Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn

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Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn
Günther von Maltzahn.jpg
Born (1910-10-20)20 October 1910
Wodarg, Province of Pomerania
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Düsseldorf
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Heer (1931–35)
Luftwaffe (1935–45)
Years of service 1931–45
Rank Oberst
Unit JG 134, JG 53
Commands held II./JG 53, JG 53
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
von Maltzahn in Italy, July 1943

Oberst Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn[Note 1] (20 October 1910 – 24 June 1953) was a German World War II Luftwaffe Flying ace and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) and a winner 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. Legally it was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn.[Note 2]

Career

Von Maltzhan was born 20 October 1910 in Wodarg, Pomerania. A member of the German aristocracy, Günther von Maltzhan could use the title of Freiherr (Baron). Von Matzahn entered the cavalry in 1931 although he had already undergone flight training at the commercial flying school in Schleissheim. In mid 1930s, von Maltzahn was joined the Luftwaffe as a flying instructor. In 1937 he was posted to 6./Jagdgeschwader 334 as a Staffelkapitän, the unit later renumbered 6./Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53).

By September 1939, von Maltzahn, as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 53, led his unit through the Polish campaign, the Battle of France and the Low Countries and the Battle of Britain. On 9 October 1940 he was promoted Geschwaderkommodore of JG 53, and on 30 December was awarded the Knight's Cross, for 12 air victories, and also for his work organizing and leading the unit.

In 1941 JG 53 participated in the Invasion of the Soviet Union, achieving high numbers of air victories against the Soviet Air Force. Major Von Maltzahn reached 43 kills and on 24 July 1941 received the Oak Leaves. In September 1941 JG 53 was withdrawn from frontline duties to Holland for rest and refit. The Geschwader was then sent to Sicily in December and participated in the battles over Malta and the Mediterranean.

Von Maltzahn reached 68 victories before leaving JG 53 in October 1943, assuming various staff positions with the Luftwaffenbefehlshabers Mitte (Luftwaffe Command of the Mediterranean), and later Jagdfliegerführer Italien, (Chief of Operations in Italy). In February 1945 he was detached to 9 Fliegerdivision, until the end of the war.

Oberst Gunther Freiherr von Maltzahn flew 497 missions and claimed 68 victories, 67 of them in the west. He fought on the Western Front, Eastern Front and the Mediterranean.

Later life

After the war Maltzahn worked in agriculture and later in the "Amt Blank", a forerunner of the Federal Ministry of Defence, on the reconstruction of the German Air Force. He was a candidate for the position of Inspekteur der Bundesluftwaffe of the German Air Force. He died of Hodgkin's lymphoma on 24 June 1953 in Düsseldorf at the age of 42. The street "Günther-von-Maltzahn-Straße" in Fürstenfeldbruck was named after him.[1]

Awards

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
Monday, 18 November 1940 Ein Jagdgeschwader unter der Führung des Majors von Maltzahn errang am 15. November seinen 501. Luftsieg.[6] A fighter wing under the leadership of Major von Maltzahn achieved its 501st aerial victory on November 15.

Notes

  1. Regarding personal names: Freiherr is a former title (translated as Baron). In Germany since 1919, it forms part of family names. The feminine forms are Freifrau and Freiin.
  2. Until late September 1941, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves was second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), which was awarded only to senior commanders for winning a major battle or campaign, in the military order of the Third Reich. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves as highest military order was officially surpassed on 28 September 1941 by the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern), however the first presentation of the Swords to Adolf Galland was made prior to this date on 21 June 1941.

References

Citations

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  2. 2.0 2.1 Thomas 1998, p. 55.
  3. Obermaier 1989, p. 46.
  4. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 293.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Scherzer 2007, p. 525.
  6. Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, p. 363.

Bibliography

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  • Williamson, Gordon & Bujeiro, (2005). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1941-45. Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84176-642-9.
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External links

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Military offices
Preceded by Commander of Jagdgeschwader 53 Pik As
October 1940 – October 1943
Succeeded by
Major Friedrich-Karl Müller
Preceded by
unknown
Commander of Jagdfliegerführer Oberitalien
October 5, 1943 – December, 1944
Succeeded by
Oberst Eduard Neumann