Movatterモバイル変換

[0]ホーム
URL:

Jump to content
WikipediaThe Free Encyclopedia
Search

Rolf Hermichen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
German World War II fighter pilot (1918–2014)
Rolf Hermichen
Born(1918-07-25)25 July 1918
Wernigerode,Kingdom of Prussia,German Empire
Died23 May 2014(2014-05-23) (aged 95)
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/ branch Luftwaffe
RankMajor
UnitZG 1,ZG 76, SKG 210,JG 26,JG 11,JG 104
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Other workManager atKarstadt

Rolf Hermichen (25 July 1918 – 23 May 2014) was a GermanLuftwaffefighter ace and recipient of theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German:Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) duringWorld War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

[edit]

He was born inWernigerode in thedistrict of Harz.[1]

On 15 July 1942, Hermichen was appointedStaffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 3.Staffel of JG 26. He succeededOberleutnant Johannes Schmidt who was transferred.[2] On 13 June 1943, theGruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III.Gruppe,Hauptmann Kurt Ruppert was killed in action. Command of theGruppe was temporarily given to Hermichen.[3] On 29 June,GeschwaderkommodoreJosef Priller appointedMajorKlaus Mietusch as the new commander of III.Gruppe. Mietusch assumed command on 5 July and Hermichen returned to 3.Staffel.[4]

On 16 October 1943, Herminchen was appointedGruppenkommandeur of I.Gruppe ofJagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing). He succeededHauptmannErich Woitke who temporarily led theGruppe afterHauptmannErwin Clausen waskilled in action on 4 October.[5] On 2 April 1944, Hermichen was presented theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) byGeneraloberstHans-Jürgen Stumpff at the airfield inRotenburg an der Wümme. The Knight's Cross had been awarded on 26 March.[6]

On 12 May, theEighth Army Air Force targeted the German fuel industry.[7] In total 886 four-engined bombers, escorted by 980 fighter aircraft, headed for the five mainsynthetic fuel factories in middle Germany in area ofLeuna,Merseburg,Böhlen andZeitz, and theProtectorate of Bohemia and Moravia andBrüx.[8] That day, Hermichen was shot down in aerial combat nearLimburg an der Lahn.[9] In consequence, he was transferred to the staff of the2.Jagd-Division (2nd Fighter Division) based inStade. Hermichen was replaced byOberleutnantHans-Heinrich Koenig as commander of I.Gruppe.[10]

Summary of career

[edit]

Aerial victory claims

[edit]

According to US historianDavid T. Zabecki, Hermichen was credited with 64 aerial victories.[11] Obermaier also lists him with 64 aerial victories claimed in 629 combat missions, 11 of them while flying theMesserschmitt Bf 110. He shot down 53 enemy aircraft inDefense of the Reich, including 26 four-enginestrategic bombers.[1] Forsyth also lists him with 26 heavy bombers shot down.[12] Mathews and Foreman, authors ofLuftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched theGerman Federal Archives and found records for 49 aerial victory claims, plus eight further unconfirmed claims. This figure includes 11 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 38 over theWestern Allies, including 17 four-engine bombers.[13]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ =Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 28321". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15minutes oflatitude by 30 minutes oflongitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[14]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Hermichen did not receive credit.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates anHerausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
ClaimDateTimeTypeLocationClaimDateTimeTypeLocation
– 6.Staffel ofZerstörergeschwader 1 –[15]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
110 May 194011:15BattleWaalhaven227 May 1940
—
Spitfire
—
15 May 1940
—
M.S.406
—
30 May 1940
—
Potez 63
– 9.Staffel ofZerstörergeschwader 76 –[15]
Battle of Britain — 10 July – 31 October 1940
—
12 August 1940
—
Hurricane
—
25 August 1940
—
Hurricane
—
15 August 1940
—
Spitfire
– III.Gruppe ofZerstörergeschwader 76 –[15]
Norwegian Coast
39 February 194111:00BeaufortMandal
– 6.Staffel ofSchnellkampfgeschwader 210 –[15]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
46 September 1941
—
Yak-1622 October 1941
—
Pe-2
512 October 1941
—
Yak-1
– 7.Staffel ofJagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 15 July 1942
12?[Note 1]4 April 194211:35Spitfirenorthwest ofBrouckerque[16]
off Lister		1312 April 194213:43Spitfire3 km (1.9 mi) north ofCassel[16]
– 3.Staffel ofJagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
On the Western Front — 15 July – 31 December 1942
149 May 194217:42Spitfire10 km (6.2 mi) northwest ofKoksijde[17]1819 August 194211:28P-39Dieppe[18]
1530 July 194219:11HurricaneSaint-Omer-Wizernes[17]194 December 194214:35Spitfire10 km (6.2 mi) northeast ofDesvres[19]
south ofArdres
1618 August 194215:01?[Note 2]Spitfire20 km (12 mi) south ofDungeness[18]206 December 194211:37Spitfire20 km (12 mi) west ofLe Tréport[19]
1719 August 194209:51Spitfirenortheast of Dieppe[18]2119 December 194214:15US-fighter25 km (16 mi) east-southeast ofDeal[19]
–Stab I.Gruppe ofJagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
On the Eastern Front — 2 February – 7 June 1943
2218 February 194308:23LaGG-3PQ 35 Ost 28321[20]265 March 194315:09P-40PQ 35 Ost 18443[20]
2319 February 194309:59Il-2PQ 35 Ost 18293[20]277 March 194310:03Pe-2PQ 35 Ost 18254[20]
2419 February 194310:01Il-2PQ 35 Ost 18462[20]287 March 194315:43Pe-2PQ 35 Ost 18551[21]
254 March 194308:03Pe-2PQ 35 Ost 18242[20]2923 March 194313:42Yak-7PQ 36 Ost 00412[21]
– 3.Staffel ofJagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
Defense of the Reich — 5 July – 15 October 1943
31?[Note 3]28 July 194312:17TyphoonPQ 05 Ost S/JH-1/NH-7[22]
west ofRotterdam[23]		3412 August 194308:42B-17*PQ 05 Ost S/KN-3/6[22]
Mönchengladbach[24]
3230 July 194310:12B-17PQ 05 Ost S/JM-3[22]
Nijmegen[25]		3515 August 194311:58?[Note 4]SpitfirePQ 05 Ost S/KG-7[22]
Vlissingen-North Sea[24]
3330 July 194310:15P-47PQ 05 Ost S/JM-2/3[22]
Dordrecht[25]
–Stab I.Gruppe ofJagdgeschwader 11 –[15]
Defense of the Reich — 16 October – 31 December 1943
365 November 194314:02P-47PQ KH,Schouwen[26]381 December 194312:20B-24PQ 05 Ost OO-8/6, south ofEuskirchen[26]
—
5 November 1943
—
B-17*[27]
—
1 December 1943
—
B-24*[28]south of Euskirchen
3713 November 194311:30B-24PQ 05 Ost SS-5/6[26]
east ofHusum		3911 December 194312:17B-17PQ 05 Ost AP-2/4[26]
25 km (16 mi) north ofNorderney
–Stab I.Gruppe ofJagdgeschwader 11 –[13]
Defense of the Reich — January – June 1944
49?[Note 5]10 February 194412:55B-17PQ 05 Ost S/EP-8, northwest ofLingen[29]578 March 194415:26B-24PQ 15 Ost S/FA, north ofGroßburgwedel[30]
5020 February 194413:27B-24PQ 05 Ost S/JU-4, vicinity ofHolzminden[31]588 March 194415:28B-24PQ 15 Ost S/FA, north of Großburgwedel[30]
5120 February 194413:30B-24PQ 05 Ost S/JU-1, vicinity of Holzminden[31]598 March 194415:36B-17PQ 15 Ost S/FA, vicinity ofCelle[30]
5220 February 194413:37B-24PQ 15 Ost S/JA-1/1, vicinity ofGotha[31]60?[Note 6]8 March 194415:47B-17[30]
5320 February 194413:45B-24PQ 05 Ost S/JU-6, vicinity of Holzminden[31]6123 March 194410:03?[Note 7]B-17PQ 05 Ost S/ES, south ofBremen[30]
543 March 194412:02B-17west ofTönning[33]6215 April 194413:56?[Note 8]P-38PQ 05 Ost S/DT, vicinity of Rotenburg[34]
546 March 194412:00B-17PQ 05 Ost S/EP, vicinity ofHaselünne[33]6315 April 194413:57?[Note 9]P-38PQ 05 Ost S/DT-2/9, vicinity of Rotenburg[34]
556 March 194412:06B-17PQ 05 Ost S/ER, south ofDelmenhorst[33]6424 April 194413:06P-51PQ 05 Ost S/SS, vicinity ofMannheim[35]
566 March 194412:12B-17PQ 05 Ost S/ER, south of Delmenhorst[33]

Awards

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock Prien list this claim as Hermichen's 12th aerial victory,[16] while Mathews and Foreman present this claim as his 7th aerial victory.[15]
  2. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:04.[15]
  3. ^Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock Prien list this claim as Hermichen's 31st aerial victory,[22] while Mathews and Foreman present this claim as his 25th aerial victory.[15]
  4. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:59.[15]
  5. ^Prien and Rodeike list this claim as Hermichen's 49th aerial victory,[29] while Mathews and Foreman present this claim as his 34th aerial victory.[15]
  6. ^According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[32]
  7. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:05.[32]
  8. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:57.[32]
  9. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:00.[32]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^abObermaier 1989, p. 73.
  2. ^Prien et al. 2004, p. 348.
  3. ^Prien et al. 2009, pp. 100, 133.
  4. ^Caldwell 1998, pp. 95–96.
  5. ^Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 588.
  6. ^Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 824.
  7. ^Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 927.
  8. ^Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 930.
  9. ^Prien & Rodeike 1996, pp. 936, 1179.
  10. ^Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 939.
  11. ^Zabecki 2014, p. 1617.
  12. ^Forsyth 2011, p. 90.
  13. ^abMathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 517–518.
  14. ^Planquadrat.
  15. ^abcdefghijklmnMathews & Foreman 2015, p. 517.
  16. ^abcPrien et al. 2004, p. 396.
  17. ^abPrien et al. 2004, p. 352.
  18. ^abcPrien et al. 2004, p. 353.
  19. ^abcPrien et al. 2004, p. 354.
  20. ^abcdefPrien et al. 2012, p. 374.
  21. ^abPrien et al. 2012, p. 375.
  22. ^abcdefPrien et al. 2009, p. 94.
  23. ^Caldwell 1998, p. 125.
  24. ^abCaldwell 1998, p. 133.
  25. ^abCaldwell 1998, p. 129.
  26. ^abcdPrien et al. 2008, p. 394.
  27. ^Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 640.
  28. ^Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 641.
  29. ^abPrien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1201.
  30. ^abcdePrien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1204.
  31. ^abcdPrien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1202.
  32. ^abcdMathews & Foreman 2015, p. 518.
  33. ^abcdPrien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1203.
  34. ^abPrien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1206.
  35. ^Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1207.
  36. ^abThomas 1997, p. 273.
  37. ^Patzwall 2008, p. 100.
  38. ^Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 180.
  39. ^abScherzer 2007, p. 385.
  40. ^Fellgiebel 2000, p. 224.
  41. ^Fellgiebel 2000, p. 97.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Bergström, Christer[in Swedish]."Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website".Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived fromthe original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved5 June 2020.
  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1998).The JG 26 War Diary: Volume Two 1943–1945. London: Grub Street.ISBN 978-1-898697-86-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer[in German] (2000) [1986].Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas.ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Forsyth, Robert (2011).Luftwaffe Viermot Aces 1942–45. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 101. Oxford, UK:Osprey Publishing.ISBN 978-1-84908-438-3.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015).Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite.ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989).Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann.ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001).Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall.ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008).Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall.ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Rodeike, Peter (1994).Jagdgeschwader 1 und 11: Einsatz in der Reichsverteidigung von 1939 bis 1945: Teil 1, 1939–1943 [Jagdgeschwader 1 and 11: Operations in the Defense of the Reich from 1939 to 1945] (in German). Vol. I 1939–1943. Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN 978-3-923457-21-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Rodeike, Peter (1996).Jagdgeschwader 1 und 11—Einsatz in der Reichsverteidigung von 1939 bis 1945—Teil 2—1944 [Jagdgeschwader 1 and 11—Operations in the Defense of the Reich from 1939 to 1945] (in German). Vol. II 1944. Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN 978-3-923457-24-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 7—Heimatverteidigung—1. January bis 31 Dezember 1942—Einsatz im Westen—1. Januar bis 31. Dezember 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 7—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1942—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN 978-3-923457-73-1.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2008).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/II—Reichsverteidigung—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/II—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN 978-3-923457-85-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2009).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/III—Reichsverteidigung—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/III—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN 978-3-923457-89-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge.ISBN 978-3-942943-07-9.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007).Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag.ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Stockert, Peter (2008).Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 8 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 8] (in German). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick.OCLC 76072662.
  • Thomas, Franz (1997).Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1: A–K] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag.ISBN 978-3-7648-2299-6.
  • Zabecki, David T., ed. (2014).Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History. Santa Barbara, California:ABC-Clio.ISBN 978-1-59884-981-3.
Portals:
International
National
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rolf_Hermichen&oldid=1263753704"
Categories:
Hidden categories:
[8]ページ先頭
©2009-2025 Movatter.jp