Emil Lang

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This article is about the German World War II fighter pilot. For other uses, see Emil Lang (disambiguation).

Emil Lang
The black and white photo of a man, shown from the front. He wears a military uniform with an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his shirt collar.
Emil Lang
Nickname(s)"Bully"
Born(1909-01-14)14 January 1909
Thalheim, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire
Died3 September 1944(1944-09-03) (aged 35)
near Overhespen, German-occupied Belgium
Cause of deathKilled in action
Buried
Lommel, Belgium
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Years of service1938–1944
RankHauptmann (captain)
UnitKG 51, JG 54, JG 26
Commands held5./JG 54, 9./JG 54, II./JG 26
Battles/wars
See battles

World War II

AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Emil Lang (14 January 1909 – 3 September 1944), nicknamed "Bully", was a Luftwaffe flying ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] Lang was credited with 173 aerial victories—144 on the Eastern Front, 29 on the Western Front—and one Soviet MTB sunk in 403 combat missions.[2]

Posted to a fighter wing on the Eastern Front, Lang claimed his first aerial victories in March 1943. He was credited with 72 victories in a three-week period, among them an unsurpassed total of 18 on 3 November 1943. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 November 1943 for his 119 victories to that time. By March 1944, his claims totaled 144, for which he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 11 April 1944. Transferred to the Western Front, he claimed his 150th victim during the Normandy Invasion on 14 June 1944. He scored his last three victories on 26 August 1944; on 3 September 1944, he was killed in action over Belgium.

Early life and career[edit]

Lang was born on 14 January 1909 at Thalheim, now part of Fraunberg in the Isar region near Freising in Bavaria, Germany. He was a well-known track-and-field athlete who ran the middle distances. Prior to World War II, he qualified as a civil pilot and flew with Deutsche Luft Hansa.[3][2] Lang earned the nickname "Bully" from his 'bulldog-like' looks, characterized by his barrel-chested physique.[4] He joined the Luftwaffe as a member of the military reserve force on 4 January 1938. From 8 May to 3 June 1939, he served with 8. Staffel (8th squadron) of Kampfgeschwader 51 (KG 51—51st Bomber Wing). On 26 August 1939, he was put on active duty.[5]

World War II[edit]

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Following the outbreak of war, Lang served as a transport pilot with the Fliegerhorst Kompanie (Airfield Company) at Gablingen, flying missions to Norway, France, Crete and North Africa. On 1 November 1941, he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant).[5]

Lang was 33 years old when he was accepted for fighter pilot training in 1942. He undertook courses at the Jagdflieger Vorschule 1 (1st Fighter Pilot Preparation School) (3 July 1942 – 14 August 1942) and Jagdfliegerschule 5 (5th Fighter Pilot School) (15 August 1942 – 5 January 1943).[6] He was then assigned to Jagdgruppe Ost (Fighter Group East) on 6 January 1943 and then to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front on 11 February 1943.[6][7][Note 1] Serving with 1./JG 54 (1st Squadron of the 54th Fighter Wing), Leutnant Lang was 34 and considered exceptionally old for a novice fighter pilot. His first three aerial victories were claimed in March 1943, and within a month he was transferred to 5./JG 54 (5th Squadron of the 54th Fighter Wing) of which he became Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader) on 20 August 1943.[2] Lang had already briefly served as acting Staffelkapitän of 5. Staffel from July to early August before he officially succeeded Oberleutnant Max Stotz in this function after Stotz was reported missing in action on 19 August 1943.[8]

Before the year's end, Lang's kill tally stood at over 100 victories, with a remarkable 72 scored around Kiev in just three weeks during October and November 1943. He was the 58th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[9] This series of multiple victories included ten on 13 October 1943 and 12 (victories 61–72) in three combat missions on 21 October 1943, which earned Lang his first of two references in the Wehrmachtbericht, a bulletin issued by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, the Wehrmacht High Command.[10] During the Battle of Kiev, Lang set an all-time world record of 18 aerial victories claimed from four combat missions in one day on 3 November 1943, making him aviation history's leading ace-in-a-day.[7][11][12] This achievement led to him appearing on the cover of the 13 January 1944 Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung (Berlin's Illustrated Magazine).[13] Lang was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) after 119 aerial victories on 22 November 1943, followed three days later by the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold).[2]

On 9 April 1944, Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Lang was appointed Staffelkapitän of the 9./JG 54 (9th Squadron of the 54th Fighter Wing) engaged in Defence of the Reich on the Western Front. He replaced Leutnant Alfred Kromer who was killed on 8 March. Kromer had only led the Staffel for two days after its former commander, Oberleutnant Gerhard Loos, had been killed on 6 March.[14] The Staffel was subordinated to III. Gruppe led by Major Werner Schröer.[14] Command of 5. Staffel was then transferred to Oberleutnant Wilhelm Schilling.[15]

He became the 448th recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 11 April 1944 after 144 aerial victories, all claimed on the Eastern Front.[2] The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler at the Berghof, Hitler's residence in the Obersalzberg of the Bavarian Alps, on 5 May 1944.[16] Also present at the ceremony were Anton Hafner, Otto Kittel, Günther Schack, Alfred Grislawski, Erich Rudorffer, Martin Möbus, Wilhelm Herget, Hans-Karl Stepp, Rudolf Schoenert, Günther Radusch, Otto Pollmann and Fritz Breithaupt, who all received the Oak Leaves on this date.[17]

Western Front[edit]

When Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe on 6 June, III. Gruppe was immediately ordered to relocate to Villacoublay Airfield. That day, the Gruppe reached Nancy, arriving in Villacoublay the following day where it was subordinated to II. Fliegerkorps (2nd Air Corps). Its primary objective was to fly fighter-bomber missions in support of the German ground forces. The Gruppe flew its first missions on 7 June to the combat area east of Caen and the Orne estuary.[18]

In June, Lang claimed 15 aerial victories, including his 150th—a United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) P-47 Thunderbolt on 14 June 1944—and four P-51 Mustang fighters shot down in four minutes on 20 June 1944, plus another four P-51s on 24 June.[3] Hauptmann (Captain) Lang was then made Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) of the II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—2nd Group of the 26th Fighter Wing) on 28 June 1944.[3] He replaced Hauptmann Johannes Naumann who had been injured in aerial combat on 23 June.[19] On 9 July, he claimed three Royal Air Force (RAF) Supermarine Spitfires (victories 160–162)—no Spitfires were shot down this day: American historian Donald Caldwell noted that his claims were exaggerated but asserted Lang's ebullience, energy and drive made him an effective combat leader.[20] On 15 August 1944 two P-47s, and on 25 August 1944 three P-38 Lightning fighters in five minutes. The hard-hit 428th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group lost 8 P-38s, its worst combat performance. The 429th also lost three P-38s. Not a single Fw 190 was lost. The Bf 109-equipped III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 76 (Fighter Wing 76) were also involved and claimed six P-38s. During the day it lost 21 Bf 109s, three pilots killed and 18 missing.[21]

He claimed three Spitfires in two missions for his final victories (victories 171–173) on 26 August.[3][2] His victims most likely belonged to 421 and 341 Squadron RAF.[22] Between 24 May and 28 August 1944, Lang had claimed 29 aerial victories on the Western Front, including nine P-51 Mustangs.[23] On 6 June 1944, his group was the first to reach 100 aerial victories over Normandy, earning him and his group a second and final reference in the Wehrmachtbericht on 30 August.[24]

Death[edit]

On 3 September 1944, Emil Lang was killed in action when his Fw 190 A-8 (Werknummer 171 240—factory number) "Green 1" hit the ground and exploded in a field at Overhespen. He had experienced mechanical trouble on the runway when he and the other aircraft of his flight took off at Melsbroek at 1.20 pm. Ten minutes later, Lang was still having difficulties raising his landing gear. Flying at an altitude of 200 metres (660 ft), his wingman, Unteroffizier Hans-Joachim Borreck, called out P-47 Thunderbolts to their rear. Lang broke upward, to the left. Leutnant Alfred Groß saw Lang's Fw 190 diving in flames, its gear extended, but he lost sight of Lang when his own craft was hit and he had to bail out. Examination of both German and American records suggests that Borreck and Groß misidentified their opponents. The P-51 Mustangs of the 55th Fighter Group's 338th Squadron intercepted a flight of three to six Focke-Wulfs. Lieutenant Darrell Cramer took a high deflection shot at the Focke-Wulf on the left, which fell upside down in a steep dive and crashed hard into the ground; this undoubtedly was Emil Lang.[25][Note 2]

On 28 September 1944, Lang's commanding officer, Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) Josef Priller, submitted a request for posthumous promotion to Major. In describing Lang's character, Priller said:[24]

Captain Lang is a fully matured character, serious and calm in his demeanor, yet definite and energetic when strength was needed. Very good attitude as an officer. Demands of himself first. He understands how to reach the men under his command correctly. Captain Lang possesses an exemplary concept of service, has initiative and talent for improvisation to a large degree, well rooted in the National Socialist ideas.[24]

The commander of the II. Jagdkorps (2nd Fighter Corps), Generalleutnant (Major General) Alfred Bülowius, concurred with the assessment. Despite these recommendations, Emil Lang did not receive a posthumous promotion to Major.[24] Lang was succeeded by Hauptmann Georg-Peter Eder as commander of II. Gruppe of JG 26.[27]

Summary of career[edit]

Aerial victory claims[edit]

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Lang was credited with 173 aerial victories.[28] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 172 aerial victory claims. This number includes 141 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 31 on the Western Front, including one four-engined bomber.[29]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 36 Ost 00333". 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 km2). 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.[30]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Lang 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 – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Lang did not receive credit.
  This and the ! (exclamation mark) indicates those aerial victories listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.
  This and the # (hash mark) indicates those aerial victories listed by Mathews and Foreman.
  This and the * (asterisk) indicates those aerial victories listed by Caldwell, Prien, Balke, Stemmer and Bock.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Balke, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[31]
1 1 23 March 1943 11:10 MiG-3 PQ 36 Ost 00333[32]
vicinity of Pushkin 		12 12 30 July 1943 08:50 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 10194[33]
east of Mga
2 2 30 May 1943 20:19 P-40 PQ 36 Ost 10151[34]
southeast of Schlüsselburg 		13 13 1 August 1943 05:20 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 10144[33]
south of Schlüsselburg
3 3 30 May 1943 20:26 P-40 PQ 36 Ost 10243[34]
25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Schlüsselburg 		14 14 1 August 1943 05:28 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 10163[33]
southeast of Schlüsselburg
4 4 13 July 1943 09:05 Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] PQ 35 Ost 63231[35]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Belyov 		15 15 1 August 1943 12:34 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 10142[33]
south of Schlüsselburg
5 5 13 July 1943 09:08 Il-2 m.H.?[Note 4] PQ 35 Ost 63252[35]
40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Oryol 		16 16 1 August 1943 12:39 P-40 PQ 36 Ost 10172[33]
vicinity of Mga
6 6 13 July 1943 19:05 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 64763[35] 17 17 13 September 1943 12:48 Pe-2?[Note 5] PQ 35 Ost 26521[37]
40 km (25 mi) north of Moschna
7 7 17 July 1943 13:42 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 64894[38]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Mtsensk 		18 18 14 September 1943 16:40 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 25693[37]
25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Shatalovo
8 8 17 July 1943 13:44 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 63221[38]
40 km (25 mi) east of Oryol 		19 19 15 September 1943 09:10 P-39 PQ 35 Ost 25494[37]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Yelnya
9 9 20 July 1943 19:05 P-39 PQ 35 Ost 64584[38]
20 km (12 mi) west of Mtsensk 		20 20 15 September 1943 09:15 Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] PQ 35 Ost 25492[37]
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Yelnya
10 10 20 July 1943 19:07 P-39 PQ 35 Ost 64594[38]
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Mtsensk 		21 21 15 September 1943 10:45 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 25633[37]
25 km (16 mi) southwest of Yelnya
11 11 28 July 1943 11:10 La-5 PQ 36 Ost 10314[33]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Mga
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, II. Gruppe records do not list any victory claims between 18 September and 3 October 1943 although at least 26 aerial victories had been claimed. Among these missing records are Lang's aerial victories 22 to 25, including one claim on 27 September 1943.[39]
26 22 4 October 1943 16:07 LaGG-3 northeast of Chernobyl[39] 87♠ 83 23 October 1943 15:35 La-5 east of Khodoriv[40]
27 23 5 October 1943 16:05 Yak-9 south of Gorostaipol[32] 88 84♠ 24 October 1943 14:46 Yak-7 northeast of Khodoriv[40]
28♠ 24 7 October 1943 11:17 La-5 northeast of Gorostaipol[39] 89 85♠ 24 October 1943 14:48 Yak-7 northwest of Khodoriv[40]
29♠ 25 7 October 1943 11:28 La-5 east-northeast of Stracholessje[39] 90 86♠ 24 October 1943 14:49 Yak-7 east of Iwankow[40]
30♠ 26 7 October 1943 11:31 La-5 northeast of Stracholessje[39] 91 87♠ 24 October 1943 14:51 La-5 east of Khodoriv[40]
east of Iwankow
31♠ 27 7 October 1943 14:03 La-5 northeast of Stracholessje[39] 88♠ 24 October 1943 14:56 Yak-7 east of Khodoriv
32♠ 28 7 October 1943 14:10 La-5 east of Gubin[39] 92 89 25 October 1943 14:46 La-5 north-northeast of Balnowka[40]
33 29 8 October 1943 06:08 LaGG-3 northeast of Khodoriv[39] 93 90 25 October 1943 14:47 La-5 northeast of Gussenzow[40][Gussenzy]
34 30 8 October 1943 06:10 La-5 north of Khodoriv[39] 94♠ 91 2 November 1943 15:05 Yak-7 west of Voropayevo[40]
35 31 8 October 1943 06:13 La-5 northeast of Gussenoye[39] 95♠ 92 2 November 1943 15:06 Yak-7 west of Voropayevo[40]
36 32 9 October 1943 12:30 La-5 south of Gruschevo[39] 96♠ 93 2 November 1943 15:07 Yak-9 east of Lyutezh[40]
37 33 9 October 1943 16:08 La-5 north of Gruschevo[39] 97♠ 94 2 November 1943 15:10 Yak-9 north of Novosselk[40]
38 34 9 October 1943 16:10 La-5 Schtschutschunka[39] 98♠ 95 2 November 1943 15:15 Yak-9 northeast of Lyutezh[40]
39 35 9 October 1943 16:15 LaGG-3 south of Yashnyky[39][Note 6] 99♠ 96 2 November 1943 15:17 Yak-9 east-southeast of Lyutezh[41]
40 36 10 October 1943 06:34 LaGG-3 east-northeast of Yashnyky[39] 100♠ 97 2 November 1943 15:18 Yak-9 east-southeast of Lyutezh[41]
41 37 10 October 1943 06:38 LaGG-3 northeast of Yashnyky[39] 101♠ 98 2 November 1943 15:19 Yak-9 west of Saimje[41]
42 38 10 October 1943 16:12 La-5 east of Ljutesh[39] 102♠ 99 3 November 1943 09:31 Il-2 northeast of Lyutezh[41]
43 39 11 October 1943 06:10 P-40 east of Stracholessje[39] 103♠ 100 3 November 1943 09:32 Il-2 north-northeast of Lyutezh[41]
44 40 11 October 1943 16:01 La-5 west of Yashnyky[42] 104♠ 101 3 November 1943 09:33 Il-2 northeast of Kastarowitschi[41]
45 41 11 October 1943 16:02 La-5 west of Yashnyky[42] 105♠ 102 3 November 1943 09:35 Yak-7 northeast of Kastarowitschi[41]
46 42 11 October 1943 16:03 La-5 west of Yashnyky[42] 106♠ 103 3 November 1943 09:36 Il-2 northwest of Glebovka[41]
47 43 12 October 1943 09:02 Pe-2 north of Gorostaipol[42] 107♠ 104 3 November 1943 09:40 Yak-7 east-northeast of Glebovka[41]
48 44 12 October 1943 10:47 Il-2 east of Gruschewo[42] 108♠ 105 3 November 1943 09:42 Yak-7 east-northeast of Glebovka[41]
49 45 12 October 1943 10:50 La-5 west of Grigorovka[42] 109♠ 106 3 November 1943 13:00 La-5 east-northeast of Blistawizd[41]
50 46 12 October 1943 10:52 La-5 Dnieper River[42] 110♠ 107 3 November 1943 14:15 Il-2 east of Moschtschum[41]
51♠ 47 13 October 1943 05:50 La-5 northwest of Tschozki[42] 111♠ 108 3 November 1943 14:16 Il-2 north of Moschtschum[41]
52♠ 48 13 October 1943 05:52 La-5 south of Sarubenzojezy[42] 112♠ 3 November 1943 14:17 Il-2 north of Vyshgorod[41]
53♠ 49 13 October 1943 05:58 La-5 south of Grigorovka[42] 113♠ 109 3 November 1943 14:20 La-5 northwest of Vyshgorod[41]
54♠ 50 13 October 1943 06:03 La-5 southwest of Sarubenzy[42] 114♠ 110 3 November 1943 14:22 La-5 north of Kiev[41]
55♠ 51 13 October 1943 06:05 Yak-7 north of Trachhtemirow[42] 115♠ 111 3 November 1943 14:23 Il-2 west of Valki[41]
56♠ 52 13 October 1943 06:08 Yak-7 north-northwest of Grigorovka[42] 116♠ 112 3 November 1943 14:45 Yak-9 east of Gostomel[41]
57♠ 53 13 October 1943 09:31 La-5 west of Trachhtemirow[42] 117♠ 113 3 November 1943 14:46 Yak-9 west of Vyshgorod[41]
58♠ 54 13 October 1943 09:35 La-5 southeast of Grigorovka[42] 118♠ 114 3 November 1943 14:48 Il-2 east of Gostomel[41]
59♠ 55 13 October 1943 09:40 Yak-7 south of Grigorovka[42] 119♠ 115 3 November 1943 14:49 Il-2 north of Mostischtsche[41]
60♠ 56 13 October 1943 15:55 Yak-7 north of Yashnyky[42] 116 4 November 1943 14:17 Il-2 north of Vyshgorod
61♠ 57 21 October 1943 09:32 La-5 southwest of Grigorovka[42] 120 117 28 November 1943 12:26 Il-2 east of Kotscherewo[43]
62♠ 58 21 October 1943 09:34 La-5 northwest of Grigorovka[42] 121 118 29 November 1943 07:29 La-5 west of Mestetschko[43]
63♠ 59 21 October 1943 09:37 Yak-7 southeast of Yashnyky[42] 122 119 29 November 1943 10:32 Yak-9 south of Wnysokoye[43]
64♠ 60 21 October 1943 09:38 Yak-7 south-southeast of Yashnyky[42] 123 120 29 November 1943 10:34 Il-2 northwest of Wnysokoye[43]
65♠ 61 21 October 1943 09:41 Il-2 northwest of Rshischtschew[42] 124 121 30 November 1943 11:48 Il-2 north of Nebryliza[43]
66♠ 62 21 October 1943 12:10 Yak-9 south of Tschernischewa[42] 125 122 30 November 1943 11:49 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 91562[43]
20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Zelenogorst
67♠ 63 21 October 1943 12:11 Yak-9 south of Grigorovka[42] 126 123 13 December 1943 11:25 La-5 Nebryliza[43]
68♠ 64 21 October 1943 12:13 Yak-7 south of Trachtemirow[42] 127 124 15 January 1944 11:55 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 99114[44]
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Lake Samara
69♠ 65 21 October 1943 12:13 Yak-7 north of Gruschewo[42] 128 125 15 January 1944 11:56 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 99123[44]
25 km (16 mi) east of Lake Samara
70♠ 66 21 October 1943 14:46 Yak-7 southwest of Lassurzow[42] 129 126 25 March 1944 08:04 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 78451[45]
40 km (25 mi) west of Selo
71♠ 67 21 October 1943 14:48 Yak-7 southeast of Tschernishow[42] 130 127 25 March 1944 08:05 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 78423[45]
40 km (25 mi) west-northwest of Selo
72♠ 68 21 October 1943 14:49 Yak-9 southwest of Dobriza[42] 128 25 March 1944 08:12 Yak-9 Lake Peipus, 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Pskov
73♠ 69 22 October 1943 06:20 La-5 south of Yashnyky[42] 131 129 26 March 1944 10:20 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 70663[45]
10 km (6.2 mi) west-southwest of Hungerburg
74♠ 70 22 October 1943 06:22 La-5 southwest of Yashnyky[42] 132 130 26 March 1944 13:40 P-40 PQ 26 Ost 70692[45]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Narva
75♠ 71 22 October 1943 06:27 La-5 east of Gruschewo[42] 133 131 26 March 1944 13:41 P-40 PQ 26 Ost 70692[45]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Narva
76♠ 72 22 October 1943 06:30 La-5 east of Jeu[40] 134 132 1 April 1944 14:20 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88324[45]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pskov
77♠ 73 22 October 1943 06:34 La-5 south of Tschernischew[40] 135 133 2 April 1944 11:15 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88351[45]
vicinity of Selo
78♠ 74 22 October 1943 12:10 Yak-9 north of Yashnyky[40] 136 134 2 April 1944 13:40?[Note 7] Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88551[45]
east of Ostrov
79♠ 75 22 October 1943 12:11 Yak-9 east of Yashnyky[40] 137 135 2 April 1944 13:45?[Note 8] Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88523[45]
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Ostrov
80♠ 76 22 October 1943 12:16 Yak-7 south-southeast of Yashnyky[40] 138 136 3 April 1944 11:17?[Note 9] Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88362[47]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo
81♠ 77 22 October 1943 12:18 La-5 west-southwest of Yashnyky[40] 139 137 4 April 1944 11:42 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88359[47]
vicinity of Selo
82♠ 78 23 October 1943 15:12 Yak-9 south of Grigorovka[40] 140 138 4 April 1944 11:43 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88356[47]
vicinity of Selo
83♠ 79 23 October 1943 15:14 Yak-9 east of Gruschewo[40] 141 139 4 April 1944 16:04?[Note 10] Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88352[47]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo
84♠ 80 23 October 1943 15:15 Yak-9 north-northeast of Yashnyky[40] 142 140 4 April 1944 16:08 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88359[47]
vicinity of Selo
85♠ 81 23 October 1943 15:20 Yak-7 village edge of Romaschki[40] 143 141 6 April 1944 07:15 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 88355[47]
vicinity of Selo
86♠ 82 23 October 1943 15:22 La-5 east of Rshitschtschew[40]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[48]
144 142 24 May 1944 11:42 B-17 PQ 15 Ost EG 6-9[49]
Oranienburg 		153 151 20 June 1944 16:20 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-4[49]
west of Saint-André-de-l'Eure
145 143 28 May 1944 14:23 P-38 PQ 15 Ost FD 9[49]
Tangermünde 		154 152 20 June 1944 16:21 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AB-6[50]
north of Breuteuil
146 144 8 June 1944 16:49 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UB-4[49]
5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Bernay 		155 153 24 June 1944 07:18 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/8[50]
Évreux
147 145 11 June 1944 10:53 Lysander northeast of Caen 156 154 24 June 1944 07:19 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/8[50]
Évreux
148 146 14 June 1944 07:29 P-47 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-3[49]
Pacy-sur-Eure/Évreux 		157 155 24 June 1944 07:21 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/8[50]
Évreux
149 147 14 June 1944 07:31 P-47 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-6[49]
east of Saint-André-de-l'Eure 		158 156 24 June 1944 07:22 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/8[50]
Évreux
150 148 14 June 1944 07:32 P-47 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-4[49]
Ivry-la-Bataille/Dreux 		159 157 26 June 1944 11:03 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost S/UB-9/2[50]
southeast of Bernay
151 149 20 June 1944 16:17 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-5[49]
Saint-André-de-l'Eure 		158 30 June 1944 06:50 unknown
152 150 20 June 1944 16:18 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-4[49]
Saint-André-de-l'Eure
Claim* Claim# Date Time Type Location Claim* Claim# Date Time Type Location
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 –[46]
160 159 9 July 1944 13:19 Spitfire PQ 15 West UU/PQ 05 Ost UA[51]
Caen[20] 		167 166 23 August 1944 13:40 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost UE[52]
north of Paris[53]
161 160 9 July 1944 13:21 Spitfire PQ 15 West UU/PQ 05 Ost UA[51]
Caen[20] 		168 167 25 August 1944 13:43 P-38 PQ 05 Ost TD[52]
west of Beauvais[54]
162 161 9 July 1944 13:24 Spitfire PQ 15 West UU/PQ 05 Ost UA[51]
Caen[20] 		169 168 25 August 1944 13:45 P-38 PQ 05 Ost UD[52]
east of Vernon[54]
163 162 15 August 1944 12:31 P-47 Rambouillet[55] 170 169 25 August 1944 13:48 P-38 PQ 05 Ost TD[52]
west of Beauvais[54]
164 163 15 August 1944 12:32 P-47 Rambouillet[55] 171 170 26 August 1944 09:17 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost SD-7[52]
east of Neufchâtel-en-Bray[22]
165 164 19 August 1944 10:24 P-47 east of Vernon[56] 172 171 26 August 1944 09:19 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost TC-3[52]
Rouen[22]
166 165 23 August 1944 13:38 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost UE/UF[52]
northeast of Paris[53] 		173 172 26 August 1944 14:28 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost TD-1[52]
east of Rouen[22]

Awards[edit]

Dates of rank[edit]

1 November 1941: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)[5]
1 November 1943: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant)[5]
1 May 1944: Hauptmann (Captain)[5]
posthumously: Major (Major), effective as of 1 September 1944[5]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  2. ^ According to Andrew Thomas, however, Emil Lang was shot down by Flight Lieutenant Terry Spencer of No. 41 Squadron RAF flying a Spitfire XII from Lympne.[26]
  3. ^ a b The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Il-7.[36]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin Il-2.[36]
  6. ^ Yashnyky is approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Lokhvytsia.
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:45.[46]
  8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:46.[46]
  9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:07.[46]
  10. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:06.[46]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Obermaier 1989, p. 64.
  3. ^ a b c d MacLean 2007, p. 203.
  4. ^ Toliver & Constable 1998, pp. 295–296.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Stockert 2007, p. 104.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h MacLean 2007, p. 205.
  7. ^ a b Toliver & Constable 1996, p. 247.
  8. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 264.
  9. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  10. ^ Weal 2001, pp. 103–104.
  11. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 252.
  12. ^ Bergström 2008, pp. 29–30.
  13. ^ Weal 1998, p. 72.
  14. ^ a b Prien et al. 2019, p. 446.
  15. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 471.
  16. ^ Stockert 2007, p. 107.
  17. ^ Stockert 2007, pp. 107, 109, 134.
  18. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 439.
  19. ^ Prien et al. 2019, pp. 186, 199.
  20. ^ a b c d Caldwell 1998, p. 300.
  21. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 334.
  22. ^ a b c d Caldwell 1998, p. 336.
  23. ^ Bowman 2007, p. 75.
  24. ^ a b c d MacLean 2007, p. 204.
  25. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 343, 344.
  26. ^ Thomas & Davey 2008, p. 28.
  27. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 186.
  28. ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 329.
  29. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 714–717.
  30. ^ Planquadrat.
  31. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 714–716.
  32. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 270.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
  34. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
  35. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 272.
  36. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 714.
  37. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2012, p. 277.
  38. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 273.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Prien et al. 2012, p. 278.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Prien et al. 2012, p. 280.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Prien et al. 2012, p. 279.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
  44. ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 476.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2022, p. 477.
  46. ^ a b c d e Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 716.
  47. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2022, p. 478.
  48. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 717.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2019, p. 451.
  50. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2019, p. 452.
  51. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2019, p. 192.
  52. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2019, p. 193.
  53. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 332.
  54. ^ a b c Caldwell 1998, p. 335.
  55. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 324.
  56. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 331.
  57. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 267.
  58. ^ a b Thomas 1998, p. 4.
  59. ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 491.
  60. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 283.
  61. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 81.

Bibliography[edit]

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  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  • Bowman, Martin (2007). P-51 Mustang Vs Fw 190: Europe 1943–45. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-189-2.
  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1998). JG 26 War Diary Volume Two 1943–1945. London: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-86-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (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.
  • MacLean, French L. (2007). Luftwaffe Efficiency & Promotion Reports — For the Knight's Cross Winners. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History. ISBN 978-0-7643-2657-8.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
  • 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.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-07-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Balke, Ulf; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2019). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/V—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/V—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-21-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Balke, Ulf; Bock, Winfried (2022). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 15/II—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 15/II—Action in the East—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-28-4.
  • 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 Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
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  • Weal, John (1998). Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Russian Front. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 6. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-518-0.
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  • Zabecki, David T., ed. (2019). The German War Machine in World War II. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-44-086918-1.
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