Bernhard Vechtel

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Bernhard Vechtel
Bernhard Vechtel.jpg
Bernhard Vechtel
Born (1920-07-31)31 July 1920
Vohren near Warendorf
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Speyer
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Rank Oberleutnant
Unit JG 51
Commands held 14./JG 51
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Leutnant Bernhard Vechtel (31 July 1920 – 21 August 1975) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Vechtel was credited with 108 aerial victories claimed in some 860 combat missions, all on the Eastern Front.[1]

Career

He served his entire military career with the Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) as a member of with 10, 11 & 14./JG 51. He was awarded the Ehrenpokal on 3 January 1944, the German Cross in Gold on 28 January 1944, and later received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 27 July 1944, for 93 aerial-victories. He claimed Jagdgeschwader 51s 8000th aerial victory of the war on 1 May 1944.

From 11 December 1944 onwards he led 14./JG 51 as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader). On 25 March 1945, Vechtel was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 99th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[2]

Awards

References

Citations

  1. Spick 1996, p. 232.
  2. Obermaier 1989, p. 244.
  3. Obermaier 1989, p. 217.
  4. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 485.
  5. Scherzer 2007, p. 756.
  6. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 429.

Bibliography

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External links

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