Hubertus von Bonin (3 August 1911 – 15 December 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, a fighter ace listed with 77 enemy aircraft shot down. He claimed four victories in the Spanish Civil War, and during World War II, 64 on the Eastern Front and nine on the Western Front.

Hubertus von Bonin
Hubertus von Bonin in the Second World War
Born(1911-08-03)3 August 1911
Potsdam, Province of Brandenburg, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Died15 December 1943(1943-12-15) (aged 32)
near Haradok, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union (now Belarus)
Cause of deathKilled in action
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branchLuftwaffe
Years of service1932–1943
RankOberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel)
UnitJG 51, JG 52, JG 54
CommandsIII./JG 52, JG 54
Battles / wars
See battles
AwardsSpanish Cross in Gold with Swords
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
RelationsBogislaw von Bonin
Eckart-Wilhelm von Bonin

Born in Potsdam, von Bonin volunteered for service with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War where he commanded the 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) of Jagdgruppe 88 (J/88—88th Fighter Group). Following service in Spain, von Bonin was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). In January 1940, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing). He then served as a flight instructor before taking command of III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front. Von Bonin was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 November 1942 after 51 aerial victories claimed. In July 1943, he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 54. Von Bonin was killed in action in aerial combat on 15 December 1943 near Haradok.

Early life and career

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Von Bonin was born on 3 August 1911 in Potsdam in the Province of Brandenburg, Kingdom of Prussia within the German Empire. He was the son of Bogislaw von Bonin and his wife Mathilde, a daughter of Adolf von Bülow. His older brother, Bogislaw served in the Army and later in the Amt Blank, a predecessor of the Federal Ministry of Defence. His two younger brothers also served in the Luftwaffe, Jürgen-Oskar was killed in action on 8 February 1942, while serving as an observer in a Tansportgeschwader (air transport wing). Another brother, Eckart-Wilhelm, became a night fighter pilot with 37 aerial victories who survived the war.[1]

In October 1932, von Bonin attended the Military School Dresden. Among his classmates were Werner Mölders, Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn, Joachim Pötter, Hans-Henning Freiherr von Beust, Arved Crüger, Gerhard Kollewe and Wolfgang Schellmann.[2] On 15 March 1937, I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 334 (JG 334—334th Fighter Wing) was created at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Airfield and headed by Hauptmann Hubert Merhart von Bernegg. Initially, the Gruppe was created without 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) which was formed on 1 July and placed under the command of von Bonin.[3] The Gruppe was equipped with the Arado Ar 68 E. In early 1938, they received the then new Messerschmitt Bf 109 D-1.[4]

Von Bonin transferred to the Condor Legion on 30 November 1938 and command of 3. Staffel then passed on to Hauptmann Lothar von Jansen.[5] Von Bonin replaced Hauptmann Mölders, his former classmate at the Military School Dresden, as Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader) of the 3. Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 (J/88—88th Fighter Group) on 5 December 1938.[6][7][8] During the course of the Spanish Civil War, he claimed four Republican fighter aircraft shot down, including a Curtiss P-36 Hawk on 6 March which was J/88's 314th and last aerial victory.[9] For his service in Spain, he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords (Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern) on 14 April 1939.[10]

After his return from Spain, von Bonin took command of the 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) on 28 June 1939.[11] He took over command from Hauptmann Herwig Knüppel who was given command of II. Gruppe of JG 26 to which 5. Staffel was subordinated.[12] At the time, II. Gruppe was based at Düsseldorf Airfield and was equipped with the Bf 109 E-1. On 25 August, a week before the outbreak of World War II, the Gruppe was ordered to Bönninghardt, an airfield southwest of Wesel, close to Germany's western border.[13]

World War II

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World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Based in Bönninghardt, the Gruppe initially flew fighter protection during the "Phoney War" along the Belgian and Dutch border without claiming any aerial victories. On 1 November, II. Gruppe was ordered to Werl where elements were split off to form the nucleus of the newly created III. Gruppe of JG 26.[14] On 1 January 1940, von Bonin was transferred and appointed Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) of the I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing). He replaced Major Hans-Jürgen von Cramon-Taubadel who was transferred.[15] On 10 May, German forces launched the attack on France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands which became the Battle of France. At the time, I. Gruppe was based at Eutingen im Gäu near Horb am Neckar patrolling the German front along the Upper Rhine and Alsace.[16] According to Mathews and Foreman, von Bonin claimed his first aerial victory of World War II the following day, which was not confirmed.[10] Without seeing much further action, I. Gruppe was ordered to Vitry-en-Artois Airfield on 28 May where they fought in the Battle of Dunkirk.[16] On 5 June, German forced launched Fall Rot (Case Red), the second phase of the conquest of France. I. Gruppe supported the left wing of Army Group B's advance. On 6 June, the Gruppe moved to an airfield at Cramont, approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) east-northeast of Abbeville.[17] Two days later, von Bonin shot down two Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) Bloch MB.150 fighters near Pontoise.[18]

On 18 June, I. Gruppe was withdrawn from the combat area of Army Group B and ordered to Châteaudun Airfield before moving to Eindhoven Airfield in the Netherlands on 26 June for a period of rest and equipment overhaul. The following day, a Royal Air Force (RAF) flight of Bristol Blenheim bombers was intercepted, and four bombers were claimed shot down, including three by von Bonin.[19] The Gruppe stayed in Eindhoven until 15 July when they moved to Schiphol Airfield. On 26 July, the unit was ordered closer to the English Channel and was then based at an airfield near Campagne-lès-Guines to participate in Battle of Britain.[20] On 25 August, von Bonin was credited with the destruction of a RAF Supermarine Spitfire fighter.[21] He claimed a further Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane fighter east of Southend-on-Sea on 5 September while escorting Luftwaffe bombers attacking RAF ground targets.[19] Von Bonin was credited with his last aerial victory over the RAF on 11 September when he claimed a Spitfire shot down 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Dungeness.[21] On 23 September, I. Gruppe was withdrawn from the English Channel and ordered to Jever Airfield where the Gruppe was again replenished. At Jever, the Gruppe flew fighter patrols over the German Bight.[22]

On 29 April 1941, von Bonin had a taxiing accident in his Bf 109 (Werknummer 2055—factory number) while based at Wesermünde, present-day part of Bremerhaven. The aircraft sustained 10% damage.[23]

Eastern Front and instructor

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Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, began on 22 June 1941. In the fortnight prior, JG 54 had been moved to an airfield in Lindenthal near Rautenberg, East Prussia, present-day Uslowoje in Kaliningrad Oblast. Tasked with supporting Army Group North in its advance through the Baltic states towards Leningrad, the unit began combat operations shortly afterwards.[24] On 30 June, von Bonin was transferred to take command of Jagdfliegerschule 4, the fighter pilot school in Fürth. Command of I. Gruppe passed on to Hauptmann Erich von Selle.[25]

 
III./JG 52 emblem

On 1 October 1941, he then took command of the III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front.[26] At the time of his posting to JG 52, III. Gruppe was based at Poltava and supporting the 17th Army in its assault on Kharkov, leading up to the First Battle of Kharkov.[27] Under his leadership, III. Gruppe of JG 52 became the most successful fighter unit of the Luftwaffe.[28] Von Bonin claimed his first aerial victory with JG 52 on 29 April 1942. That day, he shot down a Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter.[29] III. Gruppe had just relocated to Zürichtal, a small village at the Inhul in the former German settlement west of Feodosia in the Crimea.[30] On 12 May, III. Gruppe was ordered to relocate to an airfield named Kharkov-Rogan, 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) east of Kharkov where they participated in the Second Battle of Kharkov.[31] Over the next weeks, III. Gruppe was moved several times. On 19 May, the Gruppe moved to Barvinkove where they stayed until 12 June mostly fighting over the encircled Soviet forces in the Izium salient. They were then ordered to Belgorod and to Grakowo, located approximately halfway between Kharkov and Kupiansk, on 22 June.[32] On 26 June, III. Gruppe then moved to Bely Kolodez where they stayed until 3 July.[33] According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, von Bonin claimed seven aerial victories between 9 May to 30 June which were not documented.[34]

On 28 June, German forces had launched Case Blue, the strategic summer offensive in southern Russia. On 7 July, Army Group A began their advance towards the oil fields in the Caucasus.[35] On 13 August, III. Gruppe had reached Mineralnye Vody in the North Caucasus region. In mid-August, von Bonin was ordered to detach a small Kommando (commando) under the command of Oberleutnant Hermann Graf.[36] On 23 August, von Bonin claimed a Polikarpov I-16 fighter and a Douglas A-20 Havoc, also known as a Boston, taking his total to 19 aerial victories.[37] On 27 August, III. Gruppe reached an airfield named Gonschtakowka located north-northeast of Mozdok on the Terek. There, von Bonin claimed two Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighters and a Boston bomber shot down on 30 August.[38] On the next two days, he shot down one LaGG-3 fighter on each day taking his total to 24.[39] On 2 September, von Bonin was credited with a Polikarpov I-153 fighter and two Boston bombers.[40]

On 19 September, III. Gruppe reached an airfield named Soldatskaya, west of Mozdok. The Gruppe would remain here until 1 January 1943 but would also use airfields at Mozdok and Digora.[41] He was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 27 October 1942.[10] On 1 November, von Bonin became an "ace-in-a-day" claiming a La-5, a MiG-3, and two LaGG-3 fighters plus an Il-2 ground attack aircraft, taking his total to 46 aerial victories.[42] On 13 December, von Bonin claimed two Yak-1 fighters, his last aerial victories of 1942, taking his total to 56.[43] A week later, on 21 December, von Bonin received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes).[10] Von Bonin claimed his next aerial victories in late April 1943. III. Gruppe had been ordered to Taman on the Kuban on 1 April.[44] On 29 April, he shot down two LaGG-3 fighters.[45] His last claim with JG 52 was filed on 29 May when he shot down a LaGG-3 fighter.[46]

Wing commander and death

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Emblem of JG 54

On 5 July 1943, Oberstleutnant Hannes Trautloft, the Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 54, was transferred to the staff of the General der Jagdflieger (General of Fighters), an office held by Generalmajor Adolf Galland. In consequence, von Bonin was transferred and assumed command of JG 54 on 6 July 1943. At the time, the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of JG 54 was based at Siversky and subordinated to Luftflotte 1 (Air Fleet 1), supporting Army Group North.[47] Prior to this posting, von Bonin had just recently married.[48] Further south, German forces had launched Operation Citadel on 5 July, the failed attempt to eliminate the Kursk salient that initiated the Battle of Kursk. In support of this offensive, JG 54 moved to Oryol on 9 July, fighting on the northern pincer of Generaloberst Walter Model's 9th Army.[49]

In October, the Geschwaderstab moved to Vitebsk.[50] On 15 December, von Bonin claimed two Il-2 ground attack aircraft shot down northeast of Gorodok (now Haradok, Belarus). Von Bonin had attacked a flight of six Il-2 ground attack aircraft and their fighter escort.[51] In this encounter, he was shot down and killed in action in his Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 (Werknummer 2600) east of Gorodok.[52][53][54] Command of JG 54 initially remained vacant until Oberstleutnant Anton Mader was appointed Geschwaderkommodore on 28 January 1944.[55]

Summary of career

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Aerial victory claims

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According to Spick, von Bonin was credited with 77 aerial victories claimed in an unknown number combat missions. This figure includes four aerial victories during the Spanish Civil War, nine during the Battle of France and Britain and further 64 aerial victories on the Eastern Front.[56] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces—Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 65 aerial victory claims. This number includes four claims during the Spanish Civil War, eight over the Western Allies, and 53 on the Eastern Front.[57]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 44283". 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.[58]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made von Bonin 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 – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which von Bonin did not receive credit.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 –[10]
Spanish Civil War
1 29 December 1938
I-16 3 3 February 1939
Curtiss
2 17 January 1939
I-16 4 6 March 1939
Curtiss
Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[59]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
?[Note 1]
11 May 1940
unknown 2?[Note 2] 8 June 1940 12:50 MB.150 Pontoise[18]
1 8 June 1940 12:50 MB.150 Pontoise[18]
Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[60]
At the Channel and over England — 26 June – 23 September 1940
3 27 June 1940 15:15 Blenheim[21] 7 5 September 1940 16:25 Spitfire[21]
4 27 June 1940 15:20 Blenheim[21] 8 5 September 1940 16:30 Hurricane east of Southend[21]
5 27 June 1940 15:30 Blenheim[21] 9 11 September 1940 17:35 Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) north of Dungeness[21]
6 25 August 1940 20:10 Spitfire[21]
Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[60]
Eastern Front — 29 April 1942 – 3 February 1943
10?[Note 2] 29 April 1942
Yak-1[61]
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, aerial victories 11 to 17 claimed between 9 May to 30 June were not documented.[34] These seven claims are not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[60]
18 23 August 1942 11:35 I-16 PQ 44283[62] 38 31 October 1942 10:34 R-5 PQ 44572[63]
vicinity of Jelenskiy
19 23 August 1942 11:40 Boston PQ 54314[62]
vicinity of Makowkin
39 31 October 1942 10:35 MiG-1 PQ 44652[63]
20 30 August 1942 10:12 LaGG-3 PQ 54323[64]
vicinity of Makowkin
40 31 October 1942 13:50?[Note 3] Il-2 PQ 44724[63]
21 30 August 1942 10:30 Boston PQ 54314[64] 41 31 October 1942 14:05 Pe-2 PQ 34762[63]
22 30 August 1942 17:04 LaGG-3 PQ 54342, east of Mozdok[64]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Stalingrad
42♠ 1 November 1942 13:28 La-5 PQ 44853[63]
23 31 August 1942 16:56 LaGG-3 PQ 59313[64] 43♠ 1 November 1942 13:30 LaGG-3 PQ 44834[63]
24 1 September 1942 15:30 LaGG-3 PQ 54343[64] 44♠ 1 November 1942 15:22 LaGG-3 PQ 44763[63]
25 2 September 1942 12:05?[Note 4] I-153 PQ 4445[64] 45♠ 1 November 1942 15:22?[Note 5] Il-2 PQ 44724[63]
26 2 September 1942 15:02 Boston PQ 44421[64] 46♠ 1 November 1942 15:25 MiG-3 PQ 44853[63]
27 2 September 1942 15:03 Boston PQ 44421[64] 47 2 November 1942 12:52 LaGG-3 PQ 44872[63]
28 4 September 1942 15:25 Boston PQ 44372[65] 48 2 November 1942 12:55?[Note 6] LaGG-3 PQ 44872[63]
29 7 September 1942 17:05 I-153 PQ 44357[66] 49 17 November 1942 13:56 MiG-3 PQ 44841[67]
30 10 September 1942 16:36 LaGG-3 PQ 44464[66]
south of Mozdok
50 17 November 1942 14:09 Il-2 PQ 44752, south of Salugarden[67]
31 13 September 1942 16:58 I-16 PQ 44374[68] 51 28 November 1942 13:54 Boston PQ 44734[67]
32 28 September 1942 15:55 Boston PQ 44524[69]
vicinity of Malgobek
52 28 November 1942 13:54 Boston PQ 44722[67]
33 11 October 1942 11:32 Yak-1 PQ 44574[70]
south of Sagopschin
53 28 November 1942 13:55 Boston PQ 44733[67]
34 13 October 1942 11:36 Yak-1 PQ 44721[70]
east of Kurp
54 28 November 1942 14:03 Il-2 PQ 44764[67]
35 25 October 1942 12:27 La-5 PQ 44721[63]
south of Elkhotovo
55 13 December 1942 13:26 Yak-1 PQ 44261[71]
36 30 October 1942 13:33 LaGG-3 PQ 44714[63] 56 13 December 1942 13:27 Yak-1 PQ 44252[71]
37 30 October 1942 13:34 LaGG-3 PQ 44714[63]
Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[60]
Eastern Front — 4 February – 29 June 1943
57?[Note 2] 28 April 1943 16:51 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 86114[72] 62 26 May 1943 17:45 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75264, southwest of Krymskaja[73]
east of Nowo-Bakanskoja
58 29 April 1943 12:58 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85144[74]
vicinity of Abinsk
63 27 May 1943 18:04 Il-2 m.H.[Note 7] PQ 34 Ost 76863[75]
south of Bakanskij
59 29 April 1943 12:58 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85144[74]
vicinity of Abinsk
64 27 May 1943 18:12 Il-2 m.H.[Note 7] PQ 34 Ost 75232, north of Krymskaja[75]
60 3 May 1943 16:58 Spitfire PQ 34 Ost 85144, west of Abinskaja[74]
vicinity of Abinsk
65 28 May 1943 18:00 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75232, north of Krymskaja[75]
61 26 May 1943 17:43 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85142, southeast of Krymskaja[73]
vicinity of Beregowoj
Stab of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[76]
Eastern Front — 6 July – 15 December 1943
66 14 July 1943 14:08 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 54474[77]
25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Bolkhov
67 14 September 1943 12:11?[Note 8] Yak-9?[Note 8] PQ 35 Ost 25661[77]
25 km (16 mi) east of Schatalowka
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, aerial victories 68 and 69 claimed in late September were not documented.[77] These two claims are not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[76]
70 9 October 1943 16:10 P-39 PQ 35 Ost 06191[77] 72 15 December 1943 11:19 Il-2 northeast of Gorodok[77]
71 12 October 1943 13:35 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 15541[77]
south of Lenin
73 15 December 1943 11:20 Il-2 northeast of Gorodok[77]

Awards

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Notes

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  1. ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[18]
  2. ^ a b c This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[60]
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:49.[60]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:00.[60]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:23.[60]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:55.[60]
  7. ^ a b The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  8. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:10 over a Bell P-39 Airacobra.[60]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 91.
  2. ^ Braatz 2009, pp. 53–54.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2000a, pp. 230, 232.
  4. ^ Prien et al. 2000a, p. 230.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2000a, p. 232.
  6. ^ Braatz 2009, p. 153.
  7. ^ Forsyth 2011, p. 99.
  8. ^ Laureau 2010, p. 108.
  9. ^ Forsyth 2011, p. 101.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 121.
  11. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 3, 326.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2000a, p. 188.
  13. ^ Prien et al. 2000a, p. 186.
  14. ^ Prien et al. 2001, p. 189.
  15. ^ Prien et al. 2001, p. 420.
  16. ^ a b Prien et al. 2000b, p. 363.
  17. ^ Prien et al. 2000b, p. 364.
  18. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2000b, p. 368.
  19. ^ a b Prien et al. 2002, pp. 295, 300.
  20. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 295.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2002, p. 300.
  22. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 296.
  23. ^ Prien et al. 2003a, p. 121.
  24. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 184.
  25. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 197.
  26. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 65.
  27. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 65.
  28. ^ Weal 2004, p. 70.
  29. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 337.
  30. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 93.
  31. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 94.
  32. ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 94–95.
  33. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 96.
  34. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 550.
  35. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 98.
  36. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 100.
  37. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 346.
  38. ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 102, 347.
  39. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 347.
  40. ^ Barbas 2010, pp. 347–348.
  41. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 102.
  42. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 353.
  43. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 355.
  44. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 137.
  45. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 358.
  46. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 360.
  47. ^ Prien et al. 2012b, p. 64.
  48. ^ Amadio 2002, p. 150.
  49. ^ Prien et al. 2012b, p. 65.
  50. ^ Prien et al. 2012b, p. 72.
  51. ^ Prien et al. 2012b, p. 73.
  52. ^ Weal 1998, pp. 72–73.
  53. ^ Weal 2001, p. 107.
  54. ^ Prien et al. 2012b, p. 79.
  55. ^ Weal 2001, p. 118.
  56. ^ Spick 1996, p. 236.
  57. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 121–123.
  58. ^ Planquadrat.
  59. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 121–122.
  60. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 122.
  61. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 542.
  62. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 554.
  63. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Prien et al. 2006, p. 562.
  64. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2006, p. 555.
  65. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 556.
  66. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 557.
  67. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2006, p. 564.
  68. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 558.
  69. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 560.
  70. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 561.
  71. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 565.
  72. ^ Prien et al. 2012a, p. 479.
  73. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012a, p. 481.
  74. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012a, p. 480.
  75. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012a, p. 482.
  76. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 123.
  77. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012b, p. 78.
  78. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 294.
  79. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 51.
  80. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 139.
  81. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 233.

Bibliography

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  • Amadio, Jill (2002). Günther Rall – a Memoir – Luftwaffe Ace & NATO General. Placentia, CA: Tangmere Productions. ISBN 978-0-9715533-0-9.
  • 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 17 February 2021.
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  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1996). The JG 26 War Diary: Volume One 1939–1942. London, UK: Grubstreet. ISBN 978-1-898697-52-7.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52677-864-2.
  • 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.
  • Forsyth, Robert (2011). Aces of the Legion Condor. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 99. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-347-8.
  • Laureau, Patrick (2010). Condor: The Luftwaffe in Spain, 1936–39. Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0688-9.
  • Mathews, 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.
  • 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 (2000a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 1—Vorkriegszeit und Einsatz über Polen—1934 bis 1939 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 1—Pre-War Period and Action over Poland—1934 to 1939] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-54-0.
  • 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.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/II—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/II—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-70-0.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). 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.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012a). 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.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-07-9.
  • 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.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Weal, John (1998) [1995]. Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Russian Front. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 6. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-518-0.
  • Weal, John (2001). Jagdgeschwader 54 'Grünherz'. Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 6. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-286-9.
  • 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 54 Grünherz
6 July 1943 – 15 December 1943
Succeeded by
Oberstleutnant Anton Mader