201-759: Joachim Müncheberg (31 December 1918 – 23 March 1943) was a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II and an ace credited with 135 air victories. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Western Front , with 33 claims over the Eastern Front . Of his 102 aerial victories achieved over the Western Allies , 46 were against Supermarine Spitfire fighters. Born in Friedrichsdorf , Prussia (now in Poland), Müncheberg volunteered for military service in
402-418: A No. 257 Squadron Hawker Hurricane 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) northeast of Dover . The claim was made at 15:15. No other German pilot from JG 26 claimed a Hurricane at that time. The only loss suffered by No. 257 Squadron was Sergeant Ronald V. Forward who bailed out wounded. Müncheberg is credited with downing Forward. However, RAF records appear to show he was shot down at 18:40, almost three and
603-472: A No. 261 Squadron Hurricane south of Siġġiewi , Malta. On 16 February Müncheberg claimed his 26th victory over No. 261 Squadron Hurricane of ace Flight Lieutenant James MacLachlan , who baled out severely wounded. MacLachlan lost his arm, but returned to combat in late 1941. Müncheberg claimed a slow-flying Hurricane—he assumed that the Hurricane had engine trouble—on 25 February. Flying fighter protection for
804-598: A Royal Air Force (RAF) Bristol Blenheim Mk. I bomber L1325 of No. 57 Squadron , piloted by Pilot Officer H.R. Bewlay. This achievement earned him the Iron Cross 2nd Class ( Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse ) on 9 November 1939. The Battle of France , the German invasion of France and the Low Countries , began on 10 May 1940. II. and III. Gruppe flew close air support missions in support of German airborne landings by
1005-574: A Luftwaffe detachment sent to aid Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War , provided the force with a valuable testing ground for new tactics and aircraft. Partially as a result of this combat experience, the Luftwaffe had become one of the most sophisticated, technologically advanced, and battle-experienced air forces in the world when World War II broke out in September 1939. By the summer of 1939,
1206-542: A P-40 of the 66th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron , 57th Fighter Group , United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Warrant Officer B. Raises was posted missing in action from No. 601 Squadron. On 15 December, while flying a patrol during the Battle of El Agheila , Müncheberg intercepted P-40s from the 64th Fighter Squadron , 57th Fighter Group accompanied by 12 bomb-carrying P-40s from No. 112 Squadron . Müncheberg shot down two USAAF P-40s. Second Lieutenants Chester Kroplodowski
1407-551: A USAAF 52nd Fighter Group Spitfire exploded in front of him after a close-range burst of cannon fire, incapacitating Muncheberg's aircraft. The Spitfire was piloted by Captain Theodore Sweetland. Captain Hugh L. Williamson, who was also shot down in the engagement, later stated that he thought Sweetland had deliberately rammed Müncheberg's aircraft. Müncheberg's speed had been the fatal contributing factor, leaving him unable to avoid
1608-629: A bomber Geschwader was about 80–90 aircraft. The peacetime strength of the Luftwaffe in the spring of 1939 was 370,000 men. After mobilisation in 1939 almost 900,000 men served, and just before Operation Barbarossa in 1941 personnel strength had reached 1.5 million men. The Luftwaffe reached its largest personnel strength during the period November 1943 to June 1944, with almost three million men and women in uniform; 1.7 million of these were male soldiers, 1 million male Wehrmachtsbeamte and civilian employees, and almost 300,000 female and male auxiliaries ( Luftwaffenhelfer ). In October 1944,
1809-614: A cavalry officer of the reserves during World War I. The hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic forced his father to sell their farm Friedrichshof in 1923; they resettled in Königsberg , where Müncheberg started his elementary schooling ( Grundschule ). His father was able to repurchase their old farm in 1927 and the family moved back to Friedrichshof. Müncheberg completed his elementary school in Falkenburg , Pomerania. He walked or rode on
2010-682: A few weeks in 1934 and in 1935 spent his summer vacation in Bulgaria where he, among other places, stayed at the Rila Monastery . In early 1936 he attended a National Socialism course in Lauenburg , Pomerania. He completed his compulsory labour service ( Reichsarbeitsdienst ) in October 1936 with Abteilung (department) 5/50 in Lüttmannshagen, district of Cammin . As an athlete, he especially excelled in
2211-560: A four-engine Short Sunderland L5807 , belonging to No. 228 Squadron at RAF Kalafrana on 27 April. Müncheberg led his 7. Staffel in the attack, destroying the Sunderland. Pilot Officer Rees and his crew survived. On 29 April, 7. Staffel provided fighter protection for Junkers Ju 88 bombers attacking Malta. 7. Staffel claimed two Hurricanes shot down, one by Münchberg, for the loss of one Ju 88. The German actress and UFA star, Carola Höhn , wife of bomber pilot Arved Crüger , on
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#17328547063642412-467: A half hours after Müncheberg's claim. Müncheberg was credited with his 11th victory on 8 August, claiming a No. 65 Squadron Spitfire piloted by Flight Sergeant Norman T. Phillips shot down. The claim would seem unlikely. The war diary for JG 26 "Schlageter" shows that Müncheberg made his claim at 12:55 in the afternoon as did three other pilots. No. 65 Squadron lost only two Spitfires that day, one flown by Phillips. British records show Phillips
2613-405: A head-on position. Other Spitfire units nearby, mindful of the unfavourable tactical situation did not support Deere. The dogfight caused the destruction of seven No. 403 Squadron Spitfires, four pilots were captured and one killed. He claimed his final two victories (82–83) with II. Gruppe on 20 June 1942 in combat with Spitfires of No. 118 and No. 501 Squadron . II. Gruppe was credited with
2814-619: A horse-drawn wagon 24 kilometres (15 mi) each way to school. In 1928 he transferred to the Realgymnasium (a type of secondary school) in Dramburg and graduated with his Abitur (diploma) in 1936. Müncheberg, who was talented in sports and athletics, played football for the T.V. Falkenburg youth team in the early 1930s. He attended the Sturmabteilung -sports school in Hammerstein for
3015-436: A lack of understanding of doctrine and technical issues in aerial warfare which he left to others more competent. The Commander-in-Chief left the organisation and building of the Luftwaffe, after 1936, to Erhard Milch. However Göring, as a part of Hitler's inner circle, provided access to financial resources and materiel for rearming and equipping the Luftwaffe. Another prominent figure in German air power construction this time
3216-418: A leading role in the buildup of the Luftwaffe in 1933–36, but had little further involvement in the development of the force after 1936, and Milch became the " de facto " minister until 1937. The absence of Göring in planning and production matters was fortunate. Göring had little knowledge of current aviation, had last flown in 1922, and had not kept himself informed of the latest events. Göring also displayed
3417-464: A mission to provide entertainment to the troops, visited the pilots at Gela. According to Röll, Müncheberg was especially attracted to the actress and personally accompanied her during her visit. Müncheberg surpassed 40 aerial victories on 1 May 1941 after downing two aircraft on an early morning mission and a third in the evening. This feat earned him his second mention in the Wehrmachtbericht . In
3618-519: A monument to the glory of the Junkers Ju 52. It is the aircraft which the Spanish revolution has to thank for its victory." Poor accuracy from level bombers in 1937 led the Luftwaffe to grasp the benefits of dive-bombing. The latter could achieve far better accuracy against tactical ground targets than heavier conventional bombers. Range was not a key criterion for this mission. It was not always feasible for
3819-622: A number of parochial and private gymnasia also exist. In 2009/10, 11.1 percent of gymnasium students attended a private gymnasium. These often charge tuition fees , though many also offer scholarships. Tuition fees are lower than in comparable European countries. Some gymnasia are boarding schools , while others run as day schools; they are now predominantly co-educational, and few single-sex schools remain. Students are generally admitted at 10 years of age and are required to have completed four years (six in Berlin and Brandenburg where they are enrolled at
4020-619: A proper evaluation was made. The Ju 86 was poor while the He 111 showed the most promise. The Spanish Civil War convinced Udet (along with limited output from the German munitions industry) that wastage was not acceptable in munition terms. Udet sought to build dive-bombing into the Junkers Ju 88 and conveyed the same idea, initiated specifically by the OKL for the Heinkel He 177 , approved in early November 1937. In
4221-547: A selected group of pilots, among them Oberleutnant Gustav Sprick , Hauptmann Walter Adolph , Hauptmann Rolf Pingel , Galland, Schöpfel and Müncheberg. The war of attrition against the RAF had cost JG 26 "Schlageter" dearly, 7. Staffel alone lost 13 pilots, and the entire Geschwader had to be moved back to Germany to reform and re-equip in early 1941. III. Gruppe was stationed at Bonn-Hangelar, in Sankt Augustin . Before
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#17328547063644422-558: A series of relocations which eventually took them to the North African theatre of operations . The Staffel first relocated to Greece at the end of May. The ground personnel were shipped from Catania to Piraeus and then to the airfield at Molaoi on the southern tip of the Peloponnese region . The original intent was to participate in the Battle of Crete . The relatively quick but costly victory made these plans obsolete. The Staffel
4623-522: A serviceman (not a pilot) in the Luftstreitkräfte during World War I, and later an experienced pilot with Lufthansa , was a prominent theorist of air power. Knauss promoted the Giulio Douhet theory that air power could win wars alone by destroying enemy industry and breaking enemy morale by "terrorising the population" of major cities. This advocated attacks on civilians. The General Staff blocked
4824-550: A six-year course. The rising prominence of girls' gymnasia was mainly due to the ascendancy of the German feminist movement in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, corresponding to the rising demand for women's university education. Co-educational gymnasia have become widespread since the 1970s, and today, single-sex gymnasia are rare in Germany. When primary school ended with the fourth grade and pupils left German basic secondary schools ( Volksschule/Hauptschule or Realschule ) at
5025-554: A strategic air war (although the British and French were in a much weaker position), and Hitler ordered the Luftwaffe be expanded to five times its earlier size. The OKL badly neglected the need for transport aircraft; even in 1943, transport units were described as Kampfgeschwadern zur besonderen Verwendung (Bomber Units on Special Duties, KGzbV). and only grouping them together into dedicated cargo and personnel transport wings ( Transportgeschwader ) during that year. In March 1938, as
5226-506: A strong political movement to reduce the time spent at the gymnasium to eight years throughout Germany; nowadays most pupils throughout Germany attend the gymnasium for 8 years (referred to as G8), dispensing with the traditional ninth year or oberprima (except in Rhineland-Palatinate and Lower Saxony which still has a year 13; Bavaria will bring back the 13th year in 2024, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein will bring back
5427-471: A student should not interrupt his teachers." Students may also be subjected to official disciplinary measures, such as a Verweis (reprimand), not unlike equally-called measures in the disciplining of civil-servants or soldiers; the hardest of these measures is expelling from school. Such pupils have to go to another school, or even be banned from attending state schools altogether. This is rare though. Some private schools are more easy with expulsions, along with
5628-408: A third in combat with JG 2 . Czech pilot Flight Lieutenant J Kulhanek was killed and American Sergeant E Pendelton was captured after combat with JG 26 Fw 190s. No. 401 and No. 602 Squadrons lost one fighter each in combat with JG 26. In the latter battle Müncheberg shot down Squadron Leader, No. 412 Squadron, J D Morrison who was killed and Pilot Officer A T A Young, who
5829-629: A victory over a Hurricane from No. 151 Squadron and another Hurricane on 31 August. This brought his total to 15 aerial victories, which increased to 16 the next day. On 13 September 1940, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ( Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes ) the same day he achieved his 20th aerial victory - the third in JG ;26. The No. 151 pilot was Pilot Officer F Czajkowski, who force-landed wounded. He returned in early October, after
6030-613: A wave of protests from abroad. It has been suggested that the bombing of Guernica was carried out for military tactical reasons, in support of ground operations, but the town was not directly involved in any fighting at that point in time. It was not until 1942 that the Germans started to develop a bombing policy in which civilians were the primary targets, although the Blitz on London and many other British cities involved indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, 'nuisance raids' which could even involve
6231-512: Is a requirement for graduation. If they wish, students may also graduate with four foreign languages. There are a number of gymnasia for mature students, people who graduated from school, but did not receive an Abitur . Most of these schools have only the top three or four year groups, rather than the traditional 5th to 13th years. Examples are the Abendgymnasium , the Aufbaugymnasium and
Joachim Müncheberg - Misplaced Pages Continue
6432-661: Is no longer the case for every gymnasium. In the past, Gymnasiasten wore a traditional cap, marking them as a gymnasium student. The colour of the cap differed by gymnasium and grade. In case of the Ludwig Meyn Gymnasium in Uetersen , for example, in 1920: After the Machtergreifung of the Nazis, the gymnasium cap was banned for political reasons. Literature describing student caps was burned .Students received new clothing from
6633-482: Is not up to the parents to decide if a pupil will attend the Gymnasium but decision will mainly be based on the performance in elementary schools. However, even "the gifted" in this sense comprise a fourth or fifth of the population. Other gymnasia in other states have no such strict provisions. Though gymnasia traditionally impose strict grading that causes students of average academic ability to struggle, many schools share
6834-421: Is true even in regions where High German is not the prevailing dialect. Curricula differ from school to school, but generally include German , mathematics , informatics / computer science , physics , chemistry , biology , geography , art (as well as crafts and design), music , history , philosophy , civics / citizenship, social sciences , and several foreign languages. For younger students nearly
7035-557: The Oberkommando der Luftwaffe organised Nazi human experimentation , and Luftwaffe ground troops committed massacres in Italy, Greece, and Poland. The Imperial German Army Air Service was founded in 1910 with the name Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches , most often shortened to Fliegertruppe . It was renamed the Luftstreitkräfte on 8 October 1916. The air war on
7236-628: The Fliegertruppe's initial, 1914–15 era Feldflieger Abteilung observation/reconnaissance air units, each with six two-seater aircraft apiece, had been attached to specific army formations and acted as support. Dive bomber units were considered essential to Truppenführung , attacking enemy headquarters and lines of communications. Luftwaffe "Regulation 10: The Bomber" ( Dienstvorschrift 10: Das Kampfflugzeug ), published in 1934, advocated air superiority and approaches to ground attack tactics without dealing with operational matters. Until 1935,
7437-628: The Anschluss was taking place, Göring ordered Felmy to investigate the prospect of air raids against Britain. Felmy concluded it was not possible until bases in Belgium and the Netherlands were obtained and the Luftwaffe had heavy bombers. It mattered little, as war was avoided by the Munich Agreement, and the need for long-range aircraft did not arise. These failures were not exposed until wartime. In
7638-607: The Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) in the Netherlands. Müncheberg filed claim for his second victory on 11 May 1940 when he shot down an Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) Curtiss P-36 Hawk northwest of Antwerp . On 13 May 1940, III. Gruppe was moved to München Gladbach , present-day Mönchengladbach, closer to the border with the Netherlands and Belgium. On 14 May, JG 26 escorted bombers of III. Gruppe of Lehrgeschwader 1 (LG 1—1st Demonstration Wing). En route,
7839-557: The 1940 Summer Olympics . His commanding officers supported him in this athletic vision and gave him additional time off to practice for the Olympics. Müncheberg owned a dachshund , which his mother had bred, named Seppl. The dog accompanied him from the start of World War II until his death on 23 March 1943. At the time of Müncheberg's posting to JG 234, the Geschwader was commanded by Oberst Eduard Ritter von Schleich and I. Gruppe
8040-415: The 85th Fighter Squadron , 79th Fighter Group . On 22 January Müncheberg accounted for two 3 RAAF P-40s. Sergeant Righetti parachuted out and Flying Officer Russell was wounded and his aircraft damaged. Another success claimed on 28 January was a P-40 belonging to the 33rd Fighter Group which crashed. On 10 March Müncheberg claimed Flight Lieutenant R. R. Smith DFC, a Canadian pilot with 8 victory claims who
8241-540: The Afrika Korps before transferring to France. He was given command of JG 26's II. Gruppe (2nd Group) in September 1941 and was then posted to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51 —51st Fighter Wing), on the Eastern Front , in July 1942. Serving as a Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) in training under JG 51 wing commander Karl-Gottfried Nordmann , he claimed his 100th aerial victory on 5 September 1942 for which he
Joachim Müncheberg - Misplaced Pages Continue
8442-770: The Army of the Wehrmacht . Müncheberg spent his 1936/37 winter vacation in Altenberg in the Ore Mountains . He then attended the III. Lehrgang (3rd training course) in the 4. Schülerkompanie (4th student company) at the Luftkriegsschule 1 (1st Air War School) in Dresden as a Fahnenjunker (Officer Applicant) from 1 April to 30 June 1937. A year later he completed his flight training there and
8643-539: The Battle of France and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross following his 20th aerial victory and during the Battle of Britain . Serving as a Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader) he fought in the aerial battles during the siege of Malta and invasion of Yugoslavia . He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Italian Gold Medal of Military Valor after 43 aerial victories. Müncheberg then briefly served in North Africa in support of
8844-757: The German Federal Archives and found documentation for 135 aerial victory claims, plus nine further unconfirmed claims. This number includes 102 on the Western Front and 33 on the Eastern Front. On 30 November 1962 an honorary one-time pension of 1,500 DM was paid to the relatives of Müncheberg (and relatives of Hans-Joachim Marseille) by the Italian Minister of Defence Giulio Andreotti . Luftwaffe Albert Kesselring The Luftwaffe ( German pronunciation: [ˈlʊftvafə] )
9045-808: The German education system , is the most advanced and highest of the three types of German secondary schools , the others being Hauptschule (lowest) and Realschule (middle). Gymnasium strongly emphasizes academic learning, comparable to the British grammar school system or with prep schools in the United States. A student attending Gymnasium is called a Gymnasiast (German plural: Gymnasiasten ). In 2009/10 there were 3,094 gymnasia in Germany, with c. 2,475,000 students (about 28 percent of all precollegiate students during that period), resulting in an average student number of 800 students per school. Gymnasia are generally public, state-funded schools, but
9246-407: The German invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece on 6 April. In support of this invasion, the pilots attacked the airfield at Podgorica . Müncheberg claimed a Yugoslav Hawker Fury biplane of Independent Fighter Eskadrila , 81 (Bomber) Grupa, Jugoslovensko Kraljevsko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo (JKRV - Yugoslav Royal Air Force) on 6 April 1941. Its pilot Porucnik (First Lieutenant) Milenko Milivojevic
9447-578: The Geschwaderkommodore of JG 51, Major Karl-Gottfried Nordmann . Initially Müncheberg believed that combat on the Eastern Front was child's play in comparison to the Western Front . He was shot down or damaged on two or three occasions. His first major task was re-equipping JG 51 with the Fw ;190. Under his leadership JG 51 became the first fighter wing on the Eastern Front to be equipped with this type. He claimed his first victories in
9648-513: The Gruppe received new aircraft, the men were sent on a skiing vacation in the Austrian Alps. This was to be the last period of leave given to the entire JG 26 for the duration of the war. On 22 January 1941, Müncheberg was informed by Gruppenkommandeur Schöpfel that the 7. Staffel had to relocate to Sicily in support of X. Fliegerkorps , under the command of General der Flieger (General of
9849-629: The Latinum, some also the Graecum , proof of study or comprehension of Latin or Ancient Greek, respectively. This type of school is less traditional. It teaches at least two modern languages. In most cases the students have the chance to learn Latin as well. Often combined with the Neusprachliches Gymnasium this type of schools have a focus on STEM subjects. The Gymnasium with focus on mathematics and sciences used to be called Oberrealschule ,
10050-513: The League of German Girls and the Hitler Youth . Gymnasium students were forbidden from wearing clothing that identified them as members of their school. Now, it is no longer illegal and these caps are again being sold however, few ever wear one. At some schools, when graduating, students receive an Abitur T-shirt, which is printed with the name of the school, the year of graduation and a slogan. As
10251-424: The Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany in 1936. Initially serving in the Army , he transferred to the Luftwaffe (air force) in 1938. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 234 (JG 234—234th Fighter Wing) in October 1938. He was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) a year later and was appointed adjutant of the III. Gruppe (3rd Group). He fought in
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#173285470636410452-463: The Western Front received the most attention in the annals of the earliest accounts of military aviation, since it produced aces such as Manfred von Richthofen , Ernst Udet , Oswald Boelcke , and Max Immelmann . After the defeat of Germany, the service was dissolved on 8 May 1920 under the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, which also mandated the destruction of all German military aircraft. Since
10653-473: The Wirtschaftsgymnasium . German gymnasia follow different pedagogical philosophies, and teaching methods may vary. In the most traditional schools, students rise when the teacher enters the classroom. The teacher says "Good morning, class" and the class answers "Good morning, Mr./Ms. ... ." The teacher then asks them to sit down. Up to the 1960s, students used to be supposed to call their teachers by
10854-594: The decathlon ; almost daily he practised the ten different disciplines. Aged 17, he attended a summer camp held in conjunction with the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. His interest in flying was kindled by his cousin Hermann Hackbusch, a pilot during World War I, who often took Müncheberg to the Berlin - Staaken airfield for sightseeing flights. Müncheberg volunteered for service in the then newly emerging Luftwaffe and started his recruit training on 4 December 1936 in
11055-435: The evacuation and the battle of the port reached a climax. The last claim of the day was made against No. 609 Squadron . No. 609 Squadron reported two pilots killed and one wounded, though one of the dead pilots was killed in action with Heinkel He 111 bombers according to British sources. On 4 June 1940, III. Gruppe relocated to La Capelle near Boulogne . The second and decisive phase, Fall Rot (Case Red), of
11256-542: The racial policy of Nazi Germany did not apply to him. Wilberg remained in the air staff, and under Walther Wever helped draw up the Luftwaffe's principle doctrinal texts, "The Conduct of the Aerial War" and "Regulation 16". The German officer corps was keen to develop strategic bombing capabilities against its enemies. However, economic and geopolitical considerations had to take priority. The German air power theorists continued to develop strategic theories, but emphasis
11457-500: The 13th year in 2025), which is roughly equivalent to the first year of higher education . Final year students take the Abitur final exam. The gymnasium arose out of the humanistic movement of the sixteenth century. The first general school system to incorporate the gymnasium emerged in Saxony in 1528, with the study of Greek and Latin added to the curriculum later; these languages became
11658-452: The 1926 manual "Directives for the Conduct of the Operational Air War" continued to act as the main guide for German air operations. The manual directed OKL to focus on limited operations (not strategic operations): the protection of specific areas and support of the army in combat. With an effective tactical-operational concept, the German air power theorists needed a strategic doctrine and organisation. Robert Knauss [ de ] ,
11859-455: The 27th Fighter Wing), then under the command of Hauptmann Eduard Neumann . The unit was based at Gazala on 31 May. Müncheberg claimed his first three victories were over Hurricanes. The one on 20 June was claimed against pilots from either No. 1 Squadron or No. 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force (SAAF); the pilot was reported killed. His victory on 24 June was over Pilot Officer James Alan Frederick Sowrey of No. 6 Squadron who
12060-438: The 31st Fighter Group acted as escort but were distracted by Fw 190s and left the P-39s unprotected. Müncheberg claimed one, Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert , claimed four and Siegfried Freytag claimed two. The US units lost seven; Lieutenants Murray, Turkington, Smith, Leech, McCreight and Lewis of the 93rd and Lt Lyons of the 91st were lost. Murray escaped and returned the following day. The success was added to another claimed earlier in
12261-411: The 7. Staffel in Africa to four aircraft. The remaining aircraft and aircrews were to relocate to France back to Jagdgeschwader 26. Before Müncheberg arrived in France, he stopped in Rome where he received the Gold Medal of Military Valour from Mussolini. He then travelled to the Wolf's Lair , Hitler's headquarters in Rastenburg , present-day Kętrzyn in Poland, for the Oak Leaves presentation. Following
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#173285470636412462-457: The Aerial Air War in 1935, Wever rejected the theory of Douhet and outlined five key points to air strategy: Wever began planning for a strategic bomber force and sought to incorporate strategic bombing into a war strategy. He believed that tactical aircraft should only be used as a step to developing a strategic air force. In May 1934, Wever initiated a seven-year project to develop the so-called " Ural bomber ", which could strike as far as into
12663-461: The Battle of Britain, and his last of 1940, on 14 November, when Galland and Müncheberg each claimed a Spitfire in combat with No. 66. Squadron and No. 74. Squadron . This was Müncheberg's 23rd victory, and was claimed southeast of Dover. Pilot Officer W Armstrong, No. 74 Squadron baled out. Pilot Officer W Rózycki survived a crash-landing but the Hurricane was written off. Hitler visited JG 26 "Schlageter" at Christmas 1940. Hitler dined with
12864-406: The Battle of France began on 5 June. Major (Major) Adolf Galland was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of the III. Gruppe on 6 June and Müncheberg became his first adjutant. The Gruppe was again relocated on 13 June, this time to Les Thilliers-en-Vexin and on 17 June to Villacoublay near Paris. Müncheberg flew ground support missions against the retreating French forces at
13065-476: The Bf 110. The Luftwaffe also greatly expanded its aircrew training programmes by 42%, to 63 flying schools. These facilities were moved to eastern Germany, away from possible Allied threats. The number of aircrew reached 4,727, an increase of 31%. However, the rush to complete this rapid expansion scheme resulted in the deaths of 997 personnel and another 700 wounded. 946 aircraft were also destroyed in these accidents. The number of aircrew completing their training
13266-404: The Bf 109 E-3s to Bf 109 E-4s. On 21 July 1940, III gruppe JG 26 "Schlageter" received orders to relocate to Caffiers in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais in preparation for actions against Britain in what would become the Battle of Britain . Adolf Hitler had issued Führer Directive no. 17 ( Weisung Nr. 17) on 1 August 1940; the strategic objective was to engage and defeat
13467-586: The Blitz of 1940–1941, but failed to break British morale, and the RAF shot down German planes by over a two to one ratio. Hitler had already ordered preparations for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. In spring 1941 the Luftwaffe helped its Axis partner, Italy, secure victory in the Balkans Campaign and continued to support Italy or the Italian Social Republic in the Mediterranean, Middle East and African theaters until May 1945. Realgymnasium Gymnasium ( German: [ɡʏmˈnaːzi̯ʊm] ; German plural: Gymnasien ), in
13668-431: The British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk despite intense bombing. The BEF escaped to continue the war. During the Battle of Britain in summer 1940, the Luftwaffe inflicted severe damage on Britain's Royal Air Force , but did not achieve the air superiority that Hitler had demanded for the proposed invasion of Britain , which was postponed and then canceled in December 1940. The Luftwaffe ravaged British cities during
13869-405: The Eastern Front, Müncheberg travelled to Berlin where he briefly served on the staff of the General der Jagdflieger Galland discussing air combat tactics and how to lead a fighter wing. On 26 July 1942, he participated in the German track and field championships, starting for the ASV Köln in the decathlon. Müncheberg finally arrived on the Eastern Front in early August 1942 where he was welcomed by
14070-615: The English Channel on 11 and 12 August, however, Müncheberg did not claim any aircraft shot down on these days. The fighting reached a climax on 13 August when Eagle Day was launched (code name Adlertag ). Müncheberg claimed a Hurricane shot down from either No. 32 Squadron or No. 615. Squadron on 14 August. On 15 August he claimed a Spitfire at 16:01 CET near Dover while the gruppe flew as escort for Kampfgeschwader 1 Hindenburg (KG 1—1st Bomber Wing) and Kampfgeschwader 2 Holzhammer (KG 2—2nd Bomber Wing). The battles fought on this date became known as "Black Thursday" in
14271-399: The Europäisches gymnasium start learning Latin and English while in 5th grade. They pick up their third language by 7th or 8th grade and their fourth foreign language by 10th grade. By 10th grade, students also choose if they want to drop one of the languages they started in 5th grade. Later, they may drop another language. Students are required to take at least two foreign languages and fluency
14472-576: The Flyers) Hans Geisler , for actions against the strategically important island of Malta . With the opening of a new front in North Africa in mid-1940, British air and sea forces based on the island could attack Axis ships transporting vital supplies and reinforcements from Europe to North Africa. To counter this threat the Luftwaffe and the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) were tasked with bombing raids in an effort to neutralise
14673-485: The Gymnasium and this is demonstrated by the time-honoured practices and subject matter that are unique to the gymnasia and could be baffling to outsiders. It is often offered in the last three years at school. Although some specialist gymnasia have English or French as the language of instruction, most lessons in a typical gymnasium (apart from foreign language courses) are conducted in Standard High German . This
14874-464: The Gymnasium with focus on both modern languages and mathematics plus sciences used to be called Realgymnasium . The Gymnasium was supposed to be the humanities-oriented variety; during the Nazi era, a common term for all of these schools put together was Oberschule (literally, "upper school"). In the 1960s, school reformers in an equalization effort discontinued these names. The most practical benefit of this
15075-634: The He 177A until September 1942. By the summer of 1939, the Luftwaffe had ready for combat nine Jagdgeschwader (fighter wings) mostly equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109E , four Zerstörergeschwader (destroyer wings) equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters, 11 Kampfgeschwader (bomber wings) equipped mainly with the Heinkel He 111 and the Dornier Do 17Z, and four Sturzkampfgeschwader (dive bomber wing") primarily armed with
15276-627: The Heinkel and Dornier, which fulfilled the Luftwaffe's requirements for bombers that were faster than 1930s-era fighters, many of which were biplanes or strut-braced monoplanes. Despite the participation of these aircraft (mainly from 1938 onward), it was the venerable Junkers Ju 52 (which soon became the backbone of the Transportgruppen ) that made the main contribution. During the Spanish Civil War Hitler remarked, "Franco ought to erect
15477-467: The Iron Cross 1st Class ( Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse ). At the time, III. Gruppe was providing fighter escort for Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" dive bombers and Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters operating against the beachhead held by British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in the Battle of Dunkirk . Fighter Command recorded the loss of 10 fighters to Bf 109s on 29 May. On 31 May, Müncheberg claimed an unprecedented four Spitfires over Dunkirk , as
15678-566: The Luftwaffe after it sustained heavy casualties. The bombers broke through RAF defences, and fanned out. They attacked RAF Hawkinge , Maidstone , Dover, Rye and the radar station at Foreness . A pair of Spitfires from No. 64 Squadron were reported shot down near Dungeness at the same time. One pilot was killed, and the other was captured after force-landing near Calais. Galland was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of JG 26 "Schlageter" on 22 August 1940. In consequence, Hauptmann Gerhard Schöpfel , who had led 9. Staffel ,
15879-505: The Luftwaffe had twenty-eight Geschwader (wings) . The Luftwaffe also operated a paratrooper force known as the Fallschirmjäger . The Luftwaffe proved instrumental in the German victories across Poland and Western Europe in 1939 and 1940. Although the Luftwaffe inflicted severe damage to the RAF 's infrastructure during the Battle of Britain and devastated many British cities during
16080-710: The Luftwaffe. Kesselring also had to contend with Göring appointing "yes men" to positions of importance. Udet realised his limitations, and his failures in the production and development of German aircraft would have serious long term consequences. The failure of the Luftwaffe to progress further towards attaining a strategic bombing force was attributable to several reasons. Many in the Luftwaffe command believed medium bombers to be sufficient power to launch strategic bombing operations against Germany's most likely enemies; France, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. The United Kingdom presented greater problems. General der Flieger Hellmuth Felmy , commander of Luftflotte 2 in 1939,
16281-431: The OKL had hoped. The Luftwaffe rendered invaluable support to the army, mopping up pockets of resistance. Göring was delighted with the performance. Command and control problems occurred, but flexibility and improvisation in both the army and the Luftwaffe solved these problems. The Luftwaffe was to have in place a ground-to-air communication system, which played a vital role in the success of 1940's Fall Gelb . In
16482-609: The RAF defences and the ports. That day the unit and a 40-strong detachment of ground crews departed Wevelgem . Following a brief stopover in Rome, 7. Staffel arrived in Gela on Sicily on 9 February 1941. Here Müncheberg received a factory new Bf 109 E-7/N with the Werknummer (factory number) 3826 and marked as "White 12". He claimed his first victory in the Siege of Malta on 12 February over
16683-687: The RAF to achieve air supremacy , or at least air superiority , in preparation for Operation Sea Lion ( Unternehmen Seelöwe ), the proposed amphibious invasion of Great Britain. III. Gruppe flew fighter protection for bomber formations attacking allied shipping in the English Channel on 24 July. These missions were referred to as Kanalkampf (channel combat) by the Germans. The unit flew its next mission one day later, providing fighter protection for Stukas again targeting shipping. Müncheberg, who had been promoted to Oberleutnant on 19 July 1940, claimed his 10th aerial victory on 28 July when he shot down
16884-621: The RLM would not gamble on developing a heavy bomber which would also take time. Göring remarked, "the Führer will not ask how big the bombers there are, but only how many there are." The premature death of Wever, one of the Luftwaffe's finest officers, left the Luftwaffe without a strategic air force during World War II, which eventually proved fatal to the German war effort. The lack of strategic capability should have been apparent much earlier. The Sudeten Crisis highlighted German unpreparedness to conduct
17085-832: The Soviet Union, which was also isolated in Europe. A secret training airfield was established at Lipetsk in 1924 and operated for approximately nine years using mostly Dutch and Soviet, but also some German, training aircraft before being closed in 1933. This base was officially known as the 4th squadron of the 40th wing of the Red Army . Hundreds of Luftwaffe pilots and technical personnel visited, studied, and were trained at Soviet Air Force schools in several locations in Central Russia. Roessing, Blume, Fosse, Teetsemann, Heini, Makratzki, Blumendaat, and many other future Luftwaffe aces were trained in
17286-696: The Spanish Civil War. It helped the Falange under Francisco Franco to defeat the Republican forces. Over 20,000 German airmen gained combat experience that would give the Luftwaffe an important advantage going into the Second World War. One infamous operation was the bombing of Guernica in the Basque country . It is commonly assumed this attack was the result of a "terror doctrine" in Luftwaffe doctrine. The raids on Guernica and Madrid caused many civilian casualties and
17487-518: The Stukas, which were targeting the airfield at Luqa , he claimed another Hurricane at 14:06 and another one the following day; the pilot baled out. The seven-victory ace Flying Officer Frederic Frank 'Eric' Taylor DFC was probably Müncheberg's victory. Taylor was declared missing in action but reported killed when his Mae West lifejacket washed ashore with a 20mm cannon shell hole in the chest area. Pilot Officers P Kearsey and C E Langdon were killed in
17688-400: The Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany to have an air force, German pilots trained in secret. Initially, civil aviation schools within Germany were used, yet only light trainers could be used in order to maintain the façade that the trainees were going to fly with civil airlines such as Deutsche Luft Hansa . To train its pilots on the latest combat aircraft, Germany solicited the help of
17889-562: The USSR in joint Soviet-German schools that were set up under the patronage of Ernst August Köstring . The first steps towards the Luftwaffe's formation were undertaken just months after Adolf Hitler came to power. Hermann Göring , a World War I ace, became National Kommissar for aviation with former Luft Hansa director Erhard Milch as his deputy. In April 1933 the Reich Aviation Ministry ( Reichsluftfahrtministerium or RLM)
18090-458: The USSR. Udet realised that the upcoming war with the USSR might cripple Germany. Udet, torn between truth and loyalty, suffered a psychological breakdown and even tried to tell Hitler the truth, but Göring told Hitler that Udet was lying, then took Udet under control by giving him drugs at drinking parties and hunting trips. Udet's drinking and psychological condition became a problem, but Göring used Udet's dependency to manipulate him. Throughout
18291-538: The afternoon, 7. Staffel flew fighter cover for Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers. In aerial combat with six Hurricanes over the airfields at Hal Far and Luqa he shot down his third opponent of the day. In total, 7. Staffel was credited with six victories on this day, three by Müncheberg. Müncheberg was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ( Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub ), following two more Hurricanes shot down on 6 May. His total now at 43 victories, Müncheberg received
18492-448: The age of 12) of Grundschule (primary education). In some states of Germany, permission to apply for gymnasium is nominally dependent on a letter of recommendation written by a teacher or a certain GPA, although when parents petition, an examination can be used to decide the outcome. Traditionally, a pupil attended gymnasium for nine years in western Germany. However, since 2004, there has been
18693-555: The anti-aircraft units had 600,000 soldiers and 530,000 auxiliaries, including 60,000 male members of the Reichsarbeitsdienst , 50,000 Luftwaffenhelfer (males age 15–17), 80,000 Flakwehrmänner (males above military age) and Flak-V-soldaten (males unfit for military service), and 160,000 female Flakwaffenhelferinnen and RAD-Maiden , as well as 160,000 foreign personnel ( Hiwis ). The Luftwaffe's Condor Legion experimented with new doctrine and aircraft during
18894-475: The appropriate title, e. g. "Herr Studienrat ." This is generally outdated. The headmaster might also be addressed more laxly as Herr Direktor (the correct title being Herr Oberstudiendirektor). The general mode of address is these days Mr. + surname. Teachers mostly address students by their first name. Corporal punishment was banned in 1973. Teachers who want to punish students put them in detention or assign them boring tasks. Some have them write essays like "Why
19095-472: The army to move heavy artillery over recently captured territory to bombard fortifications or support ground forces, and dive bombers could do the job faster. Dive bombers, often single-engine two-man machines, could achieve better results than larger six or seven-man aircraft, at a tenth of the cost and four times the accuracy. This led to Udet championing the dive bomber, particularly the Junkers Ju 87 . Udet's "love affair" with dive-bombing seriously affected
19296-588: The battle with 7./JG 26 southwest of Ras Asaz. He fired at one fighter but could not observe the results when engaged by more. The pursuing Allied pilots were momentarily distracted by a nearby concentration of Ju 87s and Bf 110s, allowing Müncheberg to turn and claim a fighter shot down from behind the Bf ;110 flown by Oberfeldwebel Heller, III./ ZG 26 . Records show Pilot Officer Lauder, No. 229 Squadron and Pilot Officer Moss, No. 73 Squadron were shot down while Squadron Leader Rosier's Hurricane
19497-407: The bombers were attacked by No. 504 Squadron fighters. Four of them were claimed shot down, one by Müncheberg. The claims are confirmed by British records. Two pilots were wounded but Squadron Leader Parnall was killed. On 15 May Müncheberg claimed a Hurricane over Overijse , near Brussels as the Gruppe supported German forces in the Battle of Belgium . Sergeant Jim Williams, No. 3 Squadron
19698-458: The case of the Ju 88, 50,000 modifications had to be made. The weight was increased from seven to twelve tons. This resulted in a speed loss of 200 km/h. Udet merely conveyed the OKL's own dive-bombing capability request to Ernst Heinkel concerning the He 177, who vehemently opposed such an idea, which ruined its development as a heavy bomber. Göring was not able to rescind the dive-bombing requirement for
19899-404: The compulsory second foreign language may be English, French, Latin, Ancient Greek , Spanish or Russian . The German State of Berlin , where secondary education normally begins in the seventh year of schooling, has some specialised gymnasia beginning with the fifth year which teach Latin or French as a primary foreign language. Teaching English as a subject, particularly, has a long history at
20100-681: The death of Hans Beißwenger in a 1943 issue of The Aeroplane , entitled "Gap in the Fighter Ranks". According to US historian David T. Zabecki , Müncheberg was credited with 135 aerial victories. His 135 aerial victories were claimed in more than 500 combat missions, 102 on the Western Front - including 19 over Malta, one in Yugoslavia and 24 in North Africa - and 33 on the Eastern Front. His tally includes at least 46 Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft shot down. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces - Biographies and Victory Claims , researched
20301-418: The death of Oberst Werner Mölders . On 8 November 1941, in an air battle near Dunkirk which involved Spitfire Vb's of RCAF No. 412 Squadron, based at RAF Wellingore , Müncheberg attacked a section of four Spitfires, shooting down three of them; all three pilots were killed. The fourth Spitfire in the section, which was undamaged, and its pilot unharmed, was flown by John Gillespie Magee Jr. , author of
20502-525: The destruction of Allied bombers, the Luftwaffe was overwhelmed by the Allies' superior numbers and improved tactics, and a lack of trained pilots and aviation fuel. In January 1945, during the closing stages of the Battle of the Bulge , the Luftwaffe made a last-ditch effort to win air superiority , and met with failure. With rapidly dwindling supplies of petroleum, oil, and lubricants after this campaign, and as part of
20703-522: The destruction of five enemy aircraft for one pilot killed; 118 reported four losses and 501 a single fighter lost. No. 118, No. 133 and No. 501 Squadron lost four, one and one Spitfires respectively while No. 501 suffered a further damage. Four pilots were killed, two were captured while one was safe. Attribution by Fighter Command in each case was either to JG 2 and JG 26. The German fighter wings claimed 10 Spitfires in total between them. Following his 83rd aerial victory, Müncheberg
20904-534: The destruction of two Spitfires taking his total to 81 aerial victories. This achievement was announced on 4 June 1942 in the Wehrmachtbericht and was followed by the presentation of the German Cross in Gold ( Deutsches Kreuz in Gold ) on 5 June. 403 Squadron was led by Squadron Leader Al Deere . Deere ordered his pilots to conduct a three-way break with the hope of turning on their attackers from Müncheberg's group in
21105-483: The east on 3 August 1942, shooting down two Petlyakov Pe-2 dive bombers near Rzhev . He quickly achieved further victories, reaching 90 victories on 22 August and surpassing the 100 victories on 5 September. He was the 19th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. On 9 September, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords ( Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern ) following his 103rd victory. Müncheberg
21306-562: The education and insights offered by the models of classical antiquity. During the National Socialism era, it became virtually impossible for girls to study at a Gymnasium according to Hitler 's idea, as stated in Mein Kampf , the education of girls should be conditioned only by the task of motherhood. After the Second World War, German education was reformed with the introduction of new system, content, aims, and ethos. The Gymnasium
21507-481: The end of the ninth or tenth grade, the gymnasium used special terms for its grade levels: The introduction of French and English as elective languages in the early twentieth century brought about the greatest change to German secondary education since the introduction of the Realschulen in the eighteenth century. Today, German gymnasia teach English, French, or Latin as a compulsory primary foreign language, while
21708-568: The entire combined Wehrmacht military forces as a whole, the Luftwaffe ceased to be an effective fighting force. After the defeat of Nazi Germany, the Luftwaffe was disbanded in 1946. During World War II, German pilots claimed roughly 70,000 aerial victories, while over 75,000 Luftwaffe aircraft were destroyed or significantly damaged. Of these, nearly 40,000 were lost entirely. The Luftwaffe had only two commanders-in-chief throughout its history: Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring and later Generalfeldmarschall Robert Ritter von Greim for
21909-523: The entire curriculum of a gymnasium is compulsory; in upper years more elective subjects are available, but the choice is not as wide as in a U.S. high school. Generally academic standards are high as the gymnasium typically caters for the upper 25–35% of the ability range. Schools concentrate not only on academic subjects, but on producing well-rounded individuals, so physical education and religion or ethics are compulsory, even in non-denominational schools which are prevalent. The German constitution guarantees
22110-507: The entry of Douhet's theory into doctrine, fearing revenge strikes against German civilians and cities. In December 1934, Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff Walther Wever sought to mold the Luftwaffe's battle doctrine into a strategic plan. At this time, Wever conducted war games (simulated against France) in a bid to establish his theory of a strategic bombing force that would, he thought, prove decisive by winning
22311-401: The famous aviation poem, "High Flight." Three pilots from the squadron were reported killed by Fighter Command. Squadron Leader C Bushell was killed, on what was "Circus" No. 110. JG 26 was credited with the destruction of two Spitfires from No. 401 (Canadian) Squadron the same day. One pilot was killed and another wounded and captured. A further pilot from No. 308 Polish Fighter Squadron
22512-409: The fee. Most gymnasia offer social and academic clubs. Most traditional among these (sports excepted) are drama , journalism (i. e. producing a Schülerzeitung ) and choir . However, chess , photography , debating , improv , environmentalism , additional math , experimental physics , IT classes , etc. can also be found. Some gymnasia require students to participate in at least one club (of
22713-433: The first one on 11 April and the second one on 23 April: in the former case the two pilots were killed when they attacked a Bf 110 reconnaissance aircraft and failed to notice Müncheberg and his wingman flying as an escort; in the latter case the pilot survived the parachute jump but drowned. British naval forces were ordered not to undertake rescue missions in the midst of an air raid. A reconnaissance Bf 109 detected
22914-407: The foundation of teaching and study in the gymnasium, which then offered a nine-year course. Hebrew was also taught in some gymnasia. The integration of philosophy, English, and chemistry into the curriculum also set the gymnasium apart from other schools. Prussian secondary schools only received the title "Gymnasium" in 1918, which for some time would be the only path to university study. Due to
23115-490: The heart of the Soviet Union. In 1935, this design competition led to the Dornier Do 19 and Junkers Ju 89 prototypes, although both were underpowered. In April 1936, Wever issued requirements for the 'Bomber A' design competition: a range of 6,700 kilometres (4,200 mi) with a 900 kilograms (2,000 lb) bomb load. However Wever's vision of a "Ural" bomber was never realised, and his emphasis on strategic aerial operations
23316-462: The history of Nazi Germany, the Luftwaffe had only two commanders-in-chief. The first was Göring, with the second and last being Generalfeldmarschall Robert Ritter von Greim . His appointment as commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe was concomitant with his promotion to Generalfeldmarschall , the last German officer in World War II to be promoted to the highest rank. Other officers promoted to
23517-637: The iconic Junkers Ju 87B Stuka . The Luftwaffe was just starting to accept the Junkers Ju 88A for service, as it had encountered design difficulties, with only a dozen aircraft of the type considered combat-ready. The Luftwaffe's strength at this time stood at 373,000 personnel (208,000 flying troops, 107,000 in the Flak Corps, and 58,000 in the Signals Corps). Aircraft strength was 4,201 operational aircraft: 1,191 bombers, 361 dive bombers, 788 fighters, 431 heavy fighters, and 488 transports. Despite deficiencies, it
23718-606: The industrial and military effort strategic bombing would require. By 1939 the Luftwaffe was not much better prepared than its enemies to conduct a strategic bombing campaign, with fatal results during the Battle of Britain . The German rearmament programme faced difficulties acquiring raw materials. Germany imported most of its essential materials for rebuilding the Luftwaffe, in particular rubber and aluminum. Petroleum imports were particularly vulnerable to blockade. Germany pushed for synthetic fuel plants but still failed to meet demands. In 1937 Germany imported more fuel than it had at
23919-639: The interwar period, German pilots were trained secretly in violation of the treaty at Lipetsk Air Base in the Soviet Union . With the rise of the Nazi Party and the repudiation of the Versailles Treaty, the Luftwaffe's existence was publicly acknowledged and officially established on 26 February 1935, just over two weeks before open defiance of the Versailles Treaty through German rearmament and conscription would be announced on 16 March. The Condor Legion ,
24120-568: The last of the year 1941 on 16 December 1941. The claims are confirmed as aircraft belonging to No. 411 (Canadian) Squadron . Pilot Officer G A Chamberlain and Sergeant T D Holden were killed. Müncheberg went on a lengthy vacation in early 1942, not returning before March 1942. He therefore did not participate in Operation Donnerkeil , the air superiority operation to support the Kriegsmarine 's (German Navy) Operation Cerberus , which
24321-499: The last two weeks of the war. The Luftwaffe was deeply involved in Nazi war crimes . By the end of the war, a significant percentage of aircraft production originated in concentration camps , an industry employing tens of thousands of prisoners. The Luftwaffe's demand for labour was one of the factors that led to the deportation and murder of hundreds of thousands of Hungarian Jews in 1944. The Luftwaffe frequently bombed non-military targets,
24522-455: The limited importance of German lessons) even countries whose language is not taught at all are visited. While this is not required, it is encouraged. Some pupils might go a year or half a year abroad (and are granted some time to catch up with their studies at home), while the more general thing is an organized stay of 2–4 weeks in either country in a group of 20+ students with two teachers (who are, naturally, dispensed from every-day duties during
24723-407: The line that the pupil in question does not fit into the community and should thus try his fortune with a school officially designated to take all pupils, i.e. a state school. There are written, as well as oral, exams. Written exams are essay-based and called Klausur and typically take one and a half hours. Many German students never take a multiple choice test. Gymnasium is a school where most of
24924-399: The long-term development of the Luftwaffe, especially after Wever's death. The tactical strike aircraft programmes were meant to serve as interim solutions until the next generation of aircraft arrived. In 1936 the Junkers Ju 52 was the backbone of the German bomber fleet. This led to a rush on the part of the RLM to produce the Junkers Ju 86 , the Heinkel He 111, and the Dornier Do 17 before
25125-549: The loss of Sergeant A E Gray, No. 611 Squadron , flying of "Circus" No. 87, was captured to Müncheberg's claim. The following day eleven fighters were lost, with nine pilots killed and one captured. Only one loss is attributed to a specific unit— ZG 76 . Ten Spitfires were lost on 4 September—eight to aerial combat and one to ground fire. Six formed part of "Circus" No. 93. The action cost No. 71 Squadron two pilots killed, one captured and one wounded. Three Spitfires were destroyed and one damaged. On 19 September 1941, Müncheberg
25326-510: The machine-gunning of civilians and livestock. When World War II began in 1939, the Luftwaffe was one of the most technologically advanced air forces in the world. During the Polish Campaign that triggered the war, it quickly established air superiority, and then air supremacy. It supported the German Army operations which ended the campaign in five weeks. The Luftwaffe's performance was as
25527-492: The meantime, German designs of mid-1930s origin such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 , the Heinkel He 111 , the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, and the Dornier Do 17 , performed very well. All first saw active service in the Condor Legion against Soviet-supplied aircraft. The Luftwaffe also quickly realised the days of the biplane fighter were finished, the Heinkel He 51 being switched to service as a trainer. Particularly impressive were
25728-521: The morning when his unit engaged 34 P-40s from the US 57th Fighter Group, containing the 64th, 65th and 66th Squadrons. Reinert and another pilot claimed two each—the Americans lost four, with one pilot escaping to Allied lines, and most likely the pilot shot down by Müncheberg. Müncheberg was killed in an engagement in his Bf 109 G-6 ( Werknummer 16 381) on 23 March 1943 over Tunisia when his 135th victim,
25929-427: The motto: "No child left behind" (" Keiner darf verloren gehen "). Humanities-oriented gymnasia usually have a long tradition. They teach Latin and Ancient Greek (sometimes also Classical Hebrew) and additionally teach English or French or both. The focus is on the classical antiquity and the civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome . For certain subjects, such as History, many universities still require
26130-453: The new crop of students arrive at gymnasium, there is often a period of adjustment. Some gymnasia have mentors that help the new, younger students get settled in. They show them around the school and introduce them to older students. In the case of boarding schools, they also show them the city. The mentoring does not mean a student is seen as being "at risk." On the contrary, if there is a mentoring programme, all new students are likely to have
26331-622: The news of his award on the early morning of 7 May. Müncheberg became the 12th member of the Wehrmacht to be honoured with the Oak Leaves and two hours later received news that Duce Benito Mussolini had awarded him the Gold Medal of Military Valor ( Medaglia d'oro al Valore Militare ), the first German to receive this award. Hitler sent him a teleprinter message on 7 May 1941 congratulating him on his 40th aerial victory. 7. Staffel then began
26532-530: The north under-performed on standardised tests. The students who did worst came from Hamburg and the students who did best came from Baden-Württemberg . According to the study, the final year students in Hamburg lagged two years behind those attending a gymnasium in Baden-Württemberg . Because students had the same IQ, the difference in knowledge can only be explained by a difference in the teaching methods. On
26733-487: The opportunity to participate in sport-related outings. In the summer months, they have the opportunity to enjoy rowing trips or sailing and in winter months, they may go skiing . Students are not required to participate, but teachers see the trips as good for building character and leadership skills and encourage students to participate. As a rule, most of these trips come with fees. A school "Förderverein" ( booster club ) pays for those wishing to attend, but unable to afford
26934-482: The other hand, gymnasia in the south have the reputation of valuing knowledge over creativity, while those in the north have the reputation of valuing creativity over knowledge. Comparing students on a creativity test could produce different results. Students from all grades are required to take physical education classes. Most gymnasia have sports teams. Sports often include soccer , badminton , table tennis , rowing and field hockey . Most gymnasia offer students
27135-449: The piano or the violin) as one of their major subjects. The Europäisches Gymnasium has its focus on languages. It exists in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg . In Bavaria, students are required to learn three different foreign languages. They start learning their first foreign language in 5th grade, the second in 6th grade and the third by grade 10 or 11. In Baden-Württemberg students attending
27336-464: The practice of " terror bombing " (see Luftwaffe strategic bombing doctrine ). According to Corum, terror bombing was deemed to be "counter-productive", increasing rather than destroying the enemy's will to resist. Such bombing campaigns were regarded as diversion from the Luftwaffe's main operations; destruction of the enemy armed forces. Nevertheless, Wever recognised the importance of strategic bombing . In newly introduced doctrine, The Conduct of
27537-480: The presentation Müncheberg went on two weeks of vacation. Following their return from North Africa to France the pilots of 7. Staffel were given newer Bf 109 F-4 aircraft in replacement for the older Bf 109 E-7 type. Müncheberg claimed his first victory here on 26 August over a Spitfire and another one, his 50th overall, on 29 August. He claimed two Spitfires on 4 September and one more from No. 71 Squadron three days later. Fighter Command attributed
27738-647: The rank of Oberstleutnant or, exceptionally, an Oberst . Even a Leutnant (second lieutenant) could find himself commanding a Staffel . Similarly, a bomber wing was a Kampfgeschwader (KG), a night fighter wing was a Nachtjagdgeschwader (NJG), a dive bomber wing was a Stukageschwader (StG), and units equivalent to those in RAF Coastal Command, with specific responsibilities for coastal patrols and search and rescue duties, were Küstenfliegergruppen (Kü.Fl. Gr.). Specialist bomber groups were known as Kampfgruppen (KGr). The strength of
27939-534: The rapidly approaching Spitfire. One of his wings snapped off during the collision and fluttered down suggesting a collision. Müncheberg's body was originally buried at El Aouina ; it was later moved to the "Heroes' Cemetery" at Tunis . In the 1950s it was moved again and re-buried at the German Military Cemetery at Bordj-Cedria . After the Luftwaffe reported his death, the fact made news in Britain along with
28140-417: The requirement from its inception on 5 November 1937 to have moderate dive-bombing capabilities in a 30-meter wingspan aircraft. Moreover, Germany did not possess the economic resources to match the later British and American effort of 1943–1944, particularly in large-scale mass production of high power output aircraft engines (with output of over least 1,500 kW (2,000 hp). In addition, the OKL had not foreseen
28341-400: The rise of German nationalism in the 1900s, the Gymnasium's focus on humanism came under attack, causing it to lose prestige. One of the harshest critics was Friedrich Lange , who assaulted the school's "excessive humanism" and "aesthetic idealism." He argued that they are not aligned with the aims of patriotism, duty, and the idea of Germanhood and that the country's history could also provide
28542-535: The same battle. Müncheberg said of Taylor, "the fighting spirit of the British pilot was fantastic. He tried, although very badly hit, to still attack a Ju 88 [sic]." Müncheberg claimed his 33rd victory on 28 March 1941. This was also his 200th combat mission which was celebrated by the entire Staffel . The 7. Staffel , and elements of the support ground personnel, were relocated to Grottaglie airfield near Taranto in Apulia on 5 April 1941. 7/JG 26 flew in support of
28743-504: The second highest military rank in Germany were Kesselring, Hugo Sperrle , Milch, and Wolfram von Richthofen . At the end of the war, with Berlin surrounded by the Red Army , Göring suggested to Hitler that he take over leadership of the Reich. Hitler ordered his arrest and execution, but Göring's SS guards did not carry out the order, and Göring survived to be tried at Nuremberg . Sperrle
28944-577: The separation of church and state, so although religion or ethics classes are compulsory, students may choose to study a specific religion or none at all. Gymnasien are often conceived as schools for the gifted. This, however, depends on many factors; some states such as Bavaria select their students by elementary grades or by entrance examination, and so do certain specialist schools, like the Sächsisches Landesgymnasium Sankt Afra zu Meißen , in other states. In these federal states, it
29145-408: The south did have higher standards than those in other parts of Germany. On a standardised mathematics test provided by scientists, the study showed that students attending a southern gymnasium outperformed those attending one elsewhere in Germany. A 2007 study revealed that those attending a gymnasium in the north had similar IQs to those attending one in the south. Yet those attending a gymnasium in
29346-516: The spring of 1940 the Luftwaffe assisted the Kriegsmarine and Heer in the invasion of Norway . Flying in reinforcements and winning air superiority, the Luftwaffe contributed decisively to the German conquest. In May and June 1940, the Luftwaffe contributed to the unexpected German success in the Battle of France . It destroyed three Allied Air Forces and helped secure the defeat of France in just over six weeks. However, it could not destroy
29547-531: The start of the decade. By summer 1938, only 25% of the requirements could be covered. In steel materials, industry was operating at barely 83% of capacity, and by November 1938 Göring reported the economic situation was serious. The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the overall command for all German military forces, ordered reductions in raw materials and steel used for armament production. The figures for reduction were substantial: 30% steel, 20% copper, 47% aluminum, and 14% rubber. Under such circumstances, it
29748-507: The student's choosing), but in most cases, participation is voluntary. It has become increasingly common for gymnasium students to spend some time attending school in another country. Very popular destinations are English-speaking countries such as the US, Great Britain, Canada and Ireland; however, as it is increasingly difficult to find partner schools in English-speaking countries (high demand, little supply, among other things because of
29949-468: The students are college-bound and stringent grading is traditional. Pupils of average ability find themselves at the bottom of their class and might have done better at another type of school. A study revealed that upper-class gymnasium students of average mathematical ability found themselves at the very bottom of their class and had an average grade of "5" (fail). Comprehensive school upper-class students of average ability in mathematics found themselves in
30150-536: The subsequent Blitz , it failed to force the British into submission. From 1942, Allied bombing campaigns gradually destroyed the Luftwaffe's fighter arm. From late 1942, the Luftwaffe used its surplus ground support and other personnel to raise Luftwaffe Field Divisions . In addition to its service on the Western front , the Luftwaffe operated over the Soviet Union, North Africa, and Southern Europe. Despite its belated use of advanced turbojet and rocket-propelled aircraft for
30351-544: The third phase of the Battle of Britain where the Luftwaffe had targeted the British airfields, had come to an end. He claimed his first victory following his vacation on 17 October over a Free French Air Force Bloch MB.150 . He shot down a Spitfire on 25 October. The weather then deteriorated, and fog and heavy rain prevented further flight operations and III. Gruppe had to abandon the airfield at Caffiers, relocating to Abbeville-Drucat on 10 November. He claimed his last victory in
30552-582: The time was deployed on the southern sector of the Eastern Front and was scheduled to relocate to North Africa where I. Gruppe under the command of Heinz Bär arrived in Ain el Gazala on 26 October. Under the leadership of Müncheberg, the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) which was equipped with new Bf 109 G-2s, arrived on 1 November. He scored over a No. 92 Squadron Spitfire piloted by Flight Sergeant Blade on 9 November. Lieutenant M Marshall, 1 SAAF,
30753-492: The time). Generally, gymnasia have no school uniforms or official dress codes. However, students may be expected to dress modestly and tastefully. Some gymnasia offer branded shirts, but students are allowed to choose whether or not to wear them. For specific school events (like the Abitur ball) students attending them may be expected to wear formal dress, usually consisting of dresses for women and blazer and tie for men, but even this
30954-420: The time. France surrendered on 22 June 1940 and III. Gruppe of JG 26 "Schlageter" moved back to München Gladbach in Germany. In total, Müncheberg claimed eight Allied aircraft shot down during the invasion of France, including four on 31 May 1940, bringing his total to nine. The Gruppe then moved to Döberitz on 1 July to provide fighter protection for Berlin. The time was also used to repair and upgrade
31155-582: The training aircraft and schools in their operational areas. A Geschwader was commanded by a Geschwaderkommodore , with the rank of either major, Oberstleutnant ( lieutenant colonel ) or Oberst ( colonel ). Other "staff" officers within the unit with administrative duties included the adjutant, technical officer, and operations officer, who were usually (though not always) experienced aircrew or pilots still flying on operations. Other specialist staff were navigation, signals, and intelligence personnel. A Stabschwarm (headquarters flight )
31356-446: The untimely death of Wever in early June 1936 in an aviation-related accident , by the late 1930s the Luftwaffe had no clear purpose. The air force was not subordinated to the army support role, and it was not given any particular strategic mission. German doctrine fell between the two concepts. The Luftwaffe was to be an organisation capable of carrying out broad and general support tasks rather than any specific mission. Mainly, this path
31557-409: The upper half of their class and had an average grade of "3+". Students who graduated from a gymnasium often do better in college than their grades or ranking in class would predict. To many traditionally minded Germans, a "gymnasium in the south " is the epitome of a good education, while to other Germans, it is the epitome of outmoded traditions and elitism . A study revealed that gymnasia in
31758-466: The war through the destruction of enemy industry, even though these exercises also included tactical strikes against enemy ground forces and communications. In 1935, "Luftwaffe Regulation 16: The Conduct of the Air War" was drawn up. In the proposal, it concluded, "The mission of the Luftwaffe is to serve these goals." Historian James Corum states that under this doctrine, the Luftwaffe leadership rejected
31959-516: Was Helmuth Wilberg . Wilberg later played a large role in the development of German air doctrine. Having headed the Reichswehr air staff for eight years in the 1920s, Wilberg had considerable experience and was ideal for a senior staff position. Göring considered making Wilberg Chief of Staff (CS). However, it was revealed Wilberg had a Jewish mother. For that reason, Göring could not have him as CS. Not wishing his talent to go to waste, Göring ensured
32160-519: Was JG 1, its first Gruppe (group) was I./JG 1, using a Roman numeral for the Gruppe number only, and its first Staffel (squadron) was 1./JG 1. Geschwader strength was usually 120–125 aircraft. Each Gruppe was commanded by a Kommandeur , and a Staffel by a Staffelkapitän . However, these were "appointments", not ranks, within the Luftwaffe. Usually, the Kommodore would hold
32361-489: Was an impressive force. However, even by the spring of 1940, the Luftwaffe still had not mobilised fully. Despite the shortage of raw materials, Udet had increased production through introducing a 10-hour working day for aviation industries and rationalising production. During this period 30 Kampfstaffeln and 16 Jagdstaffeln were raised and equipped. A further five Zerstörergruppen ("Destroyer groups") were created (JGr 101, 102, 126, 152 and 176), all equipped with
32562-461: Was appointed Gruppenkomandeur of the III. Gruppe and Müncheberg was given command of the 7. Staffel as Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader), replacing Oberleutnant Georg Beyer who left to become Galland's adjutant and became a prisoner of war on 28 August after being shot down. Müncheberg may have pressured Galland into awarding him the position. Flying another fighter escort mission on 24 August in an attack south of London, Müncheberg claimed
32763-566: Was attached to each Geschwader . A Jagdgeschwader (hunting wing) (JG) was a single-seat day fighter Geschwader , typically equipped with Bf 109 or Fw 190 aircraft flying in the fighter or fighter-bomber roles. Late in the war, by 1944–45, JG 7 and JG 400 (and the jet specialist JV 44 ) flew much more advanced aircraft, with JG 1 working up with the Heinkel He 162 "emergency fighter" at war's end. A Geschwader consisted of groups ( Gruppen ), which in turn consisted of Jagdstaffel (fighter squadrons). Hence, Fighter Wing 1
32964-524: Was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on 9 September 1942, his score then at 103 aerial victories. On 1 October 1942 Müncheberg was given command of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing), operating in the Mediterranean Theatre . He died in a mid-air collision with an enemy aircraft in Meknassy , Tunisia on 23 March 1943. Joachim "Jochen" Müncheberg
33165-440: Was badly damaged. Müncheberg had accounted for his 46th victory. The final two victories in North Africa of 1941 were over Curtiss P-40 Warhawks , both on 29 July 1941, from No. 2 Squadron SAAF. One pilot survived, the other, Kolo Mason, did not return. Müncheberg's Staffel claimed eight victories during its brief African odyssey; their leader claimed five. Fliegerführer Afrika received orders on 4 August 1941 to downsize
33366-586: Was born on 31 December 1918 in Friedrichsdorf near Dramburg in the Province of Pomerania , at the time a province of the Free State of Prussia . Today it is Darskowo in the administrative district of Gmina Złocieniec , within Drawsko County , Poland. He was the second child of Paul Müncheberg, a farmer, and his wife Erika, née Ulrich. His sister Eva-Brigitte was one and a half years older. His father had served as
33567-464: Was captured. Müncheberg claimed his 70th and 71st victory on 26 April within two minutes of combat. II. Gruppe at the time was referred to as the "Abbeville Boys" by the RAF pilots based on the Abbeville airfield where they were stationed. On 29 April 1942, he probably shot down and killed No. 131 Wing RAF leader and Polish ace Wing Commander Marian Pisarek . On 2 June, Müncheberg was credited with
33768-459: Was captured. No. 112 Squadron lost six in that fight, but claimed their 200th victory. A Bell P-39 Airacobra from 93d Fighter Squadron , 81st Fighter Group was claimed that day. Three days later, 10 P-39s of the 92nd Squadron and two from the 91st Squadron, 81st Fighter Group were ordered to attack targets of opportunity in the La Fauconnerie area. Spitfires of the 307th and 308th Squadrons of
33969-565: Was charged with devising a plan for an air war over the British Isles. Felmy was convinced that Britain could be defeated through morale bombing. Felmy noted the alleged panic that had broken out in London during the Munich crisis , evidence he believed of British weakness. A second reason was technical. German designers had never solved the issues of the Heinkel He 177A's design difficulties, brought on by
34170-453: Was chosen to encourage more flexible use of air power and offer the ground forces the right conditions for a decisive victory. In fact, on the outbreak of war, only 15% of the Luftwaffe's aircraft were devoted to ground support operations, counter to the long-held myth that the Luftwaffe was designed for only tactical and operational missions. Wever's participation in the construction of the Luftwaffe came to an abrupt end on 3 June 1936 when he
34371-590: Was created in 1940 to direct operations in Norway and Denmark, and other Luftflotten were created as necessary. Each Luftflotte would contain several Fliegerkorps (Air Corps), Fliegerdivision (Air Division), Jagdkorps (Fighter Corps), Jagddivision (Air Division), or Jagdfliegerführer (Fighter Air Command). Each formations would have attached to it a number of units, usually several Geschwader , but also independent Staffeln and Kampfgruppen . Luftflotten were also responsible for
34572-572: Was established. The RLM was in charge of the development and production of aircraft. Göring's control over all aspects of aviation became absolute. On 25 March 1933 the German Air Sports Association absorbed all private and national organisations, while retaining its 'sports' title. On 15 May 1933, all military aviation organisations in the RLM were merged, forming the Luftwaffe; its official 'birthday'. The National Socialist Flyers Corps ( Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps or NSFK)
34773-487: Was executed on 11–12 February 1942. Müncheberg claimed the first victory following his vacation on 13 March 1942, a Spitfire of No. 124 Squadron . During his absence the Fw 190 A-1 and A-2 had been replaced with the newer A-3 variant. Two Spitfires of No. 412 Squadron fell to his guns on 24 March which brought his score to 65. In the former engagement, Fighter Command attributes four losses to combat with JG 26. No. 124 Squadron lost two of them, while losing
34974-634: Was formed in 1937 to give pre-military flying training to male youths, and to engage adult sport aviators in the Nazi movement. Military-age members of the NSFK were drafted into the Luftwaffe. As all such prior NSFK members were also Nazi Party members, this gave the new Luftwaffe a strong Nazi ideological base in contrast to the other branches of the Wehrmacht (the Heer (army) and the Kriegsmarine (navy)). Göring played
35175-412: Was given to army support, as Germany was a continental power and expected to face ground operations following any declaration of hostilities. For these reasons, between 1933 and 1934, the Luftwaffe's leadership was primarily concerned with tactical and operational methods. In aerial terms, the army concept of Truppenführung was an operational concept, as well as a tactical doctrine. In World War I,
35376-538: Was headed by Major Gotthard Handrick . Initially equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 D series, the Gruppe was based in Köln-Ostheim and was renamed on 1 November 1938 to I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 132 . In December, the Gruppe was equipped with the Bf 109 E-3. On 1 May 1939, the unit was again re-designated and became I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing), named after Albert Leo Schlageter . Müncheberg
35577-413: Was his opponent. Williams was killed when L1645 crashed near Overijse. After the surrender of the Netherlands on 17 May 1940, III. Gruppe moved to Peer in Belgium and again moved on 19 May, this time to Beauvechain near Brussels. Operating from Chièvres Air Base from 27 May 1940, Müncheberg claimed his fifth aerial victory over a Supermarine Spitfire on 29 May 1940. This achievement earned him
35778-437: Was killed along with his engineer in a Heinkel He 70 Blitz, ironically on the very day that his "Bomber A" heavy bomber design competition was announced. After Wever's death, Göring began taking more of an interest in the appointment of Luftwaffe staff officers. Göring appointed his successor Albert Kesselring as Chief of Staff and Ernst Udet to head the Reich's Air Ministry Technical Office ( Technisches Amt ), although he
35979-566: Was killed in action at 10:45 in No. 65 Squadron's first mission of the morning, approximately two hours earlier. On this day, the Germans lost 22 aircraft shot down and 23 damaged; the British lost 16 aircraft shot down and four damaged. Only one III. Gruppe Bf 109 was lost. The only RAF losses occurring at the time of Müncheberg's claim were two Hurricanes belonging to No. 238 Squadron - Flight Lieutenant D.E Turner and Flying Officer D.C. McCaw were killed in action at roughly 12:30. III. Gruppe continued to fly combat air patrols over
36180-470: Was killed in action with JG 26 along with two from No. 452 (Australian) Squadron . Two more Fighter Command aircraft are known to have been lost in combat with unknown German fighter units, four to unstated causes, one to fuel starvation, one to engine trouble and another to ground fire. On 8 December Müncheberg achieved his 60th aerial victory which was announced in the Wehrmachtbericht , his third such mention. He claimed his 61st and 62nd overall victory and
36381-464: Was killed in combat on 27 November 1942 when Müncheberg dived to attack ten of their fighters. Marshall's Spitfire shed a wing before spinning into the ground. Three other SAAF pilots were killed in the engagement—the Germans reported no losses. Promoted to Major on 30 November 1942, he claimed a No. 601 Squadron fighter 10 December and made a forced landing in his Bf 109 G-2 ( Werknummer 10 725—factory number; 35% damage) following combat with
36582-467: Was killed. He claimed another Fury and a Breguet 19 destroyed on the ground, but he was only given credit for the first aircraft destroyed in aerial combat. The two Furys were in fact Avia BH-33 biplanes. The Balkan intermezzo was short and the detachment relocated back to Gela beginning on 8 April. On 28 March Müncheberg completed his 200th mission and claimed his 33rd victory, another Hurricane. Müncheberg claimed two Hurricanes of No. 261 Squadron,
36783-433: Was killed. Sowrey had been conducting a tactical reconnaissance mission alone when he was intercepted. The opponent claimed on 15 July was either a No. 73 Squadron or No. 229 Squadron RAF pilot. No. 73 and No. 229 Squadron patrolled the contested skies over Tobruk , when they spotted and chased a Bf 110 which led them to a formation of Ju 87 Stukas from II./ Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 . Müncheberg joined
36984-462: Was lost. The only design submittal for Wever's 'Bomber A' that reached production was Heinkel 's Projekt 1041 , which culminated in the production and frontline service as Germany's only operational heavy bomber, the Heinkel He 177 , on 5 November 1937, the date on which it received its RLM airframe number . In 1935, the military functions of the RLM were grouped into the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL; "Air Force High Command"). Following
37185-409: Was not a technical expert. Despite this Udet helped change the Luftwaffe's tactical direction towards fast medium bombers to destroy enemy air power in the battle zone rather than through industrial bombing of its aviation production. Kesselring and Udet did not get on. During Kesselring's time as CS, 1936–1937, a power struggle developed between the two as Udet attempted to extend his own power within
37386-400: Was not possible for Milch, Udet, or Kesselring to produce a formidable strategic bombing force even had they wanted to do so. The development of aircraft was now confined to the production of twin-engined medium bombers that required much less material, manpower, and aviation production capacity than Wever's "Ural Bomber". German industry could build two medium bombers for one heavy bomber and
37587-400: Was promoted to Fähnrich (Officer Cadet) on 16 December 1937. He transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1938 and attended the Jagdfliegerschule (Fighter Pilot School) in Werneuchen , under the command of Oberst (Colonel) Theodor Osterkamp . He was then posted to I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 234 (JG 234—234th Fighter Wing) stationed at Cologne on 23 September 1938. He
37788-412: Was promoted to Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) on 8 November 1938. While stationed in Cologne, Müncheberg trained for the decathlon at the ASV Köln (sports club in Cologne) during his spare time and competed in various national and international track and field events. He even had a training field built on the family estate at Friedrichshof in Pomerania and at the time had strong ambitions to compete in
37989-408: Was promoted to the rank of Hauptmann and became Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 26 "Schlageter" following the death of Hauptmann Walter Adolph the day before, in aerial combat with RAF Spitfire fighters. Müncheberg's position of Staffelkapitän of the 7. Staffel was passed on to Oberleutnant Klaus Mietusch . II. Gruppe had already been equipped with the new Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-1. It
38190-416: Was prosecuted at the OKW trial , one of the last twelve of the Nuremberg trials after the war. He was acquitted on all four counts. He died in Munich in 1953. At the start of the war the Luftwaffe had four Luftflotten (air fleets), each responsible for roughly a quarter of Germany. As the war progressed more air fleets were created as the areas under German rule expanded. As one example, Luftflotte 5
38391-430: Was re-designated to 10.(Nachtjagd) Staffel of JG 26 which was led by Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Johannes Steinhoff . III. Gruppe was formed on 23 September 1939 in Werl and Müncheberg was appointed its adjutant . III. Gruppe relocated to Essen-Mülheim in early November 1939 during the Phoney War period (October 1939 – April 1940). From this airfield, he claimed his first victory on 7 November 1939,
38592-592: Was reported missing, presumed killed, and Steven Merena was captured. On 15 December Müncheberg took off with seven Bf 109s from III./JG 77 and attacked eleven British P-40s practicing ground attack tactics; he claimed one shot down. The pilot, RCAF Sgt N. E. McKee, crashed onto the shore and was captured. Müncheberg accounted for three P-40s on 14 January 1943 in a single combat. German pilots claimed 24 P-40s on this day. Actual British Commonwealth casualties were 12 destroyed and two damaged with five killed, one missing and one wounded. US forces reported on loss from
38793-420: Was retained, along with vocational and general schools. The Realgymnasium offered instead a nine-year course including Latin, but not Greek. Prussian Progymnasien and Realprogymnasien provided six- or seven-year courses, and the Oberschulen later offered nine-year courses with neither Greek nor Latin. The early twentieth century saw an increase in the number of Lyzeum schools for girls, which offered
38994-475: Was summoned to his commanding officer, Geschwaderkommodore Schöpfel, who informed him of his transfer to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front . Müncheberg was destined to become a Geschwaderkommodore but prior to receiving his own command, he would have to serve as a Kommodore in training. He went on three-week home leave, staying at his parents' home, before he received his orders to head east on 21 July 1942. On his way to
39195-465: Was that it prevented the frequent confusion among parents about the fundamental difference between Realgymnasium, Oberrealschule and Oberschule on the one side and Realschule on the other. The Sportgymnasium is a school of the gymnasium-type, usually a boarding school, that has its main focus on sport. The Skigymnasium has a focus on skiing. The Musikgymnasium has its focus on music. (In Bavaria) It requires to learn to play an instrument (mostly
39396-408: Was the aerial-warfare branch of the Wehrmacht before and during World War II . Germany 's military air arms during World War I , the Luftstreitkräfte of the Imperial Army and the Marine-Fliegerabteilung of the Imperial Navy , had been disbanded in May 1920 in accordance with the terms of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles , which banned Germany from having any air force. During
39597-648: Was the 19th member of the Wehrmacht to receive the award. Müncheberg claimed his last victory in this theatre on 27 September 1942, claiming 33 victories in total over Russian aircraft, this took his overall score to 116 aerial victories. He was then ordered to the Wolf's Lair where Hitler presented him the Swords to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. Following the award ceremony he was granted home leave before being appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing), replacing Gordon Gollob in this role. Müncheberg took over command of Jagdgeschwader 77 on 1 October 1942. Jagdgeschwader 77 at
39798-467: Was the first Gruppe in the Luftwaffe completely equipped with the Fw 190. Müncheberg's number of victories continued to increase; all but his 55th on 18 September, which was over a No. 607 Squadron Hurricane, were claimed against Spitfires. Galland was replaced by Schöpfel on 5 December as Geschwaderkommodore of JG 26 "Schlageter". Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring had appointed Galland as General der Jagdflieger (General of Fighters) following
39999-467: Was then given two weeks of rest at Catania before moving on to Molaoi. Here the pilots were initially tasked with long-range combat air patrols before Operation Battleaxe , a British Army operation with the goal of clearing eastern Cyrenaica of German and Italian forces, was initiated on 15 June. 7. Staffel was immediately ordered to relocate to North Africa where they were subordinated to I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 (I./JG 27 - 1st group of
40200-425: Was transferred to 11. Staffel of Lehrgeschwader 2 (11./LG 2—11th squadron of the 2nd Demonstration Wing) in mid-1939. This squadron was formed on 1 August 1939 and experimented with night fighting techniques. Only pilots with excellent flying abilities, especially blind flying , were chosen. World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland . 11.(Nacht)/LG 2
40401-422: Was up to 3,941, The Luftwaffe's entire strength was now 2.2 million personnel. In April and May 1941, Udet headed the Luftwaffe delegation inspecting the Soviet aviation industry in compliance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact . Udet informed Göring "that Soviet air forces are very strong and technically advanced." Göring decided not to report the facts to Hitler, hoping that a surprise attack would quickly destroy
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