Gustav Frielinghaus

Gustav Frielinghaus (5 March 1912 – 11 September 1963) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories during World War II.

Military career In May 1942, II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) was stationed at Plzeň for rest and refit before it was relocated to the Eastern Front on 18 May 1942. Too late to participate in the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula, it was located on the left wing of Army Group South, assigned to an airfield at Chuguyev in the Kharkov area where they arrived on 19 May.

Mediterranean theater As part of the Luftwaffe plan to expand its fighter force, a fourth Gruppe was to be added to every Geschwader. This was achieved by transferring some of the other Gruppens personnel and equipment. This created the nucleus of a newly formed Gruppe. IV. Gruppe of JG 3 was officially created on 1 June 1943 at Neubiberg Airfield and placed under command of Major Franz Beyer while Frielinghaus was given command of 11. Staffel. The Gruppe was initially equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, some carrying a pair of 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons installed in conformal gun pods under the wings. In mid-June, the Gruppe was ordered to Italy to fight in the Mediterranean theater.

On 11 July, IV. Gruppe of JG 3 was ordered to an airfield at Ramacca, Sicily. There, the Gruppe supported German forces defending against the Allied invasion of Sicily. Due to the advancing Allied forces, the airfield had to be abandoned on 15 July, forcing the Gruppe to retreat to Leverano. The next day, Frielinghaus claimed two Supermarine Spitfire fighters shot down in the combat area south and south-southwest of Licata. On 13 July, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down southwest of Caltanissetta. On 20 August, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down east of Gaeta. On 9 September, Frielinghaus was shot down and wounded in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 18861—factory number) in aerial combat near Orta Nova. In consequence, command of 11. Staffel was passed on to Leutnant Hermann Schmied.

On 1 May 1944, Frielinghaus was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 3. He succeeded Leutnant Leopold Münster who temporarily had led the Gruppe after its former commander Hauptmann Hermann Freiherr von Kap-herr was killed in action. Frielinghaus took command at Gardelegen Airfield. Since Frielinghaus was still convalescing from injuries sustained in December 1943, Frielinghaus led the Gruppe from the ground while Münster continued to lead in the air.

Later life Frielinghaus died on 11 September 1963 at the age of in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Summary of career Aerial victory claims According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories. Spick also lists him with 74 aerial victories claimed in approximately 500 combat missions. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 69 aerial victory claims, plus one further unconfirmed claim. This figure includes 61 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and eight over the Western Allies.

Chronicle of aerial victories Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location – 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Eastern Front — 4 February – May 1943 – 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Mediterranean theater — 1 July – 9 September 1943 67 12 July 1943 11:09 Spitfire south of Licata 71 28 August 1943 16:05 P-38 southwest of Ischia 68 12 July 1943 11:16 Spitfire south-southwest of Licata 72 30 August 1943 12:29 P-38 southwest of Ischia 69 13 July 1943 18:11 P-38 southwest of Caltanissetta 73 2 September 1943 13:38 P-38 PQ 14 Ost 31474 70 20 August 1943 13:49 P-38 east of Gaeta south Gallio 74 2 September 1943 13:42 P-38 PQ 14 Ost 31487

Awards Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 7 September 1942 as Leutnant and pilot German Cross in Gold on 24 September 1942 as Leutnant in the Stab II./Jagdgeschwader 3 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 February 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"