+ being loaded with 21cm mortar France 1943
Asisbiz IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad Battle of Moscow Focke Wulf Fw 190A8 Stab II./JG26-+ being loaded with 21cm mortar France 1943-04
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Asisbiz Focke Wulf Fw 190A8 Stab II./JG26-+ being loaded with 21cm mortar France 1943-04
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Maj Wilhelm Gaeth

Units: Stab./JG26, Kdr II./JG26 (Epinoy, Fr.12/43)

Awards: Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft: Fw 190A-2, Fw 190A-6

Remarks: On 14 January, 1944, Gaeth was shot down by Spitfires. He never returned to duty with JG-26, and was replaced in Feb. by Hptm Johannes Naumann.

Maj Wilhelm GÃ¤th

Units: 8./JG3 (5/40), III./JG54 (4/43 Vendeville), Stab./JG26 (2/42), 2./JG26 (6/43), Kdr II./JG26 (11/43)

Awards: EP, EK 1 & 2, Wound Badge, Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft: Bf 109E in JG-3 Bf 109G in JG-54, Fw 190A-1 & -2 & Fw 190A-6 WNr 470009 'Green <<1+-' (dam 1/14/44) in JG-26

Remarks: WIA 14 January, 1944 at Soissons. One known victory, his 1st, a Fiat CR 42 near Fleurus, northeast of Charleroi, 14 May, 1940. His 2nd & 3rd, both Spitfires, in the Lens/Douai area, 24 May, 1940. His 4th, a Hurricane west of Dunkirk, 28 May, 1940. His 5th, a Boston III in the Channel on 12 April, 1942. Two Soviet P-39's on 22 May, 1943. A Pe-2 on 1 June, 1943. A B-17 10 km W of Papenburg on 25 June, 1943. Nine of his victories came while serving in JG-26. Alternate spelling: Gath.

Asisbiz database list of 115 aerial victories for Wilhelm Gath

Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 14-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Fiat CR. 42 13.55 Raum Fleurus NE Charleroi 14-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Fiat CR.42 13.55 Raum Fleurus NE Charleroi 24-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Spitfire 17.00 Lens/Douai 24-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Spitfire 17.05 Lens/Douai 24-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Spitfire 17.00 Lens-Douai 24-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Spitfire 17.05 Lens-Douai 24-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Spitfire 17.00 Lens-Douai 24-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Spitfire 17.05 Lens-Douai 28-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Hurricane 08.10 W. Dunkirchen 28-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Hurricane 08.10 West of Dunkirk 28-May-40 Wilhelm Gath 8./JG3 Hurricane 08.10 West of Dunkirk 12-Apr-42 Wilhelm Gath StabJG26 Boston III 13.57 Kanal 12-Apr-42 Wilhelm Gath Stab /JG26 A-20 Boston III 13.57 Channel 27-Apr-42 Wilhelm Gath Stab /JG26 Spitfire 15.50 bei Wylder 27-Apr-42 Wilhelm Gath StabJG26 Spitfire 15.50 bei Wylder 22-May-43 Wilhelm Gath 2./JG26 P-39 Aircobra 4000m 05.20 62 180 22-May-43 Wilhelm Gath 2./JG26 P-39 Aircobra 4000m 05.20 62 180 01-Jun-43 Wilhelm Gath 2./JG26 Pe-2 5500-2000m 16.42 35 652 25-Jun-43 Wilhelm Gath 2./JG26 B-17 HSS 4000m 09.08 10km W. Papenburg 25-Jun-43 Wilhelm Gath 2./JG26 B-17 Fortress 4000m 09.08 10km W Papenburg

Ofw Walter GrÃ¼nlinger

Units: 9./JG26 (6/41), Stfkpt 10./JG26

Awards: EP, EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft: Fw 190A-1 WNr 070 (lost), Fw 190A-2 (Inherited Priller's WNr 552) w/ III Grp, Fw 190A-4, Fw 190A-5 WNr 57287 (lost 9/4/43)

Remarks: He renamed the AC 'Rata', and was Priller's wingman. KIA 4 September, 1943 in an Fw 190A-5 Werk # 57287 during aerial combat W of Norrent-Fontes, NE of Bomy, with Spitfires, one day after being named Stfkpt.10 Staffel! Buried Bourdon Fr., 32/11/425 (A. Rosseels). He escaped injury 27 March, 1942 when his A-1 crashed at Coquelles with a Badly damaged engine from combat. One known victory, his 1st, a Spitfire on 25 April, 1942. His 2nd, a Spitfire 20 km south of Dover on 4 December, 1942. A 3rd, a Typhoon 15 km NW of Cape Griz Nez on 9 April, 1943. A 4th, a P-47 10 km E of Zeebrugge on 16 May, 1943. A 5th, a B-17 30 kmW of Maesolouis on 12 August, 1943. A 6th, a B-17 of 305BG at Gilze-Rijen near Steenbergen on 19 August, 1943. A 7th, a Spitfire 15 km west of Cape Gris Nez on 29 August, 1943.

Asisbiz database list of 15 aerial victories for Walter Grunlinger

Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 25-Apr-42 Walter Grunlinger 9./JG26 Spitfire 16.50 25-Apr-42 Walter Grunlinger 9./JG26 Spitfire 16.50 29-Aug-42 Walter Grunlinger 9./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 11.46 15km W. Cap Gris Nez 29-Aug-42 Walter Grunlinger 9./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 11.46 15km W Cap Gris Nez 04-Dec-42 Walter Grunlinger Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 14.40 20km E. Dover 04-Dec-42 Walter Grunlinger III./JG26 Spitfire 14.40 20km E Dover 04-Dec-42 Walter Grunlinger Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 14.40 20km S Dover 09-Apr-43 Walter Grunlinger StabJG26 Typhoon Low Level 18.45 15km NW Cap Gris Nez 09-Apr-43 Walter Grunlinger Stab /JG26 Typhoon Low Level 18.45 15km NW Cap Gris Nez 16-May-43 Walter Grunlinger StabJG26 P-47 Thunderbolt 6000m 13.15-16 10km E. Zeebrugge 16-May-43 Walter Grunlinger Stab /JG26 P-47 Thunderbolt 6000m 13.15-16 10km E Zeebrugge 12-Aug-43 Walter Grunlinger StabJG26 B-17 Fortress 7000m 10.19-22 30km W. Maasluis 12-Aug-43 Walter Grunlinger Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 7000m 10.19-22 30km W Maasluis 19-Aug-43 Walter Grunlinger StabJG26 B-17 Fortress 7600m 18.50 KI (Steenbergen Raum) 19-Aug-43 Walter Grunlinger Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 7600m 18.50 KI (Steenbergen area)

Lt Bruno Hegenauer

Units: 1./JG26 (5/40), Stab./JG26 (6/41), 11./JG26 (11/42), 3./JG53 (1/43)

Awards: EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft: Bf 109E-4, Bf 109F-2 (damaged 6/41), Fw 190A-2 WNr 20202 'He', Fw 190A-3 'He', Bf 109G (Trop) in 3/JG-53

Remarks: Killed May 1943 trying to evacuate Tunisia. His first victory, a Spitfire 20 km east of Dover, 28 May, 1940. His 2nd, a Spitfire on 14 April, 1942. One known Desert victory, a Spitfire on 27 February, 1943. The next day, he downed another Spitfire, 20 km west of Beja. His 5th, a P-38 15 km northeast of Cape Bon on 5 April, 1943. He was a favorite wingman of A. Galland and G. SchÃ¶pfel in JG-26, as an Ofw. Two victories in JG-26.

Asisbiz database list of 5 aerial victories for Bruno Hegenauer

Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 28-May-40 Bruno Hegenauer 1./JG26 Spitfire 2500m 10.40 15-20km E Dover 14-Apr-42 Bruno Hegenauer Stab /JG26 Spitfire 18.35 27-Feb-43 Bruno Hegenauer 3./JG53 Spitfire 12.32 28-Feb-43 Bruno Hegenauer 3./JG53 Spitfire 700m 12.32 20km W Beja 05-Apr-43 Bruno Hegenauer 3./JG53 P-38 Lightning 2500m 09.20 15km NE Cap Bon

Joachim Muncheberg

He recorded his first victory on 7 November: a RAF Blenheim twin-engine bomber shot down near Opladen. During the invasion of France, Muncheberg claimed eight French and British aircraft shot down. Oberleutnant Muncheberg had recorded 10 victories by end of July 1940. On 22 August 1940, he was appointed Staffelkapitan of 7./JG26. On 14 September 1940, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz. Muncheberg achieved his 20th victory the same day. He claimed 14 victories during the Battle of Britain.

From February 1941, Muncheberg's unit operated in the Mediterranean theatre from bases in Sicily. The unit was to achieve success out of all proportion to its size. The unit gained 52 victories without losing a single pilot. Muncheberg claimed almost half of the victories. In addition to flying missions over Malta, Muncheberg also flew over Yugoslavia in support of the German invasion of the Balkans. He claimed a JKRV Fury biplane fighter shot down near Podgorica on 6 April 1941 and claimed another as a ground victory.

Muncheberg had mis-identified his victims. Both victories were, in fact, over Avia BH-33 biplane fighters. On 7 May 1941, Muncheberg was awarded the Eichenlaub (Nr 12) and the Italian Medagalia d'Oro. Muncheberg had 43 victories to his credit. A sojourn in Libya during June-July 1941, to support Rommel's Afrika Korps repel the British relief of Tobruk, saw Muncheberg add a further five victories to his tally. In August 1941, 7./JG26 was transferred to France. Muncheberg shot down a RAF Spitfire fighter near Dunkirk on 29 August to record his 50th victory. From the time he returned from North Africa until he left JG26 in late June 1942, Muncheberg was to claim 35 victories of which 34 would be Spitfires, including his 50th victory on 29 August, his 60th on 8 December, his 70th on 26 April 1942 and his 80th on 2 June. On 19 September, Muncheberg was promoted to the rank of Hauptmann and appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG26. On 22 July 1942, Muncheberg was posted to the Eastern Front to join JG51.

On 5 September, he recorded his 100th victory. On 9 September, he was awarded the Schwertern (Nr 19) following his 103rd victory. Muncheberg achieved 33 victories over Russian aircraft (84 - 116). However, Muncheberg was shot down twice during his four weeks on the Eastern Front. On 1 October 1942, Major Muncheberg was appointed Kommodore of JG77, operating over North Africa, Sicily and Tunisia. Muncheberg added 24 victories to his victory total but had to force-land his Bf-109 G-2 (W.Nr. 10725) following aerial combat with RAF Kittyhawk fighters on 10 December 1942. Muncheberg was killed on 23 March 1943 over Tunisia in combat with USAAF Spitfire fighters from the 52nd Fighter Group when, after shooting down one, he was in collision with a second. He crashed to his death in Bf-109G-6 (W.Nr. 16381).

Joachim Muncheberg scored 135 aerial victories in over 500 missions. 102 victories were achieved over the Western Front and 33 on the Eastern Front. He shot down at least 46 Spitfire fighters.

No Date Time Enemy A/C Type Unit Location Comments 1 7.11.1939 13:43 Blenheim Stab III./JG26 SW Opladen Blenheim I (L1325) of 57 Sqn RAF flown by P/O HR Bewley, 2 crew baled out, POW 2 11.5.1940 17:45 Curtiss Stab III./JG26 NNE Antwerp Hawk H 75A of GC I/4, Armee de l'Air 3 14.5.1940 18:45 Hurricane Stab III./JG26 E Ath Hurricane of 504 Sqn RAF 4 15.5.1940 13:00 Hurricane Stab III./JG26 Near Overijse Hurricane (L1645) of 3 Sqn RAF flown by Sgt JLC Williams, killed 5 29.5.1940 18:10 Spitfire Stab III./JG26 W Dunkirk Spitfire of 64, 229 or 610 Sqn, RAF 6 31.5.1940 15:35 Lysander Stab III./JG26 Furnes-Dunkirk 7 31.5.1940 15:40 Hurricane Stab III./JG26 SW Dunkirk Hurricane of 213 or 264 Sqn, RAF 8 31.5.1940 15:45 Hurricane Stab III./JG26 NE Dunkirk Hurricane of 213 or 264 Sqn, RAF 9 31.5.1940 20:10 Spitfire Stab III./JG26 Channel-Dunkirk Spitfire of 609 Sqn RAF 10 28.7.1940 15:15 Hurricane Stab III./JG26 15km NE Dover Hurricane of 257 Sqn, RAF 11 8.8.1940 12:55 Spitfire Stab III./JG26 NE Margate Spitfire of 65 Sqn, RAF 12 14.8.1940 13:29 Hurricane Stab III./JG26 Folkestone-Dover Hurricane of 32 or 615 Sqn, RAF 13 15.8.1940 16:01 Spitfire Stab III./JG26 SE Dover Spitfire of 64 Sqn, RAF 14 24.8.1940 12:22 Hurricane 7./JG 26 Ashford Hurricane of 151 Sqn, RAF 15 31.8.1940 10:00 Hurricane 7./JG 26 NW Braintree Hurricane of 56 Sqn, RAF 16 1.9.1940 14:52 Hurricane 7./JG 26 W Goodhurst Hurricane 79 or 85 Sqn, RAF 17 6.9.1940 10:28 Hurricane 7./JG 26 Dungeness Hurricane of 303 Sqn, RAF 18 7.9.1940 18:45 Spitfire 7./JG 26 SE London Spitfire of 603 Sqn, RAF 19 11.9.1940 19:25 Spitfire 7./JG 26 E Ashford Spitfire of 66 or 92 Sqn, RAF 20 14.9.1940 17:05 Spitfire 7./JG 26 S Maidstone Spitfire of 222 Sqn, RAF 21 17.10.1940 14:55 Bloch 151 7./JG 26 S Faversham 22 25.10.1940 14:40 Spitfire 7./JG 26 Marden Spitfire of 92 Sqn, RAF 23 14.11.1940 15:32 Spitfire 7./JG 26 SE Dover Spitfire of 66 or 74 Sqn, RAF 24 12.2.1941 16:41 Hurricane 7./JG 26 S Siggiwi, Malta Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 25 16.2.1941 10:38 Hurricane 7./JG 26 Off Dingli, SW Malta Hurricane of 261 Sqn RAF, damaged 26 16.2.1941 10:45 Hurricane 7./JG 26 E Ta Venezia, Malta Hurricane (V7731) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by F/L JAF MacLachlan, baled out wounded 27 25.2.1941 16:45 Hurricane 7./JG 26 E St Paul's Bay, Malta Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 28 26.2.1941 14:06 Hurricane 7./JG 26 S Krendi, Malta Hurricane (V7671) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by F/O FF Taylor, killed 29 26.2.1941 14:10 Hurricane 7./JG 26 10km S Malta Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 30 2.3.1941 10:45 Hurricane 7./JG 26 2km W Marsa Scirocco, Malta Fulmar of 806 Sqn FAA, damaged 31 5.3.1941 17:32 Hurricane 7./JG 26 S Hal Far, Malta Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 32 15.3.1941 7:50 Wellington 7./JG 26 10 km NW Gozo Is Wellington (W5644) of Reserve Flt, Stradishall, RAF 33 28.3.1941 17:32 Hurricane 7./JG 26 10km S Gozo Is Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 34 6.4.1941 12:05 Fury 7./JG 26 NE Podgorica Avia BH-33E of Ind Fighter Esk, 81 (Bomber) Grupa, JKRV flown by Porucnik Milenko Milivojevic, killed 6.4.1941 Fury 7./JG 26 Podgorica Avia BH-33E of Ind Fighter Esk, 81 (Bomber) Grupa, JKRV - ground victory 6.4.1941 Breguet XIX 7./JG 26 Podgorica Ground victory - not confirmed 35 11.4.1941 11:31 Hurricane 7./JG 26 SE Malta Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 36 11.4.1941 11:53 Hurricane 7./JG 26 SE St Paul's Bay, Malta Hurricane (V7116) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by P/O PA Mortimer, crash-landed 37 23.4.1941 18:07 Hurricane 7./JG 26 SE Hal Far Hurricane II (Z3032) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by F/O FM Auger, killed 27.4.1941 Sunderland 7./JG 26 Kalafrana Bay, Malta Sunderland (L5807) of 228 Sqn, RAF - ground victory 38 29.4.1941 18:47 Hurricane 7./JG 26 St Paul's Bay, Malta Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 39 1.5.1941 7:53 Hurricane 7./JG 26 SE St Paul's Bay, Malta Hurricane II (Z2900) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by P/O RA Innes, wounded 40 1.5.1941 7:54 Hurricane 7./JG 26 SW Ta Venezia Hurricane II (Z3061) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by Sgt BC Walmsley, wounded 41 1.5.1941 17:15 Hurricane 7./JG 26 SW Luqa a/f Hurricane of 261 Sqn, RAF 42 6.5.1941 12:22 Hurricane 7./JG 26 NE St Paul's Bay Hurricane II (Z3060) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by P/O CK Gray, baled out, wounded 43 6.5.1941 12:26 Hurricane 7./JG 26 1km SW Hal Far Hurricane II (Z3059) of 261 Sqn RAF flown by Sgt RA Branson, baled out 25.5.1941 15:00 Hurricane 7./JG 26 Takali Hurricane of 249 Sqn, RAF - ground victory 25.5.1941 15:00 Hurricane 7./JG 26 Takali Hurricane of 249 Sqn, RAF - ground victory 44 20.6.1941 7:55 Hurricane 7./JG 26 20km E BuqBuq Hurricane of 1 or 2 Sqn, SAAF 45 24.6.1941 8:00 Hurricane 7./JG 26 Lauyet Ungheila Hurricane of 6 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O JAF Sowrey 46 15.7.1941 18:40 Hurricane 7./JG 26 SW Ras el Milh Hurricane of 73 or 229 Sqn, RAF 47 29.7.1941 17:48 P-40 7./JG 26 50km E Bardia Tomahawk of 2 Sqn, SAAF 48 29.7.1941 17:52 P-40 7./JG 26 40km E Bardia Tomahawk of 2 Sqn, SAAF 49 28.8.1941 19:30 Spitfire 7./JG 26 2km N Gravelines 50 29.8.1941 8:40 Spitfire 7./JG 26 10km NE Dunkirk 51 4.9.1941 17:26 Spitfire 7./JG 26 Vollezelle 52 4.9.1941 17:29 Spitfire 7./JG 26 Zeggers 53 7.9.1941 17:22 Spitfire 7./JG 26 NW Montreuil Spitfire of 71 Sqn, RAF 54 16.9.1941 19:40 Spitfire 7./JG 26 E Boulogne Spitfire of 306 or 315 Sqn, RAF 55 18.9.1941 16:06 Hurricane 7./JG 26 Yvetot Hurricane of 607 Sqn, RAF 56 18.9.1941 16:15 Spitfire 7./JG 26 Ste Helene Spitfire of 452 Sqn, RAF 57 13.10.1941 14:33 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 Samer 58 8.11.1941 13:07 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 Loon Plage Spitfire of Digby Wg or 412 Sqn, RAF 59 8.11.1941 13:15 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 NNE Dunkirk Spitfire of Digby Wg or 412 Sqn, RAF 60 8.12.1941 14:17 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 W Boulogne 61 16.12.1941 16:01 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 NW Dunkirk Spitfire of 411 Sqn, RAF 62 16.12.1941 16:04 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 N Gravelines Spitfire of 411 Sqn, RAF 63 13.3.1942 16:17 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 Wirre Effroy Spitfire of 124 Sqn, RAF 64 24.3.1942 16:30 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 NW Rue-Cambron Spitfire of 412 Sqn, RAF 65 24.3.1942 16:35 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 Cambron Spitfire of 412 Sqn, RAF 66 4.4.1942 11:46 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 W Calais 67 10.4.1942 17:50 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 NW Etaples Spitfire of 340 Sqn, RAF 68 25.4.1942 16:40 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 SW Crecy 69 25.4.1942 16:43 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 SW Rue 70 26.4.1942 18:05 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 WNW Calais Spitfire of 485 Sqn, RAF 71 26.4.1942 18:06 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 10km W Cap Gris Nez Spitfire of 485 Sqn, RAF 72 27.4.1942 14:47 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 NE Dunkirk Spitfire of Tangmere Wg or 340 Sqn, RAF 73 27.4.1942 16:06 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 N Mardyck Spitfire of 303 Sqn, RAF 74 29.4.1942 16:04 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 Le Touquet Spitfire of Northolt Wg or 317 Sqn, RAF 75 30.4.1942 19:36 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 W Somme Estuary Spitfire of 222 Sqn, RAF 76 1.5.1942 19:31 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 SW Calais Spitfire of 122 or 222 Sqn, RAF 1.5.1942 19:40 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 5km N Calais not confirmed 77 6.5.1942 18:53 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 NW Cap Gris Nez Spitfire of 303 Sqn, RAF 9.5.1942 13:43 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 15km S Gravelines Spitfire of 118 or 501 Sqn, RAF / not confirmed 9.5.1942 13:44 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 15km S Gravelines Spitfire of 118 or 501 Sqn, RAF / not confirmed 17.5.1942 17:35 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 Guines-St Omer not confirmed 78 31.5.1942 19:37 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 S Crecy Forest Spitfire of 485 Sqn, RAF 79 31.5.1942 19:41 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 Quend Plage les Pins Spitfire of 302 Sqn, RAF 80 2.6.1942 11:01 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 SW Abbeville Spitfire of 403 Sqn, RAF 81 2.6.1942 11:07 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 15km W Etaples Spitfire of 403 Sqn, RAF 82 20.6.1942 15:44 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 S Ardres Spitfire of 118 or 501 Sqn, RAF 83 20.6.1942 15:47 Spitfire Stab II./JG26 E Boulogne Spitfire of 118 or 501 Sqn, RAF 84 3.8.1942 10:32 Pe-2 Stab/JG 51 47 591 85 3.8.1942 10:36 Pe-2 Stab/JG 51 47 514 86 4.8.1942 10:38 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 6km ENE Subzow 87 5.8.1942 18:48 LaGG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 880 88 9.8.1942 14:30 MiG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 844 89 10.8.1942 18:40~ Yak-1 Stab/JG 51 47 563 90 22.8.1942 10:25 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 761 91 24.8.1942 6:20 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 754 92 24.8.1942 6:21 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 791 93 25.8.1942 17:11 Pe-2 Stab/JG 51 47 381 94 2.9.1942 8:23 LaGG-3 Stab/JG 51 SW Karmanovo 95 2.9.1942 10:52 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 SW Gshatsk 96 2.9.1942 10:55 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 SSW Gshatsk 97 2.9.1942 10:55 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 SSW Gshatsk 98 3.9.1942 14:32 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 46 192 99 4.9.1942 17:35 Pe-2 Stab/JG 51 S Zubtsowo 100 5.9.1942 17:53 P-39 Stab/JG 51 Kubinka 101 5.9.1942 17:57 P-39 Stab/JG 51 66 380 102 9.9.1942 17:08 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 733 103 9.9.1942 17:12 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 762 104 10.9.1942 7:09 Pe-2 Stab/JG 51 47 843 105 10.9.1942 7:13 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 764 106 10.9.1942 10:35 LaGG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 811 107 14.9.1942 7:35 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 762 108 14.9.1942 17:01 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 594 109 14.9.1942 17:13 Il-2 Stab/JG 51 47 591 110 14.9.1942 17.VII Pe-2 Stab/JG 51 47 732 111 22.9.1942 9:25 MiG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 612 112 22.9.1942 9:31 R-5 Stab/JG 51 47 611 113 26.9.1942 12:23 LaGG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 522 114 26.9.1942 16:08 LaGG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 572 115 27.9.1942 6:59 LaGG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 592 116 27.9.1942 7:03 LaGG-3 Stab/JG 51 47 612 117 9.11.1942 15:07 Spitfire Stab/JG 77 E Buq Buq Spitfire V of 92 Sqn, RAF flown by F/Sgt Blades 9.11.1942 Spitfire w.b. Stab/JG 77 118 27.11.1942 7:32 Spitfire Stab/JG 77 Spitfire of 1 Sqn, SAAF flown by Lt Marshall 119 10.12.1942 15:05 P-40 Stab/JG 77 12km NW Agheila P-40F of 66 FS, 57 FG, USAAF 120 14.12.1942 15:08 P-40 Stab/JG 77 SW Agheila P-40F of 57 FG, USAAF 121 14.12.1942 15:25 P-40 Stab/JG 77 SW Agheila P-40F of 57 FG, USAAF 122 15.12.1942 10:58 P-40 Stab/JG 77 Ras el Aali 123 13.1.1943 8:45 Baltimore Stab/JG 77 124 14.1.1943 11:17 P-40 Stab/JG 77 125 14.1.1943 11:21 P-40 Stab/JG 77 126 14.1.1943 11:23 P-40 Stab/JG 77 127 18.1.1943 16:40 P-40 Stab/JG 77 128 22.1.1943 12:55 P-40 Stab/JG 77 129 22.1.1943 13:05 P-40 Stab/JG 77 130 10.3.1943 16:33 P-40 Stab/JG 77 131 10.3.1943 16:48 P-40 Stab/JG 77 132 13.3.1943 15:04 P-40 Stab/JG 77 133 13.3.1943 17:51 P-39 Stab/JG 77 134 22.3.1943 14:27 P-40 Stab/JG 77 135 23.3.1943 9:50 Spitfire Stab/JG 77

Victories : 135

Awards : Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (5 June 1942)

Ritterkreuz (14 September 1940)

Eichenlaub (7 May 1941)

Schwertern (15 June 1942)

Medagalia d'Oro (7 May 1941)

Units : JG26, JG51, JG77

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/muncheberg.html

Asisbiz database list of 145 aerial victories for Joachim Muncheberg

Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 07-Nov-39 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Blenheim 13.43 SW Opladen N. Leverkusen 11-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Hawk-75A 17.45 NNE Antwerpen 14-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 18.45 E Ath 20km NNW Mons 15-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 13.00 Overijsche SE Brussels 29-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Spitfire I 18.10 West of Dunkirk 31-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 15.45 NE Dunkirk 31-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 15.40 SW Dunkirk 31-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Lysander 50m 15.35 Furnes-Dunkirk 31-May-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 20.30 Dunkirk-Dover 28-Jul-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 15.15 15km NE Dover 08-Aug-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 3000m 12.55 Margate 14-Aug-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 13.29 Dover-Folkestone 15-Aug-40 Joachim Muncheberg Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 16.01 SE Dover (mid-Channel) 24-Aug-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane 12.22 Ashford 31-Aug-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane 5500m 10.00 NW Braintree 01-Sep-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane 14.52 West of Goudhurst 06-Sep-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane 10.28 Dungeness 07-Sep-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 5500m 18.45 SE London 11-Sep-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 6500m 19.25 East of Ashford 14-Sep-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG27 Spitfire 6500m 17.05 South of Maidstone 17-Oct-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Bloch 151 14.55 Faversham 25-Oct-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 14.40 Marden 14-Nov-40 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 100m 15.32 Kanal West of Dover 12-Feb-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 14.41 S. Sigguwi W. Takali (Malta) 16-Feb-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 10.38 Sea off Dingli SW Malta 16-Feb-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 14.45 E Ta Venezia (Malta) 25-Feb-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 2000m 16.45 E. St. Paul's Bay (Malta) 26-Feb-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 2500m 14.06 S Krendi (Malta) 26-Feb-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 2500m 14.10 10km S Malta 02-Mar-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 2500m 10.45 2km W Marsa Scirocco (Malta) 05-Mar-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 3500m 17.32 S. Hal Far (Malta) 15-Mar-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Wellington 07.50 10km NW Insel Gozo (Malta) 28-Mar-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 17.20 10km S Gozo Island (200 warflight) (Malta) 06-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Avia B.33E Ground Pogorica 06-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Breguet XIX Ground Pogorica (Claim not admitted) 06-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Avia B.33E 12.05 NE Pogorica 11-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 11.31 SE Malta 11-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 11.53 SE Pauls Bay (Malta) 23-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane 18.07 SE Hal Far (Malta) 27-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Sunderland Anchor Kalafrana Bay (Malta) 29-Apr-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 4000m 18.47 Stab Pauls Bay (Malta) 01-May-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 100m 07.55 3km zw FlPl Takali Ta Venezia (Malta) 01-May-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 3000m 07.53 SE Stab Pauls Bay 01-May-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 100m 17.15 SW Luqa airfield 06-May-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane II 12.22 NE Paul's Bay (Malta) 06-May-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane II 600m 12.26 1km SW Hal Far (Malta) 25-May-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane II 15.00 Takali airfield 249Sqn (Malta) 25-May-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane II 15.00 Takali airfield 249Sqn (Malta) 20-Jun-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane II 07.55 20km E. Buq Buq (Egypt) 24-Jun-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane I 08.00 Lavyet Ungheila 15-Jul-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Tomahawk I 18.40 SW Ras-el-Milh (Libya) 29-Jul-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Tomahawk 100m 17.52 40km E. Bardia 29-Jul-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Tomahawk 100-50m 17.48 50km E Bardia 100-50m 26-Aug-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 19.30 2km N Gravelines 29-Aug-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 5500-1500m 08.35-40 10km NE Dunkirk 04-Sep-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 17.26 Bollezeele S Dunkirk 04-Sep-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 17.29 Zeggers-Capelle S Dunkirk 07-Sep-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 17.22 NW Montreuil 16-Sep-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 19.40 12km E Boulogne 18-Sep-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Spitfire 16.05 Yvetot 18-Sep-41 Joachim Muncheberg 7./JG26 Hurricane 16.15 Sainte-Helene 13-Oct-41 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 14.33 Samer 08-Nov-41 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 13.07 Leon Plage 08-Nov-41 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 13.15 NNE Dunkirchen 08-Dec-41 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 14.17 Boulogne 16-Dec-41 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.01 Dunkirk 16-Dec-41 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.04 Dunkirk 13-Mar-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.17 Wirre Effroy NE Boulogne 24-Mar-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.30 Pende 15km NW Abbeville 24-Mar-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.35 Cambron 4km W Abbeville 04-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 11.46 Sea W Calais 10-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 17.50 Sea NW Etaples 25-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.43 SW of Rue 25-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.40 SW of Crecy-en-Ponthieu 26-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 18.06 10km W Cap Gris Nez 26-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 18.05 WNW Calais in See 27-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 14.47 NE Dunkirchen 27-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.06 North of Dunkirk-Mardyck 29-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 16.04 bei Le Touquet 30-Apr-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 19.36 West of Somme-Mundung 01-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 19.31 SW Calais 01-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 19.40 5km N Calais 06-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 18.53-55 NW Cap Gris Nez 09-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 13.44 15km S Gravelines 09-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 13.39 15km S Gravelines 17-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 17.35 Guines-St Omer 31-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 18.37 South of Foret de Crecy 31-May-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 19.41 Quend Plage-les-Pins 02-Jun-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 600-800m 11.07 15km W Etaples 02-Jun-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 11.01 SW Abbeville 20-Jun-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 15.44 South of Ardres 20-Jun-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab II./JG26 Spitfire 15.47 East of Boulogne 03-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Pe-2 2000m 10.32 47 591 03-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Pe-2 1800m 10.36 47 514 04-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 50-100m 10.38 6km ENE Subzow 05-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 LaGG-3 1500m 18.48 47 880 09-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 MiG-3 800m 14.30 47 844 10-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Yak-1 2300m 18.40Â± 47 563 22-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik Low Level 10.25 47 761 24-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik Low Level 06.20 47 754 24-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik Low Level 06.21 47 791 25-Aug-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Pe-2 1800m 17.11 47 381 02-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 100m 10.55 SSW Gshatsk 02-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 100m 10.55 SSW Gshatsk 02-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 300m 10.52 SW Gshatsk 02-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 LaGG-3 800m 08.23 SW Karmanovo 03-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 600m 14.32 46 192 04-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Pe-2 1800m 17.35 S Zubtsowo 05-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 P-39 Aircobra 3000m 17.57 66 380 05-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 P-39 Aircobra 3500m 17.53 Kubinka 09-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 100m 17.08 47 733 09-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 100m 17.12 47 762 10-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Pe-2 2500m 07.09 47 843 10-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 3-400m 07.13 47 764 10-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 LaGG-3 2000m 10.35 47 811 14-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 07.25 47 762 14-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 1800m 17.01 47 594 14-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 17.13 47 591 14-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 Pe-2 1200m 17.07 47 732 22-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 MiG-3 1500m 09.25 47 612 22-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 R-5 09.31 47 611 26-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 LaGG-3 12.23 47 522 26-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 LaGG-3 2000m 16.08 47 572 27-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 LaGG-3 07.03 47 612 27-Sep-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG51 LaGG-3 1500m 06.59 47 592 09-Nov-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 Spitfire 15.07 E. Buq Buq 27-Nov-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 Spitfire 07.32 5km E. Bir el Ginn 10-Dec-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Warhawk 15.05 10km NW El Agheila 14-Dec-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Warhawk 15.25 20km SW El Agheila 14-Dec-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Warhawk 15.08 15km SW El Agheila 15-Dec-42 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Warhawk 10.58 Ras el Ali 13-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40E Warhawk 08.45 13-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 Baltimore 08.45 14-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40E Warhawk 11.17 14-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40E Warhawk 11.21 14-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40E Warhawk 11.23 18-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40E Warhawk 16.40 22-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Kittyhawk 13.05 22-Jan-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Kittyhawk 12.55 10-Mar-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Kittyhawk 16.33 10-Mar-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Kittyhawk 16.48 13-Mar-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-39 Aircobra 17.51 13-Mar-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Warhawk 15.04 22-Mar-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 P-40 Warhawk 14.27 23-Mar-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 Spitfire 09.50 23-Mar-43 Joachim Muncheberg Stab /JG77 Dogfight KiA Dogfight Zanouch

Ernst Schande

Units:I/JG-26 (joins 2/44), 2/JG-26

Awards:Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft:Fw 190A-6/R6 WNr 530120 'Black 8'

Remarks:MIA 8 August, 1944; Aerial combat in 'Black 8' with a P-51 of 359FG East of Dreux. Mombeek MIA List.

Josef 'Pips' Priller

Josef "Pips" Priller was born on 27 July 1915 at Ingolstadt in Bayern. In 1935, Fahnenjunker Priller was serving in Infanterieregiment 19. Oberfahnrich Priller transferred to the Luftwaffe and began his flying training at Salzwedel in October 1936. On 1 April 1937, Leutnant Priller was posted to I./JG135. In November 1938 the unit was redesignated I./JG233 and again on 1 May 1939 to I./JG51. In July 1939, he was serving with I./JG71 which was to be redesignated II./JG51 in October 1939. On 1 October 1939, Priller was appointed Staffelkapitan of 6./JG51. He gained his first victories on 28 May 1940 over Dunkirk in aerial combat with RAF fighters. He claimed six victories during the French campaign, including his 6th on 25 June, when he shot down a RAF Spitfire fighter near Desvres. By the end of August his victory total stood at 15.

On 17 October, Oberleutnant Priller claimed his 20th victory resulting in the award of the Ritterkreuz on 19 October. He claimed at least fourteen victories in the Battle of Britain. On 20 November 1940, Priller was transferred as Staffelkapitan to 1./JG26, succeeding Oberleutnant Eberhard Henrici (7 victories) who had been lost in aerial combat over the Channel three days previously. Despite much combat with the British, Priller was unable to add to his score before the end of the year. That winter, JG26 was withdrawn from the Channel front back to Germany for a rest. On his return to the Channel Priller enjoyed a remarkable run of victories between 16 June and 11 July 1941 shooting down 19 RAF aircraft, including 17 Spitfire fighters, to bring his victory total to 39. On 14 July, Priller shot down his 40th victim. He was awarded the Eichenlaub (Nr 28) on 19 October for 41 victories. Hauptmann Priller became Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG26 on 6 December 1941. By the end of 1941 Priller's score stood at 58. He recorded his 60th victory on 27 March 1942 and his 70th victory on 5 May.

By the end of 1942 Priller had 81 confirmed victories to his tally. On 11 January 1943, Priller became Kommodore of JG26, replacing Major Gerhard Schopfel (45 victories, RK) who was taking up a staff role. He was awarded the Schwertern (Nr 73) on 2 July 1944. Oberstleutnant Priller brought up his 100th victory on 18 July 1944 when he brought down a USAAF B-24 four-engine bomber. On 1 January 1945, Priller led JG26 and III./JG54 in the attack on the Allied airfields, codenamed Operation Bodenplatte, at Brussels-Evere and Brussels-Grimbergen. On 28 January, Priller was appointed Inspekteur der Jagdflieger Ost, a position that required he cease operational flying and which he held until the end of the war. Post-war "Pips" Priller managed the family brewery business. He died on 20 May 1961 at Bobing in Oberbayern following a heart attack.

Josef "Pips" Priller flew 1,307 combat missions to achieve 101 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western Front and include 11 four-engine bombers. He was the most succesful pilot in battles with Spitfires claiming at least 68 of them.

No Date Time Enemy A/C Type Unit Location Comments 1 28.5.1940 13:07 Spitfire 6./JG51 NW Dunkirk 2 28.5.1940 13:10 Hurricane 6./JG51 NW Dunkirk 3 2.6.1940 21:15 Curtiss 6./JG51 SW Dunkirk 4 8.6.1940 19:05 Blenheim 6./JG51 Abbeville 5 8.6.1940 19:06 Blenheim 6./JG51 Abbeville 6 25.6.1940 18:20 Spitfire 6./JG51 8km NW Desvres 10.7.1940 11:15 Spitfire 6./JG51 Dover Spitfire of 610 Sqn, RAF flown by S/L Smith, damaged 7 14.7.1940 16:25 Hurricane 6./JG51 SE Dover Hurricane of 615 Sqn, RAF 8 20.7.1940 19:20 Hurricane 6./JG51 5km E Folestone Hurricane of 32 Sqn RAF flown by Sub Lt Bulmer 9 29.7.1940 8:40 Spitfire 6./JG51 5km N Dover 10 14.8.1940 13:45 Spitfire 6./JG51 NW Dover 11 15.8.1940 16:15 Hurricane 6./JG51 1km E Clacton 12 16.8.1940 13:35 Spitfire 6./JG51 10km E Canterbury 13 24.8.1940 13:55 Hurricane 6./JG51 7km E Margate 14 24.8.1940 14:10 Hurricane 6./JG51 2km E Margate 15 26.8.1940 18:57 Spitfire 6./JG51 5km W Boulogne 16 7.10.1940 11:35 Spitfire 6./JG51 20km N Canterbury 17 7.10.1940 17:40 Spitfire 6./JG51 Thames Estuary 18 15.10.1940 13:10 Hurricane 6./JG51 10km SW Dover 19 15.10.1940 13:15 Hurricane 6./JG51 15km W Dover 20 17.10.1940 16:35 Hurricane 6./JG51 Tunbridge Wells 21 16.6.1941 16:35 Spitfire 1./JG26 W Boulogne 22 16.6.1941 16:45 Blenheim 1./JG26 SW Boulogne Blenheim of 59 Sqn, RAF 23 17.6.1941 19:42 Hurricane 1./JG26 W Cap Gris Nez Hurricane of 56 or 242 Sqn, RAF 24 21.6.1941 12:40 Spitfire 1./JG26 SW Ramsgate Spitfire of 603 Sqn, RAF 25 23.6.1941 13:35 Spitfire 1./JG26 S Somme Estuary 26 25.6.1941 13:00 Spitfire 1./JG26 W Gravelines Spitfire of 610 or 616 Sqn, RAF 27 27.6.1941 22:00 Spitfire 1./JG26 SW Gravelines 28 30.6.1941 18:56 Spitfire 1./JG26 10km NW St Inglevert Spitfire of 603 or 616 Sqn, RAF 29 2.7.1941 12:45 Spitfire 1./JG26 10km W Lille 30 4.7.1941 14:55 Spitfire 1./JG26 10km SW St Omer 31 5.7.1941 13:40 Spitfire 1./JG26 4km NW Dunkirk Spitfire of 54 or 616 Sqn, RAF 32 7.7.1941 10:00 Spitfire 1./JG26 3km N Gravelines Spitfire of Hornchurch Wing, RAF 33 7.7.1941 10:47 Spitfire 1./JG26 W Somme Estuary 34 8.7.1941 15:30 Spitfire 1./JG26 10km N St Omer 35 9.7.1941 14:00 Spitfire 1./JG26 S Aire-SE Samer 36 9.7.1941 14:10 Spitfire 1./JG26 2km S Calais 37 10.7.1941 12:30 Spitfire 1./JG26 N St Omer 38 10.7.1941 12:40 Spitfire 1./JG26 5km NW Boulogne 39 11.7.1941 16:10 Spitfire 1./JG26 20km W Calais 40 14.7.1941 10:30 Spitfire 1./JG26 St Omer Spitfire V of 72 Sqn flown by F/Sgt WM Lamberton, baled out, POW 41 19.7.1941 14:35 Spitfire 1./JG26 5km Dover Spitfire of 72 Sqn, RAF 42 22.7.1941 13:40 Spitfire 1./JG26 10km NW Gravelines Spitfire of 308 Sqn, RAF 43 23.7.1941 14:05 Spitfire 1./JG26 15km NW Gravelines 44 24.7.1941 14:45 Spitfire 1./JG26 7km NW Dunkirk 45 7.8.1941 11:30 Spitfire 1./JG26 5km NW Calais 46 7.8.1941 18:20 Spitfire 1./JG26 8km N Calais 47 4.9.1941 17:30 Spitfire 1./JG26 NW Bethune 48 17.9.1941 15:35 Spitfire 1./JG26 5km NW Calais 49 18.9.1941 16:25 Spitfire 1./JG26 SW Dungeness 50 1.10.1941 14:57 Spitfire 1./JG26 mid English Channel Spitfire of 91 Sqn, RAF 51 1.10.1941 13:55 Spitfire 1./JG26 W Boulogne 52 12.10.1941 13:25 Spitfire 1./JG26 5km E Berck-sur-Mer Spitfire of 452 or 602 Sqn, RAF 53 13.10.1941 15:30 Spitfire 1./JG26 15km W Berck-sur-Mer 54 21.10.1941 12:55 Spitfire 1./JG26 4km W Etaples 55 21.10.1941 13:05 Spitfire 1./JG26 15km NNW Le Touquet 56 27.10.1941 13:15 Spitfire 1./JG26 5km N Watten Spitfire of 401 Sqn, RAF 57 8.11.1941 12:50 Spitfire 1./JG26 N Bethune Spitfire of 302 or 316 Sqn, RAF 58 8.11.1941 13:10 Spitfire 1./JG26 5km NW Gravelines Spitfire of 302 or 316 Sqn, RAF 59 3.1.1942 15:38 Hurricane Stab III./JG 26 5km NW Calais 60 27.3.1942 16:40 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 10km W Ostend Spitfire of 313 Sqn RAF flown by Vladimir Michalek 61 28.3.1942 18:50 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 Cap Gris Nez-Blanc Nez Spitfire of 457 or 602 Sqn, RAF 62 4.4.1942 14:15 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 Calais-Dover Spitfire of 129 Sqn, RAF 12.4.1942 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 Boulogne Not confirmed 63 12.4.1942 13:45 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 N Gravelines Spitfire of 41 Sqn, RAF 64 16.4.1942 18:26 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 5km N Calais Spitfire of 118 or 129 Sqn, RAF 65 25.4.1942 16:54 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 10km W St Etienne 66 27.4.1942 12:25 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 S Ardres Spitfire of 65 Sqn, RAF 67 27.4.1942 12:30 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 15km NW Gravelines Spitfire of 65 Sqn, RAF 68 28.4.1942 12:00 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 Dunkirk-Gravelines Spitfire of 401 Sqn, RAF 69 1.5.1942 19:30 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 5km N Calais Spitfire of 457, 485 or 602 Sqn, RAF 70 5.5.1942 15:40 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 11km SW Ypres Spitfire Vb (BM261) of 313 Sqn RAF flown by Sgt Karel Pavlik, killed 71 9.5.1942 13:40 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 3km N Gravelines Spitfire of 118 of 501 Sqn, RAF 72 17.5.1942 11:33 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 S Guines-Audembert Spitfire of 313 Sqn RAF flown by F/Lt Stanislav Fejfar (5.833/1/3 victories) 73 1.6.1942 13:45 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 5km N Blankenberghe Spitfire of 350 Sqn, RAF 74 22.6.1942 12:10 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 30km N Gravelines Spitfire of 64 Sqn, RAF 75 15.7.1942 15:38 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 8km NE Dover Spitfire of 402 Sqn, RAF 30.7.1942 19:00 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 Gravelines Not confirmed 76 21.8.1942 11:10 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 50km N Gravelines 77 29.8.1942 11:46 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 15km NW Cap Gris Nez 78 9.10.1942 10:35 B-24 Stab III./JG 26 SW Roubaix-Wevelgem B-17 "Snoozy II" of 367 BS, 306 BG, USAAF flown by Capt John Olsen 79 4.12.1942 14:40 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 20km N Calais Spitfire of 401 or 402 Sqn, RAF 80 6.12.1942 12:10 Spitfire Stab III./JG 26 5-6km S Lille 81 20.12.1942 12:01 B-17 Stab III./JG 26 Baie de la Seine B-17 of 91 BG, USAAF 82 20.1.1943 12:35 Spitfire Stab/JG26 N Canterbury Spitfire of 332 Sqn, RAF 83 8.3.1943 14:15 Spitfire Stab/JG26 8km NW St Valery-en-Cause Spitfire of 340 Sqn, RAF 84 5.4.1943 15:12 B-17 Stab/JG26 20km W Ostend B-17 of 306 BG, USAAF 85 4.5.1943 18:42 Spitfire Stab/JG26 Westerschelde-NW Antwerp 86 13.5.1943 16:24 B-17 Stab/JG26 Near Amplier-5km E Boulogne B-17 of 91 BG, USAAF 87 13.5.1943 16:46 Spitfire Stab/JG26 5km NW Etaples Spitfire of 416 Sqn, RAF 88 16.5.1943 13:12 P-47 Stab/JG26 Scheldt Estuary P-47 of 78 FG, USAAF 89 10.6.1943 18:55 Ventura Stab/JG26 W Coxyde 90 22.6.1943 9:32 B-17 Stab/JG26 near Terneuzen B-17 of 381 BG, USAAF 91 26.6.1943 18:52 B-17 Stab/JG26 Dieppe-Le Treport B-17 of 384 BG, USAAF 92 17.8.1943 17:40 B-17 Stab/JG26 N Liege 93 19.8.1943 19:00 B-17 Stab/JG26 De Beer Is B-17 of 305 BG, USAAF 94 21.9.1943 10:45 Mitchell Stab/JG26 St Pol Mitchell of 98 Sqn, RAF 95 20.10.1943 13:45 B-17 HSS Stab/JG26 SE Arras-Cambrai B-17 of 96 BG, USAAF 96 13.4.1944 17:10 B-17 Stab/JG26 Poperinghe-N St Omer 97 7.6.1944 13:50 P-51 Stab/JG26 N Caen 98 7.6.1944 19:00 P-47 Stab/JG26 Evreux 99 11.6.1944 15:35 P-38 Stab/JG26 Compiegne P-38 of 55 FG, USAAF 100 15.6.1944 7:10 B-24 Stab/JG26 W Dreux-SW Chartres B-24 of 492 BG, USAAF 101 12.10.1944 11:25 P-51 Stab/JG26 S Wunsdorf P-51 of 357FG USAAF flown by Capt HT Pascoe, POW

Victories : 101

Awards : Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (9 December 1941)

Ritterkreuz (19 October 1940)

Eichenlaub (20 July 1941)

Schwertern (20 December 1941)

Units : JG51, JG26

Asisbiz database list of 115 aerial victories for Josef 'Pips' Priller

Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 28-May-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 13.10 NW Dunkirk 28-May-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 13.07 NW Dunkirk 02-Jun-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hawk-75A 21.15 SW Dunkirk 08-Jun-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Blenheim 19.05 Abbeville 08-Jun-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Blenheim 19.06 Abbeville 25-Jun-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 18.20 8km NW Desvres 14-Jul-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 16.25 SE Dover 20-Jul-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 19.20 5km E Folkestone 29-Jul-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 08.40 5km N Dover 14-Aug-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 13.45 NW Dover 15-Aug-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 16.15 1km E Clacton 16-Aug-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 13.35 10km E Canterbury 24-Aug-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 13.55 7km East of Margate 24-Aug-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 14.10 2km East of Margate 26-Aug-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 18.57 5km West of Boulogne 07-Oct-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 11.35 20km North of Canterbury 07-Oct-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Spitfire 17.40 Thames Estuary 15-Oct-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 13.10 10km SW Dover 15-Oct-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 13.15 15km West of Dover 17-Oct-40 Josef Priller 6./JG51 Hurricane 16.35 Tunbridge Wells 16-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 16.35 Boulogne 16-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Blenheim 16.45 SW Boulogne 17-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Hurricane 19.42 West of Cap Gris Nez 21-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 12.40 SW Ramsgate 23-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 13.35 S Somme-Mundung 25-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 13.00 West of Gravelines 27-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 10.00 SW Gravelines 30-Jun-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 18.56 10km NW St Inglevert 02-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 12.45 10km W Lille 04-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 14.55 10km SW St Omer 05-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 13.40 NW Dunkirk 07-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 10.00 N Gravelines 07-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 10.47 West of Somme-Mundung 08-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 15.30 10km N St Omer 09-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 14.00 S Aire 09-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 14.10 2km S Calais 10-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 12.40 NW Boulogne 10-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 12.30 N St Omer 11-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 16.10 West of Calais 14-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 10.30 South of Dunkirk 19-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 14.35 5km vor Dover 22-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 13.40 10km W Gravelines 23-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 14.05 15km NW Gravelines-Calais 24-Jul-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 14.45 7km NW Dunkirk 07-Aug-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 11.30 5km NW Calais 07-Aug-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 18.20 8km West of Calais 04-Sep-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 17.30 NW Bethune 17-Sep-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 15.35 5km S Calais 18-Sep-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 16.25 5km W Dungness 01-Oct-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 14.57 Kanal Mitte 01-Oct-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 15.34 West of Boulogne 12-Oct-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 13.25 5km E Berck-sur-Mer 13-Oct-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 15.30 5km West of Berck-sur-Mer 21-Oct-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 12.55 4km W Etaples 21-Oct-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 13.05 15km NNW Le Touquet 27-Oct-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 13.15 5km North of Watten 08-Nov-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 12.50 N Bethune 08-Nov-41 Josef Priller 1./JG26 Spitfire 10m 13.10 3-5km off Gravelines-Calais 03-Jan-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 10m 15.38 5km NW Calais 27-Mar-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 16.40 10km W Ostend 28-Mar-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 18.50 Cap Gris Nez - Cap Blanc Nez 04-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 14.15 Kanal Calais-Dover 12-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire Boulogne 12-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 13.45-50 N Gravelines 16-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 18.26 5km N Calais 25-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 16.54 10km West of St Etienne 27-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 2500m 12.30 15km NW Gravelines 27-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 12.25 South of Ardres 28-Apr-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 11.55 Dunkirk-Gravelines 01-May-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 19.30 5km N Calais 05-May-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 15.40-45 11km SW Ypres 09-May-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 13.40 3km N Gravelines 17-May-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 11.33-35 South of Guines-Audembert 01-Jun-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 13.45 5km N Blankenberge 22-Jun-42 Josef Priller Stab III../JG26 Spitfire 8500m 12.10-15 30km N Gravelines 15-Jul-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 15.38 8km NE Dover 30-Jul-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 19.00 Gravelines 21-Aug-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 11.10 Sea 50km N Gravelines 29-Aug-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 11.46 15km NW Cap Gris Nez 09-Oct-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 B-24 Liberator 10.35-40 SW Roubaix-Wevelgem 04-Dec-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 4000m 14.40 20km S Dover 06-Dec-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 4000-2000m 12.10 5-6km S Lille 20-Dec-42 Josef Priller Stab III./JG26 B-24 Liberator 6000-7000m 12.02 Seine-Bogen 20-Jan-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 Spitfire 3000-4000m 11.35 N Canterbury 08-Mar-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 Spitfire 7-8000m 14.15 8km NW St Valery-en-Caux 05-Apr-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 7500m 15.12 Ostende 04-May-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 Spitfire 7000m 18.42 NW Antwerpen 13-May-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 Spitfire 6000m 16.46 8km NW Etaples 13-May-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 7500m 16.24 Amplier (12km ssE Frevent) 16-May-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 P-47 Thunderbolt 7000-2000m 13.12 Scheldemundung 22-Jun-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 8000-20m 09.32 Terneuzen 26-Jun-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 7000m 18.54 Le Treport-Dieppe 17-Aug-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 7000m 17.45 M- 7 (2km NE Diest) 19-Aug-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 7000m 19.00 Middelburg-Vlissinghen 21-Sep-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-25 Mitchell 4000m 10.45 N St Pol 20-Oct-43 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress Hss 13.45 SE Arras-Cambrai 13-Apr-44 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 4-500m 14.15 NE-36 (Bourbourg-Watten) 1410- 07-Jun-44 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 P-51 Mustang 600m 13.50 TU-7-8 (Thaon NW Caen) 07-Jun-44 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 P-47 Thunderbolt 3500m 19.00 UC-3-6 Seinebogen 11-Jun-44 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 P-38 Lightning 3000m 15.35 SF-TF (Roye-Compiegne) 15-Jun-44 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 B-24 Liberator 6000-7000m 07.10 AB-BB (LAigle area) 12-Oct-44 Josef Priller Stab /JG26 P-51 Mustang 6-7000m 11.23 GT-6 (E Petershagen)

"We came face to face and shot at each other simultaneously..."

Gerhard Schopfel, JG26

I was appointed Staffelkapitan of 9./JG26 on 23 September 1939. We spent a quiet autumn of 1939 and winter of 1939-40, our Gruppe's only Abschuss being claimed on 7 November by my friend Joachim Muncheberg from the Gruppenstab III./JG26.

During the campaign against the West, I chalked up four victories. In fact, my first aerial combat impressed itself on me more than my first actual victory. I remember I encountered a Belgian Hurricane in the Beauvechain area. We came face to face and shot at each other simultaneously. What is apparent in such an encounter is that you do not know in which direction your opponent will go and, of course, if you each have the same intention, you could collide. I do not know if I hit him but, in any case, he got me several times in the wings. Fortunately, nothing vital in my aircraft was destroyed.

So, the western campaign ended for me without too much damage and we prepared for the next step. If you ask the question, did we feel fear before action? - I would like to tell you the following short story. When I was young, I was a 'pathfinder'. With my gang, we often went to play in ruins. I suffered from vertigo and remained on the ground when my comrades were playing high on the walls. Was it to defeat this fear that I chose to join the Luftwaffe? Probably! When I received orders to enlist, I was very anxious and I really wondered if I had chosen the right arm of service. But when I was in action and too busy to worry, all my fear disappeared.

I had the same feeling during my entire career as a fighter pilot. Between the end of the campaign in France and the forthcoming Battle of Britain, I was anxious to know how things would go; but tension of the Sitzbereitschaft disappeared as soon the start order was given. Action eliminated all fear.

One of my first victories of the Battle of Britain is a good example of this 'fear-non fear' factor. I had a dog-fight with a British Spitfire at very high altitude. I succeeded in firing at him. The pilot lost control of his aircraft which continued to fly horizontally before diving in spirals and crashing. We were already in France. I over flew the crash site and when I decided to flyaway and return to my base, my engine suddenly became trouble some and I had to land immediately. Fortunately, I found a large field and belly-landed without problem. In the proximity, there was a GermanLuftwaffehospital. A doctor arrived quickly at my landing site and took my heart beat. When he had finished, he looked at me in astonishment and said:"You just had a dogfight, you've made a belly-landing yet your heart beats as if you were sitting in a chair reading a book-amazing!"

Gerhard "Gerd" Schopfel was born on 19 December 1912 at Erfurt in Thuringen. He was originally a member of the police force but transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1936. Following completion of his flying training, Schopfel was assigned to I./JG233 which became I./JG135 and, finally, I./JG51. Leutnant Schopfel was posted to join I./JG26 in 1939. Oberleutnant Schopfel took command of 9./JG26 on its formation on 23 September 1939. He gained his first victory during the Battle of France, a RAF Hurricane near Courtrai, on 19 May 1940. He added to his score over the beaches of Dunkirk during the evacuation of the British army. He was very successful during the Battle of Britain. On 18 August 1940 he shot down four Hurricanes in one sortie over Canterbury, England. Two of his victims in this engagement were notable RAF fighter pilots Donald McKay (20 confirmed and 4 damaged victories), who baled out wounded, and Kenneth Lee (7 confirmed and 1 damaged victories), who also baled out wounded, both of 501 Sqn, RAF. Hauptmann Schopfel became Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG26 when Goring promoted Adolf Galland (104 victories, RK-Br) to Kommodore of JG26 on 22 August 1940. On 11 September 1940 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz on achieving 20 victories.

Major Gerd Schopfel in his Fw 190A-2 after return from combat sortie. St. Omer, early 1942.

On 1 December 1941 he was promoted to Major and on 6 December 1941 became Kommodore of JG26 when Adolf Galland was promoted General der Jagdfieger. Over Dieppe on 19 August 1942 he shot down two Spitfires for his 41st and 42nd victories. Schopfel left JG26 on 10 January 1943 to take up the role of Ia (Operations Officer) at Jafu Brittany. He was to serve as Fighter Operations officer southern Italy from July and Fighter Leader Norway from November. On 1 May 1944, he joined III./JG54 before being appointed Kommodore of JG4 on 1 June 1944. On 6 August, he was shot down in combat near Schwerin flying Bf-109 G-6 (WNr 440728). He baled out wounded.

Following recovery from his wounds in November 1944, Schopfel was appointed Fighter Leader Hungary. In February 1945 he commanded the Luftkreigsschule at Gatow. On 10 April he was appointed Kommodore of JG6 based in northern Czechoslovakia. He became a prisoner of the Russians and languished in Soviet prisons for four and a half years finally returning to Germany in December 1949. After his release from imprisonment in the Soviet Union, Schopfel worked as a chauffeur. He later became a merchant and in the early 1960s returned to the aviation field as an executive of Air Lloyd in Bonn.

"Gerd" Schopfel flew 700 missions and gained 45 victories including three four-engined bombers. All his victories were scored over the Western Front.

No Date Time Enemy A/C Type Unit Location Comments 1. 19.5.1940 Hurricane 9./JG 26 NW Tournai Hurricane of 615 Sqn RAF 2. 29.5.1940 18:10 Spitfire 9./JG 26 W Dunkirk 3. 31.5.1940 15:40 Spitfire 9./JG 26 Dunkirk Spitfire of 609 Sqn RAF 4. 2.6.1940 9:25 Spitfire 9./JG 26 5. 8.8.1940 12:35 Hampden 9./JG 26 S Ramsgate Blenheim of 600 Sqn, RAF 6. 8.8.1940 12:34 Spitfire 9./JG 26 W Canterbury Spitfire of 65 Sqn, RAF 11.8.1940 11:30 Balloon 9./JG 26 S England 7. 12.8.1940 12:30 Spitfire 9./JG 26 Folkestone 8. 14.8.1940 13:30 Hurricane 9./JG 26 Folkestone-Dover 9. 18.8.1940 13:55 Hurricane 9./JG 26 Near Canterbury Hurricane of 501 Sqn RAF 10. 18.8.1940 13:55 Hurricane 9./JG 26 Near Canterbury Hurricane (N2617) of 501 Sqn, RAF flown by Donald McKay (20/0/4 victories), baled out, wounded 11. 18.8.1940 13:56 Hurricane 9./JG 26 Near Canterbury Hurricane (P3059) of 501 Sqn, RAF flown by Kenneth Lee (7/0/1 victories, baled out, wounded 12. 18.8.1940 13:56 Hurricane 9./JG 26 Near Canterbury Hurricane of 501 Sqn RAF 13. 22.8.1940 20:25 Spitfire III./JG 26 SE Dover Spitfire of 65 Sqn, RAF 14. 28.8.1940 10:10 Defiant III./JG 26 E Canterbury Defiant of 264 Sqn, RAF 15. 31.8.1940 10:00 Spitfire III./JG 26 Braintree Spitfire of 56 Sqn, RAF 16. 1.9.1940 15:00 Spitfire III./JG 26 London Spitfire of 72 Sqn, RAF 6.9.1940 10:30 Hurricane III./JG 26 Dungeness Hurricane of 303 Sqn, RAF - not confirmed 17. 7.9.1940 18:45 Spitfire III./JG 26 London Spitfire of 603 Sqn, RAF 18. 9.9.1940 18:05 Spitfire III./JG 26 Thames Estuary Spitfire of 92 Sqn, RAF 19. 9.9.1940 18:07 Spitfire III./JG 26 Thames Estuary Spitfire of 92 Sqn, RAF 20. 9.9.1940 18:11 Spitfire III./JG 26 Thames Estuary Spitfire of 92 Sqn, RAF 11.9.1940 17:30 Blenheim III./JG 26 Blenheim of 235 Sqn, RAF - not confirmed 21. 29.10.1940 17:45 Hurricane III./JG 26 Hurricane of 257 Sqn, RAF 22. 1.11.1940 15:35 Spitfire III./JG 26 Herne Bay Spitfire of 92 Sqn, RAF 23. 17.6.1941 19:40 Hurricane III./JG 26 24. 23.6.1941 20:30 Blenheim III./JG 26 N France Blenheim of 107 Sqn, RAF 25. 27.6.1941 17:05 Hurricane III./JG 26 26. 28.6.1941 8:50 Spitfire III./JG 26 Audruicq Spitfire of 306 Sqn, RAF 27. 2.7.1941 12:50 Spitfire III./JG 26 S Lilliers 28. 11.7.1941 14:55 Spitfire III./JG 26 29. 7.8.1941 11:40 Spitfire III./JG 26 30. 7.8.1941 18:00 Spitfire III./JG 26 SW Dunkirk 31. 9.8.1941 11:45 Spitfire III./JG 26 E Marquise Spitfire of 616 Sqn, RAF 32. 9.8.1941 17:59 Spitfire III./JG 26 33. 21.8.1941 10:18 Spitfire III./JG 26 34. 21.9.1941 16:30 Spitfire III./JG 26 35. 27.9.1941 15:30 Spitfire III./JG 26 36. 27.11.1941 17:30 Hurricane III./JG 26 5km W Boulogne Hurricane of 607 Sqn, RAF 37. 24.3.1942 17:00~ Spitfire Stab/JG 26 Pas-de-Calais Spitfire of 411 Sqn, RAF 38. 28.3.1942 18:30 Spitfire Stab/JG 26 Pas-de-Calais Spitfire of 64 Sqn, RAF 39. 14.4.1942 18:33 Spitfire Stab/JG 26 Spitfire of 403 Sqn, RAF 40. 1.6.1942 13:55 Spitfire Stab/JG 26 41. 19.8.1942 16:31 Spitfire Stab/JG 26 Off Dieppe Spitfire of 501 Sqn, RAF 42. 19.8.1942 18:30 Spitfire Stab/JG 26 Off Dieppe Spitfire of 222 Sqn, RAF 43. 8.11.1942 B-17 Stab/JG 26 44. 8.11.1942 B-17 Stab/JG 26 45. 6.12.1942 B-17 Stab/JG 26 B-17 of 305 BG, USAAF 20.12.1942 B-17 Stab/JG 26 Not confirmed

Victories : 45

Awards : Knight's Cross

Units : JG26, JG54, JG4, JG6

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/schopfel.html

Asisbiz database list of 48 aerial victories for Gerhard Schopfel

Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location 19-May-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Hurricane NE Courtrai 29-May-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Spitfire I 18.10 West of Dunkirk 31-May-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Spitfire 3000m 15.40 North of Dunkirk 02-Jun-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 200m 09.25 Dunkirk 17-Jun-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 19.40 (Channel) 07-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 11.40 08-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Spitfire 12.34 West of Canterbury 08-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Hampden 50m 12.35 S. Ramsgate 12-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Spitfire 7500m 18.30 Folkestone 14-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Hurricane 4000m 13.30 Dover-Folkstone 18-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Hurricane 5200m 13.55 Canterbury 18-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Hurricane 5000m 13.56 Canterbury 18-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Hurricane 7000m 13.56 Canterbury 22-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel 9./JG26 Spitfire 20.25 SE Dover 28-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Defiant 5000m 10.10 East of Canterbury 31-Aug-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 10.00 Braintree 01-Sep-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 2000m 15.00 South of London 07-Sep-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 18.45 South of London 09-Sep-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 18.11 Themesmundung 09-Sep-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 18.05 Thames Estuary 09-Sep-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 1800m 18.07 Thames Estuary 28-Sep-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 7500m 10.45 North of Dungeness 29-Oct-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 4000m 17.45 01-Nov-40 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 15.35 Herne Bay 17-Jun-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 30-10m 19.40 23-Jun-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Blenheim 20.30 Sea 10km N Dunkirk 27-Jun-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 17.05 28-Jun-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 08.50 Audruicq 02-Jul-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 2500-3000m 12.50 S Lillers 11-Jul-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 14.55 07-Aug-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 11.40 07-Aug-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 5000m 18.00 SW Dunkirk 09-Aug-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 17.59 09-Aug-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 11.45 E Marquise 21-Aug-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 3200m 10.18 21-Sep-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 16.30 27-Sep-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Spitfire 15.30 27-Nov-41 Gerhard Schopfel Stab III./JG26 Hurricane 8000-2000m 17.30 5km W. Boulogne 24-Mar-42 Gerhard Schopfel Stab /JG26 Spitfire Pas-de-Calais 28-Mar-42 Gerhard Schopfel StabJG26 Spitfire 6200m 18.30 Pas-de-Calais 14-Apr-42 Gerhard Schopfel StabJG26 Spitfire 18.33 10km N. Sangatte 27-Apr-42 Gerhard Schopfel Stab /JG26 Spitfire 15.50 01-Jun-42 Gerhard Schopfel StabJG26 Spitfire 1700m 13.55 19-Aug-42 Gerhard Schopfel Stab /JG26 Spitfire 4000m 16.31 off Dieppe 19-Aug-42 Gerhard Schopfel StabJG26 Spitfire 10-30m 18.30 Dieppe 08-Nov-42 Gerhard Schopfel Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress 08-Nov-42 Gerhard Schopfel StabJG26 B-17 Fortress 2700m 06-Dec-42 Gerhard Schopfel Stab /JG26 B-17 Fortress

Johannes 'Hannes' Seifert

Johannes "Hannes" Seifert was born on 6 October 1915 at Pinneberg in Holstein. Seifert participated in the invasion of Poland as a Zerstorer pilot before transferring to the Jagdwaffe. He was then posted to JG26. Oberleutnant Seifert was appointed Staffelkapitan of 3./JG26 on 1 March 1940. He gained his first victory when he shot down a Dutch Fokker D.XXI fighter on 10 May 1940 near Rotterdam. By the end of 1940, his victory total stood at eight. On 11 July 1941, Seiffert was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG26, a post he was to hold until 31 May 1943. He had raised his victory total to 24 by the end of 1941.

On 7 June 1942, Hauptmann Seifert was awarded the Ritterkreuz for 36 victories.

Over the Dieppe landings, Seifert gained his 41st victory, shooting down a RAF Spitfire fighter. In January 1943, Major Seifert was ordered to take I./JG26 to replace a Gruppe of JG54 on the Eastern Front. Between 18 February and 18 March Seifert's pilots claimed 75 victories, while suffering only three combat casualties during the Demyansk withdrawal. Moved to Smolensk, I./JG26 covered the final stages of Operation Buffel. Seifert recorded 11 victories during his time in Russia.

On 1 June 1943, Seifert gave up command of I./JG26 and took up a position on the staff of the German mission to Bulgaria. Unknown to Seifert, his mother had invoked the last surviving son rule when his younger brother, Gerhard, a fighter pilot serving with III./JG26, was killed, and requested his removal from combat duty. Major Seifert was reprieved from his exile in Bulgaria after an appeal to General Adolf Galland (104 victories, RK-Br). He returned as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG26 on 9 September 1943. On 25 November 1943, Seifert led 6. and 8./JG26 against P-38 twin-engine fighters of the 55th FG, USAAF on a sweep over Lille. In the resulting combat Seifert's Fw 190A-6 (WNr 470006) << + - was seen to collide with an opposing P-38, dive away out of control and crash. Seifert's body was found still strapped in the weckage of his plane.

Seifert was posthumously promoted to the rank of Oberstleutnant. Johannes Seifert flew 439 combat missions resulting in 57 victories. He recorded 46 victories over the Western Front, including three four-engine bombers and 32 Spitfires. Included in the 10 victories he recorded over the Eastern front are six Il-2 Sturmoviks.

No Date Time Enemy A/C Type Unit Location Comments 1. 10.5.1940 10:15 DXXI 3./JG26 SE Rotterdam DXXI of 1e JaVA of Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart 2. 28.5.1940 10:45 Spitfire 3./JG26 20km SW Ostend 3. 8.6.1940 ~14:50 Battle 3./JG26 N Beauvais Battle of 103 Sqn, RAF 4. 9.6.1940 11:10 Potez 63 3./JG26 10-15km SE Rouen 5. 20.9.1940 12:25 Hurricane 3./JG26 Thames Estuary Hurricane of 253 Sqn, RAF 6. 20.9.1940 12:37 Hurricane 3./JG26 Maidstone Hurricane of 242 Sqn, RAF 7. 5.11.1940 17:15 Hurricane 3./JG26 Thames Estuary Hurricane (P2806) of 242 Sqn RAF flown by P/O Hart 8. 13.11.1940 12:00 Hurricane 3./JG26 S Folkestone Hurricane of 249 Sqn, RAF 9. 11.6.1941 13:30 Hurricane 3./JG26 mid-Channel Hurricane of 248 Sqn, RAF 10. 23.6.1941 13:50 Spitfire 3./JG26 Near Samer 11. 4.7.1941 15:20 Spitfire 3./JG26 N Bethune 12. 11.7.1941 15:05 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 E Wimereux 13. 14.7.1941 10:30 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 S Dunkirk 14. 21.7.1941 8:25 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 SW Ypres 15. 21.7.1941 8:40 Stirling Stab I./JG 26 Channel Stirling of XV Sqn, RAF 16. 7.8.1941 11:25 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Near Gravelines 17. 12.8.1941 13:00 Blenheim Stab I./JG 26 SE Vlissingen 18. 19.8.1941 11:45 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Near Gravelines Spitfire of 452 or 485 Sqn, RAF 19. 19.8.1941 19:40 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Near Cassel Spitfire of 111 Sqn, RAF 20. 17.9.1941 15:30 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 N Hazebrouck 21. 3.10.1941 15:37 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 20km NW Ostend Spitfire of 92 Sqn, RAF 22. 12.10.1941 13:20 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Berck-sur-Mer Spitfire of 452 or 602 Sqn, RAF 23. 8.11.1941 13:05 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 NW Dunkirk Spitfire Vb (AB930) "ZF-J" of 308 Sqn, RAF flown by F/O F Surma (7/2.333/0 victories), killed 24. 8.12.1941 13:20 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Near Le Touquet 25. 13.3.1942 16:15 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 SW Dunkirk Spitfire of 303 Sqn, RAF 26. 24.3.1942 17:10 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 12km W Boulogne Spitfire of 411 Sqn, RAF 27. 4.4.1942 11:40 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Gravelines Spitfire of 317 Sqn, RAF 28. 12.4.1942 13:35 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Boulogne-St Omer Spitfire of 41 Sqn, RAF 29. 24.4.1942 15:02 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Near Calais Spitfire of 72 or 124 Sqn, RAF 30. 25.4.1942 16:40 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 10km W Berck-sur-Mer 31. 27.4.1942 15:50 Boston Stab I./JG 26 Near Bourbourg Boston of 107 Sqn, RAF 32. 28.4.1942 11:35 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 3km W Gravelines Spitfire of 121, 222 or 317 Sqn, RAF 33. 5.5.1942 15:40 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Bailleul Spitfire Vb (BM321) "MT-T" of 122 Sqn RAF flown by F/Lt Baudoin de Hemptinne 34. 17.5.1942 11:40 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 2km NW Wissant 35. 1.6.1942 13:45 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 15km NNW Ostend Spitfire of 111 Sqn, RAF 36. 2.6.1942 11:25 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 5km S St Valery Spitfire of 403 Sqn, RAF 37. 30.7.1942 17:45 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Boulogne 38. 30.7.1942 ~14:50 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Near Dungeness 39. 30.7.1942 19:18 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 NW St Omer 40. 31.7.1942 15:28 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 20km W Berck-sur-Mer Spitfire of 133 Sqn, RAF 41. 19.8.1942 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 7km W Dieppe 42. 4.12.1942 14:52 Spitfire Stab I./JG 26 Near Calais Spitfire of 401 or 402 Sqn, RAF 43. 16.2.1943 14:10 Il-2 Stab I./JG 26 8-10km SE Adler 7 44. 23.2.1943 11:10 Il-2 Stab I./JG 26 18430 45. 28.2.1943 15:00 P-39 Stab I./JG 26 18412 46. 28.2.1943 15:01 LaGG-5 Stab I./JG 26 18350 47. 5.3.1943 13:40 Pe-2 Stab I./JG 26 18220 48. 5.3.1943 13:53 Il-2 Stab I./JG 26 18160 49. 5.3.1943 13:54 Il-2 Stab I./JG 26 18240 50. 14.3.1943 14:50 Pe-2 Stab I./JG 26 18242 51. 16.3.1943 16:16 Il-2 Stab I./JG 26 18211 52. 12.5.1943 11:35 Il-2 Stab I./JG 26 36612 53. 13.5.1943 14:05 MiG-3 Stab I./JG 26 4556/64 54. 23.9.1943 17:10 Spitfire Stab II./JG 26 Le Fresne Spitfire of 308 Sqn, RAF 55. 10.10.1943 15:30 B-17 Stab II./JG 26 NE Rheine 56. 14.10.1943 13:32 B-17 Stab II./JG 26 Maastricht B-17 of 305 BG, USAAF 57. 25.11.1943 13:21 P-38 Stab II./JG 26 Near Cuinchy P-38 of 55 FG, USAAF flown by Lt Manuel Aldecoa, killed

Victories : 57

Awards : Ehrenpokal (30 December 1940)

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (25 February 1942)

Ritterkreuz (7 June 1942)

Units : ZG ?, JG26

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/seifert.html

Asisbiz database list of 61 aerial victories for Johannes Seifert