Gunther Schack - Aircrew Details

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Gunther Schack - Aircrew Details - Aviation Directory

Gunther Schack

Name : Gunther Schack
Died : 14th June 2003
Air Victories : 174.00

Awards :
Knights Cross
Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross

Major Günther Schack was born in Bartenstein, a small town in Eastern Prussia, on 12 November 1917 as the son of Dr. Willy Schack and his wife, Dorothea (maiden name: Nietzki). He studied at the University of Stuttgart and at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule. In 1937, when he first tried to join the Luftwaffe, he was categorised as wehruntauglich (unsuited for military service) because of a sports injury earlier in his life.

Günther Schack resubmitted an application as a volunteer and was accepted into the Luftwaffe on 2 September 1939. After being trained as a fighter pilot, Schack was posted to 7th Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51.

Schack claimed first aerial victory in combat on 23 July 1941 on the Eastern front. Meanwhile, he had been promoted to the rank of Unteroffizier. After his 48th aerial victory, he was ordered back to Germany to serve as a flight instructor and was promoted to Leutnant on 1 January 1943.

In mid 1943 he returned back to the Eastern front, now serving in the 9th Staffel of JG 51. He claimed his century mark in aerial combat on 3 September 1943. On 8 December 1943 he was made Staffelkapitän of 9./JG 51. Leutnant Günther Schack was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 20 April 1944 for 133 aerial victories.[2] Schack was then promoted to Hauptmann on 1 July 1944. In December 1944, now a Gruppenkommandeur, in charge of I./JG 51. After this Gruppe was disbanded on 1 May 1945 he briefly was named commander of the 4th Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3. By the end of the war, he had scored 174 victories in 780 aerial combats, and was shot down 15 times.

Günther Schack died 14 June 2003 in Schmidt near Nideggen he was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1939 until the end of World War II in 1945. He claimed 174 enemy aircraft shot down, all of them on the Russian front. He survived being shot down 15 times during his 780 combat missions. After the war he lived secluded in the Eifel Mountains, and devoted himself to philosophical research.

Artwork signed by this Pilot or Aircrew

Hostile Sky by Robert Taylor

Gathering Storm by Robert Taylor.

Artwork featuring the mounted signature of this Pilot or Aircrew

Breaking Cover by Robert Taylor. (B)

Artwork with companion print(s) featuring the mounted signature of this Pilot or Aircrew

Knight of the Reich by Robert Taylor. (C)

Aircraft Type :
SB-2

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
U-2

Aircraft Type :
I-26

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
MiG-3

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
R-5

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
I-153

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
R-5

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
MiG-3

Aircraft Type :
Jak-1

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
Airacobra

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-7

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-7

Aircraft Type :
Jak-4

Aircraft Type :
Jak-1

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-3

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-7

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
Jak-7

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
Jak-7

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
La-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
La-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-7

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Aircraft Type :
Airacobra

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Il-2

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Il-2mH.

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Airacobra

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Airacobra

Aircraft Type :
LaGG-5

Aircraft Type :
Jak-9

Aircraft Type :
Pe-2

Known Victory Claims :
Date	Rank	Squadron	Claimed	Location	Time	Aircraft Flown	Notes
23/07/1941	Gefr.	JG 51	SB-2 details	40km NE Bobruisk	18.59
10/10/1941	Gefr.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	25km NE Juchnow	8.08
10/11/1941	Gefr.	JG 51	U-2 details	7km W. Serpuchow	10.38
01/03/1942	Ofhr.	JG 51	I-26 details	W. Moszalik: 500m	13.55
01/08/1942	Uffz.	JG 51	Il-2 details	47 642: tiefflug	14.1
10/08/1942	Uffz.	JG 51	Il-2 details	47 614: tiefflug	10.27
12/08/1942	Uffz.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	47 822: 1500m	6.1
13/08/1942	Uffz.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	47 533: 2500m	8.23
18/08/1942	Uffz.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	47 593: 1500m	15.05
27/08/1942	Uffz.	JG 51	MiG-3 details	47 613: 1500m	9.25
03/09/1942	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	E. Stephanovka: 200m	14.23
03/09/1942	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	SW Stephanovka: 200m	14.24
10/09/1942	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	47 812: 200m	7.1
10/09/1942	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	56 314: 600m	16.28
11/09/1942	Fw.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	47 593: 1500m	12.5
22/09/1942	Fw.	JG 51	R-5 details	47 612	9.26
15/10/1942	Fw.	JG 51	Il-2 details	SE Belojne: 1000m	15.15
17/12/1942	Ofw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	25km NE Sychëvka: 250m (Smolensk)	11.58
17/12/1942	Ofw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	27km NE Sychëvka: 2500m	11.59
17/12/1942	Ofw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	35km NE Sychëvka: 2500m	12
17/12/1942	Ofw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	33km NE Sychëvka: 2500m	12.01
17/12/1942	Ofw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	20km S. Subzoff: 3000m	12.17
29/01/1943	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	63 322: 1800m	8.31
29/01/1943	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	63 444: 1700m	8.32
29/01/1943	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	63 444: 1600m	8.33
29/01/1943	Fw.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	63 444: 1500m	8.34
02/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	I-153 details	73 583: 500m	13.21
03/02/1943	Fw.	JG 51	Il-2 details	73 384: tiefflug	8.17
03/02/1943	Fw.	JG 51	Il-2 details	73 354: tiefflug	8.21
21/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	64 641: 2000m	6.25
21/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	64 641: 2000m	6.26
23/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	54 173: 300m	6.3
23/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	44 294: 2500m	9.33
23/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	54 182: 2000m	12.25
23/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	54 183: 2000m	12.26
23/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	54 183: 2500m	12.26
24/02/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	54 151: 500m	6.25
08/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	63 252: 300m	9.15
08/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	63 263: 200m	12.2
08/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	63 292: 2500m	12.5
09/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	63 251: 100m	7.33
09/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	63 251: 100m	7.36
09/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	63 254: 3000m	7.43
11/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	R-5 details	63 631: tiefflug	13.23
11/03/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	63 283: tiefflug	13.27
15/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	54 498: 2000m	15.33
15/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	MiG-3 details	54 483: 1500m	15.38
15/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-1 details	54 479: 1200m	15.45
15/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	74 747: 4500m	18.22
19/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	63 221: 800m	12.05
20/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	54 628: 400m	18.15
20/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	54 443: 400m	18.18
21/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	54 128: 2000m	19.35
22/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	63 215: 2000m	15.5
30/07/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	64 549: 300m	12.04
01/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	64 519: 2800m	10.11
01/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	64 515: 2800m	10.1
02/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	54 841: 200m	17.1
02/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	53 457: 2200m	19.1
02/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	63 312: 1800m	5.36
02/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	53 453: 2000m	19.13
07/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	NNW Kirow: 3000m	15.55
08/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	E. Jelnja: 4500m	18.15
08/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	26 859: 100m	11.58
08/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	ESE Jelnja: 4000m	18.17
08/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	26 699: 4000m	13.05
09/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	35 494: 500m	12.5
10/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	35 665: 100m	14.5
10/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	35 424: tiefst.	16.45
12/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	N. Kirov: 1000m	16
12/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	E. Yelnya: 3000m	9.07
13/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	NE Dukhovshchina: 4000m	9.53
13/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	NE Dukhovshchina: 3000m	9.56
13/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	ESE Dukhovshchina: 2000m	15.03
13/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	NNW Dukhovshchina: 500m	16.48
14/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	WSW Spas-Demensk: 3500m	9
15/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	N. Spas-Demensk: tiefst.	5.12
19/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	ENE Yelnya: 1000m	11.45
19/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	E. Yelnya: 2000m	16.31
19/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	SE Yelnya: 1000m	19.02
20/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	SE Yelnya: 100m	18.36
22/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Airacobra details	ENE Ssevsk: 4000m	6.25
22/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	ENE Ssevsk: 2000m	15.45
23/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	26 735: 100m	15.15
23/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	26 814: 200m	17.57
24/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	26 821: 3000m	14
27/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	SW Ssevsk: 1500m	7.55
27/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	2km SE Ssevsk: 1000m	10.03
27/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	SW Ssevsk: 200m	13.2
27/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	SW Ssevsk: 600m	18.33
28/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	Ssevsk: 200m	15.58
29/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	S. Ssevsk: tiefst.	12.34
29/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	S. Ssevsk: tiefst.	12.35
29/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	SE Buda: 2500m	14.36
30/08/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	S. Buda: 3200m	12.31
01/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	Chudovo: 800m	11.1
03/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	Gludovo: 1800m	10.23
06/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	Buda: 2000m [Bryansk]	15
06/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-4 details	NE Severskiye: 4200m	11.32
09/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-1 details	4000m	15.2
13/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	NW Ordzhonikidze: 800m	15.45
18/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	Yelyna: tiefstflug	10.02
18/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	S. Yelnya: 1500m	17
18/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-3 details	S. Yelnya: 1000m	17.16
19/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	W. Yelnya: 800m	16.39
20/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	SE Smolensk: 3000m	9.33
20/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	Yalnya: 2000m	16.13
20/09/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	Smolensk: 600m	16.2
04/10/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	W. Tschernobyl: 600m	15.32
04/10/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	92 651: 3500m	12.43
05/10/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	Ippernigno: 800m	15.58
10/10/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	28km SE Newel: 3000m	15.25
14/10/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	Smolensk: 1800m	11.14
15/12/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	93 486: 2000m	9.03
15/12/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	93 457: 300m	11.25
15/12/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	93 277: 800m	11.37
28/12/1943	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2 details	93 452: 500m	11.28
10/01/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	03 215: 3500m	14.19
10/01/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	06 769: 4000m	14.44
12/01/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	93 611: 200m	11.14
12/01/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	93 475: 400m	11.3
13/01/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	93 819: 10m	13.02
15/01/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	93 447: 1500m	14.2
16/01/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	93 626 etwa 300m	9.55
06/02/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	La-5 details	96 654: 2000m	9.45
06/02/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	96 992: 2000m	11.2
06/02/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	96 657: 2500m	11.35
21/02/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	03 149: 100m	15.3
21/02/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	03 176: 500m	15.32
21/02/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	04 726: 1300m	15.41
23/02/1944	Ltn.	JG 51	La-5 details	04 543	14.37
30/04/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	42 841: 800m	10.19
30/05/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-7 details	42 735: 2500m	16.55
25/06/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	93 193: 3000m	7.38
25/06/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	93 221: 500m	13.35
25/06/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	Airacobra details	94 863: 1000m	13.47
28/06/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	Airacobra details	84 829: 4000m	15.11
04/07/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	62 131: 300m	12.33
07/07/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	54 719: 3700m	19.07
16/07/1944	Oblt.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	50 356: 500m	18.26
26/07/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	45 119: 500m	13.18
01/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	25 437: 500m	11
01/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	25 491: 700m	11.07
02/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Il-2 details	34 433: 500m	10.36
02/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Il-2 details	24 434: 300m	10.39
12/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	24 624: 500m	12.37
12/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	24 697: 1200m	16.56
13/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	24 626: 400m	14.57
17/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	36 347: tiefflug	6.55
17/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	26 283: 4000m	16.1
19/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	36 319: 1300m	17.04
19/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Il-2mH. details	36 345: tiefflug	17.12
23/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	27 491: 800m	19.05
26/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	27 437: 3000m	19.08
27/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Airacobra details	37 518: 1800m	18.5
28/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	37 514: 800m	12.32
28/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Airacobra details	37 343: 3200m	16.04
29/08/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	LaGG-5 details	37 373: 1800m	18.27
16/09/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	17 383: 1500m	9.33
16/09/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	17 628: 1500m	9.45
16/09/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	17 665: 1200m	17.01
16/09/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Jak-9 details	27 537: tiefst.	17.07
29/09/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	27 594: 6500m	11
29/09/1944	Hptm.	JG 51	Pe-2 details	17 628: 5000m	11.2

Squadrons for : Gunther Schack
A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Gunther Schack. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
JG3 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of JG3	JG3 Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3) Udet was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing of World War II. The Geschwader operated on all the German fronts in the European Theatre of World War II. It was named after Ernst Udet in 1942. Commanders of IV./JG 3 Major Franz Beyer, 1. June 1943 Hauptmann Heinz Lang , 11 February 1944 Major Friedrich-Karl Müller, 26 February 1944 Hauptmann Heinz Lang , 11 April 1944 Major Wilhelm Moritz, 18 April 1944 Hauptmann Hubert-York Weydenhammer, 5 December 1944 Major Erwin Bacsila, 5 January 1945 Oberleutnant Oskar Romm, 17 February 1945 Hauptmann Gerhard Koall, 25 April 1945 Hauptmann Günther Schack, 1 Mai 1945
JG51 Country : Germany Founded : August 1939 Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of JG51	JG51 Jagdgeschwader 51 Mölders was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II, named after the fighter ace Werner Mölders in 1942. JG 51's pilots won more Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes than any other Jagdgeschwader, and flew combat from 1939 in all major theatres of war. Flying Bf 109s and then FW 190s, the wing claimed over 8,000 air victories. Experten included 'Toni' Hafner, Heinz Bär, Richard Leppla, Karl-Gottfried Nordmann, Günther Schack and the legendary Mölders. Formed in August 1939, and commanded by 48-year-old World War I ace Onkel Theo Osterkamp, the early months of the war JG 51 was based in the West, fighting in the French campaign, and in the Battle of Britain. From late June to mid July JG 51 was the only fighter Geschwader engaged against the RAF constantly. During the whole battle JG 51 lost 68 pilots, the highest casualty rate of the Luftwaffe fighter units engaged. JG 51 was one of the two Geschewader that had four Gruppen. The other being JG 1. Four Bf 109 of JG 51 in France 1940Whilst based out of the Belgian airfield at Mardyik in late 1940, the German ace Josef Pips Priller was a Staffelkapitän with JG 51, flying Bf 109-E Yellow One. Josef Priller went on to score over 100 victories, the third highest scoring Luftwaffe day fighter ace on the Western Front, fighting solely against the Western Allies. Against the Western Allies JG 51 had claimed 345 aircraft destroyed by May 1941. JG 51 were therefore one of the Jagdwaffe's elite units, with 'top ten' aces at this time including Werner Mölders with 68 claims, Walter Oesau with 34 claims, and Hermann-Friedrich Joppien with 31. Major Werner Mölders became unit Geschwaderkommodore during July 1940 and led the unit into the invasion of Russia in June 1941. Barbarossa (1941) Claiming 69 kills on the first day of the offensive, by 30 June 1941 JG 51 became the first fighter Geschwader to claim 1,000 air victories (113 kills in 157 sorties were claimed for the day). On 24 June JG 51 claimed 57 bombers shot down for the day. Mölders became the first fighter pilot to reach 100 claims in August and in the same month JG 51's Oberfeldwebel Heinz Bär reached 60 claims and was decorated with the Oak Leaves. A total of 500 Soviet claims was reached on 12 July 1941, although 6 pilots had been lost by JG 51 in the intervening 3 weeks since the offensive had started. After Mölders' departure in September 1941 (and death later that year) the Geschwader adopted his name as a title of honor in early 1942. Jagdgeschwader 51 Mölders was to remain on the centre sector of the Russian front throughout the rest of 1941. However Oberstleutnant Friedrich Beckh ( one of the few fighter pilots to wear spectacles) proved an uncharismatic commander after Mölders, and it was not until Major Karl-Gottfried Nordmann took over in April 1942 that a worthy successor to Mölders was found. In the period 22 June - 5 December 1941 the unit destroyed 1,881 Soviet aircraft, in return for 84 losses in aerial combat and a single aircraft on the ground. Air support for the Wehrmacht's Army Group Centre was entrusted to General Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen's VIII. Fliegerkorps. In early January 1942, among the fighter units available to von Richthofen were II, III and IV/ JG 51. With the onset of the sub-zero conditions of the Russian winter, the majority of JG 51's available aircraft became grounded. The Russian winter counter offensive forced III./ JG 51 into flying numerous fighter-bomber operations in direct support of the infantry, and the gruppe filed few aerial 'kill' claims through January 1942. II./ JG 51 however, accounted for most of VIII. Fliegerkorps's aerial victories during the Soviet offensive. Particularly successful was the duo of Lt. Hans Strelow and Ofw. Wilhelm Mink, both of 5. JG 51. They claimed five MiG-3s of 16 IAP on 4 January (Mink claimed three) and 9 days later Mink claimed a Pe-2 and Strelow destroyed two R-Z biplanes for his 30th and 31st victories. On 4 February, Strelow increased his victories to 36 by shooting down four Russian aircraft. The 19 year-old Strelow claimed his 40th victory on 28 February and claimed 4 victories on both 6 March and 17 March. The next day he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes and also shot down seven Soviet aircraft. He was awarded the Eichenlaub on 24 March, his claims total at 66. Normandy (1944) 7./JG 51, (with Bf 109G-6's) was attached to II./JG 1 in May 1944 from Brest-Litovsk, with pilots arriving at Störmede late in May and hurriedly converting to the FW-190. (It was later renamed 8./JG 1 on 15 August 1944 when the four-Staffeln Gruppe became standard) 7. Staffel was led by Ritterkreuzträger (Knight's Cross winner) Hptm. Karl-Heinz Weber with 136 confirmed kills. Its two other experten were Lt. Friedrich Krakowitzer (23 kills) and Ofhr. Günther Heckmann with 12 kills. 7./JG 51 joined II. Gruppe with 15 pilots on strength at the end of May, and during the first two months of the Normandy campaign the staffel was decimated, with twelve pilots killed, one POW and one severely wounded. As the war turned against Germany JG 51 was forced to operate closer and closer to Germany, finally staging out of East Prussia.

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