Hermann Graf

Hermann Graf

The head and shoulders of a man, shown in semi-profile. He wears a military uniform with various military decorations and an Iron Cross at the front of his shirt collar. His hair is dark and short and combed back, his nose is long and bent and his mouth is thin; he is looking into the camera

Hermann Graf
Born (1912-10-24)24 October 1912
Engen, Germany
Died 4 November 1988(1988-11-04) (aged 76)
Engen, West Germany
Buried at City cemetery in Engen
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1936–45
Rank Oberst (Colonel)
Unit JG 51, EJGr Merseburg, JG 52, JG 50 and JG 11
Commands held JG 50, JG 11, JG 52
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
Other work Salesman for an electronics manufacturer

Hermann Graf (24 October 1912 – 4 November 1988) was a German Luftwaffe World War II fighter ace. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] He served on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. He became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 200 aerial victories—that is, 200 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft.[2] He claimed 212 aerial victories in over 830 combat missions, 202 of which were on the Eastern Front.[Note 1]

Graf, a pre-war football player and glider pilot, joined the Luftwaffe in 1935. He was initially selected for transport aviation and was posted to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) in May 1939. At the outbreak of war he was stationed on the German–Franco border flying uneventful patrols. Serving as a flight instructor, he was stationed in Romania as part of a German military mission training Romanian pilots. Graf flew a few ground support missions in the closing days of the German invasion of Crete.

Following the start of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Graf claimed his first aerial victory on 4 August 1941. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) after 45 Eastern Front victories on 24 January 1942. By 16 September 1942 his number of victories had increased to 172 for which he was honored with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten). At the time of its presentation to Graf it was Germany's highest military decoration.[Note 2] On 26 September 1942 he became the first fighter pilot in aviation history to claim 200 enemy aircraft shot down.

By then a national hero, Graf was taken off combat operations and posted to a fighter pilot training school in France before being tasked with leadership of a high flying de Havilland Mosquito intercept unit called Jagdgeschwader 50 (JG 50—Fighter Wing 50). In November 1943 Graf returned to combat operations. He was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing) and claimed his last aerial victory on 29 March 1944. He was severely injured during this encounter and, after a period of convalescence, became Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing). He and the remainder of JG 52 surrendered to units of the United States Army on 8 May 1945, and were turned over to the Red Army. Graf was held in Soviet captivity until 1949. After the war he worked as an electronic sales manager and died of Parkinson's disease in his home town of Engen on 4 November 1988.

Early life

Hermann Anton Graf was born on 24 October 1912 in Engen in the Grand Duchy of Baden not far from the Swiss border, the son of Wilhelm Graf (1878–1937), a farmer, and his wife Maria, née Sailer (1877–1953). He was the third of three children, with two older brothers, Wilhelm Wilhelm (1904–1981) and Josef Wilhelm (1909–1981).[5][6] His father had fought in World War I as an artillery soldier and was awarded the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz). He did not return home until Hermann was six years old. The young Hermann's main reference point in his life was his mother, and the bond he formed with her lasted the remainder of her life. Inflation in the Weimar Republic in 1923 wiped out all the family savings, as a result, from a very early age, Hermann learned to work hard to make a living.[5]

Childhood

As a young boy, Graf was fascinated by football. He started with the football club DJK Engen (Deutsche Jugendkraft—Literally "German Youthful Strength", a Catholic sports organization dating back to 1920) and later became a goalkeeper in FC Höhen. In his teens, he had been selected to join a group of talented young football players who were trained by Sepp Herberger, a former forward (1921–1925) of the German national football team and later head coach of the German team winning the 1954 FIFA World Cup. A broken thumb ended all of Graf's early hopes for a career on the national football team.[7]

Graf graduated from the Volksschule (primary school) in 1926 at the age of thirteen. Since the savings for Graf's higher education had been lost in the 1923 inflation crisis, he had no option but to apply for a vocational education. For the next three years, Graf worked as a locksmith apprentice at a local factory. A locksmith had a low income and when he received an offer to work as an apprentice clerk, he gladly accepted a change in careers. In this position, Graf helped Jewish families escape to Switzerland at a time when the "J" stamp in German Jews' passport had been demanded by Germany's neighboring countries. He took a great personal risk and came close to getting caught. Graf was assisted by Gruppenführer (Group Leader) Albert Keller of the Nazi Glider Club NSFK in Engen, who later erased all the bureaucratic traces that Graf had left.[8]

Amateur pilot and joining the Luftwaffe

Graf saw his first aircraft when he was twelve years old and this sight caused an emotional conflict between his old passion for football and a new obsession with aviation. He worked at the Engen town hall in 1930, saving all his money to buy a glider. Before his 20th birthday he contributed a homemade glider to the newly founded Engen Glider Club. Every Sunday he would go out to the nearby Ballenberg mountain until an almost fatal crash destroyed his glider in the fall of 1932. In 1935 when Adolf Hitler nullified the Treaty of Versailles, Hermann Graf applied for flight training in the newly created Luftwaffe.[7]

Graf was accepted for the Luftwaffe's A-level pilot training school in Karlsruhe on 2 June 1936. Following basic training, flight training progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. Graf's A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and deadstick landings, graduating from A2 on 25 September 1936. Graf joined the B1 school in Ulm-Dornstadt on 4 October 1937. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations. He completed his B1 training on 23 December 1937 and progressed to B2 training in Karlsruhe on 19 January 1938, completing on 31 May 1938.[9]

After the B2 course the pilots were either selected for fighter pilot training and transferred to a Jagdfliegerschule (fighter pilot school) or chosen for bomber or transport pilot training at a C flight school. Graf, at the age of 26, was initially thought to be too old for fighter pilot training and selected for the transport pilot C school. Largely due to the fact that the fighter force was in dire need for new officers, Unteroffizier (non-commissioned officer) Graf, without training on modern fighter aircraft, was transferred to 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of I./Jagdgeschwader 51 (I./JG 51—1st group of the 51st fighter wing) at Bad Aibling on 31 May 1939 after he had completed his officers candidate training at Neubiberg.[Note 3] I./JG 51 was equipped with the most modern German fighter aircraft at the time, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E1. Graf, who had never flown a modern fighter aircraft before, ended his first flight on the Bf 109 with a crash. In July 1939, I./JG 51 was briefly reequipped with the Czechoslovakian built Avia B-534 biplane, giving Graf an opportunity to show his flying skills as well as to reestablish his self-confidence.[10]

World War II

World War II in Europe began on 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. On this day, I./JG 51 was stationed at the French border at Speyer and Graf was promoted to Feldwebel (staff sergeant). I./JG 51 exchanged the Avia B-534 biplanes for the Bf 109 and was charged with protection of Germany's Western border during the Phoney War—the phase in the months following Britain and France's declaration of war on Germany in September 1939 and preceding the Battle of France in May 1940.[10] During the Phoney War, Graf flew 21 combat sorties without firing his guns and was still considered an unreliable pilot. On 20 January 1940, his Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) Hans-Heinrich Brustellin had Graf transferred to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Merseburg (a supplementary training unit stationed at Merseburg) where newly trained fighter pilots received instruction from pilots with combat experience. Graf's completion of the program resulted in his promotion to Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 May 1940.[11] At Merseburg Graf met and befriended two other fighter pilot trainees, Alfred Grislawski and Heinrich Füllgrabe. Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Merseburg at the time was under the command of Major (Major) Gotthard Handrick, the 1936 Olympic gold medalist and former commander of Jagdgruppe 88 of the "Condor Legion" during the Spanish Civil War.[12] On 6 October 1940, Major Handrick was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./Jagdgeschwader 52 (III./JG 52—3rd group of the 52nd fighter wing). Handrick had some influence on the personnel rotation within the Luftwaffe and had Graf, Füllgrabe and Grislawski transferred to 9./JG 52 (9th Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Wing) on 6 October 1940 as well.[12]

Service in Romania and invasion of Greece

Romania, isolated and threatened following the non-aggression pact signed by Germany and the Soviet Union, sought to uphold its neutrality. The Soviet occupation of Romania's regions, Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, consented to by the King Carol II of Romania, caused Carol's popularity to fall. This gave Ion Antonescu an opportunity to rise to power and he soon established a dictatorship in Romania.[13]

Under Antonescu, Romania's armed forces were reorganized, supported by a military mission from Germany called Luftwaffenmission Rumänien (Luftwaffe Mission Romania) under the command of Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General) Wilhelm Speidel. Stationed in Bucharest, III./JG 52 was temporarily renamed I./Jagdgeschwader 28 (I./JG 28—1st group of the 28th fighter wing) until 27 December 1940. Its primary task was to train Romanian Air Force personnel.[14] Here the trio of Füllgrabe, Graf and Grislawski was joined by Ernst Süß, and later by Leopold Steinbatz and Edmund Roßmann.[15]

The German airmen of 9./JG 52 spent a number of very relaxing days in Bucharest. Graf even managed to play football when a team of the Deutsche Luftwaffe played against Cyclope Bucharest at the Bucharest Sport's Arena before thirty thousand spectators.[16] The relaxed life continued until late 1940 when the Romanian internal political situation deteriorated. Ion Antonescu, mainly a nationalist and the Iron Guard, led by Horia Sima, formed a tense alliance climaxing in the brief but bloody civil war from 21–24 January 1941. The three-day civil war was eventually won by Antonescu with support from the German Army.[17] In May 1941 III./JG 52 was transferred to Greece to support Operation Merkur, the invasion of Crete. The unit flew mostly ground attack missions during this time.[18]

War against the Soviet Union

In early June the unit transferred back to Romania, and from 22 June the unit supported Army Group South in Operation Barbarossa from bases in the country. On 1 August JG 52 transferred to forward airfields in Ukraine, and on 4 August Graf claimed his first aerial victory against a Polikarpov I-16 while escorting a Junkers Ju 87 strike. Graf recorded the victory at 06:20.[19] His second victory fell the next day. Graf became an official ace upon achieving his fifth victory on 6 September 1941. The victory was achieved at night, 18:23 local time, in the vicinity of Krementschug.[20]

9. Staffel also known as the Karaya-Staffel

JG 52 moved forward into the Soviet Union as the German advance quickened in the late summer and autumn. Flying air superiority missions during the First Battle of Kharkov in September and October 1941 he accounted for 12 victories (nos. 8–20) which included five Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3s.[21] Graf was finding his stride and accounted for 10 enemy aircraft in November and 12 in December 1941—during the harshest winter on record in Russia—increasing his personal success to 42 aerial victories by the end of 1941.[22]

This period had witnessed some bitter aerial combat as Graf experienced the Battle of Rostov and opening phases of the Siege of Sevastopol. Graf remained with his unit as operations ground to a halt, and stalemate. On 24 January, with his tally now 45 victories, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). On 3 February 1942 he accounted for his 47th victim, a Sukhoi Su-2 ground attack aircraft. It was to be his last victory for several weeks. After seven months of ceaseless combat operations he was withdrawn from the frontline and sent on leave to Germany.[23]

On 23 March Graf was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9./JG 52. That same day, Graf accounted for four enemy aircraft and by the end of March 1942 had reached 58 aerial victories. 9./JG 52 moved to the Crimea in April to support Erich von Manstein's 11th Army. The Battle of the Kerch Peninsula (Unternehmen Trappenjagd) was designed to eject Red Army forces that had conducted an amphibious landing in the region on 26 December 1941. Tasked with clearing the skies above Manstein's limited forces, Graf achieved substantial success. On 30 April 1942 he became an "ace-in-a-day" after shooting down six enemy aircraft in the region followed by seven on 2 May and again seven on 8 May.[24] By 11 May the Kerch campaign was reaching its climax; it ended in complete victory for the Germans and their allies eight days later. On this day Hermann Graf reached a tally of 89 aerial victories.[25] Graf was ordered north immediately to assist German air forces near Kharkov. The Soviets had launched a surprise offensive beginning the Second Battle of Kharkov. Graf recorded 19 air victories in the heavy air fighting. On 14 May 1942, Graf was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 7th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[26] He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 17 May 1942 for 100 air victories.[27] Only two days later, his score had increased to 105, he also received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) on 19 May 1942. The 39 claims submitted in May 1942 brought his personal tally to 108 by the time the battle was over.[28] On 24 May 1942, Graf, together with Leutnant Adolf Dickfeld, flew to the Wolf's Lair, Hitler's headquarters in Rastenburg, present-day Kętrzyn in Poland, for the official Oak Leaves and Swords presentation the next day. Following the presentation, he was sent on home leave, where he made a number of public appearances.[29]

Towards Stalingrad

A color photo of a display case, inside with a mannequin doll wearing a fur collar jacket next to an aircraft tail rudder. The rudder shows various markings, on the top the number 150, encircled by a wreath. Below the wreath are two crossed swords and numerous white stripes.
Hermann Graf's leather jacket and Me 109 tail rudder on display at the Technikmuseum Speyer, Germany

Upon return to his post, Graf claimed his next victory on 30 June 1942. From August onwards, JG 52 supported Army Group South advances towards Stalingrad. Graf had volunteered for service in the Gefechtsverband Stalingrad (Combat Detachment Stalingrad), which was under the leadership of Hauptmann Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke; Graf increased his number of aerial victories to 140 by the end of August.[30] In September alone he shot down 62 enemy aircraft, including 5 on 2 September and 10 on 23 September. The aerial fighting was fierce. On 4 September 1942, he claimed his 150th victory, a Yakovlev Yak-1; he was the second pilot, after Gordon Gollob, to achieve this mark. Graf's aircraft suffered over 100 hits during the engagement with the Yak-1. He barely escaped being killed on several occasions. On 15 September his aircraft cabin was hit by a cannon shell. On 16 September his plane was again hit, this time suffering 30 bullet holes and on 19 September the anti-aircraft artillery shot away half the rudder. His Gruppe was then relocated to the Pitomnik Airfield in Stalingrad.[29]

Flying from Pitomnik Airfield, Graf achieved his 172nd aerial victory on 9 September 1942 for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) on 16 September, the fifth member of the Wehrmacht to receive this distinction.[29] Within a time-frame of 235 days he had received every grade of the Knight's Cross available at the time. The next day, on 17 September, he claimed three more victories and on 23 September, victories 188 to 197. On 26 September, he became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 200 enemy aircraft shot down. He claimed three victories that day taking his total to an unprecedented 202. Following this he received a promotion to Major on 1 October 1942. Some time after this Graf was ordered not to fly operationally anymore, as the High Command was concerned about the potential morale loss if he was to be shot down.[31]

Fighter pilot instructor—Jagdgruppe Ost

On 28 January 1943 Graf, now a Major, was sent to southern France to command Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost (Supplemntary Fighter Group East), a fighter pilot school. Here newly trained fighter pilots destined for the Eastern Front received their final training from experienced Eastern Front pilots. The main base was at St. Jean d'Angély 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast. However, he spent most of his time at the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, where he nursed his passion for football. Peter Düttmann, whom Graf would later send to JG 52, was one of the pilots at the time at Jagdgruppe Ost. Graf selected a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 aircraft for his personal use.[32]

A fighter aircraft, shown in profile, viewed from the left. The aircraft is grey, with a yellow and red nose and a yellow and red rudder at the rear. Decorations include a stylized yellow and red lightning bolt, black-and-white crosses on the body and on the wing, and a black swastika on the tail.
Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-5/U7 flown by Major Hermann Graf, Southern France 1943

On 11 March Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring was summoned to the Wolf's Lair by Hitler. Following the Allied aerial bombings of Nuremberg and Paderborn, Hitler blamed Göring for the Luftwaffe's inability to protect the German cities against the intensified Allied bomber offensive. In particular, German cities were vulnerable to the speedy, multi-use de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers, which had all returned home without having been intercepted by German defenses. Two days after the attack on Paderborn, Göring met with Germany's leading aircraft manufacturers, Willy Messerschmitt, Ernst Heinkel and Claude Dornier on 18 March 1943. Göring berated them for their inability to produce a German aircraft capable of competing with the Mosquito. He then withdrew to Berchtesgarden, where he came up with the idea to create a Mosquito-intercept task force led by Graf and Herbert Ihlefeld. Graf was ordered to Berchtesgarden, where he received his instructions from Göring personally. In the project, Graf was directly subordinated to Göring and, when asked what he required, responded that he wanted to appoint his own team. Göring approved this request and subsequently Graf was able to call upon his old friends Grislawski, Süß and Füllgrabe, as well as a number of good football players, who had served as administrators, drivers and mechanics in southern France.[33]

Following the meeting with Göring at Bertechsgaden, Graf traveled to Berlin to organize the necessary personnel authorizations at the Luftwaffenpersonalamt (Luftwaffe personnel office). In Berlin, he took the opportunity to watch a football match at the Olympic Stadium.[33] Here Graf was introduced to the young film actress Jola Jobst. Graf flew back to Toulouse from Berlin, where he learned that his Mosquito assignment had been delayed. Hitler, who had assisted Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War, made repeated efforts to convince Franco to join the war on Germany's side. Since 1941 Spanish fighter squadrons had operated together with the Luftwaffe in the East and German propaganda had employed images of Graf interacting with the Spaniards. In this role, under Graf's supervision, the 4ta Escudrilla Azul (4th Blue Squadron), one of five Spanish voluntary fighter squadrons, received three weeks of specialized fighter pilot training for the Eastern Front from 18 May to 6 June 1943.[34]

Defense of the Reich

On 11 June 1943, Graf arrived at the Wiesbaden airfield, where he began the creation of the high-altitude fighter unit. Organizationally, it was based on Jagdgruppe Süd. The unit was to be equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-5, a high-altitude variant of the Bf 109 equipped with a pressurized cockpit, but arrival of the aircraft was delayed and, in the meantime, Graf's focus was on football. He invited Sepp Herberger to Wiesbaden to train Graf's team for one day.[34] During this visit, Herberger encouraged Graf to use his influence to save Germany's best football players from frontline duty. Subsequently, Graf brought to his unit players like Hermann Eppenhoff, Hermann Koch, Alfons Moog, Franz Hanreiter and Walter Bammes.[35] Graf also requested Fritz Walter, who later captained the West German World Cup team of 1954, to be transferred to his unit. Walter's transfer was more difficult to achieve. Graf had to submit his request directly to Generaloberst (Colonel General) Friedrich Fromm, the commander of the Ersatzheer (Reserve Army).[36] Along with playing football, recruiting his pilots and staff, Graf again encountered the actress Jobst.[37]

His unit received the first 12 Bf 109 G-5 in July 1943. With one of these aircraft he managed to reach an altitude of 14,300 meters (46,900 feet).[Note 4] Military success came quickly when the unit achieved its first aerial victory over an intruding Mosquito. However, aircraft shortage still prevented him to declare full operational status.[38] In parallel to these events the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) based in England escalated its daylight offensive over Europe. The heavy four-engined Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers they had first appeared over northern Germany on 27 January 1943 in daytime attacks against the port of Wilhelmshaven. The number of heavy bombers of the USAAF Eighth Air Force surpassed the 800 mark and tight flying combat box formations struck deeply into German airspace by July 1943. Graf ordered all his available Bf 109s to intercept the American bombers targeted for Kassel on 28 and 30 July 1943. He was credited with the destruction of his first B-17 Flying Fortress during one of these attacks.[40]

The unit, consisting of 19 aircraft, was declared combat ready on 31 July 1943.[41] Graf's football team, the Rote Jäger (Red Hunters), was also ready and played its first game on 4 August 1943, with Graf as goalkeeper. This football team followed Graf in his assignments for the remainder of the war.[42] On 15 August 1943 Graf's unit was renamed to Jagdgeschwader 50 (JG 50—50th Fighter Wing). It was expected that JG 50 would be equipped with the Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket fighter. The Me 163 was being tested by Major Wolfgang Späte's test unit Erprobungskommando 16 (16th Test Commando) at Peenemünde and Rechlin in the summer of 1943. Following a visit of this test unit, Graf also learned about the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, and he returned to JG 50 full of optimism.[43] During this assignment Graf shot down three enemy aircraft, including two B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and a Mosquito in June 1943.[3]

Wing commander of JG 1 and JG 11

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Hans Philipp, Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing), was killed in action on 8 October 1943. The next day, Graf, officially remaining in command of JG 50, was appointed acting Geschwaderkommodore of JG 1 and transferred to Jever. Graf subsequently appointed Grislawski as acting-commander of JG 50. The Eighth Air Force flew their Second Raid on Schweinfurt on 14 October 1943. Although costly to the attackers—77 heavy bombers were destroyed by either German fighters or by the anti-aircraft fire at the price of 46 German fighters lost—Göring was not satisfied.[44] On 23 October, Graf and Major Anton Mader, Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing) were summoned to a meeting with Göring at Deelen Air Base near Arnhem. Graf, Mader and Unteroffizier Karl Blaha as a rear observer, made the journey from Jever in a Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun. During this flight they were nearly shot down by a flight of two Mosquitos over the North Sea Coast.[45]

Despite their successes, after the October meeting, Göring disbanded the unit, and it was absorbed into I./Jagdgeschwader 301; Graf was promoted to Oberst (Colonel) and appointed Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of JG 11 on 11 November. JG 11 was tasked with Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich), and despite officially being banned from flying operational missions Graf managed to down six more aircraft over the next four months. On 29 March 1944 Graf shot down one P-51 Mustang and in the confusion of the dog fight collided with another. He managed to bail out, but was injured and had to spend some time in a hospital. While on convalescence leave Graf married the German actress Jobst on 24 June 1944.[46]

Wing commander of JG 52

Following his convalescence, Graf was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of his old unit JG 52 by the General der Jagdflieger (General of Fighters), Generalleutnant Adolf Galland.[46] The Geschwaderstab and I./JG 52 were based at Kraków in southern Poland at the time and the men of JG 52 gave Graf a welcome celebration on 20 September 1944.[47] With German forces in retreat by this time, Graf did not have any opportunity for further air combat. Graf disobeyed an order from General Hans Seidemann, who had ordered him and Erich Hartmann to fly to the British sector to avoid capture by the Russians when the rest of the wing surrendered to the Soviets. Together with his fellow pilots and ground personnel he marched through Bohemia toward Bavaria, where he surrendered his unit to the 90th US Infantry Division near Písek on 8 May 1945 and became a prisoner of war (POW).[48]

Prisoner of war

A black and white photo of numerous men, some carrying backpacks, heading for a train.
German POWs released at Frankfurt (Oder).

Along with most of the JG 52 personnel, Graf was handed over by the Americans to the Soviets shortly after his surrender on 15 May 1945.[49] Having become famous via the Nazi propaganda machine and as the Commander of JG 52, Graf was singled out for attention by the Soviets.[50] On 8 December 1945 he was moved from the prisoner of war camp Nr. 150 in Gryazovets to the prisoner of war camp Nr. 27 in Krasnogorsk.[48] He was then moved to the war camp Nr. 69 (Heimkehrerlager Gronenfelde) near Frankfurt (Oder) in East Germany. There he was released from captivity on 25 December 1949.[51]

This relatively early release was perceived by many to be caused by co-operation with his Soviet captors, something for which his fellow pilots criticized him, especially following a 1950s book by fellow fighter ace and Soviet POW Hans "Assi" Hahn entitled "I Speak the Truth" (Ich spreche die Wahrheit).[52] This led to Graf's exclusion from post-war Luftwaffe comrade associations.[53]

Later life

Initially, Graf had a hard time obtaining work, but his relationships in the football community helped him. Sepp Herberger introduced Graf to Roland Endler, an electronics manufacturer ("Elektro-Schweiss-Industrie GmbH") from Neuss, who also was president of the FC Bayern Munich football club between 1958 and 1962. Endler employed Graf as a salesman in his company, and Graf eventually advanced to branch leader in Baden-Württemberg and Chief of Sales.[54]

"We have to begin a new thinking, I am on the Russian side, and therefore I would like to live with the Russians.... I am happy now to be a Russian prisoner. I know that all I have done is wrong and I have now only one wish. That is to fly with the Russian Air Force."[55]

Herman Graf

Graf's marriage with Jobst collapsed and they divorced.[54][Note 5] He remarried twice thereafter. His third marriage in May 1959 with Helga Schröck resulted in the birth of his son, Hermann-Ulrich, in 1959, and his daughter Birgit, in 1961.[6][54] In 1965, Graf was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a condition that affected many of the high-altitude flyers, which had a slow deteriorating effect on his health. Graf died in his hometown Engen on 4 November 1988.[56]

Aerial victory credits

Graf was credited with 212 aerial victories, claimed in over 830 combat missions, 10 on the Western Front which included six four-engined-bombers and one Mosquito, and 212 on the Eastern Front.[2]

      This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Graf an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
      This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.

Chronicle of aerial victories[57][58]
Victory Date Time Type Location Victory Date Time Type Location
– 1941 –
1 4 August 1941 6:20 I-16 10 km (6.2 mi) south-southeast Kiev 22 8 November 1941 11:58 MiG-3 south Rostov
2 5 August 1941 6:20 I-16 3 km (1.9 mi) south Kiev 23 9 November 1941 14:35 I-16 10 km (6.2 mi) east Shakhty
3 11 August 1941 14:35 MiG-3 2 km (1.2 mi) east Kaniv 24 11 November 1941 14:35 MiG-3 north Rovenky
4 30 August 1941 8:40 DB-3 60 km (37 mi) northeast Dnipropetrovsk 25 17 November 1941 14:38 I-16 10 km (6.2 mi) east Rostov
5 6 September 1941 18:23 I-16 25–30 km (16–19 mi) east Kremenchuk 26 20 November 1941 13:52 Su-2 20 km (12 mi) northeast Agrafenovka
6 13 September 1941 10:46 Yak-1 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest Perekop 27 23 November 1941 13:36 Il-2 south Rostov
7 24 September 1941 12:10 DB-3 Balakliia 28 29 November 1941 10:21 I-16 10 km (6.2 mi) north-northeast Rostov
8 27 September 1941 14:22 DB-3 50 km (31 mi) west Kharkiv 29 29 November 1941 10:27 DB-3 east-northeast Rostov
9 3 October 1941 17:00 Yak-1 10 km (6.2 mi) east Kharkiv 30 29 November 1941 13:07 I-16 south Bataysk
10 3 October 1941 17:05 I-16 east Kharkiv 31 2 December 1941 12:19 I-16 20 km (12 mi) south Taganrog
11 11 October 1941 7:10 SB-2 10 km (6.2 mi) east Lozova 32 6 December 1941 12:52 Il-2 east Lysogorskaya
12 11 October 1941 7:15 I-153 20 km (12 mi) east Lozova 33 6 December 1941 14:25 I-16 west Azov
13 14 October 1941 16:10 Yak-1 10 km (6.2 mi) north Valki 34 6 December 1941 14:32 I-16 east Azov
14 14 October 1941 16:13 Yak-1 15 km (9.3 mi) north Valki 35 8 December 1941 9:43 I-5 20 km (12 mi) east Taganrog
15 24 October 1941 12:50 MiG-3 Boysovka 36 8 December 1941 9:44 I-5 25 km (16 mi) east Taganrog
16 24 October 1941 12:52 MiG-3 Boysovka 37 8 December 1941 9:52 I-16 southwest Rabovka
17 25 October 1941 15:21 MiG-3 Aibary 38 27 December 1941 12:01 I-16 30 km (19 mi) east Taganrog
18 27 October 1941 15:38 MiG-3 10 km (6.2 mi) south Yushno 39 27 December 1941 12:05 I-16 10 km (6.2 mi) east Asov
19 28 October 1941 10:02 MiG-3 southeast Aibary 40 27 December 1941 14:25 I-16 northeast Golodayevka
20 28 October 1941 10:03 R-5 southeast Aibary 41 27 December 1941 14:30 SB-2 northeast Golodayevka
21 1 November 1941 16:15 MiG-3 north Sevastopol 42 28 December 1941 13:32 Yak-1 20 km (12 mi) southwest Taganrog
– 1942 –
43 7 January 1942 14:50 I-16 Sansnoye 123 17 August 1942 11:42 I-153 Sector 85 423
44 7 January 1942 14:55 I-16 Novaya Slobodka 124 17 August 1942 15:36 I-153 Sector 85 433
45 8 January 1942 11:25 Unknown east Prilepiy 125 17 August 1942 15:41 I-153 Sector 95 581
46 25 January 1942 15:42 I-16 10 km (6.2 mi) east Izyum 126 18 August 1942 16:43 I-153 Sector 85 253
47 3 February 1942 9:35 Su-2 Nuvo 127 18 August 1942 16:43 R-5 Sector 85 494
48 23 March 1942 13:06 Yak-1 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast Gniliza 128 22 August 1942 13:55 Il-2 Sector 30 892
49 23 March 1942 13:14 Yak-1 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast Burluk 129 22 August 1942 14:03 Yak-1 Sector 49 154
50 23 March 1942 17:26 Su-2 east Kotovka 130 23 August 1942 7:22 LaGG-3 Sector 49 413
51 25 March 1942 6:25 Yak-1 15 km (9.3 mi) east Staryy Saltov 131 23 August 1942 7:27 I-180 Sector 49 194
52 27 March 1942 10:11 Yak-1 15 km (9.3 mi) east Volchansk 132 23 August 1942 13:28 LaGG-3 Sector 49 271
53 27 March 1942 17:18 MiG-3 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast Burluk 133 23 August 1942 13:31 LaGG-3 Sector 49 194
54 28 March 1942 5:53 I-16 3 km (1.9 mi) west Burluk 134 24 August 1942 9:28 I-180 Sector 49 421
55 28 March 1942 6:18 Yak-1 3 km (1.9 mi) west Kotovka 135 24 August 1942 9:58 Il-2 Sector 49 243
56 28 March 1942 17:08 MiG-3 5 km (3.1 mi) east Staryy Saltov 136 25 August 1942 11:51 LaGG-3 Sector 49 412
57 28 March 1942 17:41 I-16 Gniliza 137 25 August 1942 17:27 LaGG-3 Sector 49 412
58 30 March 1942 12:05 MiG-3 15 km (9.3 mi) west Burluk 138 29 August 1942 14:22 LaGG-3 Sector 59 173
59 6 April 1942 6:02 I-16 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast Staryy Saltov 139 30 August 1942 16:52 P-2 Sector 49 613
60 6 April 1942 6:04 I-16 10 km (6.2 mi) east Staryy Saltov 140 30 August 1942 17:07 Il-2 Sector 49 361
61 29 April 1942
—
 Yak-1? Kerch Peninsula 141♠ 2 September 1942 9:12 P-40 Sector 49 362
62 29 April 1942
—
 Yak-1? Kerch Peninsula 142♠ 2 September 1942 9:15 Il-2 Sector 49 441
63 29 April 1942
—
 Yak-1? Kerch Peninsula 143♠ 2 September 1942 13:32 DB-7 Sector 59 143
64♠ 30 April 1942
—
 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 144♠ 2 September 1942 17:12 P-40 Sector 49 413
65♠ 30 April 1942
—
 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 145♠ 2 September 1942 17:15 LaGG-3 Sector 49 361
66♠ 30 April 1942
—
 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 146 3 September 1942 13:48 LaGG-3 Sector 40 872
67♠ 30 April 1942 16:42 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 147 3 September 1942 13:51 Yak-1 Sector 40 852
68♠ 30 April 1942 16:47 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 148 3 September 1942 17:06 Yak-1 Sector 40 471
69♠ 30 April 1942 16:50 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 149 3 September 1942 17:13 Yak-1 Sector 49 234
70♠ 2 May 1942 4:00 I-16 Kerch Peninsula 150 4 September 1942 10:12 Yak-1 Sector 49 241
71♠ 2 May 1942 4:00 I-16 Kerch Peninsula 151 5 September 1942 16:50 P-40 Sector 46 881
72♠ 2 May 1942 4:00 I-16 Kerch Peninsula 152 6 September 1942 13:21 Yak-1 Sector 49 163
73♠ 2 May 1942 11:15 I-153 Kerch Peninsula 153 6 September 1942 13:23 Yak-1 Sector 49 124
74♠ 2 May 1942 11:15 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 154 6 September 1942 13:27 Yak-1 Sector 40 784
75♠ 2 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 155 8 September 1942 11:28 La-5 Sector 49 192
76♠ 2 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 156 8 September 1942 11:29 Il-2 Sector 49 194
77 3 May 1942
—
 Unknown Crimea 157 8 September 1942 11:35 La-5 Sector 49 253
78 5 May 1942
—
 Unknown Crimea 158 9 September 1942 13:21 La-5 Sector 49 412
79♠ 8 May 1942
—
 MiG-3 Crimea 159 9 September 1942 13:34 La-5 Sector 49 444
80♠ 8 May 1942 10:58 Unknown Crimea 160 9 September 1942 16:46 LaGG-3 Sector 44 461
81♠ 8 May 1942 11:02 Unknown Crimea 161 10 September 1942 15:24 La-5 Sector 49 444
82♠ 8 May 1942 11:07 Unknown Crimea 162 10 September 1942 15:35 La-5 Sector 49 444
83♠ 8 May 1942
—
 I-16 Kerch Peninsula 163 11 September 1942 15:58 Pe-2 Sector 40 781
84♠ 8 May 1942 13:32 Unknown Kerch Peninsula 164 11 September 1942 16:09 P-40 Sector 40 884
85♠ 8 May 1942 17:28 MiG-3 Crimea 165 12 September 1942 16:47 P-40 Sector 49 412
86 9 May 1942
—
 Unknown Crimea 166 12 September 1942 17:13 P-40 Sector 49 161
87 9 May 1942
—
 Unknown Crimea 167 14 September 1942 8:00 I-16 Sector 49 453
88 11 May 1942
—
 I-16 Kerch Peninsula 168 14 September 1942 8:04 I-16 Sector 49 420
89 11 May 1942
—
 I-16 Kerch Peninsula 169 14 September 1942 8:09 Yak-1 Sector 49 411
90 12 May 1942
—
 Unknown Zürichtal-Kharkiv-Rogan 170 15 September 1942 6:35 I-16 Sector 49 423
91♠ 13 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 171 15 September 1942 6:39 I-153 Sector 49 453
92♠ 13 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 172 15 September 1942 7:05 LaGG-3 Sector 49 272
93♠ 13 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 173 16 September 1942 7:35 Su-2 Sector 49 271
94♠ 13 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 174 16 September 1942 7:39 P-40 Sector 40 882
95♠ 13 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 175 17 September 1942 8:48 Yak-1 Sector 40 782
96♠ 13 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 176 17 September 1942 8:52 Yak-1 Sector 40 872
97♠ 14 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 177 17 September 1942 14:36 LaGG-3 Sector 59 111
98♠ 14 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 178 18 September 1942 11:37 LaGG-3 Sector 49 124
99♠ 14 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 179 18 September 1942 11:59 LaGG-3 Sector 49 121
100♠ 14 May 1942
—
 MiG-3 Staryy Saltov-Kotovka 180 18 September 1942 12:12 Il-2 Sector 49 134
101♠ 14 May 1942 16:45 MiG-3 Staryy Saltov-Kotovka 181 20 September 1942 8:20 LaGG-3 Sector 40 764
102♠ 14 May 1942 16:45 MiG-3 Staryy Saltov-Kotovka 182 21 September 1942 11:32 Yak-1 Sector 49 151
103♠ 14 May 1942 16:45 MiG-3 Staryy Saltov-Kotovka 183 21 September 1942 11:40 Yak-1 Sector 49 132
104♠ 14 May 1942 16:45 MiG-3 Staryy Saltov-Kotovka 184 21 September 1942 16:25 Il-2 Sector 49 412
105 15 May 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv area 185 21 September 1942 17:02 Yak-1 Sector 10 162
106 20 May 1942 17:37 Pe-3 Kharkiv area 186 22 September 1942 11:20 I-16 Sector 49 272
107 21 May 1942
—
 MiG-3
—
 187 22 September 1942 16:45 Yak-1 Sector 49 261
108 23 May 1942 16:28 I-16 Kharkiv area 188♠ 23 September 1942 10:42 Yak-1 Sector 49 274
109 30 June 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv-Rogan 189♠ 23 September 1942 11:03 Il-2 Sector 49 201
110 30 June 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv-Rogan 190♠ 23 September 1942 11:05 LaGG-3 Sector 40 792
111 30 June 1942
—
 Unknown Kharkiv-Rogan 191♠ 23 September 1942 11:07 LaGG-3 Sector 49 764
112 3 August 1942 18:30 Il-2 Sector 06 67? 192♠ 23 September 1942 14:30 Yak-1 Sector 49 124
113 5 August 1942 9:37 LaGG-3 Sector 06 760 193♠ 23 September 1942 14:31 Su-2 Sector 49 138
114 12 August 1942 14:32 Yak-1 Sector 86 754 194♠ 23 September 1942 14:33 Su-2 Sector 40 794
115 13 August 1942 15:32 I-16 Sector 85 123 195♠ 23 September 1942 16:39 Yak-1 Sector 40 782
116 14 August 1942 10:14 I-16 Sector 95 112 196♠ 23 September 1942 16:42 Yak-1 Sector 40 763
117 14 August 1942 10:20 I-16 Sector 95 113 197♠ 23 September 1942 16:55 LaGG-3 Sector 49 423
118 14 August 1942 13:37 Yak-1 Sector 85 263 198 25 September 1942 14:41 La-5 Sector 59 144
119 14 August 1942 13:52 Hurricane Sector 85 224 199 25 September 1942 14:46 La-5 Sector 49 284
120 14 August 1942 13:57 LaGG-3 Sector 85 241 200 26 September 1942 8:57 I-153 Sector 49 294
121 15 August 1942 16:41 Yak-1 Sector 95 174 201 26 September 1942 16:42 LaGG-3 Sector 49 211
122 16 August 1942 16:54 I-16 Sector 85 314 202 26 September 1942 16:58 Yak-1 Sector 49 451
– 1943 –
203 June 1943
—
 Mosquito Groningen 205 6 September 1943 11:08 B-17 south Black Forest
204 6 September 1943 10:50 B-17 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast Stuttgart 206 1943–44
—
 Four-engined bomber
—
– 1944 –
207 11 February 1944 11:50 B-17 5 km (3.1 mi) south Celle 210 8 March 1944
—
 P-51 FA-FE
208 24 February 1944 13:40 B-24 Giessen area 211 29 March 1944
—
 P-51 north Hanover
209* 6 March 1944
—
 B-24
—
 212 29 March 1944
—
 P-51 Schwarmstedt area

Awards

Wehrmachtbericht references

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
Sunday, 3 May 1942 Am gestrigen Tage errangen an der Ostfront Leutnant Koeppen seinen 80. bis 84. Leutnant Graf seinen 70. bis 76. und Feldwebel Steinbatz seinen 44. bis 49. Luftsieg.[73] Yesterday on the Eastern Front, Leutnant Koeppen achieved his 80th to 84th, Leutnant Graf his 70th to 76th and Feldwebel Steinbatz his 44th to 49th aerial victory.
Friday, 15 May 1942 In den gestrigen Luftkämpfen an der Ostfront errang Leutnant Graf seinen 98. bis 104., Leutnant Dickfeld seinen 82. bis 90. Luftsieg.[74] Leutnant Graf achieved his 98th to 104th, Leutnant Dickfeld his 82nd to 90th aerial victory in yesterdays aerial combat on the Eastern Front.
Saturday, 5 September 1942 Oberleutnant Graf, Staffelkapitän in einem Jagdgeschwader, errang am 4. September an der Ostfront seinen 150. Luftsieg.[75] Oberleutnant Graf, squadron leader in a fighter wing, achieved his 150th aerial victory on the Eastern Front on September 4.
Tuesday, 22 September 1942 Hauptmann Graf errang als Jagdflieger am 21. September seinen 182. bis 185. Luftsieg.[76] Hauptmann Graf achieved his 182nd to 185th aerial victory as a fighter pilot on September 21.
Sunday, 27 September 1942 Hauptmann Graf, Staffelkapitän in einem Jagdgeschwader, errang am 26. September seinen 200. bis 202. Luftsieg.[77] Hauptmann Graf, squadron leader in a fighter wing, achieved his 200th to 202nd aerial victory on September 26.

Dates of rank

1 September 1939: Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant) of the Reserves[78]
1 May 1940: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) of the Reserves[79]
1 June 1942: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) of the Reserves[80][Note 11]
18 September 1942: Hauptmann (Captain) of the Reserves[80][Note 12]
1 October 1942: Major (Major)[79]
1 May 1944: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)[79]
1945: Oberst (Colonel)[79]

Notes

  1. ↑ His 209th aerial victory west of Berlin on 6 March 1944 over a B-24 Liberator of the 453d Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force was actually an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which counted as an aerial victory.[3]
  2. ↑ In 1942, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds was second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), which was awarded only to senior commanders for winning a major battle or campaign, in the military order of the Third Reich. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds as the highest military order was surpassed on 29 December 1944 by the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[4]
  3. ↑ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations, see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  4. ↑ Bergström, Antipov and Sundin state that this flight, which reached an altitude of 14,300 m (46,900 ft), was a World flight altitude record.[38] It is unclear as to what category this "World Record" pertains to. Mario Pezzi, flying a Caproni Ca.161, had reached an altitude of 17,083 meters (56,047 feet), 2,783 meters (9,131 feet) higher, almost five years earlier on 22 October 1938.[39]
  5. ↑ Jobst married Wolfgang Kieling in 1950 and committed suicide in October 1952.[54]
  6. ↑ According to Obermaier and Patzwall on 15 December 1941.[2][61]
  7. ↑ According to Thomas on 22 August 1941.[62]
  8. ↑ According to Thomas on 10 October 1941.[62]
  9. ↑ According to Thomas on 9 September 1942.[62]
  10. ↑ According to Scherzer on 18 May 1942.[64]
  11. ↑ According to Schumann on 19 May 1942.[79]
  12. ↑ According to Schumann on June 1942.[79]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
  2. 1 2 3 Obermaier 1989, p. 21.
  3. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 295.
  4. ↑ Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 3, 7.
  5. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 11.
  6. 1 2 "Graf, Hermann". leobw (in German). Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  7. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, pp. 11–12.
  8. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 12.
  9. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  10. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 18.
  11. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 19.
  12. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 21.
  13. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 23.
  14. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 25.
  15. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 26.
  16. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 28.
  17. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, pp. 29–30.
  18. ↑ Schumann 2005, p. 2.
  19. ↑ Joachim 1998 pp. 12–15.
  20. ↑ Joachim 1998, p. 49.
  21. ↑ Joachim 1998, pp. 58–83.
  22. ↑ Joachim 1998, pp. 84–91, 97–100, 111.
  23. ↑ Joachim 1998, pp. 110–111.
  24. ↑ Joachim 1998, pp. 111–115.
  25. ↑ Joachim 1998, pp. 115–148.
  26. ↑ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  27. ↑ Joachim 1998, pp. 115–147.
  28. ↑ Joachim 1998, p. 148.
  29. 1 2 3 Schumann 2005, p. 6.
  30. ↑ Schumann 2005, pp. 6, 44.
  31. ↑ Schumann 2005, p. 18.
  32. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 165.
  33. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 168.
  34. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 169.
  35. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 170.
  36. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 196.
  37. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 171.
  38. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 172.
  39. ↑ "FAI Record ID #11713". FAI—The International Air Sports Federation. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  40. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, pp. 172–173.
  41. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 175.
  42. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 174.
  43. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 181.
  44. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 195.
  45. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 197.
  46. 1 2 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 239.
  47. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 240.
  48. 1 2 Schumann 2005, p. 46.
  49. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 260.
  50. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 262.
  51. ↑ Schumann 2005, p. 47.
  52. ↑ Hahn 1951, pp. 221–223.
  53. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, pp. 264–267.
  54. 1 2 3 4 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 269.
  55. ↑ Toliver & Constable 1968, p. 267.
  56. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 270.
  57. ↑ Schumann 2005, pp. 43–45.
  58. ↑ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, pp. 289–295.
  59. 1 2 3 4 Berger 1999, p. 92.
  60. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 93.
  61. ↑ Patzwall 2008, p. 87.
  62. 1 2 3 Thomas 1997, p. 213.
  63. ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 144.
  64. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 344.
  65. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 201.
  66. ↑ Von Seemen 1976, p. 144.
  67. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 59.
  68. ↑ Von Seemen 1976, p. 29.
  69. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 39.
  70. ↑ Von Seemen 1976, p. 14.
  71. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 36.
  72. ↑ Von Seemen 1976, p. 12.
  73. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 103.
  74. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 129.
  75. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 276.
  76. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 295.
  77. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 300.
  78. ↑ Stockert 1996, p. 428.
  79. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Schumann 2005, p. ii.
  80. 1 2 Stockert 1996, p. 430.

Biography

  • Berger, Florian (1999). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges [With Oak Leaves and Swords. The Highest Decorated Soldiers of the Second World War] (in German). Vienna, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 978-3-9501307-0-6. 
  • Bergström, Christer; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski—A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7. 
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. 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. 
  • Fraschka, Günther (1994). Knights of the Reich. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military/Aviation History. ISBN 978-0-88740-580-8. 
  • Frey, Gerhard; Herrmann, Hajo (2004). Helden der Wehrmacht—Unsterbliche deutsche Soldaten [Heroes of the Wehrmacht—Immortal German Soldiers] (in German). München, Germany: FZ-Verlag GmbH. ISBN 978-3-924309-53-4. 
  • Hahn, Assi (1951). Ich spreche die Wahrheit! [I speak the truth!] (in German). Esslingen, Germany: Bechtle. OCLC 686542. 
  • Jochim, Berthold K (1998). Oberst Hermann Graf 200 Luftsiege in 13 Monaten—Ein Jagdfliegerleben [Colonel Hermann Graf 200 Victories in 13 Months—A Fighter Pilot Life] (in German). Rastatt, Germany: VPM Verlagsunion Pabel Moewig. ISBN 3-8118-1455-9. 
  • 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. 
  • Schaulen, Fritjof (2003). Eichenlaubträger 1940–1945 Zeitgeschichte in Farbe I Abraham – Huppertz (in German). Selent, Germany: Pour le Mérite. ISBN 978-3-932381-20-1. 
  • 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. 
  • Schumann, Ralf (2005). Ritterkreuzträger Profile Nr. 3 Hermann Graf — der erste Jagdflieger mit 200 Luftsiegen [Knight's Cross Profiles Nr. 3 Hermann Graf — The first Fighter Pilot with 200 Aerial Victories] (in German). UNITEC-Medienvertrieb. OCLC 819747376. ASIN B003RKGYLY  (21 October 2014). 
  • Von Seemen, Gerhard (1976). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 : die Ritterkreuzträger sämtlicher Wehrmachtteile, Brillanten-, Schwerter- und Eichenlaubträger in der Reihenfolge der Verleihung : Anhang mit Verleihungsbestimmungen und weiteren Angaben [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 : The Knight's Cross Bearers of All the Armed Services, Diamonds, Swords and Oak Leaves Bearers in the Order of Presentation: Appendix with Further Information and Presentation Requirements] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7909-0051-4. 
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1. 
  • Stockert, Peter (1996). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1] (in German). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. ISBN 978-3-9802222-7-3. 
  • Thomas, Franz (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1: A–K] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2299-6. 
  • Toliver, Raymond; Constable, Trevor (1968). Horrido!: Fighter aces of the Luftwaffe. Bantam Books. OCLC 160484. 
  • Weal, John (1996). Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Western Front. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-595-1. 
  • Weal, John (1999). Bf 109F/G/K Aces of the Western Front. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-905-8. 
  • Weal, John (2001). Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-084-1. 
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2004). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1939–40. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-641-6. 
  • Williamson, Gordon (2006). Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients 1941–45. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-644-7. 
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, 1. Januar 1942 bis 31. Dezember 1943 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 2, 1 January 1942 to 31 December 1943] (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2. 

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
none		 Commander of Jagdgeschwader 50
July 1943 – October 1943 		Succeeded by
none
Preceded by
Obstlt Hans Philipp		 Commander of Jagdgeschwader 1 "Oesau"
9 October 1943 – 10 November 1943 		Succeeded by
Oberst Walter Oesau
Preceded by
Major Anton Mader		 Commander of Jagdgeschwader 11
11 November 1943 – 29 March 1944 		Succeeded by
Major Anton Hackl
Preceded by
Oberstleutnant Dietrich Hrabak		 Commander of Jagdgeschwader 52
1 October 1944 – 8 May 1945 		Succeeded by
none
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