleutnant Günther Scholz |
Commander of Jagdgeschwader 5 Eismeer 1 August 1944 – 27 February 1945 |
Succeeded by Oberstleutnant Günther Scholz |