# Joachim Kirschner

Joachim Kirschner (7 June 1920 – 17 December 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 188 aerial victories achieved in 635 combat missions. This figure includes 168 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 20 victories over the Western Allies, including three heavy bombers. He was "ace-in-a-day" four times, shooting down five or more aircraft on a single day.
Born in Niederlössnitz, Kirschner grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Luftwaffe in 1939. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing). Flying with this wing, Kirschner claimed his first aerial victory on 20 August 1941 fighting the Royal Air Force over the Netherlands. In early 1942, he fought in the Mediterranean theater during the Siege of Malta. In May, his unit was transferred to the Eastern Front where he was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 26 in August 1942. Following his 51st aerial victory, he was nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross which he received on 23 December 1942. On 27 April 1943, Kirschner claimed his 100th aerial victory. After claiming his 170th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943. In October 1943, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) which was fighting over Greece and the Balkans. On 27 December 1943, Kirschner was shot down by fighters of the 57th Fighter Group and bailed out safely but was later killed by Yugoslav Partisans.

## Early life and career

Kirschner was born on 7 June 1920 in Niederlössnitz, at the time in the Free State of Saxony of the Weimar Republic. He was the son of Andreas J. Kirschner, an insurance accountant. On 26 August 1939, he joined the military service with the Luftwaffe. From 1 October to 14 November, Kirschner served with 2./Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 51 (2nd Company of 51st Flight Training Regiment) and then attended the Air War School Klotzsche until 30 June 1940. On 1 July, he was transferred to the Jagdfliegerschule 5 where he was trained as a fighter pilot. There, he was promoted to Leutnant on 1 February 1941.

## World War II

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Kirschner joined the Ergänzungsgruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) on 9 May 1941. The Ergänzungsgruppe of JG 3, a supplementary training group, was formed in April 1941 in Krakau, present-day Kraków, under the command of Major Alfred Müller. The Gruppe was made up of two Staffeln (squadrons): The first squadron, designated 1. (Ergänzungsstaffel) or 1. Erg./JG 3, under the command of Haupmann Hans-Curt Graf von Sponeck, son of Hans Graf von Sponeck, was detached in January 1942 and a new created in February 1942 under command of Oberleuntnant Heinz Bohatsch. The second squadron, designated 2. (Ergänzungsstaffel) or 2. Erg./JG 3, was placed under the command of Oberleutnant Erwin Neuerburg. In July, the Ergänzungsgruppe was ordered to the Netherlands, providing fighter escort for German shipping on the English Channel. While the Stab (headquarters unit) and 2. Staffel were based at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airfield, 1. Staffel operated from an airfield at Bergen aan Zee near Alkmaar. On 20 August, ten Royal Air Force (RAF) Bristol Blenheim bombers, escorted by Supermarine Spitfire fighters, attacked 1. Staffel's airfield at Bergen aan Zee. Defending against this attack, Kirschner claimed his first aerial victory when he shot down one of the escorting Spitfire fighters. In total, he flew 27 combat missions while assigned to the Ergänzungsgruppe.
On 22 December, he was transferred to 5. Staffel of JG 3. At the time, this squadron was headed by Oberleutnant Harald Moldenhauer and subordinated to II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 3 commanded by Hauptmann Karl-Heinz Krahl. At the time of Kirschner's posting to II. Gruppe, the unit was based at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Airfield for a period of rest and replenishment after it had returned to Germany from the Eastern Front. In January 1942, II. Gruppe was ordered to move to Sicily. The Luftwaffe concentrated many units in Sicily, placed them under the command of II. Fliegerkorps (2nd Air Corps), in order to defeat the RAF in the Siege of Malta. Equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 trop, the Gruppe and their equipment travelled by train to Bari in southern Italy. There the aircraft were reassembled and flown to Comiso Airfield, Sicily. The transfer was completed on 24 January and the Gruppe was then placed under the command of the Geschwaderstab of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing) which was already stationed there. On 26 March, II. Gruppe escorted Junkers Ju 87 to Malta. On this mission, Kirschner shot down a Spitfire fighter 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) northwest of La Valetta. This aerial victory was claimed during the action which resulted in the sinking the British submarine HMS P39. II. Gruppe flew its last combat mission over Malta on 25 April. The following day, the unit began its relocation to Pilsen where they arrived on 27 April.

### Eastern Front

II. Gruppe had been ordered to the Eastern Front in preparation for Case Blue, the strategic summer offensive in southern Russia. While based at Pilsen, Hauptmann Kurt Brändle took over command of the Gruppe after Krahl had been killed in action over Malta. The Gruppe was then deployed on the left wing of Army Group South where it was based at Chuhuiv near the Donets on 19 May. On 21 May, II. Gruppe fought over the combat area of the 6th Army northeast of Kharkov. There, Kirschner claimed a Ilyushin DB-3 bomber shot down, his first aerial victory on the Eastern Front.

### Squadron leader

In late August 1942, II. Gruppe was withdrawn from the front and ordered to Neuhausen near Königsberg, present-day Guryevsk, for reequipment with the Bf 109 G-2. There, Moldenhauer, the commander of 5. Staffel was transferred. In consequence, Kirschner became the designated Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel. On 9 September, the Gruppe was ordered to Smolensk where it was subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing).
He received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) and the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) after claiming 51 aerial victories. On 27 April 1943, Kirschner was credited with his 100th aerial victory over a Douglas A-20 Havoc named "Boston". He was the 37th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. In early May, II. Gruppe was moved to Kharkiv, from where they operated over the combat area east of Belgorod, operating in this area from 2 to 6 May. On 6 May, the Gruppe claimed twelve aerial victories, including four by Kirschner, taking his total to 113.
Kirschner claimed his 150th aerial victory on 5 July 1943, the first day of Operation Citadel, the German offensive phase of the Battle of Kursk. Preempting the German attack, Soviet aircraft attacked the German airfields in the early morning. Fighting in the aerial battles that day, Kirschner claimed nine aerial victories, his third "ace-in-a-day" achievement. That day, II. Gruppe intercepted Il-2 ground attack aircraft from 66 ShAP (Shturmovoy Aviatsionnyy Polk—Ground-attack Aviation Regiment) and 735 ShAP. Following his 170th aerial victory he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 2 August 1943. The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair, Hitler's headquarters in Rastenburg, present-day Kętrzyn in Poland. Five other Luftwaffe officers were presented with awards that day by Hitler, Hauptmann Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld, Hauptmann Heinrich Ehrler, Hauptmann Manfred Meurer, Hauptmann Werner Schröer, Oberleutnant Theodor Weissenberger were also awarded the Oak Leaves, and Major Helmut Lent received the Swords to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.

### Defense of the Reich

In early August 1943, II. Gruppe was withdrawn from the Eastern Front for service in Defense of the Reich on the Western Front. The Gruppe spent one-month training in northern Germany before they arrived at the Schiphol Airfield near Amsterdam in the Netherlands on 12 September. While based at Uetersen Airfield, the Gruppe received the Bf 109 G-6 which was equipped with Y-Control for fighters, a system used to control groups of fighters intercepting United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) bomber formations. On 24 September, II. Gruppe for the first time engaged in combat with USAAF bombers. Guided by Y-Control, the Gruppe intercepted approximately 80 to 100 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers over sea. During this encounter, Kirschner shot down one of the B-17 bombers.
On 27 September, the USAAF VIII Bomber Command attacked the industrial areas and shipyards of Emden. Drop tank equipped Republic P-47 Thunderbolt for the first time escorted the bombers all the way to the target in Germany. The attack force was detected at 10:20 west of Terschelling heading east. At 10:33, II. Gruppe was scrambled. In the following encounter, Kirschner claimed a P-47 fighter shot down. On 2 October, VIII Bomber Command again headed for Emden. Defending against this attack, Kirschner claimed a B-17 bomber shot down. The following day, 140 Martin B-26 Marauder bombers, escorted by P-47 and Spitfire fighters, attacked the German airfields at Schiphol, Woensdrecht and Haamstede. II. Gruppe was unable to reach the bombers as they were engaged by the P-47 and Spitfire fighters. During this dogfight, Kirschner shot down one of the Spitfire fighters. On 4 October, VIII Bomber Command attacked Frankfurt am Main. German defenses failed to prevent the bombing. Luftwaffe pilots only claimed 14 aerial victories that day, including a B-17 bomber shot down by Kirschner. This was also Kirschner's last aerial victory in Defense of the Reich. He was transferred on 18 October, command of 5. Staffel was then passed on to Hauptmann Heinrich Sannemann.

### Group commander and death

On 18 October, Kirschner was made Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) after the former commander Hauptmann Rudolf Sinner had been transferred on 13 September. In the intermediate period, two officers had led the Gruppe, Oberleutnant Dietrich Boesler, who was killed on 10 October, and by Oberleutnant Alfred Buk. At the time, IV. Gruppe was based at the Kalamaki Airfield in Athens, Greece and operated in the Mediterranean theatre. Kirschner claimed his first aerial victories in this theater of operations on 23 October. In two combat missions, he claimed the destruction of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning and two Spitfires. Two days later, he was credited with shooting down a P-38 fighter northwest of Cape of Rodon.
On 17 December 1943, Kirschner was shot down in his Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 20618—factory number), 25 kilometers (16 miles) east of Metković over the Independent State of Croatia. According to Bernstein, his victors were either Lieutenant Warren Shaw, who was credited with the destruction of one Bf 109 or by the Lieutenants Charles Leaf and Hugh Barlow, who were credited with a shared victory from the USAAF 57th Fighter Group. Kirschner bailed out safely and landed by parachute between the villages of Bjelojevići and Donje Hrasno. He was killed by a firing squad from the Yugoslav Partisan 29th Hercegovina Division at Metković. The Germans sent out search parties from Mostar airfield immediately after his downing, with one being ambushed by the Partisans on 19 December. As late as mid-February 1944, a battalion of the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen was fruitlessly searching for Kirschner. According to a report filed by SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Moreth of the SS-Gebirgs-Flak-Abteilung 7 (7th SS Mountain Anti-Aircraft Battalion), Kirscher was found with his throat slit and gouged out eyes. He was buried near Bjelojevići, approximately 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) south of Stolac.

## Summary of career
### Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Kirschner was credited with 188 aerial victories. Spick also lists Kirschner with 188 aerial victories claimed in approximately 600 combat missions. This figure includes 167 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and further 21 victories over the Western Allies, including two heavy bombers. Obermaier also states that he was credited with 188 aerial victories with 168 on the Eastern Front and 20 over the Western Allies. According to Stockert, Kirschner also claimed 188 aerial victories plus further 22 ground victories achieved in 635 combat missions. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 181 aerial victory claims, plus five further unconfirmed claims. This figure includes 162 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 19 over the Western Allies.
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 39362". 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 km$^2$). 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.
Chronicle of aerial victories :
| This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Kirschner 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 and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman. ||||||||||
| Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location |
| – 1. Staffel of the Ergänzungsjagdgruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 – Western Front — 15 April 1941 – 1 February 1942 ||||||||||
| 1 | 20 August 1941 | 15:35 | Spitfire | 40–50 km (25–31 mi) west of Bergen aan Zee | | | | | |
| – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" – Mediterranean Theater — 7 January – 26 April 1942 ||||||||||
| 2 | 6 March 1942 | 13:50 | Spitfire | 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of La Valetta vicinity of Malta | | | | | |
| – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" – Eastern Front — 26 April – July 1942 ||||||||||
| 3 | 21 May 1942 | 04:50 | DB-3 | 1 km (0.62 mi) northwest of Baworowka | 13 | 13 July 1942 | 08:30 | Yak-1 | 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Kajukow |
| 4? | 22 May 1942 | 16:07 | MiG-1 | 1 km (0.62 mi) west of Volchansk | 14 | 13 July 1942 | 08:32 | DB-3 | Kamensk-north airfield |
| 5 | 29 May 1942 | 04:59 | MiG-1 | 1 km (0.62 mi) southeast of Olchowatka | 15 | 22 July 1942 | 18:07 | Yak-1 | north of Rybinskij |
| 6 | 31 May 1942 | 19:22 | MiG-1 | 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of Volchansk | 16 | 22 July 1942 | 18:22 | Il-2 | 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast of Kololowsk |
| 7 | 13 June 1942 | 17:47 | MiG-1 | 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Kupiansk | 17? | 22 July 1942 | 18:28 | LaGG-3 | southeast of Kololowsk |
| 8? | 13 June 1942 | 17:58 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Kupiansk | 18? | 22 July 1942 | 18:28 | LaGG-3 | southeast of Kololowsk |
| 9 | 30 June 1942 | 10:12 | LaGG-3 | 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Kshen | 19 | 26 July 1942 | 11:25 | Yak-1 | 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Kalach |
| 10 | 4 July 1942 | 18:45 | Il-2 | 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Vorenezh | 20 | 26 July 1942 | 11:27 | Yak-1 | south of Kalach |
| 11 | 8 July 1942 | 17:05 | U-2 | Lipezk airfield | 21 | 26 July 1942 | 11:28 | Yak-1 | south of Kalach |
| 12 | 9 July 1942 | 18:20 | LaGG-3 | 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Terbury | 22 | 27 July 1942 | 17:42 | LaGG-3 | PQ 39362 |
| – 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" – Eastern Front — August 1942 ||||||||||
| 23 | 5 August 1942 | 07:24 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 49589, Tinguta railway station | 29 | 13 August 1942 | 18:02 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 39271, Kalach |
| 24 | 9 August 1942 | 09:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 39332, Kalach 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Kalach | 30 | 17 August 1942 | 16:50 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 30891 20 km (12 mi) north of Pitomnik |
| 25 | 9 August 1942 | 09:54 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 39333, Kalach 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Kalach | 31 | 17 August 1942 | 16:52 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 40774, Katschalinskaja |
| 26 | 9 August 1942 | 10:12 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 39424, Platonowskij 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Kalach | 32 | 17 August 1942 | 16:56 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 40782, Katschalinskaja |
| 27 | 9 August 1942 | 10:22 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 39333, Kalach 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Kalach | 33 | 20 August 1942 | 04:53 | DB-3 | PQ 35 Ost 49753, Stalingrad |
| 28 | 13 August 1942 | 17:54 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 39434 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pitomnik Airfield | 34 | 21 August 1942 | 17:41 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 49121 20 km (12 mi) north of Gumrak |
| – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" – Eastern Front — September 1942 – 3 February 1943 ||||||||||
| 35 | 13 September 1942 | 07:04 | LaGG-3 | PQ 47593 | 44 | 12 October 1942 | 16:29 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28812 |
| 36 | 23 September 1942 | 10:25 | Pe-2 | PQ 47681 | 45 | 15 October 1942 | 09:23 | LaGG-3 | PQ 38364 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Kotelnikovo |
| 37 | 23 September 1942 | 10:27 | LaGG-3 | PQ 47673 | 46 | 15 October 1942 | 09:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 38363 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Kotelnikovo |
| 38 | 28 September 1942 | 10:22 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28171 | 47 | 17 October 1942 | 15:57 | Il-2 | PQ 28634 |
| 39 | 4 October 1942 | 17:21 | Il-2 | PQ 29677 | 48 | 22 October 1942 | 12:09 | LaGG-3 | PQ 48311 |
| 40 | 4 October 1942 | 17:24 | LaGG-3 | PQ 29674 | 49 | 22 October 1942 | 12:11 | LaGG-3 | PQ 48173 |
| 41 | 5 October 1942 | 11:31 | LaGG-3 | PQ 38532 | 50 | 29 October 1942 | 09:36 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28114 |
| 42 | 11 October 1942 | 17:30 | Er-2 | PQ 38163 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Kotelnikovo | 51 | 29 October 1942 | 09:48 | LaGG-3 | PQ 29762 |
| 43 | 11 October 1942 | 17:35 | MiG-1 | PQ 28223 | 52 | 8 November 1942 | 14:24 | LaGG-3 | PQ 17824 |
| – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" – Eastern Front — 4 February – 3 August 1943 ||||||||||
| 53 | 20 February 1943 | 10:04 | Yak-4 | PQ 34 Ost 89242, Borowskoje 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Lysychansk | 112 | 6 May 1943 | 13:48 | MiG-1 | PQ 35 Ost 61641, south of Belgorod 20 km (12 mi) south of Belgorod |
| 54 | 22 February 1943 | 10:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88493, Matveev Kurgan 20 km (12 mi) north of Taganrog | 113 | 6 May 1943 | 14:07 | Boston | PQ 35 Ost 61662, Schtschebekino 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Volchansk |
| 55 | 22 February 1943 | 10:48 | Yak-7 | PQ 34 Ost 88493, Matveev Kurgan 35 km (22 mi) south of Jalisawehino | 114 | 7 May 1943 | 16:02 | Spitfire | PQ 34 Ost 75264, southwest of Krymskkaja vicinity of Krymsk |
| 56 | 22 February 1943 | 15:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88631, northwest of Pokrowskoje 20 km (12 mi) north of Taganrog | 115 | 7 May 1943 | 18:27 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75261, southwest of Krymskkaja vicinity of Krymsk |
| 57 | 27 February 1943 | 07:37 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 79311, east of Alexandrowka 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Barwenkowo | 116♠ | 8 May 1943 | 05:32 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 86773, south of Troizkaja east of Kijewskoje |
| 58 | 9 March 1943 | 08:10 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 98592, vicinity of B. Krepskaja 30 km (19 mi) west-northwest of Taganrog | 117♠ | 8 May 1943 | 11:56 | Spitfire | PQ 34 Ost 75271, southwest of Bakanskij 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Novorossiysk |
| 59 | 9 March 1943 | 15:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88491, Matveev Kurgan 30 km (19 mi) north of Taganrog | 118♠ | 8 May 1943 | 12:12 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75234, west of Krymskaja vicinity of Krymsk |
| 60 | 13 March 1943 | 10:20 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 70452, south of Kurilowka train station 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Kupiansk | 119♠ | 8 May 1943 | 12:13 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 75262, south of Krymskaja vicinity of Krymsk |
| 61 | 13 March 1943 | 10:21 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 70453, south of Kurilowka train station 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Kupiansk | 120♠ | 8 May 1943 | 14:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85111, northeast of Krymskaja vicinity of Merschskaja |
| 62 | 13 March 1943 | 10:27 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 70614, south of Kupiansk 25 km (16 mi) south of Kupiansk | 121♠ | 8 May 1943 | 14:24 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75234, west of Krymskaja vicinity of Krymsk |
| 63 | 18 March 1943 | 15:14 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61892, Chotomlja 25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Vovchansk | 122♠ | 8 May 1943 | 18:10 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75233, northwest of Krymskaja southwest of Abinsk |
| 64 | 21 March 1943 | 14:34 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 98483, north of Rostov 25 km (16 mi) north of Sinjawka | 123 | 9 May 1943 | 12:34 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 76864, south of Anastassijewskaja north of Kijewskoje |
| 65 | 21 March 1943 | 14:59 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 98823, south of Rostov region of Rostov | 124 | 9 May 1943 | 16:53 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 85111, northeast of Krymskaja vicinity of Merschskaja |
| 66 | 25 March 1943 | 08:07 | MiG-1 | PQ 34 Ost 88294, west of Marijewka 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Jalisawehino | 125 | 9 May 1943 | 16:59 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 76874, Gostagajewskaja vicinity of Kijewskoje |
| 67 | 25 March 1943 | 08:16 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 98372, vicinity of Milostj-Kurakino 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Sinjawka | 126 | 10 May 1943 | 16:00 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 85161, north of Cholmskaja southwest of Abinsk |
| 68 | 25 March 1943 | 14:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 98584, west of Rostov region of Sinjawka | 127 | 10 May 1943 | 16:08 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 75232, north of Krymskaja vicinity of Krymsk |
| 69 | 29 March 1943 | 12:05 | R-5 | PQ 35 Ost 80834, south of Starobilsk 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Starobilsk | 128 | 10 May 1943 | 16:13 | Spitfire | PQ 34 Ost 76892, north of Kijewskoje vicinity of Kijewskoje |
| 70 | 30 March 1943 | 13:30 | Il-2 | PQ 44 Ost 09362, east of Djatschkino | 129 | 14 May 1943 | 16:45 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 75261, east of Kijewskoje |
| 71 | 31 March 1943 | 05:48 | La-5 | PQ 34 Ost 88631, north of Taganrog 20 km (12 mi) north of Taganrog | 130? | 20 May 1943 | 13:20 | LaGG-3 | |
| 72 | 31 March 1943 | 05:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88661, north of Taganrog 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Taganrog | 131 | 23 May 1943 | 06:53 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 62781, east of Iwnja 20 km (12 mi) south of Oboyan |
| 73 | 11 April 1943 | 05:16 | I-16 | PQ 34 Ost 85111, east of Krymskaja | 132 | 23 May 1943 | 06:55 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 62739, Krijzowo train station 20 km (12 mi) south of Oboyan |
| 74 | 11 April 1943 | 05:24 | I-16 | PQ 34 Ost 86746, vicinity of Trojzkaja | 133 | 30 May 1943 | 06:22 | Boston | PQ 35 Ost 70, west of Kupiansk 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Kupiansk |
| 75 | 11 April 1943 | 12:05 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85114, east of Krymskaja Mertschskaja | 134 | 1 June 1943 | 05:04 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 62873, northeast of Bogorodizkoje 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Prokhorovka |
| 76 | 12 April 1943 | 10:21 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 86274, Nowo Dsherelijewskaja west of Andrejewskaja | 135 | 2 June 1943 | 05:22 | Yak-4 | PQ 35 Ost 62853, vicinity of Jelinkowo train station 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Prokhorovka |
| 77 | 15 April 1943 | 08:36 | LaGG-3 | | 136 | 2 June 1943 | 05:34 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 61133, east of Bogatyj 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Prokhorovka |
| 78 | 15 April 1943 | 08:56 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85343, Nowo Nikolajewskaja region of Leprasorium | 137 | 4 June 1943 | 17:52 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 70313, vicinity of Malyi Burluk 30 km (19 mi) east-northeast of Malinovka |
| 79 | 16 April 1943 | 14:46 | P-39 | | 138 | 8 June 1943 | 05:18 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 60262, vicinity of Petschenegi 20 km (12 mi) east-northeast of Malinovka |
| 80 | 16 April 1943 | 14:54 | P-40 | east of Kijewskoje | 139 | 9 June 1943 | 11:00 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 60224, vicinity of Saporoshnoje 20 km (12 mi) north of Malinovka |
| 81 | 17 April 1943 | 17:37 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 86791, Mingrelskaya northeast of Mingrelskaya | 140 | 14 June 1943 | 03:26? | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 60441, east of Limm 20 km (12 mi) north of Andrejevka |
| 82 | 17 April 1943 | 17:43 | I-16 | PQ 34 Ost 86874, east of Mingrelskaya region of Staraya Kolonka | 141 | 14 June 1943 | 05:25 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 60442, east of Limm 20 km (12 mi) north of Andrejevka |
| 83 | 18 April 1943 | 06:08 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85344, northeast of Gelendzhik south of Shene | 142 | 16 June 1943 | 03:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 70174, southeast of Petschenegi 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Malinovka |
| 84 | 18 April 1943 | 16:44 | I-153? | PQ 34 Ost 75433, east of Novorossiysk 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Kabardinka | 143 | 20 June 1943 | 15:19 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 61233, southeast of Prokhorovka 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Prokhorovka |
| 85♠ | 20 April 1943 | 11:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75433, east of Novorossiysk 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Kabardinka | 144 | 28 June 1943 | 09:53 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 61212, east of Werchopenje southwest of Prokhorovka |
| 86♠ | 20 April 1943 | 11:52 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 75423, Novorossiysk region of Novorossiysk | 145 | 28 June 1943 | 10:00 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 62894, vicinity of Prokhorovka 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Prokhorovka |
| 87♠ | 20 April 1943 | 11:54 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 75451, southwest of Novorossiysk Black Sea, 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Kabardinka | 146 | 30 June 1943 | 17:26 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 70174, southeast of Petschenegi 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Malinovka |
| 88♠ | 20 April 1943 | 16:01 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75723, south of Anapa over sea vicinity of Novorossiysk | 147 | 3 July 1943 | 16:47 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 70353, Woloskaja-Balakleika 20 km (12 mi) north of Izum |
| 89♠ | 20 April 1943 | 16:02 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75771, south of Anapa over sea vicinity of Novorossiysk | 148 | 3 July 1943 | 16:52 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 70344, Wolochoff Jar 20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Balakleya |
| 90♠ | 20 April 1943 | 16:04 | Boston | PQ 34 Ost 75454, southwest of Novorossiysk Black Sea, 30 km (19 mi) west of Gelendzhik | 149♠? | 5 July 1943 | 03:31 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 60234, Bolshaja Babka |
| 91♠ | 20 April 1943 | 16:06 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75453, south of Novorossiysk Black Sea, 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Kabardinka | 150♠ | 5 July 1943 | 03:40 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61844, northeast of Kharkiv 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Kharkiv |
| 92♠ | 20 April 1943 | 16:08 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 75442, southwest of Novorossiysk Black Sea, 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Novorossiysk | 151♠ | 5 July 1943 | 03:41 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 61841, northeast of Kharkiv 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Kharkiv |
| 93 | 21 April 1943? | 18:28 | Boston | 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Kabardinka | 152♠ | 5 July 1943 | 03:44 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 60142, northeast of Kharkiv 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Kharkiv |
| 94 | 23 April 1943 | 05:12 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75372, south of Anapa over sea vicinity of Gelendzhik | 153♠ | 5 July 1943 | 04:08 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 60193, northeast of Kharkiv 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Kharkiv |
| 95 | 23 April 1943 | 05:17 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 75392, southeast of Anapa over sea vicinity of Moldawanka | 154♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:06 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61353, west of Belgorod 15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Belgorod |
| 96 | 23 April 1943 | 14:38 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 75424, west of Novorossiysk vicinity of Novorossiysk | 155♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:17 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61472, southwest of Belgorod 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Belgorod |
| 97 | 23 April 1943 | 14:39 | I-16 | PQ 34 Ost 75423, Novorossiysk vicinity of Novorossiysk | 156♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:24 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61623, southeast of Belgorod 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Belgorod |
| 98 | 24 April 1943 | 05:39 | I-16 | PQ 34 Ost 85151, west of Abinskaja Abinsk-Achtyrskaja | 157♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:32 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61651, southeast of Belgorod 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Vovchansk |
| 99 | 27 April 1943 | 17:25 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 86783, north of Mingrelskaya northwest of Mingrelskaya | 158 | 6 July 1943 | 17:31 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 61241, north of Belgorod 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Prokhorovka |
| 100 | 27 April 1943 | 17:33 | Boston? | PQ 34 Ost 85123, south of Mingrelskaya vicinity of Sswobodnyj | 159 | 6 July 1943 | 17:43 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61484, southeast of Belgorod 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Belgorod |
| 101 | 27 April 1943 | 17:34 | LaGG-3? | PQ 34 Ost 85123, south of Mingrelskaya vicinity of Cholmskaja | 160 | 6 July 1943 | 17:50 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 61634, west of Schtschekekino 20 km (12 mi) north of Vovchansk |
| 102 | 27 April 1943 | 17:36 | Boston | PQ 34 Ost 85243, west of Georgije Afipskaja vicinity of Sswobodnyj | 161♠ | 7 July 1943 | 03:44 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61623, southeast of Belgorod 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Belgorod |
| 103 | 28 April 1943 | 16:21 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 85113, northeast of Mertschanskaja vicinity of Mertschanskaja | 162♠ | 7 July 1943 | 03:50 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61484, east of Borissowka 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Belgorod |
| 104 | 28 April 1943 | 16:25 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 85142, west of Abinskaja west of Abinsk | 163♠ | 7 July 1943 | 04:02 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 61623, vicinity of Toplinka train station 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Belgorod |
| 105 | 28 April 1943 | 16:32 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 85112, northeast of Mertschanskaja Abinsk-Achtyrskaja | 164♠ | 7 July 1943 | 12:26 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 61162, southeast of Werchopenje 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Prokhorovka |
| 106 | 29 April 1943 | 05:31 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85111, northeast of Krymskaja west of Abinsk | 165♠ | 7 July 1943 | 19:46 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 61864, Stary Ssaltow 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Bely Kolodez |
| 107 | 29 April 1943 | 05:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 85142, west of Abinskaja west of Abinsk | 166 | 8 July 1943 | 04:09 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 70153, Ssrednij-Burluk 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Valuijki |
| 108 | 29 April 1943 | 10:06 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 85191, southwest of Cholmskaja vicinity of Krymsk | 167 | 10 July 1943 | 17:12 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 62883, northeast of Prokhorovka 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Prokhorovka |
| 109 | 29 April 1943 | 10:18 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 75262, south of Krymskaja vicinity of Sswobodnyj | 168 | 10 July 1943 | 17:16 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 62882, Prokhorovka 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Prokhorovka |
| 110 | 6 May 1943 | 13:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 71853, southwest of Waluiki 25 km (16 mi) west of Urasowo | 169 | 11 July 1943 | 09:40 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 61212, east of Werchopenje southwest of Prokhorovka |
| 111 | 6 May 1943 | 13:29 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 71761, west of Chatneje 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Bely Kolodez | 170 | 12 July 1943 | 16:58 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 62794, Bogorodizkoje 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Prokhorovka |
| – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" – Defense of the Reich — 1 September – 18 October 1943 ||||||||||
| 171 | 24 September 1943 | 17:18 | B-17 | PQ 05 Ost S/FF-6 over sea | 174 | 3 October 1943 | 12:24 | Spitfire | PQ 05 Ost S/GJ-6, west of Zandvoort |
| 172 | 27 September 1943 | 11:10 | P-47? | PQ 05 Ost S/BP-8 south of Borkum | 175 | 4 October 1943 | 12:20 | B-17 | PQ 05 Ost S/LK-1 Amsberg |
| 173? | 2 October 1943 | — | B-17 | | | | | | |
| – IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 – Mediterranean Theater — 18 October – 17 December 1943 ||||||||||
| 176 | 23 October 1943 | 09:05 | P-38 | west-northwest of Vlorë | 183 | 15 November 1943 | 11:28 | P-38 | west of Arachova |
| 177 | 23 October 1943 | 13:02 | Spitfire | east of Cetinje | 184 | 15 November 1943 | 11:32 | P-38 | west of Arachova |
| 178 | 23 October 1943 | 13:04 | Spitfire | south-southwest of Podgorica | 185 | 15 November 1943 | 13:17 | P-38 | east of Aegina |
| 179 | 25 October 1943 | 13:19 | P-38 | PQ 14 Ost 9231, northwest of Cape of Rodon | 186 | 16 November 1943 | 13:20 | P-38 | northwest of Amfissa |
| 180 | 1 November 1943 | 13:32 | Hurricane | 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Bar | 187 | 17 November 1943 | 12:48 | P-38 | southwest of Piraeus |
| 181 | 1 November 1943 | 13:35 | P-40 | 30 km (19 mi) south of Bar | 188 | 17 November 1943 | 13:03 | B-25 | west of Disporia |
| 182 | 15 November 1943 | 11:24 | B-25 | south of Livadeia | | | | | |

### Awards

* Iron Cross (1939)
** 2nd Class (27 January 1942)
** 1st Class (12 April 1942)
* Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold (2 June 1942)
* Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 21 December 1942 as Leutnant and pilot
* German Cross in Gold on 3 December 1942 as Leutnant in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
** Knight's Cross on 23 December 1942 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
** 267th Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"