Anton Hackl

Anton Hackl
Anton Hackl
	JG 11
Battles/wars	See battles World War II Phoney War; Norwegian campaign; North African campaign; Operation Barbarossa; Defense of the Reich;
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Anton "Toni" Hackl (25 March 1915 – 10 July 1984) was a German

fighter ace credited with 192 enemy aircraft shot down in over 1,000 combat missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with 87 claims over the Western Front. Of his 87 victories over the Western Allies, at least 32 were four-engined bombers

, a further 24 victories were unconfirmed.

Born in

Norwegian Campaign and then flew missions on the Channel Front in aftermath of the Battle of Britain

.

Hackl then fought in the aerial battles of

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

on 13 July 1944. He died on 10 July 1984 in Regensburg.

Early life and career

Hackl was born on 25 March 1915 in

joiner. He joined the Reichswehr (Army of the Weimar Republic) in 1933, initially serving with 20. (Bayerisches) Infanterie-Regiment (20th Bavarian Infantry Regiment), subordinated to the 7. Division (7th Division).^[1]

In 1936, Hackl transferred to the newly formed Luftwaffe, initially serving as a driver. In 1937, holding the rank Obergefreiter (senior lance-corporal), Hackl was sent to Halberstadt where he received flight training.^{[Note 1]} There, he received his pilot license and was trained in aerobatics. He was promoted to Unteroffizier (staff sergeant) in 1937, received fighter pilot training, and in April 1938 was posted to the II. Gruppe (2nd group) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77–77th Fighter Wing),^{[Note 2]} at the time under the command of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Carl-Alfred Schumacher.^[1]^[3] In early 1938, II. Gruppe of JG 77 was known as Küstenjagdgruppe I./136 (Coastal Fighter Group).^[4] In October 1938, I./136 was renamed to II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 333 (JG 333–333rd Fighter Wing).^[5] On 1 May 1939, the Gruppe was again renamed, and from then on, was referred to as II. Gruppe of JG 77.^[5]

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. On the invasion day, Hackl was promoted to Feldwebel (staff sergeant) and did not participate in the Polish campaign. At the time, he attended an officers training course. Following officer training, Hackl was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant), effective as of 1 August 1940, bypassing the rank of Leutnant (second lieutenant). In the winter 1939/40, Hackl was back with II. Gruppe, flying combat air patrol missions along Germany's western border during the period dubbed the Phoney War.^[1] For this, he was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse) on 6 March 1940.^[6]^{[Note 3]}

Norwegian Campaign

By May 1940, Hackl was based in

Pilot Officer P.N. Trolove.^[10] His four aerial victories in Norway earned Hackl the Iron Cross First Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse) on 2 July 1940.^[6]^{[Note 4]}

War against the Soviet Union

In July 1941 he was posted with JG 77 to the

Kiev. On 29 July 1941, Hackl was appointed Staffelkapitän of 5. Staffel, replacing Hauptmann Erich Friedrich.^[11] Hackl claimed his first victory on the Eastern Front, and fifth overall, on 1 August 1941. Operating from an airfield at Kishinev, II. Gruppe flew missions in the vicinity of Grigoriopol, on the eastern bank of the river Dniester. That day, Hackl flew an escort fighter mission for Kampfgeschwader 27 (KG 27–27th Bomber Wing), claiming a Polikarpov I-16 fighter aircraft shot down.^[12]

By the end of 1941, his number of aerial victories had increased to 26.

ace-in-a-day" for the first time on 19 April 1942, claiming two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3, two Polikarpov R-Z and one I-18 shot down over the Isthmus of Perekop.^[14] His score increased further, and by May 1942, after 51 victories he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). During the month of July 1942, Hackl claimed 37 enemy aircraft shot down in the aerial battles around Voronezh, including 6 victories in a day on both 21 and 23 July. In August 1942, he claimed 14 further victories which included his 100th claim on 3 August.^[15] He was the 16th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.^[16]

Following his 106th aerial victory, he was awarded the

Mediterranean theater.^[17]

North Africa

The first elements of II. Gruppe arrived in North Africa on 5 December where it was based at Zazur airfield, approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) west of

P-38 Lightnings escorting a flight of 24 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress' on 4 February 1943, he was badly wounded resulting in a forced landing in his Bf 109 G-2 trop (Werknummer 10787—factory number) near Matmata.^[20] His injuries to the head and right hand turned out to be severe. He was flown to Rome and was hospitalized for several months.^[21] Command of 5. Staffel was passed on to Oberleutnant Franz Hrdlicka.^[22]

Defense of the Reich

Returning to duties in September 1943, Hackl next operated with III. Gruppe of

Defense of the Reich) duties. On 1 October, he became Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) III. Gruppe of JG 11, succeeding Hauptmann Ernst-Günther Heinze.^[23]^[24] Hackl went on to claim 25 four-engined bombers shot down during his time with III. Gruppe, including three Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers shot down on 18 March 1944 taking his total to 139 aerial victories.^[25] In April 1944, he briefly acted as commander of JG 11, replacing Oberstleutnant Hermann Graf who had been wounded in combat on 29 March.^[26]

On 15 April 1944, Hackl was shot down in his

General der Jagdflieger, a training school for unit leaders, Hackl was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76–76th Fighter Wing).^[28]

The authors Prien and Rodeike describe Hackl as a tough and ruthless unit commander. According to an

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) on 12 July for 162 aerial victories.^[29]

The Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of JG 76 was formed on 21 July at Rotenburg an der Wümme and equipped with factory new Bf 109 G-6 aircraft. On 23 August, transferred to Athies-sous-Laon in France where it replaced the Geschwaderstab of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3–3rd Fighter Wing). There, Hackl's command included III. Gruppe of JG 76 and III. Gruppe of JG 3 and initially was subordinated to the 5. Jagd Division (5th Fighter Division). His command flew combat missions in the area of the Seine near Rouen. On 28 August, the Geschwaderstab was forced to retreat to Azannes-et-Soumazannes where it came under the control of the 4. Jagd Division (4th Fighter Division). At Azannes-et-Soumazannes, the airfield came under a strafing attack, losing five aircraft in the attack. On 31 August, the Geschwaderstab was ordered to Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Airfield and to Freiburg im Breisgau on 5 September where it again came under control of the 5. Jagd Division. There the Geschwaderstab was reequipped with the Fw 190 A-8.^[30] On 7 October, Hackl transferred command of JG 76 to Major Ernst Düllberg.^[31]

On 8 October, he succeeded Hauptmann Georg-Peter Eder as Gruppenkommandeur of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26–26th Fighter Wing) with 165 victories to his credit.^[32] In late-November, II. Gruppe was withdrawn from combat operations and moved to Reinsehlen Airfield for conversion training to the new inline engine powered Fw 190 D-9, the second unit to receive this aircraft. Following the conversion training, II. Gruppe flew its first combat mission on 23 December. Scrambled to intercept an USAAF bomber formation, the flight encountered a flight of 27 Avro Lancaster bombers and three De Havilland Mosquito aircraft. During this aerial encounter, Hackl claimed his 167th aerial victory.^[33]

By the end of the year he now had 172 victories. On 29 January 1945, he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 300 (JG 300–300th Fighter Wing). He was succeeded by Oberleutnant Waldemar Radener as commander of II. Gruppe of JG 26.^[34] In late February, he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of JG 11, succeeding Major Jürgen Harder who was killed in a flying accident.^[35] His last 24 victories were never officially confirmed. On 3 May 1945, two JG 11 pilots, Leutnant Hermann Gern and Feldwebel Franz Keller, attempted to steal a Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun aircraft to desert and fly to southern Germany. Too outspoken, the two were denounced and arrested. Gern and Keller were court-martialed and sentenced to death. A number of non-commissioned officers of JG 11 spoke to Hackl on behalf of Keller, no attempt was made to save Gern.^[36] While Keller was pardoned, Gern was executed by firing squad on 7 May.^[37]

He was shot down eight times and wounded four times. Anton Hackl died on 10 July 1984 in Regensburg.^[29]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Hackl was credited with 192 aerial victories.^[38] Bergström and Mikhailov state that Hackl flew about 1,000 combat missions and also list him with shooting down 192 enemy aircraft plus another 24 unconfirmed aerial victories.^[39] Of this figure, 105 victories were claimed while serving on the Eastern Front and 87 on the Western Front.^[40]^[41] Among these numbers are 34 four-engined bombers which puts him in second place behind Georg-Peter Eder as the leading daylight bomber claimant.^[42] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that Hackl was credited with more than 180 aerial victories. This figure includes at least 103 claims made on the Eastern Front and 44 on the Western Front, including at least 16 four-engined bombers.^[43]

Awards

Wound Badge in Gold^[3]
Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000"^[3]
Combined Pilots-Observation Badge^[3]

"Afrika" Cuff title^[3]
Crimea Shield^[3]
Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (6 March 1940)^[6]^{[Note 3]}
- 1st Class (2 July 1940)^[6]^{[Note 4]}
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Knight's Cross on 25 May 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 77^[44]^[45]^[46]
- 109th Oak Leaves 9 August 1942 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 77^[47]^[48]^{[Note 5]}
- 78th Swords on 9 July 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 11^[49]^[50]^{[Note 6]}

Notes

^ 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]
^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
^ ^a ^b According to Stockert on 19 March 1940.^[1]
^ ^a ^b According to Stockert on 6 August 1940.^[1]
^ According to Scherzer on 7 August 1942.^[44]
^ According to Scherzer on 12 July 1944.^[44]

References

Citations

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Stockert 2012, p. 28.
^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Berger 1999, p. 99.
^ Prien 1992, pp. 26–27.
^ ^a ^b Prien 1992, p. 41.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Thomas 1997, p. 235.
^ Prien 1992, p. 234.
^ Prien 1992, pp. 234–236.
^ Prien 1992, p. 239.
^ Shores, Foreman & Ehrengardt 1992, p. 351.
^ Prien 1995, p. 2372.
^ Prien 1993, pp. 732–733.
^ Page 2020, p. 70.
^ Prien 1993, pp. 966–967.
^ Page 2020, p. 100.
^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 289.
^ Prien et al. 2004, pp. 308–309.
^ Prien 1994, p. 1374.
^ Prien et al. 2011, pp. 402, 460.
^ ^a ^b Stockert 2012, p. 29.
^ Prien et al. 2011, p. 452.
^ Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 589.
^ Weal 1999, p. 54.
^ Weal 2011, p. 51.
^ Prien & Rodeike 1996a, p. 815.
^ Prien & Rodeike 1996a, pp. 868, 1173.
^ ^a ^b Prien & Rodeike 1996a, p. 990.
^ ^a ^b Stockert 2012, p. 30.
^ Prien et al., p. 1.
^ Prien et al., p. 2.
^ Caldwell 1998, p. 363.
^ Weal 1996, p. 80.
^ Caldwell 1998, p. 431.
^ Prien & Rodeike 1996b, pp. 1477, 1645.
^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 475–476.
^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 478.
^ Zabecki 2019, p. 329.
^ Bergström & Mikhailov 2001, p. 197.
^ Spick 1996, p. 228.
^ Weal 2001, p. 53.
^ Forsyth 2011, p. 90.
^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 451–454.
^ ^a ^b ^c Scherzer 2007, p. 358.
^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 209.
^ Von Seemen 1976, p. 151.
^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 60.
^ Von Seemen 1976, p. 29.
^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 44.
^ Von Seemen 1976, p. 17.

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Military offices
Preceded by Oberstleutnant Hermann Graf	*Acting commander of Jagdgeschwader* 11** April 1944 – April 1944	Succeeded by Major Herbert Ihlefeld
Preceded by Major Jürgen Harder	*Commander of Jagdgeschwader* 11** 8 May 1944 – 20 February 1945	Succeeded by none
Preceded by none	*Commander of Jagdgeschwader* 76** 21 July 1944 – 7 October 1944	Succeeded by Major Ernst Düllberg
Preceded by Major Kurd Peters	Acting commander of Jagdgeschwader 300 Wilde Sau 30 January 1945 – 20 February 1945	Succeeded by Major Kurd Peters

[3] 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]

[4] For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.

[EK2-9] According to Stockert on 19 March 1940.^[1]

[EK1-14] According to Stockert on 6 August 1940.^[1]

[53] According to Scherzer on 7 August 1942.^[44]

[56] According to Scherzer on 12 July 1944.^[44]

[FOOTNOTEStockert201228-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Stockert 2012, p. 28.

[FOOTNOTEBergströmAntipovSundin200317-2] Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.

[FOOTNOTEBerger199999-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Berger 1999, p. 99.

[FOOTNOTEPrien199226–27-6] Prien 1992, pp. 26–27.

[FOOTNOTEPrien199241-7] Prien 1992, p. 41.

[FOOTNOTEThomas1997235-8] Thomas 1997, p. 235.

[FOOTNOTEPrien1992234-10] Prien 1992, p. 234.

[FOOTNOTEPrien1992234–236-11] Prien 1992, pp. 234–236.

[FOOTNOTEPrien1992239-12] Prien 1992, p. 239.

[FOOTNOTEShoresForemanEhrengardt1992351-13] Shores, Foreman & Ehrengardt 1992, p. 351.

[FOOTNOTEPrien19952372-15] Prien 1995, p. 2372.

[FOOTNOTEPrien1993732–733-16] Prien 1993, pp. 732–733.

[FOOTNOTEPage202070-17] Page 2020, p. 70.

[FOOTNOTEPrien1993966–967-18] Prien 1993, pp. 966–967.

[FOOTNOTEPage2020100-19] Page 2020, p. 100.

[FOOTNOTEObermaier1989243-20] Obermaier 1989, p. 243.

[FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006289-21] Prien et al. 2006, p. 289.

[FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2004308–309-22] Prien et al. 2004, pp. 308–309.

[FOOTNOTEPrien19941374-23] Prien 1994, p. 1374.

[FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2011402,_460-24] Prien et al. 2011, pp. 402, 460.

[FOOTNOTEStockert201229-25] Stockert 2012, p. 29.

[FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2011452-26] Prien et al. 2011, p. 452.

[FOOTNOTEPrienRodeike1994589-27] Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 589.

[FOOTNOTEWeal199954-28] Weal 1999, p. 54.

[FOOTNOTEWeal201151-29] Weal 2011, p. 51.

[FOOTNOTEPrienRodeike1996a815-30] Prien & Rodeike 1996a, p. 815.

[FOOTNOTEPrienRodeike1996a868,_1173-31] Prien & Rodeike 1996a, pp. 868, 1173.

[FOOTNOTEPrienRodeike1996a990-32] Prien & Rodeike 1996a, p. 990.

[FOOTNOTEStockert201230-33] Stockert 2012, p. 30.

[FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerBockBalke20201-34] Prien et al., p. 1.

[FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerBockBalke20202-35] Prien et al., p. 2.

[FOOTNOTECaldwell1998363-36] Caldwell 1998, p. 363.

[FOOTNOTEWeal199680-37] Weal 1996, p. 80.

[FOOTNOTECaldwell1998431-38] Caldwell 1998, p. 431.

[FOOTNOTEPrienRodeike1996b1477,_1645-39] Prien & Rodeike 1996b, pp. 1477, 1645.

[FOOTNOTECaldwell1998475–476-40] Caldwell 1998, pp. 475–476.

[FOOTNOTECaldwell1998478-41] Caldwell 1998, pp. 478.

[FOOTNOTEZabecki2019329-42] Zabecki 2019, p. 329.

[FOOTNOTEBergströmMikhailov2001197-43] Bergström & Mikhailov 2001, p. 197.

[FOOTNOTESpick1996228-44] Spick 1996, p. 228.

[FOOTNOTEWeal200153-45] Weal 2001, p. 53.

[FOOTNOTEForsyth201190-46] Forsyth 2011, p. 90.

[FOOTNOTEMathewsForeman2015451–454-47] Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 451–454.

[FOOTNOTEScherzer2007358-48] Scherzer 2007, p. 358.

[FOOTNOTEFellgiebel2000209-49] Fellgiebel 2000, p. 209.

[FOOTNOTEVon_Seemen1976151-50] Von Seemen 1976, p. 151.

[FOOTNOTEFellgiebel200060-51] Fellgiebel 2000, p. 60.

[FOOTNOTEVon_Seemen197629-52] Von Seemen 1976, p. 29.

[FOOTNOTEFellgiebel200044-54] Fellgiebel 2000, p. 44.

[FOOTNOTEVon_Seemen197617-55] Von Seemen 1976, p. 17.

[1]

[Note 1]

[Note 2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[Note 3]

[10]

[Note 4]

[11]

[12]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[Note 5]

[49]

[50]

[Note 6]

[2]

v t e German World War II flying aces with 100+ aerial victories
300+	Erich Hartmann (352) Gerhard Barkhorn (301)
250–299	Günther Rall (275) Otto Kittel (267) Walter Nowotny (258)
200–249	Wilhelm Batz (237) Erich Rudorffer (222) Heinrich Bär (220) Hermann Graf (212) Heinrich Ehrler (208) Theodor Weissenberger (208) Hans Philipp (206) Walter Schuck (206) Anton Hafner (204) Helmut Lipfert (203)
150–199	Walter Krupinski (197) Anton Hackl (192) Joachim Brendel (189) Max Stotz (189) Joachim Kirschner (188) Kurt Brändle (180) Günther Josten (178) Johannes Steinhoff (176) Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert (174) Günther Schack (174) Emil Lang (173) Heinz Schmidt (173) Horst Ademeit (166) Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke (162) Hans-Joachim Marseille (158) Heinrich Sturm (158) Gerhard Thyben (157) Hans Beißwenger (152) Peter Düttmann (152) Gordon Gollob (150)
100–149	Fritz Tegtmeier (146) Albin Wolf (144) Kurt Tanzer (143) Friedrich-Karl Müller (140) Friedrich Wachowiak (140)? Karl Gratz (138) Heinrich Setz (138) Rudolf Trenkel (138) Franz Schall (137) Walter Wolfrum (137) Horst-Günther von Fassong (136)? Otto Fönnekold (136) Karl-Heinz Weber (136) Joachim Müncheberg (135) Hans Waldmann (134) Alfred Grislawski (133) Johannes Wiese (133) Adolf Borchers (132) Erwin Clausen (132) Adolf Dickfeld (132) Wilhelm Lemke (131) Gerhard Hoffmann (130) Heinrich Sterr (130) Walther Dahl (129) Franz Eisenach (129) Franz Dörr (128) Rudolf Rademacher (126)? Josef Zwernemann (126) Dietrich Hrabak (125) Wolf-Udo Ettel (124) Herbert Ihlefeld (123) Wolfgang Tonne (122) Heinz Marquardt (121) Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (121) Robert Weiß (121) Friedrich Obleser (120) Erich Leie (118) Franz-Josef Beerenbrock (117) Hans-Joachim Birkner (117) Jakob Norz (117) Walter Oesau (117) Heinz Wernicke (117) August Lambert (116) Wilhelm Crinius (114) Werner Schröer (114) Hans Dammers (113) Berthold Korts (113) Helmut Lent (113) Kurt Bühligen (112) Kurt Ubben (111) Franz Woidich (110) Emil Bitsch (108) Hans Hahn (108) Bernhard Vechtel (108) Viktor Bauer (106) Werner Lucas (106) Günther Lützow (105) Eberhard von Boremski (104) Adolf Galland (104) Heinz Sachsenberg (104) Hartmann Grasser (103) Siegfried Freytag (102) Friedrich Geißhardt (102) Egon Mayer (102) Max-Hellmuth Ostermann (102) Herbert Rollwage (102)? Josef Wurmheller (102) Rudolf Miethig (101) Werner Mölders (101) Josef Priller (101) Ulrich Wernitz (101) Paul-Heinrich Dähne (100) Reinhard Seiler (100)
List of German World War II aces List of top World War II aces This along with the ? (question mark) indicates doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.

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