Heinz Wernicke
Heinz Wernicke | |
---|---|
![]() Heinz Wernicke | |
Born | (1920-10-17)17 October 1920 Berlin |
Died | 27 December 1944(1944-12-27) (aged 24) near Dobele, Latvia |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Rank | Leutnant (second lieutenant) |
Unit | EJGr Ost, JG 54 |
Commands | 1./JG 54 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Heinz Wernicke (17 October 1920 – 27 December 1944) was a Luftwaffe World War II fighter ace and was credited with 117 aerial victories—that is, 117 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. He was also 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. Wernicke was killed in a mid-air collision with his wingman on 27 December 1944.
Career
Wernicke was born on 17 October 1920 in Berlin of the Weimar Republic. He joined the 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in early 1942 as an Unteroffizier (non-commissioned officer).[Note 1] JG 54 at the time was stationed at the Eastern Front. In the fall of 1942, he was transferred to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost (Supplementary Fighter Group East) and then to 6. Staffel (6th squadron) of JG 54 in early 1943.[1] There, he claimed his first aerial victory on 7 March 1943 over an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft in aerial combat south of Lake Ilmen.[2] At the time, II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 54 was based at Rjelbitzi, an airfield south of Leningrad.[3] On 11 March, II. Gruppe under the command of Hauptmann (Captain) Heinrich Jung, relocated to Gatchina for combat in the Siege of Leningrad and east in the vicinity of the Volkhov River.[4] In this combat area, Wernicke claimed a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighter on 19 March, a Yakovlev Yak-4 light bomber one day later, and another LaGG-3 plus a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter on 27 March, taking his total to five aerial victories.[5]
Following five further victories in June 1943, Wernicke became a fighter pilot instructor and underwent officer training courses. On 4 July 1943, Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Horst Ademeit, his Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 6. Staffel, assessed Wernicke concluding that at the time Wernicke required further training to become an officer.[6]
In October 1943, he was back to front line service and claimed his 88th aerial victory on 3 August 1944, and surpassed the century mark—100 aerial victories—in mid-September 1944.[1] He was the 91st Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century-mark.[7] On 22 February 1944, Wernicke and Oberfeldwebel Fritz Harder suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in their accommodations at the Uman airfield.[8] Wernicke was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 30 September 1944 after 112 victories.[9] The presentation was made by General Kurt Pflugbeil.[10]
Squadron leader and death
On 1 October 1944, Wernicke was appointed Staffelkapitän of the 1. Staffel of JG 54, succeeding Oberleutnant Helmut Wettstein in this capacity.[11] On 27 December, he and his wingman Unteroffizier Gerhard Wollien were killed in a mid-air collision during aerial combat with Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters north of Doblen, present-day Dobele.[12][13] Command of 1. Staffel then went to Oberleutnant Josef Heinzeller.[11]
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Wernicke was credited with 117 aerial victories.[14] Obermaier and Spick also list him with 117 aerial victories, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[1][15] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 118 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[16]
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 18382". 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 Wernicke 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 ? (exclamation mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Balke, Bock, Mathews and Foreman. | |||||||||
Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location |
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[18] | |||||||||
1 | 7 March 1943 | 11:47 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 18382[19] 45 km (28 mi) north of Chełm | 27 | 15 December 1943 | 12:40 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01794[20] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Leningrad |
2 | 19 March 1943 | 13:30 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 00421[19] Pushkin-Mga | 28 | 15 December 1943 | 12:45 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 01761[20] 20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Leningrad |
3 | 20 March 1943 | 07:30 | Yak-4 | PQ 36 Ost 20363[19] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Mga | 29 | 9 January 1944 | 10:15 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 80161[21] over the Gulf of Finland, northeast of Hungerburg |
4 | 27 May 1943 | 16:43 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 00274[5] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Pushkin | 30 | 13 January 1944 | 15:28 | Yak-7 | PQ 26 Ost 80682[21] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Narva |
5 | 27 May 1943 | 19:53 | P-40 | PQ 36 Ost 20211[5] west of Volkhov | 31 | 14 January 1944 | 09:30 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 80682[21] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Narva |
6 | 1 June 1943 | 04:57 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 20163[5] south of Volkhov | 32 | 14 January 1944 | 09:32 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 80654[21] 30 km (19 mi) east of Narva |
7 | 8 June 1943 | 15:59 | P-40 | PQ 36 Ost 20152[5] southwest of Volkhov | 33 | 15 January 1944 | 12:15 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 90711[22] 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Lissino |
8 | 17 June 1943 | 09:23 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 10252[5] 30 km (19 mi) west-southwest of Schlüsselburg | 34 | 15 January 1944 | 12:20 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 90583[22] 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Lissino |
9 | 18 June 1943 | 05:59 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 20213[5] vicinity of Volkhov | 35 | 15 January 1944 | 12:24 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 90572[22] 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Lissino |
10 | 24 June 1943 | 07:07 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 21793[23] 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Volkhov | 36 | 22 January 1944 | 11:56 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 80694[22] 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Lissino |
11 | 20 October 1943 | 14:10 | Yak-9 | southeast of Glebowka[24] | 37 | 24 January 1944 | 13:56 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 80664[22] 40 km (25 mi) east of Narva |
12 | 21 October 1943 | 09:43 | Pe-2 | east of Gussenoje[24] southeast of Schlüsselburg | 38 | 24 January 1944 | 14:02 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 90523[22] 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Lissino |
13♠ | 5 November 1943 | 11:53 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 01682[25] 40 km (25 mi) north-northwest of Schlüsselburg | 39 | 4 February 1944 | 07:17 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 09112[22] |
14♠ | 5 November 1943 | 11:59 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 01684[25] 40 km (25 mi) north-northwest of Schlüsselburg | 40 | 4 February 1944 | 07:20 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 00771[22] 30 km (19 mi) south of Siverskij |
15♠ | 5 November 1943 | 14:25 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 01564[25] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk | 41 | 9 February 1944 | 06:32 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 09211[22] |
16♠ | 5 November 1943 | 14:28 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 01674[25] 40 km (25 mi) north-northeast of Leningrad | 42 | 9 February 1944 | 12:25 | R-5 | PQ 36 Ost 00762[22] 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Siverskij |
17♠ | 5 November 1943 | 14:34 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 01642[25] 55 km (34 mi) north-northeast of Leningrad | 43 | 12 February 1944 | 15:25 | Yak-9 | PQ 36 Ost 10552[22] vicinity of Lyuban |
18 | 22 November 1943 | 09:00 | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91591[20] 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Zelenogorsk | 44♠ | 16 February 1944 | 07:11 | U-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00693[22] 25 km (16 mi) south of Tosno |
19 | 28 November 1943 | 10:45 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91534[20] 30 km (19 mi) north of Zelenogorsk | 45♠ | 16 February 1944 | 07:12 | U-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00693[22] 25 km (16 mi) south of Tosno |
20 | 28 November 1943 | 10:48 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91614[20] 30 km (19 mi) north of Zelenogorsk | 46♠ | 16 February 1944 | 07:13 | U-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00694[22] 25 km (16 mi) south of Tosno |
21 | 28 November 1943 | 14:53 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91591[20] 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Zelenogorsk | 47♠ | 16 February 1944 | 07:15 | U-2 | PQ 36 Ost 10573[22] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Lyuban |
22 | 29 November 1943 | 14:30 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91534[20] 30 km (19 mi) north of Zelenogorsk | 48♠ | 16 February 1944 | 07:18 | U-2 | PQ 36 Ost 10573[22] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Lyuban |
23 | 29 November 1943 | 14:32 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91614[20] 30 km (19 mi) north of Zelenogorsk | 49♠?[Note 2] | 16 February 1944 | 11:20 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 00562[22] |
24 | 29 November 1943 | 14:33 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 91621[20] 30 km (19 mi) north-northeast of Zelenogorsk | 50♠ | 16 February 1944 | 14:56 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00691[22] 25 km (16 mi) south of Tosno |
25 | 12 December 1943 | 13:34 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 00171[20] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Selo | 51 | 21 February 1944 | 11:10?[Note 3] | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 90562[22] 20 km (12 mi) east of Siverskij |
26 | 14 December 1943 | 17:05 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 00154[20] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Leningrad | 52?[Note 2] | 20 April 1944 | 18:20 | unknown[26] | |
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[27] | |||||||||
53 | 17 June 1944 | 17:55 | P-39 | PQ 36 Ost 01384[28] 55 km (34 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk | ?[Note 4] | 21 July 1944 | 20:52 | Yak-9 | over the Baltic Sea, near Kunda |
54 | 18 June 1944 | 08:28 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 91369[28] 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Vyborg | 73 | 22 July 1944 | 17:52 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 88597[29] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Ostrov |
55 | 19 June 1944 | 18:45 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 91533[28] 30 km (19 mi) north of Zelenogorsk | 74 | 23 July 1944 | 08:28 | La-5 | PQ 25 Ost 88157[30] vicinity of Pskov |
?[Note 4] | 20 June 1944 | 15:40 | P-39 | 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Zelenogorsk | 75 | 23 July 1944 | 15:19 | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 78265[30] |
56 | 21 June 1944 | 09:20 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 81575[28] over the Baltic Sea, northeast of Hungerburg | 76 | 23 July 1944 | 15:21 | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 88323[30] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pskov |
57 | 23 June 1944 | 12:28 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 81426[28] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Vyborg | 77 | 24 July 1944 | 16:03 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 70693[30] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Narva |
58 | 26 June 1944 | 13:42 | La-5 | 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Vyborg[29] | 78 | 26 July 1944 | 16:36 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 70695[30] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Narva |
59 | 26 June 1944 | 13:47 | La-5 | 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Häämeda[29] | 79 | 26 July 1944 | 17:02 | Pe-2 | PQ 26 Ost 70695[30] over the Gulf of Finland |
60 | 26 June 1944 | 18:45 | Yak-9 | 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Vyborg[29] | 80 | 26 July 1944 | 17:03 | Pe-2 | PQ 26 Ost 70695[30] over the Gulf of Finland |
61 | 28 June 1944 | 09:25 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 91315[29] 20 km (12 mi) east of Vyborg | 81 | 26 July 1944 | 17:05 | Pe-2 | PQ 26 Ost 70695[30] 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Narva |
62 | 28 June 1944 | 20:45 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 81347[29] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Vyborg | 82 | 27 July 1944 | 11:23 | La-5 | PQ 25 Ost 78648[30] 45 km (28 mi) west of Ostrov |
63 | 29 June 1944 | 08:05 | DB-3 | PQ 26 Ost 91265[29] 65 km (40 mi) east-northeast of Vyborg | 83 | 27 July 1944 | 14:30 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 78562, northwest of Liepna[30] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Schwanenburg |
64 | 30 June 1944 | 09:43 | Boston | PQ 26 Ost 81413[29] 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Vyborg | 84 | 27 July 1944 | 18:45 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 78523[30] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Schwanenburg |
65 | 30 June 1944 | 20:44 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 81297, north-northwest of Talias[29] 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Vyborg | 85 | 27 July 1944 | 19:02 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 78481[30] 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Selo |
66 | 2 July 1944 | 06:51 | P-39 | PQ 26 Ost 91175[29] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Vyborg | 86 | 2 August 1944 | 13:05 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 70462[30] over the Baltic Sea, north-northwest of Hungerburg |
67 | 4 July 1944 | 08:25 | P-39 | PQ 26 Ost 81467[29] | 87 | 2 August 1944 | 13:09 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 70481[30] over the Baltic Sea, northwest of Hungerburg |
68 | 6 July 1944 | 15:40 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 81422[29] vicinity of Vyborg | 88 | 3 August 1944 | 15:24 | Il-2 | PQ 26 Ost 80572[30] southwest of Narva |
69 | 8 July 1944 | 06:30 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 81431[29] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Vyborg | 89 | 3 August 1944 | 15:31 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 80582[30] southeast of Narva |
70 | 9 July 1944 | 12:12 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 91418[29] 45 km (28 mi) east of Vyborg | 90 | 20 August 1944 | 13:59 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 57252[32] 50 km (31 mi) north-northwest of Kreuzburg |
71 | 9 July 1944 | 21:03 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 91199[29] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Vyborg | 91 | 20 August 1944 | 16:09 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 57429[32] 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Kreuzburg |
72 | 14 July 1944 | 10:32 | Yak-9 | PQ 26 Ost 91415[29] 45 km (28 mi) east of Vyborg | |||||
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[33] | |||||||||
92 | 26 August 1944 | 15:21 | P-39 | PQ KF-5/6[34] | 106 | 17 September 1944 | 16:26 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 37382[35] 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Mitau |
93 | 26 August 1944 | 15:23?[Note 5] | Pe-2 | PQ KG-7/5[34] | 107 | 19 September 1944 | 15:57 | La-5 | PQ 25 Ost 37353[35] 25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Mitau |
94 | 26 August 1944 | 15:24 | Pe-2 | PQ KG-8/3[34] | 108 | 19 September 1944 | 15:59 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 37381[35] 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Mitau |
95 | 3 September 1944 | 10:18 | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 58893[34] 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Wenden | 109 | 20 September 1944 | 14:09 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 47382[35] 45 km (28 mi) south-southwest of Riga |
96 | 6 September 1944 | 07:35 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 37366[34] 15 km (9.3 mi) west-southwest of Mitau | 110 | 20 September 1944 | 14:10 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 47386[35] 45 km (28 mi) south-southwest of Riga |
97 | 6 September 1944 | 07:45 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 37626[34] 20 km (12 mi) south of Mitau | 111 | 27 September 1944 | 15:30 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 57146[35] 25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Mālpils |
98 | 14 September 1944 | 14:52 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 57215[37] 45 km (28 mi) east-southeast of Mālpils | 112 | 28 September 1944 | 13:57?[Note 6] | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 48823[35] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Mālpils |
99 | 14 September 1944 | 14:53 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 57219[37] 45 km (28 mi) east-southeast of Mālpils | 113 | 1 October 1944 | 16:09 | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 48725[35] over the Baltic Sea, north-northeast of Riga |
100 | 14 September 1944 | 16:50 | P-39 | PQ 25 Ost 47139[37] 20 km (12 mi) east of Riga | 114 | 7 October 1944 | 15:56 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 48882[35] west of Mālpils |
101 | 15 September 1944 | 13:35 | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 47343[37] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Mitau | 115 | 7 October 1944 | 15:57 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 58757[35] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Valmiera |
102 | 15 September 1944 | 18:20 | La-5 | PQ 25 Ost 47378[37] 45 km (28 mi) south of Riga | 116 | 9 October 1944 | 08:56?[Note 7] | Yak-9 | PQ 25 Ost 47191[39] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Riga |
103 | 16 September 1944 | 09:18 | La-5 | PQ 25 Ost 37496[37] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Mitau | 117 | 12 October 1944 | 10:55?[Note 8] | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 48782[39] 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Riga |
104 | 16 September 1944 | 12:44 | La-5 | PQ 25 Ost 47517[37] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Pasewalk | ?[Note 4] | 27 December 1944 | — | Yak-9 | Dobele |
105 | 26 June 1944 | 16:24 | P-39 | PQ 25 Ost 37354[35] 25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Mitau |
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class[40]
- German Cross in Gold on 20 March 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel in the II./Jagdgeschwader 54[41]
- Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 24 April 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel and pilot[42]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 September 1944 as Leutnant and pilot in the 1./Jagdgeschwader 54[43][Note 9]
Notes
- ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
- ^ a b This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[18]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:20.[18]
- ^ a b c This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Balke and Bock.[31]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:22.[36]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:54.[38]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:56.[38]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:45.[38]
- ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the II./Jagdgeschwader 54.[44]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 222.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 208, 270.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 265.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 209, 264.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
- ^ MacLean 2007, p. 476.
- ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 244.
- ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 489.
- ^ Weal 2001, p. 112.
- ^ Bob 2011, p. 297.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 375.
- ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 398.
- ^ Weal 2001, p. 114.
- ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1613.
- ^ Spick 1996, p. 229.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1402–1404.
- ^ Planquadrat.
- ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1402.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 270.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2022, p. 475.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Prien et al. 2022, p. 476.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 272.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 279.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
- ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 478.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1402–1403.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2022, p. 479.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Prien et al. 2022, p. 480.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Prien et al. 2022, p. 481.
- ^ Prien et al. 2022, pp. 392, 479.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 482.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1403–1404.
- ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2022, p. 387.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2022, p. 389.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1403.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2022, p. 388.
- ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1404.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 390.
- ^ Dixon 2023, p. 151.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 508.
- ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 217.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 443.
- ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 780.
Bibliography
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- 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.
- MacLean, French L (2007). Luftwaffe Efficiency & Promotion Reports: For the Knight's Cross Winners. Vol. Two. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History. ISBN 978-0-7643-2658-5.
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- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). 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.
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- Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
- Weal, John (2001). Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 6. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-286-9.
- Zabecki, David T., ed. (2014). Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-59884-981-3.
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- Heinz Schmidt (173)
- Horst Ademeit (166)
- Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke (162)
- Hans-Joachim Marseille (158)
- Heinrich Sturm (158)
- Gerhard Thyben (157)
- Hans Beißwenger (152)
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- 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)?
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- Adolf Dickfeld (132)
- Wilhelm Lemke (131)
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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)
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- Hans-Joachim Birkner (117)
- Jakob Norz (117)
- Walter Oesau (117)
- Heinz Wernicke (117)
- August Lambert (116)
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