Gerhard Schöpfel
Gerhard Schöpfel | |
---|---|
JG 6 | |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Other work | law |
Gerhard Schöpfel (19 December 1912 – 17 May 2003) was a German
Born in Erfurt, Schöpfel grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany and joined the German police force. In 1936, he transferred to the Luftwaffe and following flight training was posted to a fighter wing. In September 1939, Schöpfel became a squadron leader in Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). Flying with this wing, Schöpfel claimed his first aerial victory on 19 May 1940 during the Battle of France. In August 1941, he was given command of III. Gruppe of JG 26. During the Battle of Britain, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 11 September for 20 aerial victories claimed. In December 1941, Schöpfel was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 26, a position he held until January 1943.
Schöpfel then held various staff positions with Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne, Jagdfliegerführer Sizilien and Jagdfliegerführer Norwegen. In May 1944, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) and in June was given command of Jagdgeschwader 4 (JG 4—4th Fighter Wing). In April 1945, he was appointed commander of Jagdgeschwader 6 (JG 6—6th Fighter Wing). At the end of the war, he became a Soviet prisoner of war and was released in December 1949. Schöpfel died on 15 May 2003 in Bergisch Gladbach.
Early life and career
Schöpfel was born on 19 December 1912 at Erfurt, at the time in Province of Saxony of the German Empire. Serving with the Landespolizei (state police), he transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1936 and held the rank of Oberfähnrich (officer cadet).[1] Following flight training,[Note 1] Schöpfel was assigned to I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 135 (JG 135—135th Fighter Wing).[3] This unit had been formed on 1 April 1937 and was commanded by Major Max Ibel. On 1 November 1938, the Gruppe became the I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 233 (JG 233—233rd Fighter Wing) and was again renamed on 1 May 1939, this time becoming the I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing). Initially flying the Heinkel He 51, the unit was reequipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 B in November 1937.[4] In 1938, Schöpfel was transferred to the Stab (HQ) flight of I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 334 (JG 334—334th Fighter Wing).[5] This unit was initially commanded by Hauptmann Walter Grabmann and later by Major Gotthard Handrick. This Gruppe also underwent a few name changes. On 1 November 1938, it received the designation I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 132 (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing) and then again on 1 May 1939 when it was referred to as I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing).[6]
World War II
World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland.
He claimed his first confirmed aerial victory on 29 May during the Battle of Dunkirk. At 18:10, he shot down a Supermarine Spitfire west of Dunkirk. The Spitfire belonged to either No. 64, No. 229 or No. 610 Squadron.[10] Two days later, Schöpfel shot down a No. 609 Squadron Spitfire over Dunkirk.[11] He claimed his last aerial victory of the Battle of France on 2 June in combat with No. 66, No. 266 or No. 611 Squadron Spitfires, claiming his fourth victory in total at 09:25.[12]
On 6 June, Hauptmann
On
Group commander
On 22 August, Galland was appointed
The Blitz bombing campaign during the Battle of Britain began on 7 September 1940. That day, on a mission to London, Schöpfel claimed a No. 603 Squadron shot down at 18:45.[31] During an attack on the London Docks on 9 September, Schöpfel claimed three No. 92 Squadron Spitfires shot down over the Thames Estuary, taking his total to 20 aerial victories claimed.[34] According to British loss lists, 92 Squadron lost only two Spitfires this day; Pilot Officer C. H Saunders was wounded in L1077, and Pilot Officer W. C Watling in P9372.[35] On 11 September, Schöpfel may have shot down a No. 235 Squadron Blenheim bomber on a mission to bomb Calais harbour. That day, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 20 aerial victories claimed, the second pilot of JG 26 to receive this distinction.[36] The Blenheim was in fact escorting Fairey Albacore aircraft. Pilot Officers P. C. Wickings-Smith, A. W. V. Green and Sergeant R. D .H Watts were killed.[37]
On 29 October, JG 26 targeted the North Weald Airfield. The attack began just as Hurricanes from No. 257 Squadron were taking off. In this encounter, Schöpfel claimed a Hurricane shot down at 17:45, it was observed that the pilot bailed out.[38] Two Hurricanes were hit in the attack. Sergeant A. G. Girdwood burned to death when a bomb exploded next to his Hurricane on take-off. Pilot Officer F. Surma parachuted from P3893 unhurt at an altitude of 3,000 feet.[39] On 1 November, JG 26 escorted Ju 87s in an attack on Alied shipping off the Nore. On this escort mission, Schöpfel claimed a No. 92 Squadron Spitfire shot down over Herne Bay, his last in 1940.[40]
Schöpfel claimed his first aerial victory in 1941 on 17 June. That day, the RAF flew
Wing commander
On 5 December 1941, Galland was appointed
In February 1942 he led III. Gruppe in
Schöpfel claimed an unconfirmed aerial victory over a
On 8 November 1942, Anglo–American forces launched Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942), the invasion of French North Africa. In consequence, Schöpfel was ordered to send the 11. (Höhen) Staffel of JG 26, the high altitude squadron equipped with the Bf 109 G, to North Africa. That day, Schöpfel may have claimed two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers shot down. These claims are attributed to his personal records and cannot be verified by other records.[51] Schöpfel claimed his 45th and last aerial victory on 6 December 1942 over a B-17.[26] That day, the VIII Bomber Command had targeted the steel works at Lille with 66 B-17s. Schöpfel's claim may have been a B-17 from the 305th Bombardment Group.[52] According to Matthews and Foreman, Schöpfel claimed a final B-17 shot down on 20 December.[53] That day, VIII Bomber Command had again targeted Lille. On this raid, six B-17s were lost over France and further 31 aircraft sustained combat damage. According to Caldwell, no claim was filed by Schöpfel.[54]
On 8 January 1943, Schöpfel attended a conference hosted by General der Jagdflieger Galland in Berlin. There, Schöpfel was informed by Galland that on 10 January, he would pass on command of JG 26 to Major Josef Priller and that Schöpfel would be appointed Ia (Operations Officer) with Jagdfliegerführer 2, the fighter controller responsible for protecting the German U-boat bases in France.[55][56] In a post World War II interview, Galland commented on Schöpfel:
"I knew Schöpfel was not the right man ... He was a nice guy, but not a strong leader ... Priller was better. He was the aggressive type."[57]
Luftwaffe staff positions
Schöpfel left JG 26 on 10 January 1943, with 45 victories, to take up a number of administrative roles. Following his tenure with Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne, he then went to serve as Fighter Operations Officer for the South Italy Command from July (during the critical Sicily landings) and then Jafü (Fighter Leader) Norway from January 1944.
He returned to a combat command on 1 May 1944, briefly joining the staff of III. Gruppe of
In October 1944 Schöpfel was appointed to the newly created role of
After serving on the Eastern Front for approximately one month, Schöpfel was captured by Soviet forces, and was interned for four and a half years in the Soviet Union. He returned to Germany upon his release in December 1949.[1][56]
Later life
After World War II, Schöpfel worked as a chauffeur and other jobs before obtaining an executive position with Air Lloyd at the Cologne Bonn Airport.[60] He died of natural causes on 17 May 2003 in Bergisch Gladbach-Refrath.[61]
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
According to Obermaier, Schöpfel was credited with 45 aerial victories, claimed in approximately 700 combat missions.[1] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces: Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 40 aerial victory claims, plus nine further unconfirmed claims, all of which were claimed on the Western Front.[62]
Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Schöpfel did not receive credit.
This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Caldwell, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Matthews and Foreman.
| |||||||||
Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location |
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[3] Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940 | |||||||||
—
|
19 May 1940 | —
|
Hurricane | vicinity of Lille[63] | 2 | 31 May 1940 | 15:40 | Spitfire | west of Dunkirk[63] |
1 | 29 May 1940 | 18:10 | Spitfire | west of Dunkirk[63] | 3 | 2 June 1940 | 09:25 | Spitfire | Dunkirk[63] |
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[3] Action at the Channel and over England — 26 June – 21 August 1940 | |||||||||
4 | 8 August 1940 | 12:34 | Spitfire | west of Canterbury[64] | 7 | 18 August 1940 | 13:55 | Hurricane | Canterbury[65] |
5 | 8 August 1940 | 12:35 | Hampden | south of Ramsgate[64] | 8 | 18 August 1940 | 13:55 | Hurricane | Canterbury[65] |
6 | 12 August 1940 | 12:30?[Note 3] | Spitfire | Folkestone[64] | 9 | 18 August 1940 | 13:56 | Hurricane | Canterbury[65] |
—
|
14 August 1940 | 13:30 | Hurricane | Folkestone-Dover[64] | 10 | 18 August 1940 | 13:56 | Hurricane | Canterbury[65] |
– Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[62] Action at the Channel and over England — 21 August – 21 June 1941 | |||||||||
11 | 22 August 1940 | 20:25 | Spitfire | southeast of Dover[65] | 17 | 9 September 1940 | 18:07 | Spitfire | Thames Estuary[66] |
12 | 28 August 1940 | 10:10 | Defiant | east of Canterbury[65] | 18 | 9 September 1940 | 18:11 | Spitfire | Thames Estuary[66] |
13 | 31 August 1940 | 10:00 | Spitfire | Braintree[66] | — ?[Note 4]
|
11 September 1940 | 17:30 | Blenheim[36] | |
14 | 1 September 1940 | 15:00 | Spitfire | London[66] | 19?[Note 5] | 28 September 1940 | 10:45 | Spitfire | north of Dungeness[69] |
— ?[Note 4]
|
6 September 1940 | 10:30 | Hurricane | Dungeness[70] | 20 | 29 October 1940 | 17:45 | Hurricane[69] | |
15 | 7 September 1940 | 18:45 | Spitfire | London[66] | 21 | 1 November 1940 | 15:35 | Spitfire | Herne Bay[69] |
16 | 9 September 1940 | 18:05 | Spitfire | Thames Estuary[66] | 22 | 17 June 1941 | 19:40 | Hurricane[71] | |
– Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[53] On the Western Front — 22 June – 5 December 1941 | |||||||||
23 | 23 June 1941 | 20:30 | Blenheim[72] | 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Dunkirk | 30 | 9 August 1941 | 11:45 | Spitfire[72] | east of Marquise[73] |
24 | 27 June 1941 | 17:05 | Hurricane[72] | 31 | 9 August 1941 | 17:59 | Spitfire[72] | ||
25 | 28 June 1941 | 08:50 | Spitfire | Audruicq[72] | 32 | 21 August 1941 | 10:18 | Spitfire[74] | |
26 | 2 July 1941 | 12:50 | Spitfire | south of Lillers[72] | 33 | 21 September 1941 | 16:30 | Spitfire[75] | |
27 | 11 July 1941 | 14:55 | Spitfire[72] | 34 | 27 September 1941 | 15:30 | Spitfire[75] | ||
28 | 7 August 1941 | 11:40 | Spitfire[72] | 35 | 27 November 1941 | 17:30 | Hurricane | 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Boulogne[75] | |
29 | 7 August 1941 | 18:00 | Spitfire | southwest of Dunkirk[72] | |||||
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[53] On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1942 | |||||||||
—
|
24 March 1942 | —
|
Spitfire[67] | northern France[76] | 40 | 19 August 1942 | 18:30 | Spitfire | Dieppe[67] |
— ?[Note 6]
|
25 March 1942 | —
|
Spitfire[67] | — ?[Note 4]
|
8 November 1942 | —
|
B-17[78] | ||
36 | 28 March 1942 | 18:30 | Spitfire[67] | — ?[Note 4]
|
8 November 1942 | —
|
B-17[78] | ||
37 | 14 April 1942 | 18:33 | Spitfire | 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Sangatte[67] | — ?[Note 4]
|
6 December 1942 | —
|
B-17[79] | |
38 | 1 June 1942 | 13:55 | Spitfire[67] | — ?[Note 7]
|
20 December 1942 | —
|
B-17 | ||
39 | 19 August 1942 | 16:31 | Spitfire | Dieppe[67] |
Awards
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 11 September 1940 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[61][81]
- German Cross in Gold on 9 December 1941 as Hauptmann in the III./Jagdgeschwader 26[82]
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]
- ^ According to Franks, the RAF flew "Circus" No. 13 on 17 June.[41]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 18:55.[3]
- ^ a b c d e This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[66][67]
- ^ This claim is not listed by Caldwell.[68]
- ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Caldwell nor by Mathews and Foreman.[53][77]
- ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Caldwell nor by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[67][80]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 200.
- ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
- ^ a b c d e Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1167.
- ^ Prien et al. 2000a, pp. 206, 208.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 4.
- ^ Prien et al. 2000a, pp. 179–180.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 10.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 28–29.
- ^ a b Cull, Lander & Weiss 1999, p. 261.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 32–33.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 34.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 36–37.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 37.
- ^ a b Caldwell 1996, p. 41.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 50–51.
- ^ Mason 1969, p. 218.
- ^ Goss 2018, p. 89.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 52–53.
- ^ Mason 1969, pp. 234–235.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 56.
- ^ Mason 1969, pp. 246–247.
- ^ Price 2010, p. 65.
- ^ Franks 1997, pp. 59–60.
- ^ Price 2010, pp. 68–69.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 60.
- ^ a b c Goss 2018, p. 90.
- ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 332.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 61, 63.
- ^ Mason 1969, p. 292.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 64.
- ^ a b Caldwell 1996, pp. 71–72.
- ^ Mason 1969, p. 315.
- ^ Mason 1969, p. 332.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 72–73.
- ^ Mason 1969, p. 374.
- ^ a b Caldwell 1996, p. 73.
- ^ Mason 1969, p. 380.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 83–84.
- ^ Mason 1969, p. 464.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 85–86.
- ^ Franks 2016, p. 46.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 136.
- ^ Thomas 2016, p. 31.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003, pp. 541, 543.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003, pp. 464, 544.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 204–210.
- ^ Weal 1996b, p. 17.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 217–218.
- ^ Thomas 2016, p. 52.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 276, 278.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 301–302.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 308–309.
- ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1168.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 314–315.
- ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 9.
- ^ a b c d Goss 2018, p. 91.
- ^ Caldwell & Muller 2007, p. 72.
- ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, pp. 397, 400.
- ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, pp. 400, 404.
- ^ Musciano 1989, p. 100.
- ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 680.
- ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1167–1168.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2000b, p. 228.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2002, p. 335.
- ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2002, p. 336.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2002, p. 337.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2004, p. 339.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 78–79.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2002, p. 340.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 70.
- ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 341.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2003, p. 548.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 164.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 549.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003, p. 550.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 218.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 219.
- ^ a b Caldwell 1996, p. 302.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 309.
- ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 315.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 387.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 422.
Bibliography
- ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
- ISBN 978-1612-00347-4.
- Caldwell, Donald L. (1996). The JG 26 War Diary: Volume One 1939–1942. London, UK: Grubstreet. ISBN 978-1-898697-52-7.
- Caldwell, Donald L. (1998). The JG 26 War Diary: Volume Two 1943–1945. London: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-86-2.
- Caldwell, Donald; ISBN 978-1-85367-712-0
- Cull, Brian; Lander, Bruce; Weiss, Heinrich (1999). Twelve Days in May. London: Grub Street Publishing. ISBN 978-1-902304-12-0.
- ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- ISBN 978-1-85780-055-5.
- ISBN 978-1-47384-723-1.
- Goss, Chris (2018). Knights of the Battle of Britain — Luftwaffe Aircrew Awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940. Yorkshire, UK: ISBN 978-1-52672-651-3.
- Mason, Francis (1969). Battle Over Britain. London, UK: McWhirter Twins. ISBN 978-0-901928-00-9.
- Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-21-9.
- Musciano, Walter (1989). Messerschmitt Aces. New York: Aero. ISBN 978-0-8306-8379-6.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 1—Vorkriegszeit und Einsatz über Polen—1934 bis 1939 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 1—Pre-War Period and Action over Poland—1934 to 1939] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-54-0.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940 [Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-61-8.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/I—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/I—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-63-2.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 7—Heimatverteidigung—1. January bis 31 Dezember 1942—Einsatz im Westen—1. Januar bis 31. Dezember 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 7—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1942—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-73-1.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2018). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/IV—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/IV—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-19-2.
- ISBN 978-1-84425-820-8.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Spick, Mike (2003). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces Greenhill Books. ISBN 1-85367-560-1
- Spick, Mike (2006). Aces of the Reich. Greenhill Books. ISBN 1-85367-675-6
- Sundin, Claes & Bergström. Christer (1997). Luftwaffe Fighter Aircraft in Profile. Altglen, PA: ISBN 0-7643-0291-4including a colour profile of aircraft (#5)
- Thomas, Andrew (2016). Spitfire Aces of the Channel Front 1941–43. Oxford: ISBN 978-147281-258-2.
- Weal, John (1996a). Bf 109D/E Aces 1939–41. London, UK: ISBN 978-1-85532-487-9.
- Weal, John (1996b). Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Western Front. Oxford, UK: ISBN 978-1-85532-595-1.
- Weal, John (1999). Bf109F/G/K Aces of the Western Front. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85532-905-0. including a colour profile of aircraft (#24)