# Fritz Tegtmeier

Fritz Tegtmeier (30 July 1917 – 8 April 1999) was a World War II Luftwaffe 146 aerial victories Flying ace and recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.

## Military career

Fritz Tegtmeier was posted to the 2. Staffel (2nd Squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in October 1940. He was severely injured on 17 November 1940 when his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 (Werknummer 6043—factory number) suffered engined failure, resulting in crash landing at Jever Airfield. He returned to his Staffel in the spring of 1941 and claimed his first aerial victory on 22 June 1941, the first day of Operation Barbarossa on the Eastern Front.
On 8 September, I. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Siversky located southwest of Leningrad. There, on 11 September he was again severely injured in a collision in his Bf 109 F-2 resulting in a crash landing at Siversky. He returned to active duty in April 1942 and was assigned to the 1. Staffel of JG 54. By the end of 1942 he had claimed 24 aerial victories.
On 14 January 1943, Tegtmeier became an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time. That day, pilots of I. Gruppe had claimed 30 aerial victories (Luftsiege). He claimed aerial victories number 36 and 37 on 23 January. On 3 May 1943 he claimed numbers 51–53 and was posted to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost as fighter pilot instructor. He returned to front line duty, this time with the 3. Staffel of JG 54, in September 1943. In November 1943 he achieved his 75th aerial victory. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 28 March 1944 following his 99th aerial victory. Tegtmeier was promoted to Leutnant on 20 April 1944. He claimed his 100th and 101st aerial victory on 3 May 1944. He was the 71st Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. On 1 September 1944, he was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 3. Staffel of JG 54. He succeeded Leutnant Otto Kittel who was transferred. By the end of 1944 his score of aerial victories stood at 139 claims. When he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7—7th Fighter Wing) for flight training on the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter in March 1945 his score stood at 146 aerial victories. Fritz Tegtmeier had been nominated for the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub).

## Later life

Tegtmeier died on 8 April 1999 at the age of 81 in Greven, Germany.

## Summary of career
### Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Tegtmeier was credited with 146 aerial victories. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 146 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 01852". 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 Tegtmeier 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 |
| – 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Operation Barbrossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941 ||||||||||
| 1 | 23 June 1941? | 10:24 | SB-2 | | 5 | 13 August 1941 | 15:42 | I-18 (MiG-1) | |
| 2 | 24 June 1941 | 05:44 | SB-2 | | 6 | 14 August 1941 | 05:07 | I-18 (MiG-1) | |
| 3 | 24 June 1941 | 05:48 | SB-2 | | 7 | 3 September 1941 | 15:50 | I-16 | 1 km (0.62 mi) north of Krasnogvardeysk |
| 4 | 18 July 1941 | 13:54 | I-18 (MiG-1) | | 8 | 15 November 1941 | 11:20 | I-18 (MiG-1) | |
| – 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943 ||||||||||
| 9 | 10 June 1942 | 10:20 | Pe-2 | | 24 | 30 December 1942 | 12:13? | Pe-2 | PQ 01852 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Shlisselburg |
| 10 | 22 June 1942 | 18:45 | MiG-3 | | 25 | 7 January 1943 | 11:30 | LaGG-3 | PQ 01762 20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Leningrad |
| 11 | 22 July 1942 | 10:26 | Yak-1 | | 26 | 12 January 1943 | 09:35 | P-40 | PQ 00251 15 km (9.3 mi) west-southwest of Shlisselburg |
| 12 | 23 July 1942 | 09:30 | MiG-3 | | 27 | 12 January 1943 | 14:22 | Il-2 | PQ 10184 east of Mga |
| 13 | 1 August 1942 | 16:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 00172 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Selo | 28♠ | 14 January 1943 | 09:02 | La-5 | PQ 10181 east of Mga |
| 14 | 5 August 1942 | 15:10 | MiG-3 | PQ 20542 45 km (28 mi) east of Lyuban | 29♠ | 14 January 1943 | 09:05 | La-5 | PQ 10193 east of Mga |
| 15 | 5 August 1942 | 15:13 | MiG-3 | PQ 20593 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Chudovo | 30♠ | 14 January 1943 | 09:10 | Il-2 | PQ 00292 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Mga |
| 16 | 7 August 1942 | 13:30 | P-40 | PQ 20731 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Chudovo | 31♠ | 14 January 1943 | 14:30 | Il-2 | PQ 00294 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Mga |
| 17 | 11 August 1942 | 14:23? | Il-2 | PQ 28311 20 km (12 mi) east-northeast of Demyansk | 32♠ | 14 January 1943 | 14:33? | Il-2 | PQ 00274 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Mga |
| 18 | 20 August 1942 | 06:20 | Yak-1 | PQ 47662 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Staritsa | 33 | 16 January 1943 | 09:35 | Il-2 | PQ 10142 south of Shlisselburg |
| 19 | 25 August 1942 | 14:20 | Yak-1 | PQ 36573 25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Gagarin | 34 | 16 January 1943 | 09:43 | Yak-1 | PQ 10311 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Mga |
| 20 | 26 August 1942 | 13:30 | R-5 | PQ 47864 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Zubtsov | 35 | 22 January 1943 | 08:46 | Yak-1 | PQ 10212 45 km (28 mi) west of Volkhov |
| 21 | 5 September 1942 | 12:40 | Yak-1 | PQ 10841 southeast of Shlisselburg | 36 | 23 January 1943 | 13:05 | Yak-1 | PQ 10191 east of Mga |
| 22 | 5 September 1942 | 12:45 | Yak-1 | PQ 10954 southeast of Shlisselburg | 37 | 23 January 1943 | 13:38 | Il-2 | PQ 00411 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Pushkin |
| 23 | 11 September 1942 | 16:35 | I-16 | PQ 00223 20 km (12 mi) west of Shlisselburg | 38 | 24 January 1943 | 13:35 | La-5 | PQ 10143 south of Shlisselburg |
| – 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — 4 February – March 1943 ||||||||||
| 39 | 10 February 1943 | 11:15 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 10142 south of Shlisselburg | 42 | 21 February 1943 | 13:00 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 00412 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Pushkin |
| 40 | 17 February 1943 | 12:05 | Yak-1 | PQ 36 Ost 00281 20 km (12 mi) west of Mga | 43 | 23 February 1943 | 07:05 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00412 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Pushkin |
| 41 | 21 February 1943 | 10:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 00442 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Slutsk | 44 | 23 February 1943 | 07:10 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00283 20 km (12 mi) west of Mga |
| – 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — April – 31 December 1943 ||||||||||
| ? | 3 March 1943 | 11:10 | I-16 | 20 km (12 mi) east of Leningrad | 61 | 5 October 1943 | 13:21 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 02682 |
| 45 | 3 April 1943 | 12:45 | Yak-1? | PQ 36 Ost 00421 Pushkin-Mga | 62 | 9 October 1943 | 07:20 | P-39 | PQ 35 Ost 07772 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Nevel |
| ? | 10 April 1943 | 11:50 | Yak-1 | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Lomonosov | 63 | 14 October 1943 | 08:15 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 15512, southeast of Bajewo 20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Krassnyj |
| 46? | 11 April 1943 | 18:25 | Il-2 | 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Leningrad | 64 | 20 October 1943 | 11:35 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 06312 |
| 47 | 13 April 1943 | 17:57? | Pe-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00163 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Leningrad | 65 | 21 October 1943 | 10:45 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 02232 |
| 48 | 2 May 1943 | 19:05 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00463 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Tosno | 66 | 21 October 1943 | 10:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 02233, east of Lojew |
| 49 | 2 May 1943 | 19:07 | Il-2 | PQ 36 Ost 00273 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Mga | 67 | 22 October 1943 | 08:20 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 15332 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Krassnyj |
| 50 | 3 May 1943 | 17:45 | La-5 | PQ 26 Ost 90252 15 km (9.3 mi) west-southwest of Shlisselburg | 68 | 22 October 1943 | 10:40 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 05282 east of Kshischtschew |
| 51 | 14 September 1943 | 11:52? | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26231 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Moschna | 69 | 27 October 1943 | 09:15 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 15342 20 km (12 mi) west of Krassnyj |
| 52 | 14 September 1943 | 16:30 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 25663 25 km (16 mi) east of Schatalowka | 70 | 28 October 1943 | 12:45 | Boston | PQ 35 Ost 03823 |
| 53 | 15 September 1943 | 08:50 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 26732 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Moschna | 71 | 28 October 1943 | 12:47 | Boston | PQ 35 Ost 03824 |
| 54 | 15 September 1943 | 14:00? | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 35492 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Yelnya | 72 | 28 October 1943 | 12:50 | Boston | PQ 35 Ost 03864 |
| 55 | 15 September 1943 | 14:15 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 35531 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Yelnya | 73 | 28 October 1943 | 12:53 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 03893 |
| 56 | 17 September 1943 | 11:00 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35321 20 km (12 mi) west of Yelnya | 74 | 6 November 1943 | 09:50 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 06154 |
| 57 | 22 September 1943 | 17:38 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 12742 | 75 | 6 November 1943 | 09:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 06163, Lake Ssennitza |
| 58 | 22 September 1943 | 17:40 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 12721 | 76? | 17 November 1943 | 07:50 | LaGG-3 | |
| 59 | 26 September 1943 | 12:20 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 25532 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Schatalowka | 77 | 8 December 1943 | 14:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 06384 |
| 60 | 5 October 1943 | 13:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 02682 | | | | | |
| – 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — 1 January – September 1944 ||||||||||
| 78 | 3 February 1944 | 14:15 | Il-2 | | 101 | 26 May 1944 | 18:50 | La-5 | Baltic Sea, 25 km (16 mi) north-northwest of Hungerburg |
| 79 | 3 February 1944 | 14:17 | Il-2 | | 102 | 15 June 1944 | 07:37 | Il-2 | |
| 80 | 7 February 1944 | 07:37 | La-5 | | 103 | 16 June 1944 | 19:00 | Yak-9 | |
| 81 | 7 February 1944 | 10:36 | La-5 | | 104 | 16 June 1944 | 19:00 | Yak-9 | |
| 82 | 7 February 1944 | 10:37 | La-5 | | 105 | 14 July 1944 | 17:58 | Yak-9 | |
| 83 | 7 February 1944 | 11:05 | La-5 | | 106 | 16 July 1944 | 08:35 | Yak-9 | |
| 84 | 7 February 1944 | 11:07 | La-5 | | 107 | 16 July 1944 | 08:40 | P-39 | |
| 85 | 12 February 1944 | 14:30 | La-5 | | 108 | 21 July 1944 | 09:20 | Yak-9 | |
| 86 | 16 February 1944 | 14:10 | Yak-9 | 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Narva | 109 | 21 July 1944 | 09:25 | Yak-9 | |
| 87 | 24 February 1944 | 11:00 | Yak-9 | 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Narva | 110 | 22 July 1944 | 15:55 | La-5 | |
| 88 | 25 February 1944 | 11:10 | Il-2 | 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Narva | 111 | 22 July 1944 | 19:15 | LaGG-3 | |
| 89 | 6 March 1944 | 07:55 | La-5 | 25 km (16 mi) south of Narva | 112 | 27 July 1944 | 15:55 | Pe-2 | |
| 90 | 6 March 1944 | 08:05 | Yak-9 | southwest of Narva | 113 | 28 July 1944 | 15:15 | Yak-9 | |
| 91 | 7 March 1944 | 12:36 | La-5 | 30 km (19 mi) west-southwest of Narva | 114 | 1 August 1944 | 12:17 | La-5 | |
| 92 | 8 March 1944 | 15:46 | Il-2 | Baltic Sea, 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Kunda | 115 | 6 August 1944 | 18:39 | Yak-9 | |
| 93 | 8 March 1944 | 16:10 | Il-2 | Baltic Sea, 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Kunda | 116 | 7 August 1944 | 13:43 | P-39 | |
| 94 | 8 March 1944 | 16:23 | Yak-9 | Baltic Sea, 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Kunda | 117 | 7 August 1944 | 18:20 | La-5 | |
| 95 | 9 March 1944 | 09:08 | La-5 | southwest of Narva | 118 | 7 August 1944 | 18:24 | La-5 | |
| 96 | 23 March 1944 | 15:35 | Il-2 | | 119 | 16 August 1944 | 10:45 | La-5 | |
| 97 | 1 April 1944 | 10:12 | LaGG-3 | 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Pskov | 120 | 25 August 1944 | 09:23 | Pe-2 | |
| 98 | 2 April 1944 | 15:25 | La-5 | northeast of Kunda | 121 | 27 August 1944 | 15:05 | Yak-9 | |
| 99 | 4 April 1944 | 08:19 | La-5 | northeast of Kunda | 122 | 27 August 1944 | 15:10 | Pe-2 | |
| 100 | 20 May 1944 | 12:31 | Yak-1 | Baltic Sea, 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Hungerburg | 123 | 29 August 1944 | 18:30 | La-5 | |
| – 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — September – October 1944 ||||||||||
| 124♠ | 14 September 1944 | 10:00 | Yak-9 | 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Kreuzburg | 132 | 17 September 1944 | 13:22 | Yak-9 | 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Pasewalk |
| 125♠ | 14 September 1944 | 12:00 | P-39 | 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Pasewalk | 133 | 20 September 1944 | 11:13 | Yak-9 | 45 km (28 mi) south of Riga |
| 126♠ | 14 September 1944 | 12:03 | P-39 | 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Pasewalk | 134 | 10 October 1944 | 09:07 | La-5 | 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Riga |
| 127♠ | 14 September 1944 | 12:04 | Yak-9 | 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Pasewalk | 135 | 12 October 1944 | 12:25 | Il-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Riga |
| 128♠ | 14 September 1944 | 12:10 | Il-2 | 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Pasewalk | 136 | 12 October 1944 | 16:05 | Pe-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Riga |
| 129♠ | 14 September 1944 | 16:40 | Pe-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Riga | 137 | 12 October 1944 | 16:07 | Pe-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Riga |
| 130 | 15 September 1944 | 09:33 | Il-2 | 50 km (31 mi) north-northwest of Kreuzburg | 138 | 29 October 1944 | 19:56 | Il-2 | 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Telsche |
| 131 | 17 September 1944 | 12:40 | Yak-9 | 40 km (25 mi) south-southeast of Riga | 139 | 30 October 1944 | 11:35 | Pe-2 | 40 km (25 mi) east of Libau |
| According to Mathews and Foreman, aerial victories 140 to 146 were not documented. ||||||||||

### Awards

* Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
* Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (5 October 1942)
* German Cross in Gold on 23 January 1943 as Oberfeldwebel in the I./Jagdgeschwader 54
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 28 March 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 2./Jagdgeschwader 54