Ludwig Franzisket

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Ludwig Franzisket
26 June 1917 (1917-06-26) — 23 November 1988 (aged 71)
Ludwig Franzisket
Place of birth	Düsseldorf
Place of death	Münster
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	193?-1945
Rank	Major
Unit	Jagdgeschwader 26 Jagdgeschwader 1 Jagdgeschwader 27
Commands held	Jagdgeschwader 27
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Battle of Britain North African Campaign Defense of the Reich
Awards	Knight's Cross

Major Ludwig Franzisket (born 26 June 1917 in Düsseldorf – died 23 November 1988 in Münster) was a German World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace. He scored all of his 43 victories against the Western Allies in over 500 combat missions whilst flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

[edit] War Time Service

Franzisket initially served with JG 26 prior to the out break of war, and then transferred 1./JG 1 on the 1 August 1939. On 11 May 1940, Franzisket claimed his first two victories, ending the French campaign with nine kills. On 9 July 1./JG 1 was redesignated 7./JG 27.

On 1 October 1940 Franzisket was appointed Adjutant of I./JG 27. Franzisket had achieved 14 victories at the time of the units relocation to North Africa. A notable success in this period occurred on 14 June 1941 when Franzisket intercepted and shot down South African ace Captain Ken Driver. Oberleutnant Franzisket was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 July for 22 victories in 204 missions.

Franzisket was appointed Staffelkapitän of 1./JG 27 on 6 December 1941. With his score at 39, Frankisket was shot down on 29 October 1942 by RAF Spitfires. As he baled out of Bf 109 (W.Nr. 10616) he struck the vertical stabilizer, a fate suffered by his close friend and fellow ace Hans-Joachim Marseille just four weeks before, breaking his leg.

After recovering Franzisket led 1./Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Süd unit from 1 July 1943 and was then appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 27 based in Germany. On 12 May 1944 Franzisket’s Bf 109 G-6 (W.Nr. 441097) was badly wounded in combat with USAF bombers. On 15 December 1944 Franzisket joined the Geschwaderstab of JG 27, and then was appointed Kommodore of JG 27 on 30 December 1944.

Franzisket surrendered with the remnants of his unit to American Forces at Salzburg, Austria on 8 May 1945.

[edit] Awards

• Iron Cross
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Knight's Cross
  • Knight's Cross (23 July 1941)
• German Cross in Gold (12 January 1943)

[edit] References

Military offices
Preceded by Oberstleutnant Gustav Rödel	Commander of Jagdgeschwader 27 Afrika 29 December 1944 - 8 May 1945	Succeeded by none