Hallo!

Luftwaffe, its aircraft and pilots are not precisely my strong point, but I am keen on it.
So, would you mind in completing or correcting my top aces list?

Rank Name Victories

Generalleutnant Adolf Galland 130

Hauptmann Walther Nowotny 258

Oberst Günther Lützow 108

Oberst Walter Oesau 123

Generalmajor Gordon M. Gollob 85

? Heinz Wolfang Schnauffer 121 Nacht

? Heinrich zu Seyn-Wittgenstein 88 Nacht

Oberst Helmuth Lent 35 Nacht

? Hermann Graf 104

Oberst Erich Hartmann 352

Oberleutnant Hans Joachim Marseille 158

Werner Mölders 115

Johannes Steinhoff 176

Hans Philipp? 206?

Please, correct, add, etc. the names, ranks, victories...

Bitte.

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Got two to add that musnt be left out.

Oberleutnant Erich Alfred Hartmann 352 victories at the age of 23 yrs. Knights Cross oak leaves Swords and Diamonds--1 of 27.

Gunther Rall---275 victories.

__________________
Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Friedrich,

Check this site. I think it might have ALL the info you are looking for...and more!

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/

__________________
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

(banner by Otto)
www.basher82.nl

Friedrich :

I've got nearly 15 associated aces listing for German pilots. This I hope will help you in your search :

Generalleutnant Adolf Galland 705 missions, 103 kills in the west, including 4 Allied bombers. 7 kills were with the Me 262 while in JV 44.
Adolf died February 9, 1996.

Major Walter Nowotny 442 missions, 258 kills, 2 Allied bombers. Killed in action while flying Me 262 of the pre JG 7, Kommando Nowotny. died as a result with combat of P-51's of the US 20th fighter group on November 8, 1944, and because of his death his Kommando was suspended with all surviving members forming the core of the future Me 262 unit JG 7.

Oberst Günther Lützow, over 300 missions with 110 kills, 5 shot down in Spain, 20 in the west with 2 Allied bombers while flying the Me 262. He was killed in action in JV 44 on April 24, 1945 around Donauwörth/Schwaben and he reamins missing to this day. In combat I believe with US P-47's.

Oberst Walter Oesau, over 430 missions, around 130 in Spain /during the war he had 127 kills, 10 in Spain and 44 in the east. 14 Bombers while with JG 1. Killed in action while he was flying Bf 109G-6, green 13 on May 11, 1944.

Oberst Gordon Gollob, 340 missions, 150 kills, 1 in Poland, 5 in the west. Lived through the war but died on September 7, 1987 in Sulingen.

Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, 164 missions, 121 night victories, the top night ace of the Luftwaffe. An incredible career with 114 Allied bombers to his credit. Lived through the war only to be killed in a stupid auto accident with a truck on July 15, 1950. A sad ending to a courageous man !

Major Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, the Prinz ! over 320 missions, 150 as a bomber pilot. 83 kills confirmed, possibly 88 with 23 of these in the east. Killed in action when attacking an RAF bomber, came to close and was shot down by the rear turret gunner. Many references have suggested that he was shot down by a Mossie intruder which are false as I have seen the bomber crews mission reports for this night of January 21/22, 1944. The Prinz was flying Ju 88C-6 R4+XM, and this was going to be his 6th bomber shot down for the evening, or so he thought. He was the only crew member killed as the rest bailed out to safety. A brave, noble man......

Oberst Helmut Lent, 1529 flights, 111 as a destroyer pilot, 396 as a night fighter pilot. 113 kills, 8 during the day, 105 as a night fighter with 61 bombers and 1 mosquito. On October 5, 1944 he was coming into land in his Ju 88G-1 D5+AA at Paderboprn when his left engine seized. There has been talke that he hit high tension wires, but I am not sure. He and his whole crew were killed, Helmut dying 2 days later in a hospital. By the way an excellent account of his life is soon to be published by RAF bomber crew vet Peter Hinchliffe !

Oberst Hermann Graf 830 missions, 212 kills, 10 in the west with 6 bombers and 1 mosquito. This being in JG 11 and JG 50 the anti-mosquito unit.
Hermann had quite a colourful career and a book by Christer Bergström will be published covering Hermann and Alfred Grislawski in the near future through Eagle-editions.
Hermann passed away on November 4, 1988 in Engen.

Major Erich Hartmann.....die Mann ! 825 missions with 352 day kills, the top day fighter pilot ! 4 in the west......P-51's ?, not sure actually. What can you say about the best.....he was. Sadly Erich passed from us in 1993.

Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Marseille, the Star of Afrika and could possibly have been the best overall day fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe. 382 missions with 158 kills, 151 in Afrika including 4 bombers-twin engine-
What a sad ending to a truly great pilot. His Bf 109G-2/Trop seized and he bailed out hitting his head on the tail and falling to the ground amongst the horror of his Kameraden on the airfield. Sidi Abd el Rahman/Egypt.

Oberst Werner Möolders, over 400 missions, 100 in Spain. 115 kills, 14 in spain, 68 in the West and 33 of them in Russia. Coming into land for Ernst Udet's funeral in a He 111, the bomber crashed due to terrible weather/visibility killing all the occupants......November 22, 1941. In memory JG 51 claimed the name Fighter group Mölders. What this man might have become ? !

Oberst Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff, 993 missions, 105 ground attack missions. 178 kills, 156 in the East, 4 Allied Bombers, 1 Mosquito. 6 kills while with JG 7 and JV 44, flying the Me 262, including several Russian Il-2's ! He had a total of 27 bombers and 10 Il-2's to his credit. Most noted in modern day for his two books and the famous flying accident while in JV 44 where his 262 hit a bomb crater and blew up thus buring Macky severely. Walter Krupinski taking off and observing the crash. Another great man passing away in 1994.

Obersleutnant Hans Phillip over 500 missions, 206 kills, 178 of these on the Russian Front. 1 in Poland, 25 in the West, including 1 US bomber. Hans, an excellent pilkot and geschwaderkommodore of JG 1 was killed in action with bombers and US fighters, after shooting down a B-17 his Fw 190 A-6, red 3 was hit and he bailed out but his chute did not open. Killed on October 8, 1943 by Nordhorn/Emsland.

hope it help friend !

E

Thanks you a lot, Erich!

I knew some things of what you said about some of them, but penty of other things did not!

Thanks for the link, Stevin! I will check it out later.

Carl: Which rank did Günther Rall have?

And you confused me, which rank did Erich Hartmann end with? Oberst, Major?

What I did know is that 12 of the 27 RK mit E, S, B were from the Luftwaffe. For a smaller force than the army it is awesome!

And many of the guys we mentioned had it:

Adolf Galland, Walter Nowotny, Helmuth Lent, Gordon M. Gollob, Hans Wolfang Schnauffer, Hermann Graf, Hans Joachim Marseille, Werner Mölders... along with Hans Ulrich Rudel, GFM Abert Kesselring and other general of Fallschirmjäger... And others...

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Friedrich, you are quite welcome !

ERich Hartmann was a major but became an Oberst during the later years in the modern day Luftwaffe.

Major Günther Rall, but became upgraded after the war like Erich H. 275 kills in over 700 missions, 272 kills on the Ost front with 241 fighters, 15 Il-2's and 10 russian bombers to his credit. A real neat guy, and seems to answer almost everyone's mail to him. Was Kommandore of of JG 300 on February 20, 1945 but basically his flying career had ended on May 15, 1944 while flying his Bf 109G-5 black doppelwinkel. He being chased by P-47's where he was severely wounded losing a thumb as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 11.

Carl any more please ?

Freidrich to add to your Schwerten listing

Herbert Ihlefeld, died August 8, 1995
Max-Hellmuth ostermann killed in action August 9, 1942
Leopold Steinbatz missing June 16,1942
Joachim Münchberg killed March 23, 1943
Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke killed March 23, 1944
Friend Hajo Hermann.....still living Wilde Sau creator !! oink, oink !!
Egon Meyer the almsot creator of forward attacks on the viermots, killed march 2, 1944
Gerhard Barkhorn killed in accident on january 8, 1983, 1104 missions, 301 kills in the east including 250 fighters ! Incredible man.
Werner Streib of NJG 1 68 kills at night died June 15, 1986
Josef Priller of Normandy fame, died May 20, 1981
Anton Hackl, one of the best anti-bomber pilots in the Luftwaffe. over 1000 missions, 192 kills with 34 US bombers to his credit. Died July 9, 1984
Kurt Bühligen of JG 2, over 700 missions, 112 kills, died August 11, 1985
Josef Wurmheller 102 kills in over 300 missions. Killed June 22, 1944
Otto Kittel, one of the best of JG 54 with 267 kills in 583 missions. Killed February 16, 1945.
Erich Rudorffer......stil alive and answers most mail. flew with the famous JG 7 scoring 12 victories with the Me 262 jet. over 1000 missions and 224 kills.
Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert, 715 missions, 174 kills and from last heard was not well at all.
Wener Schrorer from JG 54 and JG 27, 3. 197 missions, 114 kills, died February 10, 1985
Wilhelm Batz, 445 missions with 237 kills and 2 bombers in the West. died September 11, 1988.

That rounds it out for the swords receipients.

E

Vielen Dank, Erich!

But let me bother you some more.

So, it would end like this:

Major Luftwaffe aces 1936-1945

Rank Name Number of Victories

1. Major Erich Hartmann 352 *

2. Gerhard Barkhorn 301

3. Hauptmann Günther Rall 275

4. Otto Kittel 267

5. Major Walther Nowótny 258 *

6. Wilhem Batz 239

7. Erich Rudorffer 224

8. Oberst Hermann Graf 212 *

9. Oberstleutnant Hans Philipp 206

10. Anton Hackl 192

11. Oberst Johannes Steinhoff 178

12. Ernst Wilhelm Reinert 174

13. Hauptmann Hans Joachim Marseille 158 *

14. Generalmajor Gordon M. Gollob 150 *

15. Generalleutnant Adolf Galland 130 *

16. Oberst Walter Oesau 127

17. Major Hans Wolfang Schanauffer 121 N *

18. Oberst Werner Mölders 115 *

19. Werner Schrorer 114

20. Oberst Helmuth Lent 113 N *

21. Kurt Bühlingen 112

22. Oberst Günther Lützow 110

*(diamond RK)

There are just the ranks left, are they not?

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

For the awards mentioned, yes you are correct.

E

One minor correction. Erich Hartmann was in ww2 top rank of Oberleutnant. He was promoted to Major when he finally agreed to be in the modern Luftwaffe. He spent several months to a few years at different U.S.A.F. bases all around the USA, but mainly in Arizona and Colorado.

__________________
Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Thanks, Karl. I was looking for the WWII top ranks. I really do not care if they were Generals and were at high positions as Steinhoff did.

I made some research and I wil correct the list some more...

The ranks of the following pilots are missing: Could you help me?

Sigfried Freytag (102)

Joachim Münchenberg (135)

Josef Wurmheller (102)

Herbert Ihlefeld (132)

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Do not worry. I have those guys ranks already, jut is missing one:

Sigfried Freytag with 102 victories.

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Revision !

Erich Hartmann became a staffelkapitän in JG 52 and before his surrender to US forces he became a Hauptmann. Where I got Major is beyond me.

Siegfried Freytag was a Major for his last rank.......

E

I dont know--maybe my memory REALLY is as bad as they say--I just dont remember him ever being promoted to Hauptmann, but do remember that he was Stafflekapitan, and I think--unless you help me clean out the cobwebs out of my brain, but I think due to hid ripe old age of 23, the Luftwaffe High Command, just flat out would not give him higher rank--though he proved himself time and time again. But as you know much much much more on the Luftwaffe--wayyy more than ill ever know--ill take your word on it my friend.

__________________
Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Thanks, all!

So, now I have got the complete list!

80 pilots with an awesome total of 12.578 shot down aircraft! Why didn't we win the war with such men? I wonder... He!

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Carl do you have the ERich hartmann biography ? That would state the truth I would imagine.

Friedrich all I can say is that the Luftwaffe was overpowered. One thing my deceased cousin made mention of before his last battle, being very depressed at losing so many Kameraden during the fall of 44 against the Viermots and Allied escorts over the Reich.

E

Major Luftwaffe aces 1936-1945


Rank Name Number of Victories


Hauptmann Erich Hartmann 352 *

Major Gerhard Barkhorn 301

Hauptmann Günther Rall 275

Oberleutnant Otto Kittel 267

Major Walther Nowótny 258 *

Major Wilhem Batz 239

Major Erich Rudorffer 224

Oberstleutnant Heinz Edgar Bär 221

Oberst Hermann Graf 212 *

Major Theodor Weissenberger 208

Major Heinrich Ehrler 208

Oberstleutnant Hans Philipp 206

Oberleutnant Walter Schuck 206

Oberleutnant Anton Hafner 204

Hauptmann Helmut Lipfert 203

Hauptmann Walter Krupinski 197

Major Anton Hackl 192

Hauptmann Joachim Brendel 189

Oberleutnant Max Stotz 189

Hauptmann Joachim Kirschner 188

Major Kurt Hans Brändle 180

Oberleutnant Günther Josten 178

Oberst Johannes Steinhoff 178

Hauptmann Günther Schack 174

Hauptmann Ernst Wilhelm Reinert 174

Hauptmann Emil Lang 173

Oberleutnant Heinz Schmidt 173

Hauptmann Horst Ademeit 166

Oberst Wolf Dietrich Wilcke 162

Hauptmann Hans Joachim Marseille 158 *

Hauptmann Heinrich Sturm 158

Oberleutnant Gerhard Thyben 157

Leutnant Peter Düttmann 152

Oberleutnant Hans Beissbenger 152

Oberst Gordon Mc Gollob 150 *

Oberleutnant Fritz Tegtmeier 146

Oberleutnant Albin Wolf 144

Major Friedrich Karl Müller 140

Hauptmann Rudolf Trenkel 138

Hauptmann Heinrich Setz 138

Unteroffizier Karl Gratz 138

Oberleutnant Walter Wolfrum 137

Oberleutnant Otto Vönnekold 136

Oberst Adolf Dickfeld 136

Oberleutnant Karl Heinz Weber 136

Major Joachim Münchenberger 135

Oberleutnant Hans Waldmann 134

Hauptmann Alfred Grislawsky 133

Major Johannes Wiese 133

Hauptmann Franz Schall 133

Major Adolf Borchers 132

Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld 132

Major Erwin Clausen 132

Hauptmann Wilhelm Lemke 131

Major Franz Eisenach 129

Hauptmann Franz Döhr 128

Oberst Walther Dahl 128

Oberst Walter Oesau 127

Oberleutnant Wolf Udo Ettel 124

Oberfedwebel Heinz Marquardt 121

Major Hans Wolfang Schanauffer 121 N *

Hauptmann Robert Weiss 121

Major Erich Leie 121

Unteroffizier Friedrich Wachowiak 120

Oberleutnant Friedrich Obleser 120

Oberst Werner Mölders 115 *

Leutnant Wilhelm Crinius 114

Major Werner Schroer 114

Oberst Helmuth Lent 113 N *

Oberstleutnant Kurt Bühlingen 112

Oberst Günther Lützow 110

Major Hans Hahn 108

Hauptmann Werner Lucas 106

Major Viktor Bauer 106

Generalleutnant Adolf Galland 104 *

Hauptmann Josef Wurmheller 102

Major Egon Mayer 102

Major Sigfried Freytag 102

Hauptmann Josef Priller 101

Leutnant Ulrich Wernitz 101
TOTAL 12578

* Awarded with Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds.

N Night Fighter Pilot

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Hello Erich--I do have the book: The Blonde Knight of Germany by Tolliver, but its in storage.

Anyway--by all means--I do take your word on it my friend. [img]smile.gif[/img]

__________________
Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Carl, I sure wish you had that book handy as it would help tremendously. A problem with too many varying sources......

Friedrich, some of those kill tallies don't look right to me. I'll check a little later for some of the pilots......

E

Friedrich :

Excellent listing ! let you know that there were 99 fighter pilots given the RK-EL.
I do hold suspect Walter Dahl's total listing. He had a strong desire to overclaim.

E good job !!

Gentlmen, I have been reading this thread in awe! Great work!

I just had to add some Luftwaffe related info I had:

Luftwaffe Leaders
=========================================
Leading Ace of World War Two -
Major Erich Hartmann; 352 victories

Leading Night Fighter Ace of World War Two -
Major Heinz Schnaufer; 121 victories

Leading German Ace of the Spanish Civil War -
Lt. Werner Moelders; 14 victories

First German Ace of World War Two -
Major Hannes Gentzen

First Ace to exceed Baron Manfred von Richthofen score of 80 -
Capt. Werner Moelders

First to score 100 victories -
Major Werner Moelders; July 15, 1941

First to score 150 victories -
Major Gordon Gollob; August 29, 1942

First to score 200 victories -
Capt. Hermann Graf; October 2, 1942

First to score 250 victories -
Major Walter Notowny; October 14, 1943

First to score 300 victories -
Capt. Erich Hartmann; August 24 1944

First to score 350 victories -
Major Erich Hartmann; April 4, 1945

Most kills scored in a single day -
Major Emil Lang; 18 victories

Most kills in a single sortie -
Major Erich Rudorffer; Nov. 13, 1943, 13 victories

Most kills scored on the Western Front -
Capt. Hans-Joachim Marseilles; 158 victories

Most kills scored on the Russian Front -
Major Erich Hartmann; 352 victories

Best kill average per sortie flown -
Lt. Guenther Scheel, 70 missions/71 victories

Leading Ace over four engine aircraft (day fighters) -
Lt. Herbert Rollwage; 102 victories (44 of them "fat cars") *only about 20 on these victories have been confirmed

Leading Ace over four engine aircraft (night fighters) -
Major Heinz Schnaufer; 121 victories (mostly four-engine bombers)

Leading Jet Ace of World War Two (Me-262) -
Major Heinz Baer; 16 victories.

German Aces over 200 kills:

352 ERICH HARTMANN Hptm. JG52, JG53 825ff
301 GERHARD BARKHORN Major JG52, JG6, JV44 1104ff
275 GÜNTHER RALL Major JG52, JG11, JG300 15 Il-2s, 700+ff
267 OTTO KITTEL Oblt. JG54 KIA on 2.16.45 583ff
258 WALTER NOWOTNY Major JG54, KdoNow KIA on 11.08.44 2 Viermots in 262, 442ff
237 WILHELM BATZ Major JG52 2 Viermots, 445ff
224 ERICH RUDORFFER Major JG2, JG54, JG7 12 w/262, 11 Viermots, 58 Il-2s, 1000+ff
221 HEINZ BÄR ObLt JG51, JG77, JG1, JG3, EJG2, JV44 16 w/262, 21 Viermots, 1000+ff
212 HERMANN GRAF ObLt JG52, JGr.50, JG11 6 Viermots, 830ff
208 HEINRICH EHRLER Major JG77, JG5, JG7 KIA on 4.04.45 in Luftkampf, 7 Viermots, 8 w/262, 400+ff
208 THEODOR WEISSENBERGER Major JG5, JG7 7 Viermots, 15 Il-2s, 500+ff
206 HANS PHILIPP Major JG54, JG1 KIA on 8.10.43 in Luftkampf. 500+ff
206 WALTER SCHUCK Oblt. JG5, JG7 8 in Me 262, 4 Viermots, 500~ff
204 ANTON HAFNER Oblt. JG51 KIA on 10.17.44 in Luftkampf. 795ff
203 HELMUT LIPFERT Hptm. JG52, JG53 JG27 vic. unc., 36 Il-s, 700ff.

BTW, do you guys mind if use this info for a little webpage? With full credit of course.

[ 20 June 2002, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: Otto ]

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