Movatterモバイル変換

[0]ホーム
URL:

Jump to content
WikipediaThe Free Encyclopedia
Search

Josef Kraft

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
German World War II fighter pilot
Josef Kraft
Born8 February 1921
Vienna, Austria
Died16 October 1994(1994-10-16) (aged 73)
Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany (1940–45)
 West Germany (1956–80)
Years of service1940–45
1956–80
RankHauptmann(Wehrmacht)
Oberst (Bundeswehr)
UnitNJG 4,NJG 5,NJG 6,NJG 1
Commands7./NJG 6, 12./NJG 1
Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 2
Battles / wars
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Josef Kraft (8 February 1921 – 16 October 1994) was a Germanmilitary aviator in theLuftwaffe during World War II and an officer in the postwarGerman Air Force. As afighter ace, he was credited with 56 aerial victories claimed in 129 combat missions, making himthe thirteenth, a shared distinction, most successfulnight fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.[1] All of his victories were claimed inDefense of the Reich missions, the majority against theRoyal Air Force's (RAF)Bomber Command andUnited States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on theWestern Front and four against theSoviet Air Forces on theEastern Front.

Born inVienna, Kraft grew up in theFirst Austrian Republic, theFederal State of Austria andNazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he joined the military service in 1940, initially serving with ananti-aircraft artillery he was later trained as a pilot. In 1942, he was posted to Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (NJG 4—4th Night Fighter Wing) and to Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 (NJG 5—5th Night Fighter Wing) in 1943. Kraft claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 27/28 August 1943. In May 1944, hisGruppe was subordinated to Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6—6th Night Fighter Wing) based in Hungary. Following his 44th aerial victory, he was awarded theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 September 1944, shortly after, he was appointed squadron leader of 7.Staffel (7th squadron) of NJG 6. Kraft claimed his last aerial victories on 22/23 March 1945 and was awarded theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves 17 April.

Following the rearmament of theFederal Republic of Germany, Kraft joined the German Air Force in July 1956. He died on 16 October 1994 inFürstenfeldbruck.

Early life and career

[edit]

Kraft, the son of atram driver, was born on 8 February 1921 inVienna, the capital ofFirst Austrian Republic. He joined the military service of theWehrmacht on 11 April 1940, initially serving withFlak-Regiment 42 (42nd anti-aircraft artillery regiment) of theLuftwaffe. Kraft volunteered for flight service and was promoted toOberfähnrich (officer candidate) on 1 July 1941.[2] Followingnight fighter flight training,[Note 1] he was promoted toLeutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 November 1941 and continued to serve with a Luftwaffe training unit 16 August 1942.[3]

World War II

[edit]
A map of part of the Kammhuber Line. The 'belt' and night fighter 'boxes' are shown.

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forcesinvaded Poland. Following the 1939 aerialBattle of the Heligoland Bight,Royal Air Force (RAF) attacks shifted to the cover of darkness, initiating theDefence of the Reich campaign.[4] By mid-1940,Generalmajor (Brigadier General)Josef Kammhuber had established a nightair defense system dubbed theKammhuber Line. It consisted of a series of control sectors equipped withradars andsearchlights and an associated night fighter. Each sector named aHimmelbett (canopy bed) would direct the night fighter into visual range with target bombers. In 1941, the Luftwaffe started equipping night fighters with airborne radar such as theLichtenstein radar. This airborne radar did not come into general use until early 1942.[5]

Night fighter career

[edit]

In October 1942, Kraft was posted to II.Gruppe (2nd group) ofNachtjagdgeschwader 4 (NJG 4—4th Night Fighter Wing).[Note 2] In January 1943, he was again transferred then serving with II.Gruppe ofNachtjagdgeschwader 5 (NJG 5—5th Night Fighter Wing).[3] Kraft claimed his first air victory on 27/28 August 1943, anAvro Lancaster bomber shot down 22 kilometres (14 miles) west ofNuremberg[6] For this, he was awarded theIron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse) on 1 September and the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse) on 15 November.[7]

Kraft was promoted toOberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 February 1944 and received theHonor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 31 March. In May, II.Gruppe was subordinated toNachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6—6th Night Fighter Wing) and moved Hungary on the southern sector of theEastern Front. He was awarded theGerman Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 23 July 1944. By September 1944, his number of aerial victories had increased to 44 for which he received theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 30 September.[3]

In February and March 1945, he claimed his last aerial victories, increasing his total to 56. For which he was awarded theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 17 April, the 838th officer or soldier of the Wehrmacht so honored. At the end of war he was takenprisoner of war by British forces and was released in August 1945.[3]

Later life

[edit]

Following theWiederbewaffnung (rearmament) of theFederal Republic of Germany, Kraft joined theGerman Air Force in 1956. From 1 October 1 to 31 March 1980, he commanded theLuftwaffenversorgungsregiment 2 and retired holding the rank ofOberst (colonel). Kraft died on 16 October 1994 inFürstenfeldbruck.[3][8]

Summary of career

[edit]

Aerial victory claims

[edit]

According to US historianDavid T. Zabecki, Kraft was credited with 56 aerial victories.[9] Obermaier lists Kraft with 56 nocturnal aerial victories, four of which on theEastern Front, claimed in 129 combat missions.[10] Foreman, Parry and Mathews, authors ofLuftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945, researched theGerman Federal Archives and found records for 56 nocturnal victory claims[11] Mathews and Foreman also publishedLuftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, listing Kraft with 51 claims, plus five further unconfirmed claims.[12]

Chronicle of aerial victories

  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed inLuftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945 but not inLuftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims.

ClaimDateTimeTypeLocationSerial No./Squadron No.
– 6.Staffel ofNachtjagdgeschwader 5 –[13]
1?[Note 3]28 August 194301:20Lancaster22 km (14 mi) west ofNuremberg[6]
21 September 194300:47Lancaster25 km (16 mi) south-southwest ofBerlin[14]LancasterJA848/No. 619 Squadron RAF[15]
3?[Note 3]1 September 194300:55Stirlingeast of Berlin[14]
427 September 194323:26LancasterHannover[16]HalifaxJB968/No. 428 Squadron RAF[17]
59 October 194301:32Stirling40–50 km (25–31 mi) north ofBremen[14]
6?[Note 3]26 November 194321:52LancasterBerlin[18]
72 December 194320:32LancasterBerlin[19]
– 5.Staffel ofNachtjagdgeschwader 5 –[12]
86 January 194403:33LancasterStettin[20]
96 January 194403:45Lancasternorthwest of Stettin[20]
106 January 194404:01Lancasternorthwest of Stettin[20]
11?[Note 3]14 January 194420:20LancasterBerlin[21]
1220 January 194419:45LancasterBerlin[22]
1321 January 194423:15HalifaxMagdeburg[23]HalifaxDK237/No. 428 (Ghost) Squadron RCAF[24]
1421 January 194423:20HalifaxMagdeburg[23]
1529 January 194403:28LancasterBerlin[25]
1630 January 194420:09LancasterBerlin[26]
1730 January 194420:16LancasterBerlin[26]
18?[Note 3]30 January 194420:28LancasterBerlin[26]
– 4.Staffel ofNachtjagdgeschwader 5 –[27]
1915 February 194420:46Lancastersouthwest ofRostock[28]
2015 February 194421:13HalifaxNeuruppin[28]
2120 February 194403:17four-engined bombervicinity ofBrandenburg[29]HalifaxLK905/No. 431 (Iroquois) Squadron RCAF[30][Note 4]
2224 March 194422:23four-engined bomber5 km (3.1 mi) south of Berlin[31]
2324 March 194422:58four-engined bomberWertheim[32]
2427 April 194401:24Lancaster10–20 km (6.2–12.4 mi) south ofStrasbourg[33]
2527 April 194401:45Lancastervicinity of Strasbourg[33]
2628 April 194402:24HalifaxFriedrichshafen[34]
– 7.Staffel ofNachtjagdgeschwader 6 –[27]
2725 May 194402:18LancasterListig[35]LancasterDV389/No. 101 Squadron RAF[36]
2825 May 194402:24HalifaxEifel PN-3[35]LancasterND624/No. 103 Squadron RAF[37]
2626 June 194400:40HalifaxTamási[38]
307 July 194401:20Wellingtonsouth ofSankt Pölten[39]
317 July 194401:27Wellingtonsouth of Sankt Pölten[39]
3221 July 194423:40Wellingtonwest of Brod[40]
338 August 194401:27WellingtonKörmend[41]
3420 August 194423:10Wellingtoneast ofSteyr[42]
3520 August 194423:18Wellington[42]
3621 August 194423:14WellingtonKomárom[42]
3722 August 194423:14WellingtonGyöngyös[42]
3822 August 194423:23B-24Tiszafüred[42]
3914 September 194422:00Il-420 km (12 mi) north ofBudapest[43]
4018 September 194421:40PS-84Tokaj[44]
4119 September 194421:04PS-84Nyíregyháza[44]
4219 September 194421:20PS-84Nyíregyháza[44]
4320 September 194423:08WellingtonSzombathely[45]
4420 September 194423:12WellingtonSzombathely[45]
4513 October 194420:36B-24Tamási[46]
4613 October 194420:46Wellingtonsoutheast of Barcs[46]
4720 October 194421:43WellingtonSzombathely[47]
4820 October 194422:10B-24Szombathely[47]
4920 October 194422:15WellingtonSzombathely[47]
– 8.Staffel ofNachtjagdgeschwader 6 –[27]
5021 February 194501:05HalifaxDuisburg[48]
5121 February 194501:09HalifaxDuisburg[48]
5224 February 194522:07HalifaxDuisburg[49]HalifaxMZ448/No. 462 Squadron RAF[50]
533 March 194521:59Lancasterwest ofMünster[51]
543 March 194522:07Lancasterwest of Münster[51]
5523 March 194504:14LancasterBochum[52]
5623 March 194504:00B-17[52]

Awards

[edit]

Promotions

[edit]
Wehrmacht
1 July 1941:Oberfähnrich (officer candidate)[2]
1 November 1941:Leutnant (second lieutenant)[3]
1 February 1944:Oberleutnant (first lieutenant)[3]
1 January 1945:Hauptmann (captain)[3]
Bundeswehr
?Oberst (colonel)[3]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations. For pilots destined to fly multi-engine aircraft, the training was completed with the Luftwaffe Advanced Pilot's Certificate (Erweiterter Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein), also known as the C-Certificate.
  2. ^For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation seeOrganisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  3. ^abcdeAccording to Mathews and Foreman, this claim was unconfirmed.[12]
  4. ^According to theAviation Safety Network, potentially claimed byOberleutnantPaul Zorner.[30]
  5. ^According to Obermaier on 31 March 1944.
  6. ^According to Scherzer as pilot in the 7./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6.[57]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^Scutts 1998, p. 88.
  2. ^abStockert 2011, p. 100.
  3. ^abcdefghijStockert 2011, p. 101.
  4. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 9.
  5. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 27.
  6. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 107.
  7. ^Stockert 2011, p. 85.
  8. ^Bundeswehr 2018.
  9. ^Zabecki 2014, p. 1618.
  10. ^Obermaier 1989, p. 76.
  11. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 107–244.
  12. ^abcMathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 682–683.
  13. ^Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 682.
  14. ^abcForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 109.
  15. ^Lancaster JA848.
  16. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 118.
  17. ^Bowman 2016a, p. 212.
  18. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 130.
  19. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 131.
  20. ^abcForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 139.
  21. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 141.
  22. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 142.
  23. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 143.
  24. ^Halifax DK237.
  25. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 145.
  26. ^abcForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 146.
  27. ^abcMathews & Foreman 2015, p. 683.
  28. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 148.
  29. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 149.
  30. ^abHalifax LK905.
  31. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 157.
  32. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 158.
  33. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 170.
  34. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 172.
  35. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 180.
  36. ^Lancaster DV389.
  37. ^Lancaster ND624.
  38. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 193.
  39. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 198.
  40. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 203.
  41. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 208.
  42. ^abcdeForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 210.
  43. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 216.
  44. ^abcForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 217.
  45. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 218.
  46. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 219.
  47. ^abcForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 220.
  48. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 236.
  49. ^Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 238.
  50. ^Bowman 2016b, p. 197.
  51. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 239.
  52. ^abForeman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 244.
  53. ^abThomas 1997, p. 400.
  54. ^Patzwall 2008, p. 124.
  55. ^Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 249.
  56. ^Fellgiebel 2000, p. 271.
  57. ^abScherzer 2007, p. 469.
  58. ^Fellgiebel 2000, p. 102.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Bowman, Martin (2016a).Nachtjagd, Defenders of the Reich 1940–1943. Barnsley, South Yorkshire:Pen and Sword Books.ISBN 978-1-4738-4986-0.
  • Bowman, Martin (2016b).German Night Fighters Versus Bomber Command 1943–1945. Barnsley, South Yorkshire:Pen and Sword Aviation.ISBN 978-1-4738-4979-2.
  • "Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 2".Geschichte der Luftwaffe. 2 May 2018. Retrieved21 September 2018.
  • 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.
  • Foreman, John; Parry, Simon; Mathews, Johannes (2004).Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939–1945. Walton on Thames: Red Kite.ISBN 978-0-9538061-4-0.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Scutts, Jerry (1998).German Night Fighter Aces of World War 2. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 20. Oxford:Osprey Publishing.ISBN 978-1-85532-696-5.
  • Stockert, Peter (2011).Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 9 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 9] (in German) (2nd ed.). 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.
  • Accident description for Halifax DK237 at theAviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Halifax LK905 at theAviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Lancaster DV389 at theAviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Lancaster JA848 at theAviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 22 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Lancaster ND624 at theAviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
German World War IInight fighterflying aces with 30+ aerial claims
100+
80–99
60–79
50–59
40–49
30–39
Portals:
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Josef_Kraft&oldid=1252809901"
Categories:
Hidden categories:
[8]ページ先頭
©2009-2025 Movatter.jp