Adolf Dickfeld
Adolf Dickfeld
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Adolf Dickfeld
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Born | Jüterbog in Brandenburg |
20 February 1910
Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Dreieich in Hesse |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ |
Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1937–45 |
Rank | Oberst |
Unit | JG 52, JG 2, JG 11 |
Commands held | II./JG 11 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Oberst Adolf Dickfeld (20 February 1910 – 17 May 2009) was a German World War II Luftwaffe 136 victories Flying 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 was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Contents
Early life and career
Dickfeld was born on 20 February 1910 in Jüterbog in the Province of Brandenburg, the son of an artillery officer. In his youth he learned to fly glider aircraft. He made his first flights at the glider school in Grunau in Silesia, present-day Jeżów Sudecki, Poland. Here, among others, he was taught to fly by Hanna Reitsch. He was also trained by Wolf Hirth on the Hornberg in the Black Forest, and by Heini Dittmar and Oskar Ursinus at the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön Mountains.[2]
World War II
On 18 May 1942, Dickfeld was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 8th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[3]
Dickfeld was officially credited with 136 victories claimed in 1072 combat missions. He also claimed a further 15 enemy aircraft unconfirmed.[4] In 1943 he was placed in a staff position as General für Nachwuchs (general of procreation/recruitment)[citation needed] of the Luftwaffe in the Reich Air Ministry and at the same time became Reich inspector of the Flieger (Aviation) Hitler Youth. He claimed about 128 victories over the Eastern Front. He claimed one victory flying the Heinkel He 162 Salamander ("Volksjäger") jet fighter, a P-47 Thunderbolt on 11 April 1945.
Dickfeld continued to fly professionally in Germany and East Africa. He died on 17 May 2009 in Dreieich.[5][6]
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939)
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 15 December 1941 as Leutnant and pilot[8][9]
- German Cross in Gold on 22 January 1942 as Leutnant of the Reserves in the 7./JG 52[10]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Royal Bulgarian Merit medal in Gold
- Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
Wehrmachtbericht reference
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
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.[14] | Leutnant Graf achieved his 98th to 104th, Leutnant Dickfeld his 82nd to 90th aerial victories in yesterday's aerial combat on the Eastern Front. |
Notes
References
Citations
- ↑ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
- ↑ Stockert 1996, p. 435.
- ↑ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
- ↑ Dickfeld 2005, p. 390.
- ↑ 12oclockhigh forum
- ↑ axishistory forum
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas 1997, p. 116.
- ↑ Patzwall 2008, p. 65.
- ↑ Obermaier 1989, p. 50.
- ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 83.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 160.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Scherzer 2007, p. 271.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 59.
- ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 2, p. 129.
Bibliography
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External links
- Adolf Dickfeld in the German National Library catalogue
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- Articles containing German-language text
- Articles with unsourced statements from December 2010
- 1910 births
- 2009 deaths
- People from Jüterbog
- Luftwaffe pilots
- German World War II flying aces
- People from the Province of Brandenburg
- Recipients of the Gold German Cross
- Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Military personnel referenced in the Wehrmachtbericht