Werner Baake
Werner Baake | |
---|---|
Born | 1 November 1918 Nordhausen, German Empire |
Died | 15 July 1964 Heilsbronn, West Germany | (aged 45)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ | Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1939–45 |
Rank | Hauptmann (captain) |
Unit | NJG 1 |
Commands held | 2./NJG 1, I./NJG 1 |
Battles/wars | World War II
|
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Other work | Pilot for Lufthansa |
Werner Baake (1 November 1918 in
Career
Baake was born on 1 November 1918 in Nordhausen, at the time in Thuringia of the German Empire.[1] Following flight training,[Note 1] Baake was posted to I. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1), based at Gilze-Rijen, Netherlands on 21 November 1942. The unit was involved in so-called Reichsverteidigung ("Defence of the Reich") operations.
Night fighter career
Following the 1939 aerial
It took Baake nearly seven months to make a claim, and by the time he did so, he had been promoted to
On 22 June Baake claimed a Wellington southwest of
In the early hours of 23 June, Baake claimed three victories. These included two Lancasters, at 00:55 and 1:30, near south-east
At 01:10 on 25 June 1943, Baake shot down another Wellington at Kerkdriel for his ninth victory.[16] Baake achieved his tenth victory at 01:30 on 14 July, northwest of Utrecht. It was last during the RAF's Ruhr offensive.[17] This aircraft was probably Halifax HR720, WP-B, of No. 158 Squadron RAF crewed by: G. R. J. Duthie Royal New Zealand Air Force (pilot, killed); J. N. Hempstead (flight engineer, evaded capture); F.D. Granger (navigator, became a POW); T. E. F. Carr (bomb-aimer, POW); G. H. King (wireless operator, POW); J. R. Grey Royal Australian Air Force (gunner, POW); and T. Pinkney (gunner, POW).[18]
At 02:18 on 24 August, Baake claimed a Lancaster southeast of
On 3 November 1943 two Lancasters were shot down near
Squadron leader
On 22 January 1944, Baake was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 2. Staffel of NJG 1.[1] He downed his third and last victim during the Berlin campaign on 27 January. He claimed a Lancaster shot down at 22:50 southwest of Aachen.[27] In the engagement, Baake's Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 (Werknummer 740062—factory number) collided with the debris of Lancaster DS710 of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 408 (Goose) Squadron.[28] While Baake parachuted to safety, his radio operator Unteroffizier Heinz Waldbauer was killed.[1][29] Baake claimed his 25th victory as Bomber Command attacked Aachen on the night of 11/12 April 1944. He claimed a Lancaster west of Haarlem at 23:37. Nine claims were made over Germany that night plus two claims made over England.[30] Bomber Command lost nine.
On the night of 24/25 April Munich and Karlsruhe were targeted. Baake achieved two interceptions resulting in the destruction of a Lancaster north of Tilburg at 00:26, and a Halifax west of Gorinchem at 02:18.[31] Baake's 28th victory was attained on 4 May at 00:20 west of Venlo.[32] He shot down Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress M-Mother of No. 78 Squadron RAF that had been by ground fire in the target area but was intercepted and finished off by Baake. It was piloted by Flight Lieutenant J. G Smith; Smith and one crew member evaded capture but the others, including American expatriate and former USAAF officer, Sergeant W. Heubner, were captured. On 6/7 May Baake shot down another B-17 west of Venlo at 00:09, having claimed a de Havilland Mosquito at 23:25—his first and only victory against that type. The two claims made his personal total 30. Only Baake claimed a Mosquito on 6/7 May.[33] Bomber Command records show that one belonging to No. 109 Squadron RAF was lost participating in a raid on Leverkusen.[34]
On 12 and 23 May 1944, at 0:42 and 1:14 respectively, Baake shot down a Lancaster; to take his total to 32.
Group commander
On 2 October 1944, Aders was appointed
Werner Baake did not claim another bomber in the last four months of the war. On the night of 18/19 March 1945, Baake narrowly avoided being killed when he was shot down in a He 219 by a Mosquito night fighter flown by night fighter ace Walter Gibb, commander of No. 239 Squadron RAF.[41]
After the war
After the war, Baake worked as a pilot for the West German airline
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
According to Spick, Baake was credited with 41 aerial victories, claimed in 195 combat missions.[43] Obermaier also lists him with 41 nocturnal aerial victories claimed in 195 combat missions. His 41 aerial victory claims include 37 four-engined bombers and one Mosquito.[1] Foreman, Parry and Mathews, authors of Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 43 nocturnal victory claims.[44] Mathews and Foreman also published Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, also listing Baake with 43 claims.[26]
Chronicle of aerial victories | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Serial No./Squadron No. | |
– 1. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 – | ||||||
1 | 12 June 1943 | 01:10 | Wellington[5] | 1 km (0.62 mi) northeast of Neeroeteren
|
Wellington HZ355/429 (Bomber) Squadron RCAF[45] | |
2 | 12 June 1943 | 02:43 | Halifax[5] | 5 km (3.1 mi) north Gorinchem | Halifax JB785/No. XXXV (Madras Presidency) Squadron[46] | |
3 | 17 June 1943 | 00:59 | Lancaster[7] | Neerpelt (Belgium) | Lancaster W4901/No. 103 Squadron RAF[9] | |
4 | 22 June 1943 | 01:30 | Wellington[10] | 3 km (1.9 mi) southwest Bergeyk
|
Wellington HZ520/429 (Bomber) Squadron RCAF[47] | |
5 | 22 June 1943 | 01:37 | Halifax[10] | 5 km (3.1 mi) north northeast Bergeyk | Halifax HR848/No. XXXV (Madras Presidency) Squadron[48] | |
6 | 23 June 1943 | 00:55 | Lancaster[11] | 15 km (9.3 mi) east southeast Utrecht | ||
7 | 23 June 1943 | 01:38 | Lancaster[11] | 3 km (1.9 mi) west Nijmegen | Lancaster LM325/No. 101 Squadron RAF[49] | |
8 | 23 June 1943 | 01:58 | Halifax[11] | 6 km (3.7 mi) northwest Utrecht | Halifax DK224/No. 76 Squadron RAF[50] | |
9 | 25 June 1943 | 01:10 | Wellington[16] | Driel | Wellington HF572/No. 432 Squadron RCAF[51] | |
10 | 14 July 1943 | 01:30 | Halifax[17] | 3 km (1.9 mi) northwest Utrecht | ||
11 | 24 August 1943 | 02:18 | Lancaster[19] | southeast Wittenberg | ||
12 | 28 August 1943 | 02:10 | Stirling[20] | 20 km (12 mi) northwest Nuremberg | Stirling EE942/No. 620 Squadron RAF[52] | |
13 | 28 August 1943 | 02:15 | Stirling[20] | 20 km (12 mi) northwest Nuremberg | ||
– 3. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 – | ||||||
14 | 31 August 1943 | 23:25 | Halifax[22] | northeast Lemgo | Halifax JD331/No. 419 Bomber Squadron RCAF[53] | |
15 | 31 August 1943 | 23:30 | Halifax[22] | Neu-Rebstock | ||
16 | 1 September 1943 | 00:59 | Lancaster[54] | Wustermark | ||
17 | 6 September 1943 | 00:15 | Halifax[55] | 8 km (5.0 mi) east Germersheim | Halifax HR874/No. 78 Squadron RAF[56] | |
18 | 6 September 1943 | 02:00 | Lancaster[57] | 5 km (3.1 mi) east Kaiserslautern | Halifax LW229/No. 78 Squadron RAF[58] | |
19 | 27 September 1943 | 22:40 | Lancaster[59] | 4 km (2.5 mi) north Quakenbrück | Lancaster JA849/No. 7 Squadron RAF[60] | |
20 | 3 November 1943 | 19:13 | Lancaster[61] | east Antwerp | Lancaster JB121/No. 467 Squadron RAAF[62] | |
21 | 3 November 1943 | 19:36 | Lancaster[61] | north Hasselt | ||
22 | 20 December 1943 | 19:00 | Lancaster[63] | northeast Liège | ||
23 | 20 December 1943 | 21:00 | Halifax[64] | northwest Eindhoven | Halifax JN974/No. 78 Squadron RAF[65] | |
– 2. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 – | ||||||
24 | 27 January 1944 | 22:50 | Lancaster[27] | 16 km (9.9 mi) southwest Aachen | Lancaster DS710/408 (Goose) Squadron.[28] | |
25 | 11 April 1944 | 23:37 | Lancaster[30] | 100 km (62 mi) west Haarlem | ||
26 | 25 April 1944 | 00:26 | Lancaster[66] | north of Loop op Zand-Tilburh | ||
27 | 25 April 1944 | 02:18 | Halifax[67] | west Gorinchem | ||
28 | 4 May 1944 | 00:20 | B-17[32] | 50 km (31 mi) west Venlo | ||
29 | 6 May 1944 | 23:35 | Mosquito[68] | 1 km (0.62 mi) northeast Melick en Herkenbosch | Mosquito ML958/No. 109 Squadron RAF[69] | |
30 | 7 May 1944 | 00:09 | B-17[33] | west Venlo | ||
31 | 12 May 1944 | 00:42 | Lancaster[36] | 28 km (17 mi) northeast Huckhofen | Lancaster JB733/No. 103 Squadron RAF[70] | |
32 | 23 May 1944 | 01:14 | Lancaster[71] | southwest Neerpelt | ||
33 | 17 June 1944 | 01:10 | Halifax[72] | Eindhoven | Halifax MZ698/No. 77 Squadron RAF[73] | |
34 | 22 June 1944 | 01:22 | Lancaster[74] | west Aachen | ||
35 | 22 June 1944 | 01:46 | Lancaster[75] | west Aachen | ||
– Stab I. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 – | ||||||
36 | 4 November 1944 | 19:36 | Halifax[76] | 8 km (5.0 mi) northwest Mettingen | Lancaster NE133/No. 463 Squadron RAAF[77] | |
37 | 6 November 1944 | 19:23 | Lancaster[78] | 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast Doetinchem | Lancaster LM628/No. 50 Squadron RAF[79] | |
38 | 24 December 1944 | 18:50 | Lancaster[80] | Lancaster NF915/No. 622 Squadron RAF[81] | ||
39 | 5 January 1945 | 19:05 | Halifax[82] | 50 km (31 mi) north Emden | ||
40 | 5 January 1945 | 19:12 | Halifax[82] | 80 km (50 mi) north Emden | ||
41 | 5 January 1945 | 19:44 | Halifax[82] | 50 km (31 mi) west Hanover | ||
42 | 3 February 1945 | 20:07 | Lancaster[83] | 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Aachen | ||
43 | 7 March 1945 | 20:17 | Lancaster[84] | 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Boxmeer |
Awards
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
- German Cross in Gold on 16 January 1944 as Oberleutnant in 3./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[86]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of 2./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[87][Note 3]
See also
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. 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.[2]
- Aviation Safety Network, the aircraft shot down was Lancaster W4901 from No. 103 Squadron RAF.[9]
- ^ According to Fellgiebel as Staffelkapitän of 3./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.[88]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e Obermaier 1989, p. 83.
- ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 9.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 27.
- ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 84.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 85.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 86.
- ^ Chorley 1996, p. 188.
- ^ a b Lancaster W4901.
- ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 87.
- ^ a b c d Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 88.
- ^ Cooper 2013, p. 222.
- ^ Cooper 2013, p. 361.
- ^ Phillips 1992, p. 438.
- ^ Ligne Comète Line - Remembrance, n.d., fiche C135 (in French) (26 May 2017).
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 89.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 93.
- ^ Chorley 1996, p. 231.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 106.
- ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 108.
- ^ Bowman 2016, p. 207.
- ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 109.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 111–112, 116.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 133–134.
- ^ Lancaster I W4822, 3/4 November 1943
- ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 24.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 144.
- ^ a b Lancaster DS710.
- ^ Bf 110 740062.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 166.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 169–170.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 173.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 174.
- ^ Everitt & Middlebrook 2014, pp. 302–303.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 176.
- ^ a b Chorley 1997, p. 221.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 188, 191.
- ^ Aders 1978, p. 226.
- ^ He 219 190233.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 222–223, 227–228.
- ^ Bowman 2004, p. 164.
- ^ Boeing 720-030B D-ABOP.
- ^ Spick 1996, p. 240.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 84–240.
- ^ Wellington HZ355.
- ^ Halifax JB785.
- ^ Wellington HZ520.
- ^ Halifax HR848.
- ^ Lancaster LM325.
- ^ Halifax DK224.
- ^ Wellington HF572.
- ^ Stirling EE942.
- ^ Halifax JD331.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 110.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 111.
- ^ Halifax HR874.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 112.
- ^ Halifax LW229.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 116.
- ^ Lancaster JA849.
- ^ a b Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 125.
- ^ Lancaster JB121.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 133.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 134.
- ^ Halifax JN974.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 169.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 170.
- ^ Chorley 1998, p. 222.
- ^ Mosquito ML958.
- ^ Lancaster JB733.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 178.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 188.
- ^ Halifax MZ698.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 190.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 191.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 222.
- ^ Lancaster NE133.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 223.
- ^ Lancaster LM628.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 227.
- ^ Lancaster NF915.
- ^ a b c Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 228.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 234.
- ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 240.
- ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 184.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 20.
- ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 197.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 119.
Bibliography
- Aders, Gebhard (1978). History of the German Night Fighter Force, 1917–1945. London: Janes. ISBN 978-0-354-01247-8.
- ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
- Bowman, Martin (2016). Nachtjagd, Defenders of the Reich 1940 – 1943. Barnsley: Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-47384-983-9.
- Bowman, Martin (2004). Mosquitopanik!: Mosquito Fighters and Fighter Bomber Operations in the Second World War. Barnsley: Leo Cooper Limited. ISBN 978-1-84415-025-0.
- Chorley, W. R (1996). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Aircraft and crew losses: 1943. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-90459-790-5.
- Chorley, W. R (1997). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Aircraft and crew losses: 1944. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-9045-9791-2.
- Chorley, W. R (1998). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Aircraft and crew losses: 1945. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-90459-792-9.
- Cooper, Alan (2013) [1992]. Air Battle of the Ruhr: RAF Offensive March–July 1943. Airlife Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-85310-201-1.
- Everitt, Chris; ISBN 978-1-78346360-2.
- ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Foreman, John; Parry, Simon; Mathews, Johannes (2004). Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939–1945. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-0-9538061-4-0.
- Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
- 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.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
- Phillips, J. Alwyn (1992). The Valley of the Shadow of Death: an account of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command night bombing and mine laying operations including "The Battle of the Ruhr" March 5th/6th to July 18th/19, 1943. New Malden, UK: Air Research Publications. ISBN 978-1-871187-13-7.
- 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 (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
- Accident description for Bf 110 740062 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 19 September 2022.
- "Accident". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
- Accident description for Halifax DK224 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 19 September 2022.
- Accident description for Halifax HR848 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 19 September 2022.
- Accident description for Halifax HR874 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 21 September 2022.
- Accident description for Halifax JB785 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Halifax JD331 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Halifax JN974 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Halifax LW229 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 22 September 2022.
- Accident description for Halifax MZ698 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 22 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster DS710 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for He 219 190233 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 19 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster JA849 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 21 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster JB121 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 19 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster JB733 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster LM325 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster LM628 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 21 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster NE133 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster NF915 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Lancaster W4901 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Mosquito ML958 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Stirling EE942 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 22 September 2022.
- Accident description for Wellington HF572 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Wellington HZ355 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.
- Accident description for Wellington HZ520 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 September 2022.