Wilhelm Gänsler
| Wilhelm Gänsler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
22 May 1919 Arnstadt, Germany |
| Died |
22 November 1985 (aged 66) Calw, Germany |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1938–45 |
| Rank | Oberfeldwebel |
| Unit | Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Other work | worked for the Schnaufer-Schlossbergkellerei |
Wilhelm Gänsler (22 May 1919 – 22 November 1985)[1] was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II, a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This decoration recognised extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career Gänsler participated in 115 missions as an flight engineer or aerial gunner, some with Ludwig Becker. He participated in 98 of Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer's victories.[Note 1] He received the Knight's Cross after 80 aerial victories participations and was recommended for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 8 March 1945.[3]
Awards and decorations
- Aviator badge
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- German Cross in Gold on 16 January 1944 as Unteroffizier in the 12./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[4][Note 2]
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 17 January 1944 as Unteroffizier and Bordschütze (air gunner)[5]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and Bordschütze (air gunner) in Stabsstaffel IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[6][Note 3]
Notes
References
- Citations
- ↑ "Gänsler, Wilhelm". Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 - 1945. Suderburg: Andreas Düfel. 2006.
- ↑ "The German Nightfighter force". An Ordinary Crew: 467 Squadron RAF. November 10, 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Obermaier 1989, p. 116.
- ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 129.
- ↑ Patzwall 2008, p. 82.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 190.
- ↑ Scherzer 2007, p. 325.
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Hinchliffe, Peter (1999). Schnaufer: Ace of Diamonds. Brimscombe Port, UK: Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-1690-8.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1941 – 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.
- 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 Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
External links
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