Joachim Blechschmidt

Last updated
Joachim Blechschmidt
Joachim Blechschmidt (1941).jpg
Joachim Blechschmidt (1941)
Born28 December 1912
Schleiz
Died13 July 1943(1943-07-13) (aged 30) M.I.A.
disappeared near Orel, Russia
AllegianceFlag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Balkenkreuz.svg   Luftwaffe
Years of service? – 1943
Rank Oberstleutnant (Posthumously)
Commands held I./ZG 1
ZG 1
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Joachim Blechschmidt (* 28 December 1912 in Schleiz/Thuringia; missing since 13 July 1943 after shooting down near Oryol/Central Russia) was a German lieutenant colonel in the German Air Force during the Second World War. He is counted among the aces of the German Air Force.

Contents

Biography

Joachim Blechschmidt was born on 28 December 1912 in Schleiz/Thuringia (Germany) as the youngest of twelve children of the grammar school professor and pastor Heinrich Blechschmidt (1867-1946) [1] and his wife Maria, née Kruse (1875-1918). His childhood was overshadowed by the First World War and the early death of his mother. After his secondary school time in Schleiz he decided to become an officer in the police force and was taken over by the army in Worms with a patent from April 1, 1934. There he realised his dream to become a pilot. In 1940 he married Gabriele Döber, at that time living in Katowice/Upper Silesia (today Poland), who, according to his official missing persons report on August 1, 1944, is said to have emigrated to the USA at the end of the Second World War. The marriage was childless. [2]

Military career

After a strict entrance examination in Jena-Rödinger he came to Perleburg in Priegnitz in 1935, where he was trained as a fighter pilot. From 1939 to 1942 he was a combat and transport pilot. During this time he took part in the campaigns to Poland (September 1939), France (May to June 1940) and the Battle of Britain (July to November 1940). For his merits he was awarded the Iron Cross second and first class. On 24 April1941 he was promoted to captain and became captain of a squadron Ju 52 of the second transport squadron (Battle Group for Special Use 9). In June 1941 his squadron was transferred to Russia, where it participated in the Operation Barbarossa until December 1941. On 4 February 1942 he received the German Cross in Gold for his outstanding achievements. [3] On 20 August 1942, he became Group Commander of I. Gruppe I of Zerstörergeschwader 1 ("Wespengeschwader" because of the wasp emblem on the nose section of the aircraft), equipped with heavy twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter aircraft. [4] His squadron was instrumental in the crushing of strong enemy attacks on the Stalingrad Front. Major Blechschmidt and his group flew missions in the Great Don Arc from an airfield surrounded by the enemy, probably Tazinskaya. [5] Although Soviet tanks advanced to the edge of the airfield, the destroyer group under his command flew rolling missions against tanks, artillery and infantry positions of the Soviets despite the lowest cloud height, snowdrift and lowest visibility conditions and despite the artillery and mortar fire lying on the airfield. These flights led to the prevention of an enemy breakthrough. [6] On 17 March 1943 he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross [7] shortly afterwards he was promoted to Major and on 12 April 1943 to Commander of Destroyer Squadron 1. On 13 July 1943 he was shot down by Noël Castelain [8] in air combat with Soviet and Allied fighters east of Orel near Ulyanovo-Bolchov. He succeeded with his Bf 110 G-2 (W.No. 6295) "S9+BA" in an emergency landing with burning engines behind enemy lines. Together with his radio operator, Sergeant Wörl, he was able to leave the aircraft alive and take refuge in a Russian occupied forest. He was subsequently promoted to lieutenant colonel in absence. On August 1, 1944 he was officially listed as missing. According to Soviet sources, he fell into Russian captivity, further whereabouts unknown, and is believed to have shot down two Russian fighter planes of the type Lavochkin LaGG-3 on March 25, 1943, and a La-5 on May 10 of the same year. [9] By 2 April 1943 he had carried out 400 enemy flights and achieved 17 air victories, all on the Eastern Front. [10] [11] [12]

Awards

Related Research Articles

Alfred Heckmann was a Luftwaffe flying ace of 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. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Günther Wolfgang Bahr was a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot and night fighter flying ace during World War II. He claimed 36 victories at night, plus one further daytime aerial victory, all of which were four-engine bombers, achieved in over 90 combat missions. He counted 37 victories over all. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Bahr died in April 2009 at the age of 87.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eduard Tratt</span>

Eduard Tratt was a Luftwaffe fighter, test pilot and flying ace of World War II. Major Eduard Tratt was the highest scoring Zerstörer pilot of the war with 38 victories and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Zerstörergeschwader 26. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. 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. On 20 April 1944 he was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major.

Herbert Bareuther was a World War II fighter ace from Nazi Germany. Bareuther was credited with having shot down a total of 55 enemy aircraft. All the victories he achieved were recorded over the Eastern Front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franz Woidich</span> German World War II fighter pilot (1921–2004)

Franz-Walter Woidich was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. Wernitz was credited with 110 aerial victories claimed in roughly 1000 combat missions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Borchers</span> German night fighter ace and wing commander

Walter Borchers was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II. As a flying ace, he was credited with 59 aerial victories, including 43 nocturnal victories, 10 as a destroyer pilot and 6 four-engined bombers at day time, claimed in roughly 300 combat missions. Prior to his death he held the position of wing commander of the 5th Night Fighter Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johann Schalk</span> German World War II flying ace and wing commander

Johann (Hans) Schalk was a flying ace and high-ranking officer in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. He is credited with 15 aerial victories, 4 of which on the Eastern Front, claimed in 163 combat missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egon Albrecht-Lemke</span> German fighter ace and Knights Cross recipient (1918–1944)

Egon Albrecht-Lemke was a German-Brazilian Luftwaffe fighter pilot and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Albrecht claimed 25 aerial victories, 10 over the Western Front and 15 over the Eastern Front.

Herbert Broennle was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Herbert Broennle was killed on 4 July 1943 when he was shot down and crashed north of Lake Lentini in Italy. He was credited with 58 victories in 387 missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmut Haugk</span> German World War II fighter pilot

Helmut Haugk was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Haugk claimed 18 aerial victories in more than 440 flights.

Hans-Joachim Heyer was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Hans-Joachim Heyer was shot down near Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union on 9 November 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 25 November 1942. During his career he was credited with 53 aerial victories, all of them on the Eastern Front.

Anton Hermann Benning was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.

Gerhard "Knall" Koall was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Gerhard Koall was killed on 27 April 1945 after being hit by Soviet anti-aircraft fire near Anklam. During his career he was credited with 37 victories, 35 on the Eastern Front and 2 during the Invasion of Yugoslavia.

Johann-Hermann Meier was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 77 enemy aircraft shot down in 305 combat missions. All of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front.

Reinhard Kollak was a Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Ralph von Rettberg was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and wing commander. As a fighter ace, he claimed eight enemy aircraft shot down.

Hans-Joachim Kroschinski was a former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josef Kociok</span> German World War II fighter pilot (1918–1943)

Josef Kociok was a German Luftwaffe pilot during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. He was killed in an air collision.

Maximilian Mayerl was a fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross During his career Maximilian Mayerl was credited with 76 aerial victories in 600+ missions.

Herbert Schob was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career Herbert Schob was credited with 34 aerial victories, 6 in the Spanish Civil War and 28 during World War II.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Berühmte Vogtländer. Plauen: Verein für vogtländische Geschichte, Volks- und Landeskunde e.V. 1997. p. 14.
  2. ↑ Piegler, Theo (1986). Chronik der Familien Blechschmidt und Piegler in Schleiz/Th. Darmstadt: Selbstverlag. p. 336.
  3. ↑ "Joachim Blechschmidt". Luftwaffe 39-45. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  4. ↑ Vasco 2001, p. 97, 143.
  5. ↑ Herhudt von Rhoden 1993, pp. 40–50.
  6. ↑ "Panzer auf 15 Meter abgeschossen". Grenz-Zeitung. No. 91. 1943. p. 2.
  7. ↑ Fellgiebel 2004, p. 115.
  8. ↑ "Les As de l'Aviation, Inséparables jusque dans la mort (Albert Littolf, Noël Castelain)". Aéro-Journal, Histoire de l'Aviation. No. 6. 1999. p. 42.
  9. ↑ Zefirov, Mikhail (2010). Luftwaffe Aces. Who is who. Data. Moscow: AST. ISBN   978-5-17-057677-7.
  10. ↑ Bergström 2007, p. 88.
  11. ↑ "Joachim Blechschmidt". Traces of the War. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  12. ↑ de Zeng IV, Henry L.; Stankey, Douglas G. (2017). "Joachim Blechschmidt" (PDF). Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries Section A-F Version: 01.04.2017. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  13. ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 45.
  14. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 134.
  15. ↑ Scherzer 2007, p. 224.

Bibliography

  • Bergström, Christer (2007). Kursk - The Air Battle: July 1943. Burgess Hill: Chevron/Ian Allan. ISBN   978-1-903223-88-8.
  • 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.
  • Fellgiebel, Walter-Peer [in German] (2004). Elite of the Third Reich: The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Warwick: Helion & Co.
  • Herhudt von Rhoden, Hans-Detlef [in German] (1993) [1950]. Die Luftwaffe ringt um Stalingrad. Frankfurt a. M.: Ullstein Verlag. ISBN   978-3-548-34995-4.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN   978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Vasco, John (2001). The Sting of the Luftwaffe - Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and Zerstörergeschwader 1 "Wespengeschwader" in World War II. Atglen: Schiffer Publishing.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.