Hermann Greiner

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Hermann Greiner
Greiner as a Hauptmann
Born(1920-01-02)2 January 1920
Heidenheim, Bavaria
Died26 September 2014(2014-09-26) (aged 94)
Wangen im Allgäu, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany (1938 to 1945)
 West Germany (1957 to 1972)
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Bundeswehrkreuz (Iron Cross) German Air Force
Years of service1938–1945, 1957–1972
RankHauptmann (Wehrmacht)
Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr)
UnitNJG 1
Commands held10./NJG 1, 11./NJG 1, IV./NJG 1
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Georg-Hermann Greiner (2 January 1920 – 26 September 2014) was a

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves—the fourth highest German award by war's end. He was also a squadron commander in the prestigious Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
(NJG 1—Night Fighter Wing 1), the most successful night fighter interceptor unit of any nation in the history of aerial warfare.

Greiner primarily engaged British

United States Army Air Force (USAAF) bombers during daylight hours and 47 Royal Air Force
(RAF) aircraft at night. Only 23 other night fighter pilots—all German World War II serviceman—surpassed Greiner's total which was achieved in three years and six months of operations.

Following the conclusion of the War, Greiner and close friend Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer were arrested illegally crossing the German-Swiss border attempting an escape to Argentina. Both Greiner and Schnaufer were detained in an Allied prisoner of war camp and released in 1947. Greiner went on to study law and returned to service in the German Air Force in 1957, retiring with the rank of Oberstleutnant in 1972.[Note 1]

Early life and career

Greiner was born on 3 January 1920 in the small

Weimar Germany's central bank. Bochum was under the occupation of the French Army after World War I and there was a distinct lack of affordable housing. The family could not follow and the young Greiner rarely saw his father during his early childhood.[1] When Albrecht had saved sufficient funds he was able to buy a flat in Bochum and he sent for his family. Greiner's father was a strict disciplinarian and the friction caused disharmony in the family. Greiner developed a strong desire to succeed in everything and prove himself worthy of his father's time.[1]

Greiner joined the German Gymnasts Association (Deutscher Turner Bund) at seven and three years later the German Scout Movement (Deutscher Pfadfinder Bund). In 1933 he travelled to Switzerland and Italy with the scout movement at 13. Greiner had the opportunity to stay in Milan and Rome with German families. Greiner was unusually well travelled for a person of his age and social status at that time.[1] In 1936 he was invited to participate at the International Youth Camp for the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Greiner received invitations to Hungary in 1937, Bulgaria in 1938 and Canada in 1939, but could only visit the Hungarian capital Budapest.[1]

A consequence of the

National Socialist rise to power in 1933 was Greiner's enforced membership in the Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend). After four years in the organisation Greiner took an interest in aviation and joined the Flying Hitler Youth (Flieger Hitlerjugend), which was absorbed into the German Air Sports Association (Deutscher Luftsportscharen), in 1937. Here, Greiner passed the aptitude tests for a career as an officer in the Luftwaffe. All aspiring officers had to complete the Abitur. On 5 April 1938 he achieved the Abitur and then undertook six months of compulsory Reich Labour Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst).[1]

Luftwaffe

On 8 November 1938 he underwent basic training at the Second Pilot Replacement Unit at

Bücker Bü 131 and the Arado Ar 96. On 30 October 1939 he was granted his licence and pilot's badge, and A/B flying certificate, in recognition of his elementary training and qualification on advanced single-engine training aircraft.[2][Note 2]

Greiner moved to Saxony where he attended the Flugzeugführerschule C (Aircraft Advanced School C—advanced flying school) in Lönnewitz. At the school Greiner learned to fly the Heinkel He 111 and Junkers Ju 86. At this school he flew the Messerschmitt Bf 110 for the first time. Greiner attended the Long-Range reconnaissance school at Großenhain, followed by the Blindflugschule (Blind Flying School) at Neuburg an der Donau. From here Greiner was posted to the Zerstörerschule (Destroyer School) at Memmingen. Greiner then moved to the Jagdfliegerschule (Fighter School) at Schleißheim, near Munich. Finally, he completed his course at the Nachtjadgschule (Night Fighter School) at Stuttgart to learn the art of night fighting. Greiner flight training ended in September 1941.[4]

World War II

A map of part of the Kammhuber Line. The 'belt' and night fighter 'boxes' are shown.

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

air defense system dubbed the Kammhuber Line. It consisted of a series of control sectors equipped with radars and searchlights and an associated night fighter. Each sector named a Himmelbett (canopy bed) would direct the night fighter into visual range with target bombers. In 1941, the Luftwaffe started equipping night fighters with airborne radar such as the Lichtenstein radar. This airborne radar did not come into general use until early 1942.[6]

Night fighter career

On 1 October 1941,

Operation Cerberus, and succeeded.[7]

On 20 April 1942, Greiner was promoted to

RCAF seconded).[12]

Greiner was ordered to report to the Nachtjagdschule at

Echterdingen as an instructor. Greiner did not want to serve in a teaching role but as a pilot with only two victories in a year of operations, he had little choice. His Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) Hauptmann (Captain) Helmut Lent promised him a return to the Gruppe after six months.[8] Greiner's stint as instructor began on 23 November 1942. He looked for an opportunity to fly on patrol but the school did not have the required technical equipment. One night in early March 1943, Greiner took off and claimed a Short Stirling shot down near Rastatt. The date and location were not recorded but it was officially granted as his third victory.[13]

On 18 May 1943, Greiner returned to II. Gruppe of NJG 1 which from the 1 October 1942 had been re-designated IV. Gruppe of NJG 1. In March the British applied their area bombing and

No. 467 Squadron RAF. Flying Officer R. S. Giddey, Sergeant S. G. Keirs, W. V. Morris, R. V. Avaan, A.F Birkbeck, Pilot Officers K. R. Langhorne and P. R. Collins were reported missing in action. It transpired Langhorne and Birkbeck has been killed in action, the remainder of the crew were taken prisoner of war.[14] On 1 June 1943 Greiner was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse).[13]

Greiner achieved the last of his successes in the Ruhr campaign the following month. On the night of the 5/6 July 1943, he intercepted a Short Stirling on a "

Warrant Officer F. F. O'Hanlon was killed with his crew when the bomber crashed west of the Frisian Islands.[18]

On the night of the 3/4 August 1943 Greiner claimed his ninth and tenth aerial victories northwest of Schiermonnikoog at 03:06 and 03:48 The first was claimed as a Lancaster, the second as a Wellington.[19] On 24 August Bomber Command mounted an attack on Berlin for the first time using ground-mapping radar. Greiner shot down a Halifax at 01:43 northwest of Berlin.[20] He recorded his 12th victory over a Lancaster near Bergfeine at 23:48 on 22 September.[21] The following night he claimed a Lancaster south of Lampertheim at 23:30.[22] On the night of the 27 September 1943 Greiner intercepted a Halifax over the North Sea. As Greiner approached he saw the bomber was heavily damaged and flying on only two engines just above the waves. Greiner was amazed at the skill of the crew for flying this far. Greiner considered the condition of the bomber and crew, then rocked his wings in salute and flew back to base.[23]

Squadron leader

On 4 October 1943, Greiner was appointed Staffelkapitän of 10. Staffel of NJG 1.[23] At this time Greiner's Bf 110G-4 was fitted with Schräge Musik, upward firing armament. The arrangement allowed for German night fighters to approach the British bombers in their blind spot, from underneath. The British four-engine bombers lacked a ball turret and the German crew could take their time in aiming more carefully. The night fighter usually flew to the side of the bomber to avoid it being seen by the tail gunner and then slid underneath. The risk in the conventional tactic of approaching from behind and passing within view of the tail turret was eliminated.[24] Greiner was to shoot down the majority of his remaining victims using the Schräge Musik.[24]

Greiner had to wait until Bomber Command flew against Braunschweig on 14/15 January 1944 to use the new armament system. This night the German fighters infiltrated the bomber stream as it crossed the frontier and commenced their attack on the bombers near Bremen. The early interception ensured 11 aircraft were shot down—all Pathfinders. The loss of so many pathfinders prevented the bombers from accurate bombing the city and little damage was done.[24] Near Saint-Dizier at 20:00 intercepted a Lancaster and shot it down.[24] The

B-17 Flying Fortress near Osnabrück. At 13:00 he claimed it shot down.[25] Greiner followed this up with another at the same location at 12:25 on 10 February. It was the only claim filed by a night fighter pilot on this date.[26] Greiner's 17th claim came on 25 February when he claimed a Lancaster over Saint-Dizier at 22:59.[25] Greiner recorded the location as "Beacon Leopold".[27]

Greiner achieved another daylight victory on 6 March 1944. By this time the

458th Bombardment Group, USAAF flown by Second Lieutenant J. McManus, crash-landed at Münsterlager an Ueltzen.[31] The daylight operation cost the Americans 69 bombers and 11 fighters. The Luftwaffe lost 64 fighters with eight crew killed and 36 missing.[32]

On 19 March 1944, Greiner was awarded the

No. 405 Squadron RCAF. It crashed at Diest. Squadron leader E. W. Blenkinsop DFC, Croix de Guerre, evaded capture and joined with the Belgian Resistance before being captured in December 1944. He died at Neuengamme concentration camp on 23 January 1945.[40] Blenkinsop was certainly Greiner's 23rd victory.[41]

Normandy

The Western Allies began a policy of increasing attacks on the Belgian and French rail and communication networks in preparation for

Flying Officer F. Williams DFM, who was killed with two other crewmembers.[43] The month of May was Greiner's most successful of the war.[43]

On 1 June 1944 Greiner was promoted to Hauptmann. Five days later, Operation Overlord began with the Allied invasion of

Gare de Massy – Palaiseau, Nantes and Tours.[46] Near Paris at 01:26, Greiner claimed a Halifax for victory 32.[25] On 15/16 June 1944, 227 aircraft (119 Lancaster, 99 Halifax and nine 9 Mosquito) from 4, 5 and 8 Groups attacked an ammunition dumps at Thorigné-Fouillard and a fuel dump at Châtellerault. The 5 Group raid at Châtellerault destroyed 8 fuel sites out of 35 in the target area without loss. 224 aircraft (184 Lancaster, 30 Stirling, 10 Mosquito bombers) of 3 and 8 Groups attacked railway yards at Lens and Valenciennes. Six Lancasters were lost from the Lens raid and five Lancasters from Valenciennes attack. 31 Mosquitos bombed to Gelsenkirchen, and 34 intruder patrols were carried out. Another seven Stirling and four Halifax bombers flew "Gardening" sorties minelaying off Channel ports. One Mosquito was lost from the Gelsenkirchen raid.[46] Greiner attacked a Lancaster from an unknown bomber stream northeast of Lille at 00:56.[47] On 5/6 July he claimed the second to last victory of the night over Dieppe at 02:05.[48] On 20/21 July he claimed a victory in Grid LN-KN and KL at 01:28 and 01:37 for his 35th and 36th victories.[49] On 27 July 1944, Greiner was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and the presentation was made by Generalleutnant Joseph Schmid.[43]

Defence of the Reich

The German front in France and Belgium collapsed in August–September 1944 and NJG 1 was evacuated back to Germany and based at Dortmund on 2 September 1944.[50] Greiner achieved his last victory at Sint Truiden on 12 August 1944. Bomber Command bombed Braunschweig with 242 Lancasters and 137 Halifaxes. 17 Lancasters and 10 Halifaxes were lost ( 7.1 per cent). 297 aircraft including 191 Lancasters, 96 Halifaxes and 10 Mosquitos attacked Rüsselsheim am Main. 13 Lancasters and seven Halifaxes were lost (6.7 per cent). The target for this raid was the Opel motor factory. Greiner intercepted a Lancaster west of Frankfurt and shot down his 37th bomber.[51]

Soon after this mission Greiner was called into action again. On 12/13 September 1944, Greiner was ordered to intercept a 378-bomber raid heading for Frankfurt.[52] That night he flew with his experienced radar operator Oberfeldwebel Rolf Kissing and a new, 18-year old gunner, Greiner was attacked by a de Havilland Mosquito night fighter. The first burst of fire hit Kissing in the head and the inexperienced gunner froze. The port engine was also shattered. The Mosquito did not attack again and out of consideration for Kissing, Greiner did not order a bale out or attempt a forced-landing. Instead he made a wheels-up landing at Düsseldorf airfield using compressed air to lower the landing-gear. Kissing died the same night. Greiner held his funeral oration with difficulty.[50] Greiner's attacker is unknown. Flight Lieutenant R. D. Doleman and D. C. Bunch from No. 157 Squadron RAF plus Flight Lieutenant W. W. Provan and his radar operator, Warrant Officer Nicol from No. 29 Squadron RAF were the only No. 100 Group RAF Mosquito crews to file claims against Bf 110s in the Frankfurt area. Two other claims were filed for German aircraft shot down over southern Germany.[53]

Greiner recovered from the death of Kissing and returned to operations within days. On 19–20 September 1944 Bomber Command struck Mönchengladbach with 227 Lancaster bombers and 10 Mosquitos from 1 and 5 Groups[54] Greiner infiltrated the bomber stream west southwest of the city and at 22:55 and 23:02 claimed a Lancaster destroyed.[55] On the 23/24 September 1944 Bomber Command attacked the Dortmund–Ems Canal with several hundred bombers. West southwest of Münster Greiner claimed a Lancaster bomber at 23:16 for his 40th victory.[55]

Group commander

On 1 November, Greiner was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) and appointed Gruppenkommandeur of IV. Gruppe of NJG 1.[25][56] He succeeded Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer in this capacity.[57] On 4/5 November 1944 Greiner achieved two more successes against Lancasters at 19:21 and 19:35 west of Essen. Greiner's 42nd victory was his last in 1944.[58]

On 5/6 January 1945 Greiner had his most successful patrol. Bomber Command attacked

Hannover with 340 Halifax and 310 Lancaster bombers supported by 14 Mosquitos. 23 Halifax and eight Lancaster bombers were lost. Greiner claimed three Lancaster bombers in rapid succession over Hannover at 19:12, 19:15, 19:18. Greiner shot down his fourth of the night at 19:22. The claim was his 46th victory of the war.[59] One of the bombers was Halifax LV952, MH-F, of No. 51 Squadron RAF. Only the gunner, Sergeant Don Thomsett, survived. He met Greiner in May 1998.[60] On 21/22 February, Greiner shot down two Halifax bombers near Neuss at 23:31 and 23:40.[61]

On 3 March 1945 No. 4 Group RAF was ordered to destroy the synthetic oil plant at Kamen while 5 Group would attempt to eliminate the aqueduct, safety gates, and canal boats on the Dortmund–Ems Canal at Ladbergen. Nearly 5,000 RAF airmen prepared to take part in 817 heavy bombers which were fueled and armed in the evening. The Luftwaffe planned a counter-attack this night. Named Operation Gisela, a large wave of night fighters were detailed to return with the bomber stream to their bases in England and attack them. Greiner was not scheduled to take part in the operation. His unit was ordered to engagement the incoming bomber stream. Near Dortmund at 21:57, 22:08 and 22:12 he claimed a Lancaster bomber. This brought his final tally to 51 Allied bombers destroyed—47 RAF and four USAAF. These interceptions were his last of the war.[62]

On the night of 7/8 April 1945, he was ordered to intercept a Bomber Command attack on

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub).[56] He also received the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Night Fighters in Gold (Frontflugspange für Nachtjäger in Gold) for flying over 200 missions on 20 April 1945.[33]

Later life

Greiner was held as a prisoner of war. In the autumn, 1945, he was transferred to a prisoner of war camp run by the

Basle. After the arrangements with the embassies in Bern were made, they crossed the border on 23 September 1946. Schnaufer could not be away from his family's wine business for too long and suggested crossing the border illegally. The negotiations failed and the two were caught on their return. The Swiss handed Greiner and Schnaufer over to the French Army and imprisoned for six months without charge in Lörrach.[64]

Greiner moved to

Federal Republic of Germany was remilitarised and the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) was founded. Greiner joined the Bundesluftwaffe as Hauptmann in August 1957. Over the next 15 years he served at the Pilot's School at Landsberg, rising to the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel). Greiner retired in 1972.[65] Greiner died on 26 September 2014 in Wangen im Allgäu.[66]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to Scutts, Greiner was credited with 51 aerial victories.[67] Obermaier also lists him with 51 aerial victories, 47 nocturnal victories and four by daytime, claimed in 204 combat missions.[63] Foreman, Parry and Mathews, authors of Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 51 nocturnal victory claims[68] Mathews and Foreman also published Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, listing Vinke with 48 claims, including four four-engined bombers by day, plus two further unconfirmed claims.[69]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 05 Ost LN-KN". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15

minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[70]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the – (dash) indicates unwitnessed aerial victory claims for which Greiner did not receive credit.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed in Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945 but not in Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims.
Claim Date Time Type Location Serial No./Squadron No.
– 10. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –[65]
1?[Note 4] 26 June 1942 06:00 Wellington south of Harlingen[10] Wellington DV935/No. 15 Operational Training Unit RAF[72]
– 11. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –[73]
2 6 October 1942 23:24 Halifax 25 km (16 mi) west of Harlingen[11] Halifax W1189/No. 103 Squadron RAF[74]
—
[Note 5] 		26 February 1943 02:52 Stirling vicinity of Rastatt[65] Stirling BF410/No. 90 Squadron RAF[76]
3?[Note 6] 1 May 1943 02:52 Stirling 3.5 km (2.2 mi) southwest of Dokkum[78]
4?[Note 6] 5 May 1943 02:47 Halifax[79]
5 26 May 1943 03:05 Lancaster 35 km (22 mi) west of Den Helder[80] Wellington HE235/No. 166 Squadron RAF[81]
6 26 May 1943 03:25 Lancaster 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Bergen aan Zee[80] Lancaster ED695/No. 467 Squadron RAAF[82]
7 6 July 1943 02:31 Stirling 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Leeuwarden[15] Stirling EF436/No. 75 Squadron RNZAF[83]
8 25 July 1943 02:50 Halifax 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Den Helder[17] Lancaster ED389/No. 103 Squadron RAF[84]
9 3 August 1943 03:06 Lancaster 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Schiermonnikoog[19] Lancaster ED688/No. 100 Squadron RAF[85]
10 3 August 1943 03:48 Wellington 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Schiermonnikoog[19] Wellington HE464/No. 166 Squadron RAF[86]
– 10. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –[73]
11 24 August 1943 01:43 Halifax northwest of Berlin[20]
12 22 September 1943 23:28 Halifax Bergfeine[21] Halifax EB253/No. 76 Squadron RAF[87]
13 23 September 1943 23:30 Lancaster 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Lampertheim[88] Lancaster W4991/No. 12 Squadron RAF[89]
14 14 January 1944 20:00 Lancaster vicinity of Saint-Dizier[90]
15 30 January 1944 13:00 B-17[91] B-17 42-31181/385th Bombardment Group[92]
16 10 February 1944 12:25 B-17 near Osnabrück[26]
17 15 February 1944 22:59 Lancaster
beacon "Leopold"[27][Note 7]
 Lancaster JB420/No. 57 Squadron RAF[93]
18 6 March 1944 12:46 B-17 11 km (6.8 mi) southwest of Quakenbrück[30]
19 6 March 1944 13:53 B-24 Münsterbrück[30]
– 11. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –[69]
20 23 April 1944 01:39 Lancaster 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Düsseldorf[36]
21 25 April 1944 02:18 Halifax vicinity of Breda[37] Halifax MZ503/No. 420 Squadron RCAF[94]
22 28 April 1944 01:58 Lancaster 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Genk[39] Halifax LK842/No. 431 (Iroquois) Squadron RCAF[95]
23 28 April 1944 02:00 Halifax 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of Oerle[39]
24 2 May 1944 00:15 Halifax 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Brussels[39]
25 2 May 1944 00:30 Halifax 2 km (1.2 mi) northwest of Oudenaarde[39]
26 9 May 1944 03:57 Halifax 24 km (15 mi) north-northeast of Kortrijk[39] Halifax MZ521/No. 431 (Iroquois) Squadron RCAF[96]
27 12 May 1944 00:27 Halifax Leuven[97] Lancaster LL752/No. 15 Squadron RAF[98]
28 13 May 1944 00:27 Halifax Lieren, near Appeldoorn[97]
29 25 May 1944 00:29 Lancaster 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Aachen[99]
30 28 May 1944 02:29 Lancaster[45]
31 28 May 1944 02:48 Lancaster[45]
32 11 June 1944 01:26 Halifax[100]
33 16 June 1944 00:56 Lancaster 20–30 km (12–19 mi) northeast of Lille[47]
34 5 July 1944 02:05 Halifax vicinity of Dieppe[48]
35 21 July 1944 01:28 Lancaster PQ 05 Ost LN-KN[49] Lancaster HK571/No. 514 Squadron RAF[101]
36 21 July 1944 01:37 Lancaster PQ 05 Ost KL[49] Lancaster ND752/No. 75 Squadron RNZAF[102]
37 13 August 1944 00:26 Lancaster west of Frankfurt am Main[51]
38 19 September 1944 22:55 Lancaster west-southwest of Mönchengladbach[55]
39 19 September 1944 23:02 Lancaster west-southwest of Mönchengladbach[55] Lancaster PB405/No. 619 Squadron RAF[103]
40 23 September 1944 23:16 Lancaster west-southwest of Münster[104] Lancaster ME732/No. 61 Squadron RAF[105]
41 4 November 1944 19:21 Halifax west of Essen[58]
42 4 November 1944 19:35 Halifax west of Essen[58]
43 5 January 1945 19:12 Lancaster vicinity of Hannover[59]
44 5 January 1945 19:15 Lancaster vicinity of Hannover[59]
45 5 January 1945 19:18 Lancaster vicinity of Hannover[59] Halifax NP817/No. 432 Squadron RCAF[106]
46 5 January 1945 19:22 Halifax vicinity of Hannover[59] Halifax NZ360/No. 77 Squadron RAF[107]
47 21 February 1945 23:31 Halifax vicinity of Neuss[61]
48 21 February 1945 23:40 Halifax vicinity of Neuss[61]
49 3 March 1945 21:57 Lancaster vicinity of Dortmund[62]
50 3 March 1945 22:08 Lancaster vicinity of Dortmund[62]
51 3 March 1945 22:12 Lancaster vicinity of Dortmund[62]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces.
  2. ^ 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. For pilots destined to fly multi-engine aircraft, the training was completed with the Luftwaffe Advanced Pilot's Certificate (Erweiterter Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein), also known as the C-Certificate.[3]
  3. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  4. ^ According to Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, this claim was unconfirmed while Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945 confirm this claim.[71][65]
  5. ^ This unconfirmed claim is listed in Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims but not in Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945.[75][65]
  6. ^ a b This claim is listed in Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945 but not in Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims.[65][77]
  7. ^ Beacon "Leopold"—Near Zeebrugge in approximately 50°20.86′N 3°12.18′E / 50.34767°N 3.20300°E / 50.34767; 3.20300
  8. ^ According to Obermaier on 26 December 1943.[63]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e Williams 2011, p. 49.
  2. ^ Williams 2011, p. 51.
  3. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  4. ^ Williams 2011, p. 53.
  5. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 9.
  6. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 27.
  7. ^ Williams 2011, pp. 53–55.
  8. ^ a b Williams 2011, p. 55.
  9. ^ Everitt & Middlebrook 2014, p. 30.
  10. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 48.
  11. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 60.
  12. ^ Chorley 1994, p. 236.
  13. ^ a b Williams 2011, p. 57.
  14. ^ Chorley 1996, p. 164.
  15. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 92.
  16. ^ Chorley 1996, p. 223.
  17. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 96.
  18. ^ Chorley 1996, p. 239.
  19. ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 100.
  20. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 106.
  21. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 115.
  22. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 115–116.
  23. ^ a b Williams 2011, p. 58.
  24. ^ a b c d Williams 2011, p. 60.
  25. ^ a b c d Williams 2011, p. 208.
  26. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 147.
  27. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 148.
  28. ^ Williams 2011, p. 61.
  29. ^ Williams 2011, p. 61–63.
  30. ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 153.
  31. ^ "B-24H 42-52306 of 458th Bomb Group". Victories by name and date: Hermann Greiner. 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  32. ^ Caldwell & Muller 2007, pp. 172–173.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Williams 2011, p. 209.
  34. ^ Williams 2011, p. 66.
  35. ^ Everitt & Middlebrook 2014, p. 291.
  36. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 168.
  37. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 170.
  38. ^ a b Everitt & Middlebrook 2014, p. 295.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 172.
  40. ^ Chorley 1997, p. 199.
  41. ^ Williams 2011, p. 70.
  42. ^ Everitt & Middlebrook 2014, p. 300.
  43. ^ a b c d e Williams 2011, p. 72.
  44. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 175-176, 179.
  45. ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 180.
  46. ^ a b Everitt & Middlebrook 2014, p. 325.
  47. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 188.
  48. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 197.
  49. ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 202.
  50. ^ a b Williams 2011, p. 75.
  51. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 208.
  52. ^ Bowman 2016, p. 140.
  53. ^ Bowman 2005, p. 184.
  54. ^ Everitt & Middlebrook 2014, p. 398.
  55. ^ a b c d Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 217.
  56. ^ a b Stockert 2011, p. 110.
  57. ^ Aders 1978, p. 227.
  58. ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 222.
  59. ^ a b c d e Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 228.
  60. ^ Williams 2011, p. 83.
  61. ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 237.
  62. ^ a b c d Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 239.
  63. ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 77.
  64. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 261–263.
  65. ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 422.
  66. ^ Brazier 2022, p. 513.
  67. ^ Scutts 1998, p. 88.
  68. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 48–239.
  69. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 422–423.
  70. ^ Planquadrat.
  71. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 48, 140.
  72. ^ Wellington DV935.
  73. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1353.
  74. ^ Halifax W1189.
  75. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 68.
  76. ^ Stirling BF410.
  77. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 77, 79.
  78. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 77.
  79. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 79.
  80. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 82.
  81. ^ Wellington HE235.
  82. ^ Lancaster ED695.
  83. ^ Stirling EF436.
  84. ^ Lancaster ED389.
  85. ^ Lancaster ED688.
  86. ^ Wellington HE464.
  87. ^ Halifax EB253.
  88. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 116.
  89. ^ Lancaster W4991.
  90. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 141.
  91. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 146.
  92. ^ Boeing B-17 42-31181.
  93. ^ Lancaster JB420.
  94. ^ Halifax MZ503.
  95. ^ Halifax LK842.
  96. ^ Halifax MZ521.
  97. ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 176.
  98. ^ Lancaster LL752.
  99. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 179.
  100. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 186.
  101. ^ Lancaster HK571.
  102. ^ Lancaster ND752.
  103. ^ Lancaster PB405.
  104. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 218.
  105. ^ Lancaster ME732.
  106. ^ Halifax NP817.
  107. ^ Halifax NZ360.
  108. ^ a b Thomas 1997, p. 221.
  109. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 88.
  110. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 147.
  111. ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 347.
  112. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 168.
  113. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 84.

Bibliography

Military offices
Preceded by Commander of IV. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
1 November 1944 – 8 May 1945 		Succeeded by
None
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