Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn

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Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn
JG 53
Battles/wars
See battles

World War II

Awards
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
RelationsHelmuth von Maltzahn (grandfather)

Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn (20 October 1910 – 24 June 1953) was a German military aviator and

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
, which was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Maltzahn.

Early life and career

Maltzahn was born on 20 October 1910 in Wodarg, present-day a borough of

finance minister and a representative in the Reichstag.[4] Aged eleven, Maltzahn attended the Lilienthal-Gymnasium [de], a secondary school, where he graduated with his Abitur (diploma).[5]

Manor in Wodarg

On 1 April 1931, he was accepted for military in the

Gerhard Kollewe and Wolfgang Schellmann.[7]

On 1 March 1934, Maltzahn was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) and began his service with the 4. and 2. Schwadron of 6. (Preußisch) Reiter-Regiment (4th and 2nd squadron of the 6th Prussian Cavalry Regiment) based in Pasewalk. On 1 October, he was transferred to the cavalry regiment in Schwedt, which was later renamed Kavallerie-Regiment 6 and was subordinated to the 1st Cavalry Division. Maltzahn transferred to the newly formed Luftwaffe on 1 April 1935. There, he was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 October and until 1 April 1936 received further flight training at the flight schools at Kitzingen and Würzburg. On 15 March 1937, Maltzahn was posted to the II. Gruppe (2nd group) of Jagdgeschwader 334 (JG 334—334th Fighter Wing).[6] There, Maltzahn was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the newly created 6.(leichte Jäger) Staffel (6th light fighter squadron) of JG 334. On 1 November 1938, JG 334 was renamed and became Jagdgeschwader 133 (JG 133—133rd Fighter Wing). In consequence, Maltzahn then commanded the 6. Staffel of JG 133. On 1 April 1939, the unit was again renamed and from then on was referred to as Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing).[8] The Gruppe was based at Mannheim-Sandhofen Airfield and initially equipped with the Arado Ar 68 E and later with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 B and Bf 109 D-1 variant.[9] On 19 August, Maltzahn was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 53. He succeeded Major Hubert Merhart von Bernegg who was transferred. In consequence, command of 6. Staffel was passed on to Oberleutnant Heinz Bretnütz.[8]

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces

Saargemünd resulted in his second victory claim.[11] On 4 May, Maltzahn made a forced landing in his Bf 109 E-1 east of Glauberg. He then walked to Düdelsheim, present-day part of Büdingen, where he was taken to Count Karl-Friedrich of Isenburg where he spent the night.[12]

On 10 May, German forces launched the invasion of France and the Low Countries (Fall Gelb). During the campaign, JG 53 was subordinated to Luftflotte 3 (Air Fleet 3) commanded by General der Flieger Hugo Sperrle.[13] That day, Maltzahn was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse).[6] On 15 May, his Bf 109 E-3 (Werknummer 1347—factory number) suffered undercarriage failure during landing at Dockendorf, nearly destroying the aircraft.[14] Following the German advance into France, II. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Vraux on 15 June.[15] On 22 June, the Gruppe moved to Dinan, located approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Rennes. Following the Armistice of 22 June 1940, hostilities stopped on 25 June.[15]

Battle of Britain

In July 1940, the Luftwaffe began a series of air operations dubbed Kanalkampf (Channel Battle) over the English Channel against the RAF, which marked the beginning of the Battle of Britain. On 8 August 1940, during an attack on Convoy Peewit, Maltzahn claimed an aerial victory over a Supermarine Spitfire fighter.[16] On 16 August, the Luftwaffe flew 399 bomber and 1,314 fighter missions over Britain. That day, Maltzahn claimed another Spitfire fighter, his fourth aerial victory in total.[17] Flying a bomber escorting mission on 1 September, Maltzahn claimed his fifth aerial victory.[18] On 5 September, he claimed a Spitfire fighter in the afternoon. The following day, Maltzahn shot down a Hawker Hurricane fighter while escorting Luftwaffe bombers returning from an attack on London.[19]

On 7 September, the Luftwaffe shifted their attacks towards London, systematically bombing the city in what was dubbed The Blitz.[20] On 24 September, Maltzahn claimed a Spitfire fighter near Southampton for his eighth aerial victory.[21] On two separate missions flown on 27 September, he claimed two further Spitfire fighters shot down, taking his total to ten aerial victories.[22]

Wing commander

JG 53 insignia

On 9 October, Maltzahn was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 53.[23] He replaced Major Hans-Jürgen von Cramon-Taubadel who was transferred to the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM—Ministry of Aviation).[24] Then Hauptmann Bretnütz replaced him as commander of II. Gruppe.[25] Maltzahn left II. Gruppe on 10 October and headed to Étaples where the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) was based.[26] On 15 November, JG 53 claimed their 501st aerial victory in total. This earned Maltzahn a named reference in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 November.[27]

The Geschwaderstab of JG 53 was withdrawn from the Channel Front on 21 December 1940 and transferred to Köln-Butzweilerhof Airfield for a period of rest and replenishment.[28] During this period, Maltzahn was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 30 December.[29] In early February 1941, training on the Bf 109 E series commenced again. The Stab received the first Bf 109 F-2 aircraft on 18 February.[28] On 15 March, the Geschwaderstab returned to the English Channel where they were based at Saint-Omer-Wizernes.[30]

On 31 March, Maltzahn claimed his 13th aerial victory when he shot down a Spitfire fighter.

Berck-sur-Mer, Maltzahn claimed a Spitfire fighter shot down.[32] JG 53 was finally withdrawn from the Channel Front on 8 June 1941 and ordered to Mannheim-Sandhofen Airfield in preparation of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.[33]

Maltzahn was awarded the

Rastenburg, now Kętrzyn in Poland. Two other Luftwaffe officers were presented with awards that day by Hitler, Major Günther Lützow and Major Josef Priller were also awarded the Oak Leaves.[34]

Malta and North Africa

von Maltzahn in Italy, July 1943

The ground personnel of JG 53 began their relocation to Sicily in late November 1941. The Geschwaderstab followed on 13 December via Mannheim-Sandhofen, Munich-Riem, Naples, finally arriving at Comiso Airfield on 15 December.[35] On 19 December 1941, the Geschwaderstab of JG 53 flew its first combat mission during the Siege of Malta. On this mission, Maltzahn claimed his 50th aerial victory when he shot down a Hawker Hurricane fighter.[36]

In 1942, Maltzahn was diagnosed with lymphoma. He received radiation therapy at the Charité in Berlin and remained free of further symptoms until the end of World War II. In 1943, Maltzahn became part of the inner circle of Enno von Rintelen, the German military attaché in Italy. Maltzahn was introduced by Friedrich-Karl von Plehwe [de] with whom he had served in the infantry.[37] By June 1943, Maltzahn's health had deteriorated to the point that he could no longer lead JG 53 during combat missions. In consequence, Major Gerhard Michalski, the commander of II. Gruppe, was tasked with leading the air elements of JG 53.[38]

Luftwaffe staff positions

On 4 October 1943, Maltzahn was relieved of his position as Geschwaderkommodore of JG 53 and posted to the staff of Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte under the command of Generaloberst

Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, had unsuccessfully tried to retain Maltzahn in Italy.[40] On 4 December, he was appointed Jagdfliegerführer Oberitalien.[41]

On 11 November 1944, Reichsmarschall (Marshal of the Realm) Hermann Göring, in his role as commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, organized a meeting of high-ranking Luftwaffe officers, including Maltzahn. The meeting, also referred to as the "Areopag" was held at the Luftkriegsakademie (air war academy) at Berlin-Gatow. This Luftwaffe version of the Greek Areopagus—a court of justice—aimed at finding solutions to the deteriorating air was situation over Germany.[42]

In February 1945, he was detached to 9. Fliegerdivision (J) where he assisted in the conversion training of bomber pilots to fighter pilots.[43]

Later life

After the war Maltzahn worked in agriculture and later took over a winery in the

Hodgkin's lymphoma had deteriorated his health further, and breathing was very difficult for him. Following further radiation treatment, he required surgery of his infected lung. Maltzahn died on 24 June 1953 in Düsseldorf during the anesthesia prior to the operation.[41][46] The street "Günther-von-Maltzahn-Straße" in Fürstenfeldbruck was named after him.[47]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Maltzahn was credited with 68 aerial victories.[48] Obermaier also lists him with 68 aerial victories claimed in 497 combat missions, 34 on the Eastern Front and further 34 over the Western Allies, including one four-engined heavy bomber.[1] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 67 confirmed aerial victory claims, plus three further unconfirmed claims. This figure of confirmed claims includes 33 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 34 on the Western Front, including one four-engined bomber.[49]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Maltzahn did not receive credit.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[50]
"Phoney War" — 1 September 1939 – 9 May 1940
1 30 September 1939 11:34 Potez 63 Saarbrücken[51] 2 31 March 1940 15:53?[Note 2] M.S.406 southwest of
Saargemünd[51]
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[50]
Action at the Channel and over England — 26 June – September 1940
3 8 August 1940 17:05 Spitfire 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Swanage[52] 7 6 September 1940 10:10 Hurricane[52]
4 16 August 1940 18:10 Spitfire[52] 8 24 September 1940 09:53 Spitfire southeast of London[53]
5 1 September 1940 12:10 Spitfire[52] 9 27 September 1940 10:19 Spitfire[53]
6 5 September 1940 16:05 Spitfire[52] 10 27 September 1940 16:25 Spitfire[53]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[50]
Action at the Channel and over England — October – 8 June 1941
11 12 October 1940 17:40 Hurricane[54] 14 16 April 1941 18:40 Spitfire
Dungeness[54]
12 1 December 1940 15:15?[Note 3] Hurricane[54] 15 19 April 1941 19:09 Spitfire Calais/Dover[54]
English Channel
13 31 March 1941 11:35 Spitfire northwest of Calais[54]
—
 9 May 1941
—
 Spitfire north of Calais[54]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[49]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
16 22 June 1941 07:17 I-153 vicinity of Kobryn[55] 33 14 July 1941 11:15 I-16[56]
17?[Note 4] 22 June 1941 16:30 SB-2 northwest of Brest-Litowsk[55] 34 15 July 1941 06:50 I-15[56]
18 25 June 1941 12:55 DB-3[55] 35 15 July 1941 06:54 SB-3[56]
19 25 June 1941 12:57 SB-3[55] 36 16 July 1941 07:50 SB-3[56]
20 25 June 1941 12:59 SB-3[55] 37 18 July 1941 12:05 SB-3[56]
21 25 June 1941 13:01 SB-3[55] 38 18 July 1941 12:08 SB-3[56]
22 27 June 1941 13:45 Pe-2[55] 39 20 July 1941 17:49 I-15[56]
23 29 June 1941 19:35 SB-3
Bobruysk[55]
 40 23 July 1941 06:50 SB-3 north of Uman[56]
—
 6 July 1941
—
 DB-3[55] 41 23 July 1941 06:59 SB-3 north of Uman[56]
24 7 July 1941 06:14 SB-3 east of Polonnoje[55] 42 24 July 1941 18:12 Pe-2[56]
25 8 July 1941 18:48 V-11 (Il-2)[56] 43 25 July 1941 18:19?[Note 5] Pe-2[58] east of Bila Tserkva
26 9 July 1941 16:11 DB-3[56] 44 26 July 1941 11:00 V-11 (Il-2)[58]
27 9 July 1941 16:14 DB-3[56] 45 29 July 1941 17:00 SB-3[58]
28 10 July 1941 09:35 I-16[56] 46 30 July 1941 18:30?[Note 6] SB-3[58]
29 10 July 1941 09:37 I-16[56] 47 30 July 1941 18:53 Pe-2[58]
30 10 July 1941 13:55 SB-3[56] 48 31 July 1941 06:25 Pe-2[58]
31 12 July 1941 18:07 DB-3[56] 49 31 July 1941 06:35 Pe-2[58]
32 12 July 1941 18:08 DB-3[56]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[57]
Mediterranean Theater — 15 December 1941 – 31 December 1942
50 19 December 1941 16:55 Hurricane[59] Malta 59 15 February 1942 18:00 Beaufort[59]
51 21 December 1941 12:00 Hurricane[59] Malta 60 1 April 1942 14:55 Spitfire east of Ħal Far[59]
52 26 December 1941 11:12 Hurricane[59] vicinity of Malta 61 1 April 1942 17:28 Spitfire Malta[59]
53 26 December 1941 16:55 Hurricane southeast of Malta[59] 62 14 April 1942 10:40 P-40[59]
54 25 January 1942 10:35 Hurricane[59] 63 25 April 1942 15:28 Spitfire[59] Malta
55 25 January 1942 10:40 Hurricane[59] 64 14 June 1942 17:32 Hurricane[60] vicinity of Malta
56 4 February 1942 15:53 Hurricane east of Malta[59] 65 3 December 1942 11:38 P-38 Bizerte[60]
57 11 February 1942 15:45 Beaufighter[59] 66 14 December 1942 12:18 Spitfire Jefna[60]
58 15 February 1942 16:08 Beaufort[59] 67 18 December 1942 12:10 B-17 northwest of Majaz al Bab[60]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[57]
Mediterranean Theater — 1 January – 31 December 1943
68 1 April 1943 12:21 Curtiss P-40 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Sbeitla[61]

Awards

Promotions

1 March 1934: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)[6]
1 October 1935: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant)[6]
16 August 1939: Hauptmann (Captain)[6]
24 October 1940: Major (Major)[6]
18 June 1942: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)[67]
1 June 1943: Oberst (Colonel)[67]

Notes

  1. ^ Three of his brothers were killed during World War II, in addition, his father was executed by Soviet troops in 1945.[3]
  2. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:55.[50]
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:15.[50]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[50]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 18:15.[57]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 18:50.[57]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 46.
  2. ^ Rigg 2002, p. 39.
  3. ^ a b Harper 2018, p. 13.
  4. ^ Harper 2018, p. 4.
  5. ^ Jagusch & Voß 1935, pp. 110–113.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Stockert 2012, p. 174.
  7. ^ Braatz 2009, pp. 53–54.
  8. ^ a b Prien et al. 2000, p. 249.
  9. ^ Prien et al. 2000, p. 244.
  10. ^ a b Prien 1997, p. 39.
  11. ^ Prien 1997, p. 76.
  12. ^ Sauer 2013, p. 55.
  13. ^ Prien 1997, p. 99.
  14. ^ Prien 1997, p. 127.
  15. ^ a b Prien 1997, p. 121.
  16. ^ Prien 1997, p. 137.
  17. ^ Prien 1997, pp. 141–142.
  18. ^ Prien 1997, pp. 150–151.
  19. ^ Prien 1997, p. 152.
  20. ^ Prien 1997, p. 154.
  21. ^ Prien 1997, p. 164.
  22. ^ Prien 1997, p. 166.
  23. ^ Goss 2017, p. 94.
  24. ^ Prien 1991, p. 1653.
  25. ^ Prien 1991, p. 1654.
  26. ^ Prien 1997, p. 174.
  27. ^ Prien 1997, p. 187.
  28. ^ a b Prien et al. 2002, p. 179.
  29. ^ Prien 1997, p. 212.
  30. ^ Prien et al. 2002, pp. 179–180.
  31. ^ Prien 1997, p. 219.
  32. ^ Prien 1997, p. 224.
  33. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 180.
  34. ^ Weal 2007, p. 42.
  35. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 18.
  36. ^ Prien 1997, p. 335.
  37. ^ Harper 2018, p. 10.
  38. ^ Prien et al. 2010, pp. 379, 389.
  39. ^ Prien 1998, pp. 696–697.
  40. ^ Prien 1998, p. 697.
  41. ^ a b Stockert 2012, p. 176.
  42. ^ von Below 2010, p. 220.
  43. ^ Harper 2018, p. 12.
  44. ^ Harper 2018, p. 16.
  45. ^ Harper 2018, p. 17.
  46. ^ Harper 2018, pp. 23–24.
  47. ^ "Günther von Maltzahn-Straße". strassenkatalog.de (in German). Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  48. ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1616.
  49. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 802–803.
  50. ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 802.
  51. ^ a b Prien et al. 2001, p. 386.
  52. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2002, p. 226.
  53. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2002, p. 228.
  54. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2002, p. 184.
  55. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2003, p. 93.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Prien et al. 2003, p. 94.
  57. ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 803.
  58. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2003, p. 95.
  59. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Prien et al. 2004, p. 41.
  60. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2004, p. 42.
  61. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 393.
  62. ^ a b Thomas 1998, p. 55.
  63. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 293.
  64. ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 525.
  65. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 302.
  66. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 55.
  67. ^ a b Stockert 2012, p. 175.

Bibliography

Military offices
Preceded by
Major Hans-Jürgen von Cramon-Taubadel
 Commander of Jagdgeschwader 53 Pik As
9 October 1940 – 4 October 1943 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
unknown
 Commander of Jagdfliegerführer Oberitalien
5 October 1943 – December 1944 		Succeeded by
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