Hans-Joachim Birkner

Hans-Joachim Birkner (22 October 1921 – 14 December 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 117 aerial victories—that is, 117 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in 284 combat missions, becoming an "ace-in-a-day" on three separate occasions.

Hans-Joachim Birkner
Birkner as Leutnant
Born22 October 1921
Schönwalde, Germany
Died14 December 1944(1944-12-14) (aged 23)
Krakau, Poland
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Years of service1940–1944
RankLeutnant (second lieutenant)
UnitJG 52
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Born in Schönwalde, Birkner was trained as a fighter pilot and posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52–52nd Fighter Wing) in 1943. Fighting on the Eastern Front, he claimed his first aerial victory on 1 October 1943. Following his 98th aerial victory, Birkner was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944. On 1 October, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9. Staffel (9th squadron) of JG 52. Two weeks later, he claimed his 100th aerial victory. Birkner was killed in a flight accident on 14 December at an airfield at Kraków.

Early life and career

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Birkner was born on 22 October 1921 at Schönwalde in East Prussia, at the time part of the Weimar Republic's Free State of Prussia. In the summer of 1943, Feldwebel Birkner had completed flight training and was posted to 9. Staffel (9th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52–52nd Fighter Wing), a squadron of III. Gruppe (3rd group).[1][Note 1][Note 2] At the time, III. Gruppe was officially commanded by Major Günther Rall, occasionally replaced by either Oberleutnant Walter Krupinski on Oberleutnant Josef Haiböck.[3]

World War II

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On Friday 1 September 1939 German forces had invaded Poland which marked the beginning of World War II, and in June 1941, Germany had invaded the Soviet Union which created the Eastern Front. In late September 1943, III. Gruppe of JG 52 was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G and fought in the Battle of the Caucasus and was based at Zaporizhia.[4] In October, III. Gruppe flew combat missions over the right flank of the 1st Panzer Army and the left flank of 6th Army during the Battle of the Dnieper.[5]

Eastern Front

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Karaya emblem

Birkner claimed his first aerial victory on 1 October 1943 over a P-39 Airacobra in combat south-southwest of Bolschoj Tokmak. That day, III. Gruppe had claimed 17 aerial victories in an encounter with Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and their fighter escort.[6] Birkner claimed his second aerial victory on 4 October over a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3. The following day he shot down a Lend-Lease Douglas A-20 Havoc bomber also referred to as a "Boston". On 9 October, he claimed another LaGG-3 fighter shot down followed by two further claims over LaGG-3 fighters on 11 October.[7] On 19 October, III. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Kirovograd, present-day Kropyvnytskyi where they stayed until 31 October.[8] Here Birkner claimed a LaGG-3 fighter on 21 October, two LaGG-3 fighters on 24 October, a Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter and another LaGG-3 fighter on 25 October, and an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and another P-39 fighter on 29 October.[9]

On 1 November, III. Gruppe was moved to Apostolove fighting in the combat area between Nikopol and Zaporizhzhia. Adverse whether conditions rendered the airfield unusable and the Gruppe temporarily used an airfield near Kirovograd from 12 to 20 November.[10] By the end of 1943, Birkner had claimed 24 aerial victories in total.[11] Over the next few months Birkner often flew as Rottenflieger (wing man) to the high scoring aces Günther Rall and Erich Hartmann, claiming many of his victories whilst flying with them.[12] On 3 January 1944, Birkner claimed two LaGG-3 fighters shot down, taking his total to 26 aerial victories.[13] The Gruppe moved to an airfield at Mala Vyska on 7 January where they stayed for three days.[14]

On 10 January, the Gruppe moved to an airfield at Novokrasne located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south-southwest of Novoukrainka. While based at Novokrasne, elements of III. Gruppe also operated from Ivanhorod (11 to 13 January), at Velyka Lepetykha (3 to 22 February), and Mykolaiv (2 to 23 February).[14] Five days later, Birkner claimed five P-39 fighters shot down near Kirovograd, one of which was not confirmed.[13][15] In April, he claimed a further 29 victories, including six in one day on 19 April making him an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time, taking his total to 60 aerial victories.[16] Birkner received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 24 April.[17] In May, he claimed 17 victories, including another "ace-in-a-day" achievement on 30 May.[18]

III. Gruppe relocated to Roman on 1 June.[19] On 3 June, Birkner claimed three Lavochkin aircraft shot down north of Iași.[20] On 24 June, the United States Army Air Forces' (USAAF) Fifteenth Air Force attacked various targets in Romania with 377 bombers. A fraction of this attack force, consisting of 135 Consolidated B-24 Liberator and Lockheed P-38 Lightning and North American P-51 Mustang fighters, headed for the Ploiești oilfields. Defending against this attack, Birkner claimed a P-51 shot down, his 91st aerial victory.[21] Birkner was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 27 July 1944 for 98 victories.[22]

Squadron leader and death

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On 1 October 1944, Birkner was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9. Staffel of JG 52.[23] He thus succeeded Oberleutnant Hartmann who was transferred.[24][25] At the time of this assignment, III. Gruppe was based in Warzyn Pierwszy, Poland. The airfield was located approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) west of Jędrzejów. The Gruppe was under the command of Hauptmann Wilhelm Batz and Oberstleutnant Hermann Graf had just taken over the JG 52 as Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander).[26] On 8 October, III. Gruppe moved to an airfield near Lobellen, present-day Tushino located approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) east-southeast of Tilsit, present-day Sovetsk, on the south bank of the Memel, present day Neman River.[27] Here, Birkner claimed an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft shot down on 14 October, his 100th aerial victory.[28] He was the 95th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[29] Two days later on 16 October, he became an "ace-in-a-day" for the second time, claiming four LaGG fighters and a single Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.[28]

The Gruppe moved to an airfield named Hasenfeld, also referred to as Jürgenfelde, located approximately 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) south of Insterburg, present-day Chernyakhovsk, on 20 October where they stayed until 7 November.[30] Here Birkner claimed five further aerial victories over LaGG fighters, one on 23 October, and two each on 25 and 27 October respectively.[28] On 7 November, III. Gruppe again moved to the airfield at Warzyn Pierwszy.[30] On 12 December, the Gruppe relocated to Krakau, present-day Kraków.[31] Two days later, Birkner was killed in a flying accident when his Bf 109 G-14/U4 (Werknummer 510531—factory number) suffered engine failure during the landing approach at Krakau.[32][33] Following his death, command of 9. Staffel was passed on to Hauptmann Otto-Karl Klemenz.[24]

Summary of career

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Aerial victory claims

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According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Birkner was credited with 117 aerial victories.[34] Spick also lists Birkner with 117 aerial victories claimed in 284 combat missions. His victories were recorded over the Eastern Front and included one USAAF P-51 fighter.[35] Included in his total are at least 15 Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmoviks.[36] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that Birkner was credited with 117 aerial victories. This figure includes 116 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and one over the Western Allies.[37]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 34 Ost 58842". 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.[38]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Birkner 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 Birkner did not receive credit.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Barbas, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
ClaimDateTimeTypeLocationClaimDateTimeTypeLocation
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[39]
Eastern Front – 4 February – 31 December 1943
11 October 194310:25P-39PQ 34 Ost 58842[40]
20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Bolschoj Tokmak
1329 October 194312:55P-39?[Note 3]PQ 34 Ost 39362, northwest of Mishorin-Rog[42]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Mironovka
24 October 194309:07LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 58191[40]
15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Zaporizhia
1427 November 194309:05LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 49784[42]
55 km (34 mi) north-northwest of Nikopol
35 October 194308:58BostonPQ 34 Ost 59582[43]
25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Dnepropetrovsk
1527 November 194314:20LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 47782[42]
55 km (34 mi) southwest of Bilozirka
49 October 194313:44LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 59732[43]
40 km (25 mi) southeast of Dnepropetrovsk
1628 November 194308:45LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 48783[42]
55 km (34 mi) southwest of Bilozirka
511 October 194307:30LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 58182, east of Zaporizhia[43]
5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia
1728 November 194313:47LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 48782[42]
55 km (34 mi) southwest of Bilozirka
611 October 194307:31LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 58182, east of Zaporizhia[43]
5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia
1828 November 194314:35Il-2 m.H.[Note 4]PQ 34 Ost 48472[42]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Nikopol
721 October 194307:40LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 39481[44]
vicinity of Pjatichatki
1915 December 194312:00P-39northeast of Novgorodka[45]
824 October 194309:35LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 58392[44]
30 km (19 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia
2017 December 194313:52P-39south of Novgorodka[45]
924 October 194309:36LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 58391[44]
30 km (19 mi) southeast of Zaporizhia
2119 December 194312:07LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 48654[45]
20 km (12 mi) northwest of Bilozirka
1025 October 194310:05P-39PQ 34 Ost 39462[44]
40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Mironovka
2219 December 194314:20LaGG-3north of Bolschoj Tokmak[45]
1125 October 194310:08LaGG-3PQ 34 Ost 39483[44]
vicinity of Pjatichatki
2319 December 194314:22LaGG-3west of Malaya-Tomatshka[45]
1229 October 194306:07Il-2PQ 34 Ost 29524[44]
vicinity of Alekandrovka
2420 December 194311:56LaGG-3south-southeast of Novo-Nikolayevka[45]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[37]
Eastern Front – 1 January – 14 December 1944
253 January 194412:05LaGGPQ 38623[13]
20 km (12 mi) south of Apostolove
70♠30 May 194408:50LaGGPQ 78599[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
263 January 194412:25LaGGPQ 48114[13]
45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Nikopol
71♠30 May 194414:40P-39PQ 78647[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Tudora
279 January 194414:07P-39PQ 29374[13]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Kirovohrad
72♠30 May 194414:43P-39PQ 78652[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Tudora
2815 January 194408:54P-39PQ 19491[13]
25 km (16 mi) west of Kirovohrad
73♠30 May 194419:10P-39PQ 78643[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Tudora
2915 January 194409:25P-39PQ 19493[13]
25 km (16 mi) west of Kirovohrad
74♠30 May 194419:13P-39PQ 78812[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Iași
3015 January 194412:15P-39PQ 19462[13]
25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Kirovohrad
7531 May 194410:31LaGGPQ 78679[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) north of Iași
3115 January 194412:21P-39PQ 29341[13]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Kirovohrad
7631 May 194410:36LaGGPQ 78679[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) north of Iași
?[Note 5]
15 January 1944
P-397731 May 194416:25P-39PQ 78676[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) north of Iași
3215 April 194406:40LaGGvicinity of Balaklava[46]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
783 June 194414:10LaGGPQ 78733[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
3315 April 194406:43LaGGPQ 35254[47]
25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Simferopol
793 June 194414:12LaGGPQ 78733[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
3415 April 194410:30Il-2PQ 35322[47]
Black Sea, 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Sevastopol
803 June 194414:14LaGGPQ 78811[20]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Iași
3515 April 194410:32LaGGPQ 35242[47]
Black Sea, 25 km (16 mi) south of Saky
814 June 194416:15Il-2 m.H.[Note 4]PQ 78589[20]
25 km (16 mi) northwest of Iași
3616 April 194413:03Il-2PQ 35361[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Sevastopol
824 June 194416:25P-39PQ 78723[20]
20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Iași
3716 April 194413:08LaGGPQ 35132[47]
Black Sea, 25 km (16 mi) south of Euparorja
834 June 194416:40P-39PQ 78559[20]
25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Tudora
3818 April 194410:38LaGGPQ 35823[47]
Black Sea, 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Sevastopol
844 June 194417:15P-39PQ 78595[20]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
3918 April 194415:50LaGGPQ 35442[47]
vicinity of Sevastopol
856 June 194417:24P-39PQ 78593[48]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Iași
4018 April 194416:05LaGGPQ 35454[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol
868 June 194412:19Pe-2?[Note 3]PQ 78687[48]
4118 April 194416:17Il-2vicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
878 June 194412:21Pe-2?[Note 3]PQ 75685[48]
42♠19 April 194410:40LaGGPQ 35471[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
888 June 194415:10LaGGPQ 78586[48]
25 km (16 mi) northwest of Iași
43♠19 April 194410:43LaGGPQ 35472[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
898 June 194415:30LaGGPQ 6899[48]
44♠19 April 194410:44LaGGvicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
?[Note 6]
8 June 1944
Il-2[48]
45♠19 April 194415:35LaGGvicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
9014 June 194417:29LaGGPQ 78547[48]
45 km (28 mi) west-northwest of Iași
46♠19 April 194415:50LaGGvicinity of Balaklava[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
9124 June 194409:56P-51PQ 65133[48]
Black Sea, south of Cape Takyl
47♠19 April 194415:51LaGGvicinity of Balaklava[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
921 July 194410:57LaGGPQ 85841[48]
Black Sea, southwest of Ol'ginka
4822 April 194409:38BostonPQ 25481[47]
20 km (12 mi) west of Yelnya
939 July 194409:57Il-2 m.H.[Note 4]PQ 45462[48]
4922 April 194413:40LaGGPQ 35712[47]
Black Sea, 55 km (34 mi) southwest of Sevastopol
9420 July 194412:15LaGGPQ 41569[48]
45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Busk
5023 April 194408:00Pe-2PQ 35331[47]
Black Sea, 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Sevastopol
9520 July 194416:38P-39PQ 40141[49]
vicinity of Lviv
5123 April 194410:50Il-2PQ 35481[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Sevastopol
9621 July 194416:50LaGGPQ 30262[49]
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Lviv
5223 April 194411:20LaGGvicinity of Belbek[47]9721 July 194416:55LaGGPQ 30261[49]
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Lviv
5324 April 194414:30LaGGvicinity of Sevastopol[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
9821 July 194417:22Il-2 m.H.[Note 4]PQ 40154[49]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Lviv
5424 April 194415:35Il-2PQ 35391[47]
Black Sea, southwest of Sevastopol
9914 October 194415:35Il-2 m.H.[Note 4]PQ 16316[28]
30 km (19 mi) northwest of Timișoara
5525 April 194407:33LaGGvicinity of Balaklava[47]
Black Sea, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
100♠16 October 194409:09LaGGPQ 26767[28]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Prahovo
5625 April 194407:45LaGGPQ 35332[47]
Black Sea, 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Sevastopol
101♠16 October 194409:10LaGGPQ 26733[28]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Prahovo
5725 April 194407:58P-39PQ 35454[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol
102♠16 October 194414:15LaGGPQ 25468[28]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Turnu Severin
5827 April 194410:55LaGGnorth of Balaklava[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
103♠16 October 194414:32LaGGPQ 25455[28]
Turnu Severin
5927 April 194417:55P-39north of Balaklava[47]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Sevastopol
104♠16 October 194416:00Il-2 m.H.[Note 4]PQ 35517[28]
30 km (19 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
6027 April 194418:10P-39PQ 35452[47]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Sevastopol
10517 October 194415:00Pe-2PQ 25356[28]
Turnu Severin
6121 May 194409:46P-39PQ 78562[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Tudora
10618 October 194409:40LaGGPQ 25632[28]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
6222 May 194415:40LaGGPQ 78792[18]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Iași
10718 October 194409:42Il-2 m.H.[Note 4]PQ 25637[28]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
6323 May 194416:02LaGGPQ 68791[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) north of Piatra Neamț
10818 October 194409:43LaGGPQ 25639[28]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Turnu Severin
6423 May 194416:07LaGGPQ 67183[18]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Piatra Neamț
10923 October 194414:00LaGGPQ 25314[28]
20 km (12 mi) west of Orșova
6528 May 194408:20P-39PQ 78811[18]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Iași
11025 October 194415:00LaGGPQ 25586[28]
25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Majdanpek
6628 May 194408:55LaGGPQ 78715[18]
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Iași
11125 October 194415:02LaGGPQ 25599[28]
25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Prahovo
6728 May 194412:20P-39PQ 78511[18]
40 km (25 mi) west of Tudora
11227 October 194414:15LaGGPQ 25529[28]
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Majdanpek
6828 May 194417:40P-39PQ 68833[18]
north of Târgu Frumos
11327 October 194414:23LaGGPQ 25533[28]
30 km (19 mi) southwest of Turnu Severin
6929 May 194413:25P-39PQ 78543[18]
45 km (28 mi) west-northwest of Iași
According to Mathews and Foreman, aerial victories 114 to 117 were not documented.[50]
11414 December 1944
unknown[28]11614 December 1944
unknown[28]
11514 December 1944
unknown[28]

Awards

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Notes

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  1. ^ 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.[2]
  2. ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  3. ^ a b c According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin Il-2.[41]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  5. ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Barbas.[13]
  6. ^ According to Barbas, this unconfirmed claim is listed as his 90th aerial victory.[48]
  7. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 52.[55]

References

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Citations

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Bibliography

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  • 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] (2008). Bagration to Berlin – The Final Air Battles in the East: 1944–1945. Ian Allan. ISBN 978-1-903223-91-8.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 21 August 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.
  • Musciano, Walter (1989). Messerschmitt Aces. New York: Aero. ISBN 978-0-8306-8379-6.
  • 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.
  • 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/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.
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