Friedrich Obleser
Nazi Germany
West Germany
![Balkenkreuz (Iron Cross)](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Balkenkreuz.svg/20px-Balkenkreuz.svg.png)
German Air Force
- Oberleutnant (Wehrmacht)
- Generalleutnant (Bundeswehr)
- Jagdbombergeschwader 43
- Jagdbombergeschwader 31
1978–1983
Friedrich-Erich Obleser (21 February 1923 – 5 June 2004) was a German general in the Bundeswehr. During World War II, he served as a fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe. A fighter ace, Obleser was credited with 120 aerial victories and was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. For his post-war service in the German Air Force, he received the Grand Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Early life and career
Obleser was born on 21 February 1923 in Pottenstein in the district of Baden in Lower Austria in Austria.[1] In 1940, he volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe.[2] Following flight training,[Note 1] Obleser was assigned to 8. Staffel (8th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing), a squadron of III. Gruppe of JG 52.[1]
World War II
World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. In January 1943, Obleser arrived with 8. Staffel under command of Hauptmann Günther Rall at the Gigant airfield which was located in the vicinity of Salsk. At the time, the Red Army had launched Operation Koltso, the final phase of the Battle of Stalingrad. Rall made Obleser his wingman and also appointed him as technical officer of the Staffel, a position which was responsible for the overall readiness of the equipment and aircraft.[4] Obleser flew his first combat mission on 12 January 1943 on the Eastern Front.[1] There, he claimed his first aerial victory on 28 March over a Bell P-39 Airacobra.[5] On 28 May 1943, Obleser was wounded when his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4 (Werknummer 19284—factory number) was hit by anti-aircraft artillery resulting in a forced landing at Varenikovskaya.[6] Following his convalescence, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 8. Staffel of JG 52 on 6 July 1943, succeeding Rall who took command of III. Gruppe.[7] Obleser received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 8 November 1943 and the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) six days later.[8]
Obleser was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 23 March 1944 following his 80th aerial victory.[9] At one point he questioned the aerial victory claims made by Erich Hartmann. Hartmann asked Rall to have Obleser transferred to be Hartmann's wingman for a while. Obleser became a witness on some of Hartmann's claims and no longer questioned Hartmann's claims.[10] On 21 July 1944, Obleser was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 87th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[11]
On 12 December, III. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Zagórze, located 36 kilometers (22 miles) west of Kraków. The Gruppe flew relatively few missions at the time. Obleser toyed around with a Panzerfaust, a recoil-less anti-tank weapon, in an attempt to increase its firing range. On 30 December, Obleser was severely wounded when a Panzerfaust exploded in his hand.[12] He did not see any further action before the end of the war in May 1945.[13] He was temporarily replaced by Leutnant Karl Gratz until Leutnant Viktor Petermann officially succeeded Obleser on 7 January 1945 as commander of 10. Staffel.[7]
Later life
After Obleser was released from US captivity, he worked as a commissioner of a recycling company, which predominantly had to dismantle and dispose of bomber aircraft. He then became head of an industrial application department in the private industry. In 1956, Obleser continued his military career, joining the German Air Force of West Germany as a Hauptmann. Following multiple assignments to various fighter units, Obleser was appointed wing commander of Jagdgeschwader 72 in Leck, later known as Jagdbombergeschwader 43, and then commander of Jagdbombergeschwader 31 "Boelcke". Obleser then held the position of system officer for the multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) within the German Air Staff. He then was appointed general manager of the NATO MRCA Management Agency.[2]
Obleser then served as chief of the Air Force Office (Luftwaffenamt) and commanding general of the Air Force Support Command (Luftwaffenunterstützungskommando). From 1 October 1978 until his retirement on 31 March 1983, he held the position of Inspector of the Air Force in the Bundeswehr, achieving the rank of Generalleutnant.[2]
In June 1981, the Federal Minister of Defence Hans Apel threatened Obleser with early retirement following Obleser's report to the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag (Verteidigungsausschuss des Deutschen Bundestages). Obleser had stated that, due to the latest defense budget cut, the German Air Force could only partially fulfill its obligations. Apel had viewed Obleser's statement as lack of loyalty towards his superiors. Earlier in March 1981, although skeptical of the proposal, Obleser had approved two budget cuts suggested by Inspector General of the Bundeswehr Jürgen Brandt.[14]
Obleser died of natural causes on 5 June 2004 in Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, at 81 years of age.[13]
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Obleser was credited with 120 aerial victories.[15] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that Obleser was credited with 112 aerial victories, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[16] In addition to these claims, Obleser claimed nine undocumented aerial victories over United States Army Air Forces aircraft, two heavy bombers and seven fighter aircraft.[13]
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 34 Ost 86724". 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.[17]
Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Obleser 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 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 |
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[18] Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943 | |||||||||
1 | 28 March 1943 | 05:37 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 86724[5] vicinity of Tichonowskij | 42 | 22 August 1943 | 08:23 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88283, southwest of Kuybyshev[19] 1 km (0.62 mi) south of Jalisawehino |
2 | 11 April 1943 | 15:55 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 85153[5] vicinity of Nowo Nekrassowskij | 43 | 22 August 1943 | 18:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88284[19] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Jalisawehino |
3 | 20 April 1943 | 07:04 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85192[20] vicinity of Erdol | 44 | 24 August 1943 | 12:44 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 88282, west of Kuibyschewo[19] 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Jalisawehino |
4 | 21 April 1943 | 10:57 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75452[20] 8 km (5.0 mi) south of Novorossiysk | 45 | 24 August 1943 | 15:13 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88252, Marinowka[19] 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Kuteinikowo |
?[Note 3] | 21 April 1943 | 11:05 | Il-2 | 8 km (5.0 mi) south of Novorossiysk[13] | 46 | 26 August 1943 | 06:49 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 88273[19] 15 km (9.3 mi) west-southwest of Jalisawehino |
5 | 21 April 1943 | 11:06 | Yak-1?[Note 4] | PQ 34 Ost 75[20] Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Novorossiysk | 47 | 29 August 1943 | 06:24 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 88343[19] 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Kuteinikowo |
6 | 24 April 1943 | 16:48 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 75 444[20] Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Novorossiysk | 48 | 5 September 1943 | 17:15 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 79484[21] 25 km (16 mi) north-northeast of Grischino |
7 | 24 April 1943 | 16:53 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 75461[20] Black Sea, 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Kabardinka | 49 | 14 September 1943 | 09:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 69413[21] 20 km (12 mi) east of Polohy |
8?[Note 5] | 27 April 1943 | 14:18 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 76713[20] | 50 | 18 September 1943 | 07:30 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 69711[21] 30 km (19 mi) north-northwest of Pokrowskoje |
9 | 27 April 1943 | 16:03 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75713[20] over sea, south of Gelendzhik | 51 | 18 September 1943 | 13:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 68373[21] 15 km (9.3 mi) west-northwest of Polohy |
10 | 27 April 1943 | 16:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85112[20] north of Mertschanskaja | 52♠ | 19 September 1943 | 05:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 59444[21] 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Pavlohrad |
11 | 30 April 1943 | 14:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85113, east of Krymskaja[22] east of Krymsk | 53♠ | 19 September 1943 | 08:07 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 59524[21] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Dnepropetrovsk |
12 | 3 May 1943 | 05:08 | I-153?[Note 6] | PQ 34 Ost 76854[22] east of Varenikovskaya | 54♠ | 19 September 1943 | 08:10 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 59553[21] 25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Dnepropetrovsk |
13 | 3 May 1943 | 05:12 | I-153[Note 6] | PQ 34 Ost 76862[22] vicinity of Imeni Dimitrowo | 55♠ | 19 September 1943 | 15:07 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 59583[21] 25 km (16 mi) east of Dnepropetrovsk |
14 | 4 May 1943 | 15:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85313[22] southeast of Schapssugskaja | 56♠ | 19 September 1943 | 15:26 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 59641[21] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Pavlohrad |
15 | 5 May 1943 | 07:22?[Note 7] | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85174, southwest of Abinskaja[22] vicinity of Nowenjkij | 57 | 21 September 1943 | 13:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 59383[21] south-southeast of Dnepropetrovsk |
16 | 5 May 1943 | 07:38?[Note 7] | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85161[22] west of Eriwanskaja | 58 | 23 September 1943 | 14:07 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 58993[21] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Zaporizhia |
17 | 6 May 1943 | 05:15 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 75241[22] vicinity of Neberdshajewskaja | 59 | 25 September 1943 | 15:03 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58672[21] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
18 | 8 May 1943 | 16:05 | Spitfire | PQ 34 Ost 85113, east of Krymskaja[23] east of Krymsk | 60 | 25 September 1943 | 15:05 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58673[21] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
19 | 9 May 1943 | 07:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75262[23] south of Krymsk | 61 | 26 September 1943 | 06:51 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 58673[24] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
20 | 11 May 1943 | 06:29 | LaGG | PQ 34 Ost 85152, north of Abinskaja[23] east of Sorin | 62 | 26 September 1943 | 07:10 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 58331[24] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Zaporizhia |
21 | 11 May 1943 | 06:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 86112[23] north of Mertschanskaja | 63 | 27 September 1943 | 14:15 | LaGG | PQ 34 Ost 58192[24] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Zaporizhia |
22 | 22 May 1943 | 09:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85563[23] over sea, south of Gelendzhik | 64 | 29 September 1943 | 14:10 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 58672, Bolschoj Tokmak[24] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
23 | 26 May 1943 | 13:19 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 76861[23] north of Kessjetowa | 65 | 30 September 1943 | 11:23 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 58564, northeast of Michailowka[24] vicinity of Kalinowka |
24 | 26 May 1943 | 16:05 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 76894[23] vicinity of Kijewakoje | 66 | 1 October 1943 | 06:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58674[24] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
25 | 27 May 1943 | 06:35 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85113, east of Krymskaja[23] east of Krymsk | 67 | 1 October 1943 | 07:20 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 58133[24] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Zaporizhia |
26 | 28 May 1943 | 12:12 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 76894[25] vicinity of Kijewakoje | 68 | 1 October 1943 | 12:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58561[24] vicinity of Kalinowka |
27 | 3 August 1943 | 08:45 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 35 Ost 61293[26] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Prochorowka | 69 | 3 October 1943 | 08:23 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58153[24] northeast of Zaporizhia |
28 | 3 August 1943 | 18:39 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61194[26] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Krasnyi Lyman | 70 | 3 October 1943 | 16:12 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58583[24] 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Beloserka |
29 | 4 August 1943 | 04:48 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61332, northwest of Belgorod[26] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Tomarovka | 71 | 4 October 1943 | 11:45 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58672, Bolschoj Tokmak[24] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
30 | 4 August 1943 | 10:55 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61154[26] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Krasnyi Lyman | 72 | 6 October 1943 | 07:10 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 58674[27] 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
31 | 4 August 1943 | 15:15 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 61624[28] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Belgorod | 73 | 7 October 1943 | 07:44 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 49173[27] 55 km (34 mi) east-northeast of Myronivka |
32 | 5 August 1943 | 09:43 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61412[28] 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Belgorod | 74 | 7 October 1943 | 11:10 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 49322, west of Schulgowka[27] 60 km (37 mi) west-northwest of Dnepropetrovsk |
33 | 7 August 1943 | 08:46 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 51612[28] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Grayvoron | 75 | 7 October 1943 | 11:15 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 49321[27] 60 km (37 mi) west-northwest of Dnepropetrovsk |
34 | 8 August 1943 | 15:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61532[28] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Belgorod | 76 | 8 October 1943 | 06:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 49321[27] 60 km (37 mi) west-northwest of Dnepropetrovsk |
35 | 9 August 1943 | 05:35 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61652[28] 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Vovchansk | 77 | 8 October 1943 | 13:06 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 58683[27] 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Bolschoj-Tokmak |
36 | 9 August 1943 | 05:39 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61633[28] 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Vovchansk | 78 | 10 October 1943 | 06:00 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 58164, east of Zaporizhia[27] 20 km (12 mi) east of Zaporizhia |
37 | 14 August 1943 | 14:52 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 60163[29] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Kharkiv | 79 | 28 November 1943 | 14:35 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 48644[30] 20 km (12 mi) south-southeast of Nikopol |
38 | 19 August 1943 | 09:32 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88263[29] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Marinowka | 80 | 7 December 1943 | 13:53 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | north of Nowa Praha[30] north Nowaja Praga |
39 | 19 August 1943 | 11:38 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88254, Kalinowka[29] vicinity of Dmitrijewka | 81 | 17 December 1943 | 13:45 | Boston | northeast of Losowatka[31] northeast of Losowatka |
40 | 19 August 1943 | 11:44 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88281[29] 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Jalisawehino | 82 | 19 December 1943 | 12:10 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | south of Nowo-Dnjeprowka[31] |
41 | 21 August 1943 | 13:20 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88283, southwest of Kuibyschewo[19] 1 km (0.62 mi) south of Jalisawehino | |||||
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[32] Eastern Front — 1 January – 31 December 1944 | |||||||||
83 | 7 January 1944 | 11:35 | P-39 | PQ 39763[33] 20 km (12 mi) west-southwest of Perekop | 95 | 15 April 1944 | 16:18 | Il-2 | PQ 35311[34] Black Sea, 35 km (22 mi) west-northwest of Sevastopol |
84 | 15 January 1944 | 10:30 | Il-2 | PQ 19494[33] 25 km (16 mi) west of Kirovograd | 96 | 17 April 1944 | 15:30 | LaGG | PQ 35451[34] Dzhankoi |
85 | 23 January 1944 | 10:30 | P-39 | PQ 38824[33] 45 km (28 mi) south of Apostolove | 97 | 27 June 1944 | 19:40 | Pe-2 | PQ 95243[35] |
86 | 30 January 1944 | 12:02 | LaGG | PQ 19152[33] 25 km (16 mi) south-southwest of Signajewka | 98 | 7 July 1944 | 15:15 | LaGG | PQ 55393[35] 45 km (28 mi) east of Otopeni |
87 | 1 February 1944 | 07:28 | LaGG | PQ 19274[33] 25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Signajewka | 99 | 19 July 1944 | 14:45 | P-39 | PQ 42552[35] 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Liuboml |
88 | 1 February 1944 | 10:06 | LaGG | PQ 19134[33] 10 km (6.2 mi) south-southwest of Signajewka | 100 | 21 July 1944 | 18:58 | P-39 | PQ 31876[36] 20 km (12 mi) south of Rawa Ruska |
89 | 26 February 1944 | 12:02 | Pe-2 | PQ 19452[37] 30 km (19 mi) west-northwest of Kirovograd | 101 | 24 July 1944 | 18:28 | LaGG | PQ 30694[36] 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Stryj |
90 | 14 March 1944 | 15:34 | LaGG | PQ 70543[37] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Balakleya | 102 | 12 August 1944 | 14:04 | LaGG | PQ 11383[36] 25 km (16 mi) north-northwest of Mielec |
91 | 21 March 1944 | 16:21 | LaGG | PQ 70551[37] 20 km (12 mi) north of Izium | 103 | 17 August 1944 | 12:44 | P-39 | PQ 11474[36] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Sandomierz |
92 | 31 March 1944 | 15:53?[Note 8] | LaGG | PQ 51783[37] 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Brody | 104 | 22 August 1944 | 15:20 | P-39 | PQ 11417[36] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Sandomierz |
93 | 4 April 1944 | 14:03 | LaGG | PQ 50674[37] 25 km (16 mi) south of Ternopol | 105 | 22 August 1944 | 15:33 | LaGG | PQ 11287[36] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Sandomierz |
94 | 15 April 1944 | 16:15 | LaGG | Laspinskaya Bukhta[34] Black Sea, 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Laspi Bight | |||||
– 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[38] Eastern Front — 1 January – 31 December 1944 | |||||||||
106 | 26 August 1944 | 10:45 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 11189[39] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Opatów | 110 | 2 September 1944 | 14:09 | LaGG | PQ 11197[39] vicinity of Opatów |
107 | 27 August 1944 | 15:24 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 11319[39] 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Opatów | 111 | 15 October 1944 | 10:48 | LaGG | PQ 20759[39] 45 km (28 mi) south of Sanok |
108 | 31 August 1944 | 18:33 | LaGG | PQ 11321[39] 15 km (9.3 mi) south-southwest of Opatów | 112 | 25 October 1944 | 14:59 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 25599[39] 25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Prahovo |
109 | 1 September 1944 | 11:15 | Il-2 | PQ 11385[39] 15 km (9.3 mi) south-southwest of Opatów |
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class[40]
- Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 8 November 1943 as Leutnant in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[8]
- German Cross in Gold on 14 November 1943 as Leutnant in the III./Jagdgeschwader 52[41]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 March 1944 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[42][Note 9]
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Officer's Cross (April 1973)
- Commanders Cross (26 September 1979)[44]
- Grand Cross with Star (4 March 1983)
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.[3]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
- ^ This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[20]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin Il-2.[13]
- ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[13]
- ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.[13]
- ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:32.[13]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 05:53.[38]
- ^ According to Scherzer on 26 March 1944.[43]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 175.
- ^ a b c 1978–1982 Friedrich Obleser.
- ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
- ^ Rall 2007, pp. 142–144.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 478.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 496.
- ^ a b Barbas 2010, p. 280.
- ^ a b Barbas 2010, p. 283.
- ^ Schreier 1990, p. 177.
- ^ interview by Colin Heaton Archived 2008-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
- ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 196, 321.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 929.
- ^ Der Spiegel Volume 24/1981.
- ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 330.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 929–931.
- ^ Planquadrat.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 929–930.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 488.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 479.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Prien et al. 2012, p. 489.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 480.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2012, p. 481.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2012, p. 490.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 482.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 485.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 491.
- ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 486.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 487.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 493.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 494.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 930–931.
- ^ a b c d e f Barbas 2010, p. 373.
- ^ a b c Barbas 2010, p. 375.
- ^ a b c Barbas 2010, p. 378.
- ^ a b c d e f Barbas 2010, p. 379.
- ^ a b c d e Barbas 2010, p. 374.
- ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 931.
- ^ a b c d e f g Barbas 2010, p. 380.
- ^ Dixon 2023, p. 85.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 335.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 328.
- ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 574.
- ^ Ministerialblatt 1980, p. 3.
Bibliography
- Barbas, Bernd (2010). Die Geschichte der III. Gruppe des Jagdgeschwaders 52 [The History of 3rd Group of Fighter Wing 52] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-94-6.
- Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
- Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
- Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-39903-073-1.
- 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.
- Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 3 M–R. Walton-on-Thames, UK: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-20-2.
- 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.
- 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.
- Rall, Günther (2007). Braatz, Kurt [in German] (ed.). Günther Rall: Mein Flugbuch—Erinnerungen 1938–2004 [Günther Rall: My Flight Book—Recollections 1938–2004] (in German). Moosburg, Germany: NeunundzwanzigSechs Verlag. ISBN 978-3-9807935-3-7.
- 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.
- Schreier, Hans (1990). JG 52 Das erfolgreichste Jagdgeschwader des 2. Weltkriegs [JG 52 The Most Successful Fighter Wing of World War II] (in German). Berg am See: K. Vowinckel. ISBN 978-3-921655-66-5.
- Zabecki, David T., ed. (2019). The German War Machine in World War II. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-44-086918-1.
- "Ablösung für Obleser" [Replacement for Obleser]. Der Spiegel (in German). No. 24. 1981. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- "Generalleutnant Friedrich Obleser" [Lieutenant General Friedrich Obleser]. Bundeswehr (in German). Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- "Ministerialblatt für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen" [Ministerial Newspaper for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia]. recht.nrw.de (in German). 7 January 1980. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
External links
- "Ich denk?, ich steh?". Der Spiegel (in German). No. 46. 1979. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- "Ein schöner Tod - fürs Vaterland?". Der Spiegel (in German). No. 35. 1982. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
Military offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Oberstleutnant Erich Hohagen | Commander of Jagdgeschwader 72 1 November 1961 – 19 December 1963 | Succeeded by Oberstleutnant Benno Schmieder |
Preceded by Oberstleutnant Wilhelm Meyn | Commander of Jagdbombergeschwader 31 Boelcke December 1963 – November 1966 | Succeeded by Oberst Paul Monreal |
Preceded by Generalleutnant Gerhard Limberg | Inspector of the Air Force 1 October 1978 – 31 March 1983 | Succeeded by Generalleutnant Eberhard Eimler |
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Balkenkreuz.svg/18px-Balkenkreuz.svg.png)
- Günther Rall (275)
- Otto Kittel (267)
- Walter Nowotny (258)
- Wilhelm Batz (237)
- Erich Rudorffer (222)
- Heinrich Bär (220)
- Hermann Graf (212)
- Heinrich Ehrler (208)
- Theodor Weissenberger (208)
- Hans Philipp (206)
- Walter Schuck (206)
- Anton Hafner (204)
- Helmut Lipfert (203)
- Walter Krupinski (197)
- Anton Hackl (192)
- Joachim Brendel (189)
- Max Stotz (189)
- Joachim Kirschner (188)
- Kurt Brändle (180)
- Günther Josten (178)
- Johannes Steinhoff (176)
- Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert (174)
- Günther Schack (174)
- Emil Lang (173)
- Heinz Schmidt (173)
- Horst Ademeit (166)
- Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke (162)
- Hans-Joachim Marseille (158)
- Heinrich Sturm (158)
- Gerhard Thyben (157)
- Hans Beißwenger (152)
- Peter Düttmann (152)
- Gordon Gollob (150)
- Fritz Tegtmeier (146)
- Albin Wolf (144)
- Kurt Tanzer (143)
- Friedrich-Karl Müller (140)
- Friedrich Wachowiak (140)?
- Karl Gratz (138)
- Heinrich Setz (138)
- Rudolf Trenkel (138)
- Franz Schall (137)
- Walter Wolfrum (137)
- Horst-Günther von Fassong (136)?
- Otto Fönnekold (136)
- Karl-Heinz Weber (136)
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- Hans Waldmann (134)
- Alfred Grislawski (133)
- Johannes Wiese (133)
- Adolf Borchers (132)
- Erwin Clausen (132)
- Adolf Dickfeld (132)
- Wilhelm Lemke (131)
- Gerhard Hoffmann (130)
- Heinrich Sterr (130)
- Walther Dahl (129)
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- Franz Dörr (128)
- Rudolf Rademacher (126)?
- Josef Zwernemann (126)
- Dietrich Hrabak (125)
- Wolf-Udo Ettel (124)
- Herbert Ihlefeld (123)
- Wolfgang Tonne (122)
- Heinz Marquardt (121)
- Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (121)
- Robert Weiß (121)
- Friedrich Obleser (120)
- Erich Leie (118)
- Franz-Josef Beerenbrock (117)
- Hans-Joachim Birkner (117)
- Jakob Norz (117)
- Walter Oesau (117)
- Heinz Wernicke (117)
- August Lambert (116)
- Wilhelm Crinius (114)
- Werner Schröer (114)
- Hans Dammers (113)
- Berthold Korts (113)
- Helmut Lent (113)
- Kurt Bühligen (112)
- Kurt Ubben (111)
- Franz Woidich (110)
- Emil Bitsch (108)
- Hans Hahn (108)
- Bernhard Vechtel (108)
- Viktor Bauer (106)
- Werner Lucas (106)
- Günther Lützow (105)
- Eberhard von Boremski (104)
- Adolf Galland (104)
- Heinz Sachsenberg (104)
- Hartmann Grasser (103)
- Siegfried Freytag (102)
- Friedrich Geißhardt (102)
- Egon Mayer (102)
- Max-Hellmuth Ostermann (102)
- Herbert Rollwage (102)?
- Josef Wurmheller (102)
- Rudolf Miethig (101)
- Werner Mölders (101)
- Josef Priller (101)
- Ulrich Wernitz (101)
- Paul-Heinrich Dähne (100)
- Reinhard Seiler (100)