Joachim Kirschner

Joachim Kirschner (7 June 1920 – 17 December 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 188 aerial victories achieved in 635 combat missions. This figure includes 168 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 20 victories over the Western Allies, including three heavy bombers. He was "ace-in-a-day" four times, shooting down five or more aircraft on a single day.

Born in Niederlössnitz, Kirschner grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Luftwaffe in 1939. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing). Flying with this wing, Kirschner claimed his first aerial victory on 20 August 1941 fighting the Royal Air Force over the Netherlands. In early 1942, he fought in the Mediterranean theater during the Siege of Malta. In May, his unit was transferred to the Eastern Front where he was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 26 in August 1942. Following his 51st aerial victory, he was nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross which he received on 23 December 1942. On 27 April 1943, Kirschner claimed his 100th aerial victory. After claiming his 170th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943. In October 1943, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) which was fighting over Greece and the Balkans. On 27 December 1943, Kirschner was shot down by fighters of the 57th Fighter Group and bailed out safely but was later killed by Yugoslav Partisans.

Early life and career Kirschner was born on 7 June 1920 in Niederlössnitz, at the time in the Free State of Saxony of the Weimar Republic. He was the son of Andreas J. Kirschner, an insurance accountant. On 26 August 1939, he joined the military service with the Luftwaffe. From 1 October to 14 November, Kirschner served with 2./Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 51 (2nd Company of 51st Flight Training Regiment) and then attended the Air War School Klotzsche until 30 June 1940. On 1 July, he was transferred to the Jagdfliegerschule 5 where he was trained as a fighter pilot. There, he was promoted to Leutnant on 1 February 1941.

World War II World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Kirschner joined the Ergänzungsgruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) on 9 May 1941. The Ergänzungsgruppe of JG 3, a supplementary training group, was formed in April 1941 in Krakau, present-day Kraków, under the command of Major Alfred Müller. The Gruppe was made up of two Staffeln (squadrons): The first squadron, designated 1. (Ergänzungsstaffel) or 1. Erg./JG 3, under the command of Haupmann Hans-Curt Graf von Sponeck, son of Hans Graf von Sponeck, was detached in January 1942 and a new created in February 1942 under command of Oberleuntnant Heinz Bohatsch. The second squadron, designated 2. (Ergänzungsstaffel) or 2. Erg./JG 3, was placed under the command of Oberleutnant Erwin Neuerburg. In July, the Ergänzungsgruppe was ordered to the Netherlands, providing fighter escort for German shipping on the English Channel. While the Stab (headquarters unit) and 2. Staffel were based at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airfield, 1. Staffel operated from an airfield at Bergen aan Zee near Alkmaar. On 20 August, ten Royal Air Force (RAF) Bristol Blenheim bombers, escorted by Supermarine Spitfire fighters, attacked 1. Staffels airfield at Bergen aan Zee. Defending against this attack, Kirschner claimed his first aerial victory when he shot down one of the escorting Spitfire fighters. In total, he flew 27 combat missions while assigned to the Ergänzungsgruppe.

On 22 December, he was transferred to 5. Staffel of JG 3. At the time, this squadron was headed by Oberleutnant Harald Moldenhauer and subordinated to II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 3 commanded by Hauptmann Karl-Heinz Krahl. At the time of Kirschner's posting to II. Gruppe, the unit was based at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Airfield for a period of rest and replenishment after it had returned to Germany from the Eastern Front. In January 1942, II. Gruppe was ordered to move to Sicily. The Luftwaffe concentrated many units in Sicily, placed them under the command of II. Fliegerkorps (2nd Air Corps), in order to defeat the RAF in the Siege of Malta. Equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 trop, the Gruppe and their equipment travelled by train to Bari in southern Italy. There the aircraft were reassembled and flown to Comiso Airfield, Sicily. The transfer was completed on 24 January and the Gruppe was then placed under the command of the Geschwaderstab of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing) which was already stationed there. On 26 March, II. Gruppe escorted Junkers Ju 87 to Malta. On this mission, Kirschner shot down a Spitfire fighter northwest of La Valetta. This aerial victory was claimed during the action which resulted in the sinking the British submarine . II. Gruppe flew its last combat mission over Malta on 25 April. The following day, the unit began its relocation to Pilsen where they arrived on 27 April.

Eastern Front II. Gruppe had been ordered to the Eastern Front in preparation for Case Blue, the strategic summer offensive in southern Russia. While based at Pilsen, Hauptmann Kurt Brändle took over command of the Gruppe after Krahl had been killed in action over Malta. The Gruppe was then deployed on the left wing of Army Group South where it was based at Chuhuiv near the Donets on 19 May. On 21 May, II. Gruppe fought over the combat area of the 6th Army northeast of Kharkov. There, Kirschner claimed a Ilyushin DB-3 bomber shot down, his first aerial victory on the Eastern Front.

Squadron leader

In late August 1942, II. Gruppe was withdrawn from the front and ordered to Neuhausen near Königsberg, present-day Guryevsk, for reequipment with the Bf 109 G-2. There, Moldenhauer, the commander of 5. Staffel was transferred. In consequence, Kirschner became the designated Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel. On 9 September, the Gruppe was ordered to Smolensk where it was subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing).

He received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe and the German Cross in Gold after claiming 51 aerial victories. On 27 April 1943, Kirschner was credited with his 100th aerial victory over a Douglas A-20 Havoc named "Boston". He was the 37th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. In early May, II. Gruppe was moved to Kharkiv, from where they operated over the combat area east of Belgorod, operating in this area from 2 to 6 May. On 6 May, the Gruppe claimed twelve aerial victories, including four by Kirschner, taking his total to 113.

Kirschner claimed his 150th aerial victory on 5 July 1943, the first day of Operation Citadel, the German offensive phase of the Battle of Kursk. Preempting the German attack, Soviet aircraft attacked the German airfields in the early morning. Fighting in the aerial battles that day, Kirschner claimed nine aerial victories, his third "ace-in-a-day" achievement. That day, II. Gruppe intercepted Il-2 ground attack aircraft from 66 ShAP (Shturmovoy Aviatsionnyy Polk—Ground-attack Aviation Regiment) and 735 ShAP. Following his 170th aerial victory he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943. The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair, Hitler's headquarters in Rastenburg, present-day Kętrzyn in Poland. Five other Luftwaffe officers were presented with awards that day by Hitler, Hauptmann Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld, Hauptmann Heinrich Ehrler, Hauptmann Manfred Meurer, Hauptmann Werner Schröer, Oberleutnant Theodor Weissenberger were also awarded the Oak Leaves, and Major Helmut Lent received the Swords to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.

Defense of the Reich In early August 1943, II. Gruppe was withdrawn from the Eastern Front for service in Defense of the Reich on the Western Front. The Gruppe spent one-month training in northern Germany before they arrived at the Schiphol Airfield near Amsterdam in the Netherlands on 12 September. While based at Uetersen Airfield, the Gruppe received the Bf 109 G-6 which was equipped with Y-Control for fighters, a system used to control groups of fighters intercepting United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) bomber formations. On 24 September, II. Gruppe for the first time engaged in combat with USAAF bombers. Guided by Y-Control, the Gruppe intercepted approximately 80 to 100 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers over sea. During this encounter, Kirschner shot down one of the B-17 bombers.

On 27 September, the USAAF VIII Bomber Command attacked the industrial areas and shipyards of Emden. Drop tank equipped Republic P-47 Thunderbolt for the first time escorted the bombers all the way to the target in Germany. The attack force was detected at 10:20 west of Terschelling heading east. At 10:33, II. Gruppe was scrambled. In the following encounter, Kirschner claimed a P-47 fighter shot down. On 2 October, VIII Bomber Command again headed for Emden. Defending against this attack, Kirschner claimed a B-17 bomber shot down. The following day, 140 Martin B-26 Marauder bombers, escorted by P-47 and Spitfire fighters, attacked the German airfields at Schiphol, Woensdrecht and Haamstede. II. Gruppe was unable to reach the bombers as they were engaged by the P-47 and Spitfire fighters. During this dogfight, Kirschner shot down one of the Spitfire fighters. On 4 October, VIII Bomber Command attacked Frankfurt am Main. German defenses failed to prevent the bombing. Luftwaffe pilots only claimed 14 aerial victories that day, including a B-17 bomber shot down by Kirschner. This was also Kirschner's last aerial victory in Defense of the Reich. He was transferred on 18 October, command of 5. Staffel was then passed on to Hauptmann Heinrich Sannemann.

Group commander and death On 18 October, Kirschner was made Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) after the former commander Hauptmann Rudolf Sinner had been transferred on 13 September. In the intermediate period, two officers had led the Gruppe, Oberleutnant Dietrich Boesler, who was killed on 10 October, and by Oberleutnant Alfred Buk. At the time, IV. Gruppe was based at the Kalamaki Airfield in Athens, Greece and operated in the Mediterranean theatre. Kirschner claimed his first aerial victories in this theater of operations on 23 October. In two combat missions, he claimed the destruction of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning and two Spitfires. Two days later, he was credited with shooting down a P-38 fighter northwest of Cape of Rodon.

On 17 December 1943, Kirschner was shot down in his Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 20618—factory number), east of Metković over the Independent State of Croatia. According to Bernstein, his victors were either Lieutenant Warren Shaw, who was credited with the destruction of one Bf 109 or by the Lieutenants Charles Leaf and Hugh Barlow, who were credited with a shared victory from the USAAF 57th Fighter Group. Kirschner bailed out safely and landed by parachute between the villages of Bjelojevići and Donje Hrasno. He was killed by a firing squad from the Yugoslav Partisan 29th Hercegovina Division at Metković. The Germans sent out search parties from Mostar airfield immediately after his downing, with one being ambushed by the Partisans on 19 December. As late as mid-February 1944, a battalion of the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen was fruitlessly searching for Kirschner. According to a report filed by SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Moreth of the SS-Gebirgs-Flak-Abteilung 7 (7th SS Mountain Anti-Aircraft Battalion), Kirscher was found with his throat slit and gouged out eyes. He was buried near Bjelojevići, approximately south of Stolac.

Summary of career Aerial victory claims According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Kirschner was credited with 188 aerial victories. Spick also lists Kirschner with 188 aerial victories claimed in approximately 600 combat missions. This figure includes 167 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 21 victories over the Western Allies, including two heavy bombers. Obermaier also states that he was credited with 188 aerial victories with 168 on the Eastern Front and 20 over the Western Allies. According to Stockert, Kirschner also claimed 188 aerial victories plus further 22 ground victories achieved in 635 combat missions. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 181 aerial victory claims, plus five further unconfirmed claims. This figure includes 162 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 19 over the Western Allies.

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 39362". The Luftwaffe grid map 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 . These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area in size.

Chronicle of aerial victories Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location – 1. Staffel of the Ergänzungsjagdgruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 –Western Front — 15 April 1941 – 1 February 1942 1 20 August 1941 15:35 Spitfire west of Bergen aan Zee – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Mediterranean Theater — 7 January – 26 April 1942 2 6 March 1942 13:50 Spitfire northwest of La Valettavicinity of Malta – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Eastern Front — 26 April – July 1942 3 21 May 1942 04:50 DB-3 northwest of Baworowka 13 13 July 1942 08:30 Yak-1 east of Kajukow 4? 22 May 1942 16:07 MiG-1 west of Volchansk 14 13 July 1942 08:32 DB-3 Kamensk-north airfield 5 29 May 1942 04:59 MiG-1 southeast of Olchowatka 15 22 July 1942 18:07 Yak-1 north of Rybinskij 6 31 May 1942 19:22 MiG-1 southwest of Volchansk 16 22 July 1942 18:22 Il-2 southeast of Kololowsk 7 13 June 1942 17:47 MiG-1 northwest of Kupiansk 17? 22 July 1942 18:28 LaGG-3 southeast of Kololowsk 8? 13 June 1942 17:58 Il-2 west of Kupiansk 18? 22 July 1942 18:28 LaGG-3 southeast of Kololowsk 9 30 June 1942 10:12 LaGG-3 east of Kshen 19 26 July 1942 11:25 Yak-1 south of Kalach 10 4 July 1942 18:45 Il-2 south of Vorenezh 20 26 July 1942 11:27 Yak-1 south of Kalach 11 8 July 1942 17:05 U-2 Lipezk airfield 21 26 July 1942 11:28 Yak-1 south of Kalach 12 9 July 1942 18:20 LaGG-3 east of Terbury 22 27 July 1942 17:42 LaGG-3 PQ 39362 – 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Eastern Front — August 1942 23 5 August 1942 07:24 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 49589, Tinguta railway station 29 13 August 1942 18:02 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 39271, Kalach 24 9 August 1942 09:50 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 39332, Kalach southwest of Kalach 30 17 August 1942 16:50 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 30891 north of Pitomnik 25 9 August 1942 09:54 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 39333, Kalach southwest of Kalach 31 17 August 1942 16:52 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 40774, Katschalinskaja 26 9 August 1942 10:12 Pe-2 PQ 35 Ost 39424, Platonowskij southwest of Kalach 32 17 August 1942 16:56 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 40782, Katschalinskaja 27 9 August 1942 10:22 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 39333, Kalach southwest of Kalach 33 20 August 1942 04:53 DB-3 PQ 35 Ost 49753, Stalingrad 28 13 August 1942 17:54 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 39434 south of Pitomnik Airfield 34 21 August 1942 17:41 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 49121 north of Gumrak – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Eastern Front — September 1942 – 3 February 1943 35 13 September 1942 07:04 LaGG-3 PQ 47593 44 12 October 1942 16:29 LaGG-3 PQ 28812 36 23 September 1942 10:25 Pe-2 PQ 47681 45 15 October 1942 09:23 LaGG-3 PQ 38364 southeast of Kotelnikovo 37 23 September 1942 10:27 LaGG-3 PQ 47673 46 15 October 1942 09:25 LaGG-3 PQ 38363 southeast of Kotelnikovo 38 28 September 1942 10:22 LaGG-3 PQ 28171 47 17 October 1942 15:57 Il-2 PQ 28634 39 4 October 1942 17:21 Il-2 PQ 29677 48 22 October 1942 12:09 LaGG-3 PQ 48311 40 4 October 1942 17:24 LaGG-3 PQ 29674 49 22 October 1942 12:11 LaGG-3 PQ 48173 41 5 October 1942 11:31 LaGG-3 PQ 38532 50 29 October 1942 09:36 LaGG-3 PQ 28114 42 11 October 1942 17:30 Er-2 PQ 38163 east-southeast of Kotelnikovo 51 29 October 1942 09:48 LaGG-3 PQ 29762 43 11 October 1942 17:35 MiG-1 PQ 28223 52 8 November 1942 14:24 LaGG-3 PQ 17824 – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Eastern Front — 4 February – 3 August 1943 53 20 February 1943 10:04 Yak-4 PQ 34 Ost 89242, Borowskoje southeast of Lysychansk 112 6 May 1943 13:48 MiG-1 PQ 35 Ost 61641, south of Belgorod south of Belgorod 54 22 February 1943 10:40 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 88493, Matveev Kurgan north of Taganrog 113 6 May 1943 14:07 Boston PQ 35 Ost 61662, Schtschebekino north of Volchansk 55 22 February 1943 10:48 Yak-7 PQ 34 Ost 88493, Matveev Kurgan south of Jalisawehino 114 7 May 1943 16:02 Spitfire PQ 34 Ost 75264, southwest of Krymskkajavicinity of Krymsk 56 22 February 1943 15:40 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 88631, northwest of Pokrowskoje north of Taganrog 115 7 May 1943 18:27 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75261, southwest of Krymskkajavicinity of Krymsk 57 27 February 1943 07:37 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 79311, east of Alexandrowka northeast of Barwenkowo 116♠ 8 May 1943 05:32 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 86773, south of Troizkajaeast of Kijewskoje 58 9 March 1943 08:10 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 98592, vicinity of B. Krepskaja west-northwest of Taganrog 117♠ 8 May 1943 11:56 Spitfire PQ 34 Ost 75271, southwest of Bakanskij west-northwest of Novorossiysk 59 9 March 1943 15:25 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 88491, Matveev Kurgan north of Taganrog 118♠ 8 May 1943 12:12 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75234, west of Krymskajavicinity of Krymsk 60 13 March 1943 10:20 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 70452, south of Kurilowka train station southeast of Kupiansk 119♠ 8 May 1943 12:13 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75262, south of Krymskajavicinity of Krymsk 61 13 March 1943 10:21 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 70453, south of Kurilowka train station southeast of Kupiansk 120♠ 8 May 1943 14:20 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85111, northeast of Krymskajavicinity of Merschskaja 62 13 March 1943 10:27 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 70614, south of Kupiansk south of Kupiansk 121♠ 8 May 1943 14:24 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75234, west of Krymskajavicinity of Krymsk 63 18 March 1943 15:14 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61892, Chotomlja west-southwest of Vovchansk 122♠ 8 May 1943 18:10 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75233, northwest of Krymskajasouthwest of Abinsk 64 21 March 1943 14:34 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 98483, north of Rostov north of Sinjawka 123 9 May 1943 12:34 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 76864, south of Anastassijewskajanorth of Kijewskoje 65 21 March 1943 14:59 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 98823, south of Rostovregion of Rostov 124 9 May 1943 16:53 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 85111, northeast of Krymskajavicinity of Merschskaja 66 25 March 1943 08:07 MiG-1 PQ 34 Ost 88294, west of Marijewka southeast of Jalisawehino 125 9 May 1943 16:59 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 76874, Gostagajewskajavicinity of Kijewskoje 67 25 March 1943 08:16 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 98372, vicinity of Milostj-Kurakino northwest of Sinjawka 126 10 May 1943 16:00 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 85161, north of Cholmskajasouthwest of Abinsk 68 25 March 1943 14:00 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 98584, west of Rostovregion of Sinjawka 127 10 May 1943 16:08 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75232, north of Krymskajavicinity of Krymsk 69 29 March 1943 12:05 R-5 PQ 35 Ost 80834, south of Starobilsk south of Starobilsk 128 10 May 1943 16:13 Spitfire PQ 34 Ost 76892, north of Kijewskojevicinity of Kijewskoje 70 30 March 1943 13:30 Il-2 PQ 44 Ost 09362, east of Djatschkino 129 14 May 1943 16:45 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 75261, east of Kijewskoje 71 31 March 1943 05:48 La-5 PQ 34 Ost 88631, north of Taganrog north of Taganrog 130? 20 May 1943 13:20 LaGG-3 72 31 March 1943 05:55 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 88661, north of Taganrog north of Taganrog 131 23 May 1943 06:53 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 62781, east of Iwnja south of Oboyan 73 11 April 1943 05:16 I-16 PQ 34 Ost 85111, east of Krymskaja 132 23 May 1943 06:55 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 62739, Krijzowo train station south of Oboyan 74 11 April 1943 05:24 I-16 PQ 34 Ost 86746, vicinity of Trojzkaja 133 30 May 1943 06:22 Boston PQ 35 Ost 70, west of Kupiansk southeast of Kupiansk 75 11 April 1943 12:05 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85114, east of KrymskajaMertschskaja 134 1 June 1943 05:04 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 62873, northeast of Bogorodizkoje north of Prokhorovka 76 12 April 1943 10:21 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 86274, Nowo Dsherelijewskajawest of Andrejewskaja 135 2 June 1943 05:22 Yak-4 PQ 35 Ost 62853, vicinity of Jelinkowo train station northeast of Prokhorovka 77 15 April 1943 08:36 LaGG-3 136 2 June 1943 05:34 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 61133, east of Bogatyj west of Prokhorovka 78 15 April 1943 08:56 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85343, Nowo Nikolajewskajaregion of Leprasorium 137 4 June 1943 17:52 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 70313, vicinity of Malyi Burluk east-northeast of Malinovka 79 16 April 1943 14:46 P-39 138 8 June 1943 05:18 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 60262, vicinity of Petschenegi east-northeast of Malinovka 80 16 April 1943 14:54 P-40 east of Kijewskoje 139 9 June 1943 11:00 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 60224, vicinity of Saporoshnoje north of Malinovka 81 17 April 1943 17:37 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 86791, Mingrelskayanortheast of Mingrelskaya 140 14 June 1943 03:26? Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 60441, east of Limm north of Andrejevka 82 17 April 1943 17:43 I-16 PQ 34 Ost 86874, east of Mingrelskayaregion of Staraya Kolonka 141 14 June 1943 05:25 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 60442, east of Limm north of Andrejevka 83 18 April 1943 06:08 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85344, northeast of Gelendzhiksouth of Shene 142 16 June 1943 03:55 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 70174, southeast of Petschenegi east-southeast of Malinovka 84 18 April 1943 16:44 I-153? PQ 34 Ost 75433, east of Novorossiysk north of Kabardinka 143 20 June 1943 15:19 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 61233, southeast of Prokhorovka southeast of Prokhorovka 85♠ 20 April 1943 11:50 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75433, east of Novorossiysk north of Kabardinka 144 28 June 1943 09:53 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 61212, east of Werchopenjesouthwest of Prokhorovka 86♠ 20 April 1943 11:52 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75423, Novorossiyskregion of Novorossiysk 145 28 June 1943 10:00 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 62894, vicinity of Prokhorovka east-northeast of Prokhorovka 87♠ 20 April 1943 11:54 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75451, southwest of NovorossiyskBlack Sea, southwest of Kabardinka 146 30 June 1943 17:26 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 70174, southeast of Petschenegi east-southeast of Malinovka 88♠ 20 April 1943 16:01 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75723, south of Anapa over seavicinity of Novorossiysk 147 3 July 1943 16:47 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 70353, Woloskaja-Balakleika north of Izum 89♠ 20 April 1943 16:02 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75771, south of Anapa over seavicinity of Novorossiysk 148 3 July 1943 16:52 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 70344, Wolochoff Jar north-northeast of Balakleya 90♠ 20 April 1943 16:04 Boston PQ 34 Ost 75454, southwest of NovorossiyskBlack Sea, west of Gelendzhik 149♠? 5 July 1943 03:31 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 60234, Bolshaja Babka 91♠ 20 April 1943 16:06 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75453, south of NovorossiyskBlack Sea, southwest of Kabardinka 150♠ 5 July 1943 03:40 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61844, northeast of Kharkiv northeast of Kharkiv 92♠ 20 April 1943 16:08 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75442, southwest of NovorossiyskBlack Sea, southwest of Novorossiysk 151♠ 5 July 1943 03:41 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 61841, northeast of Kharkiv northeast of Kharkiv 93 21 April 1943? 18:28 Boston north of Kabardinka 152♠ 5 July 1943 03:44 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 60142, northeast of Kharkiv east-northeast of Kharkiv 94 23 April 1943 05:12 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75372, south of Anapa over seavicinity of Gelendzhik 153♠ 5 July 1943 04:08 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 60193, northeast of Kharkiv southeast of Kharkiv 95 23 April 1943 05:17 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 75392, southeast of Anapa over seavicinity of Moldawanka 154♠ 5 July 1943 18:06 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61353, west of Belgorod east-northeast of Belgorod 96 23 April 1943 14:38 Il-2 PQ 34 Ost 75424, west of Novorossiyskvicinity of Novorossiysk 155♠ 5 July 1943 18:17 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61472, southwest of Belgorod south of Belgorod 97 23 April 1943 14:39 I-16 PQ 34 Ost 75423, Novorossiyskvicinity of Novorossiysk 156♠ 5 July 1943 18:24 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61623, southeast of Belgorod southeast of Belgorod 98 24 April 1943 05:39 I-16 PQ 34 Ost 85151, west of AbinskajaAbinsk-Achtyrskaja 157♠ 5 July 1943 18:32 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61651, southeast of Belgorod northwest of Vovchansk 99 27 April 1943 17:25 P-39 PQ 34 Ost 86783, north of Mingrelskayanorthwest of Mingrelskaya 158 6 July 1943 17:31 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 61241, north of Belgorod south of Prokhorovka 100 27 April 1943 17:33 Boston? PQ 34 Ost 85123, south of Mingrelskayavicinity of Sswobodnyj 159 6 July 1943 17:43 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61484, southeast of Belgorod east-southeast of Belgorod 101 27 April 1943 17:34 LaGG-3? PQ 34 Ost 85123, south of Mingrelskayavicinity of Cholmskaja 160 6 July 1943 17:50 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 61634, west of Schtschekekino north of Vovchansk 102 27 April 1943 17:36 Boston PQ 34 Ost 85243, west of Georgije Afipskajavicinity of Sswobodnyj 161♠ 7 July 1943 03:44 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61623, southeast of Belgorod southeast of Belgorod 103 28 April 1943 16:21 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 85113, northeast of Mertschanskajavicinity of Mertschanskaja 162♠ 7 July 1943 03:50 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61484, east of Borissowka east-southeast of Belgorod 104 28 April 1943 16:25 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 85142, west of Abinskajawest of Abinsk 163♠ 7 July 1943 04:02 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 61623, vicinity of Toplinka train station southeast of Belgorod 105 28 April 1943 16:32 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 85112, northeast of MertschanskajaAbinsk-Achtyrskaja 164♠ 7 July 1943 12:26 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 61162, southeast of Werchopenje southwest of Prokhorovka 106 29 April 1943 05:31 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85111, northeast of Krymskajawest of Abinsk 165♠ 7 July 1943 19:46 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 61864, Stary Ssaltow southwest of Bely Kolodez 107 29 April 1943 05:40 LaGG-3 PQ 34 Ost 85142, west of Abinskajawest of Abinsk 166 8 July 1943 04:09 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 70153, Ssrednij-Burluk northwest of Valuijki 108 29 April 1943 10:06 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 85191, southwest of Cholmskajavicinity of Krymsk 167 10 July 1943 17:12 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 62883, northeast of Prokhorovka northeast of Prokhorovka 109 29 April 1943 10:18 Yak-1 PQ 34 Ost 75262, south of Krymskajavicinity of Sswobodnyj 168 10 July 1943 17:16 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 62882, Prokhorovka northeast of Prokhorovka 110 6 May 1943 13:25 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 71853, southwest of Waluiki west of Urasowo 169 11 July 1943 09:40 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 61212, east of Werchopenjesouthwest of Prokhorovka 111 6 May 1943 13:29 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 71761, west of Chatneje east-southeast of Bely Kolodez 170 12 July 1943 16:58 Yak-1 PQ 35 Ost 62794, Bogorodizkoje northwest of Prokhorovka – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –Defense of the Reich — 1 September – 18 October 1943 171 24 September 1943 17:18 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/FF-6over sea 174 3 October 1943 12:24 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost S/GJ-6, west of Zandvoort 172 27 September 1943 11:10 P-47? PQ 05 Ost S/BP-8south of Borkum 175 4 October 1943 12:20 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/LK-1Amsberg 173? 2 October 1943 B-17 – IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –Mediterranean Theater — 18 October – 17 December 1943 176 23 October 1943 09:05 P-38 west-northwest of Vlorë 183 15 November 1943 11:28 P-38 west of Arachova 177 23 October 1943 13:02 Spitfire east of Cetinje 184 15 November 1943 11:32 P-38 west of Arachova 178 23 October 1943 13:04 Spitfire south-southwest of Podgorica 185 15 November 1943 13:17 P-38 east of Aegina 179 25 October 1943 13:19 P-38 PQ 14 Ost 9231, northwest of Cape of Rodon 186 16 November 1943 13:20 P-38 northwest of Amfissa 180 1 November 1943 13:32 Hurricane west of Bar 187 17 November 1943 12:48 P-38 southwest of Piraeus 181 1 November 1943 13:35 P-40 south of Bar 188 17 November 1943 13:03 B-25 west of Disporia 182 15 November 1943 11:24 B-25 south of Livadeia

Awards Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (27 January 1942) 1st Class (12 April 1942) Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold (2 June 1942) Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 21 December 1942 as Leutnant and pilot German Cross in Gold on 3 December 1942 as Leutnant in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 23 December 1942 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" 267th Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"