{{short description|German World War II fighter pilot}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Use American English|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox military person |name=Gustav Denk |birth_date=24 January 1915 |death_date={{death date and age|1943|2|13|1915|1|24|df=y}} |birth_place= Soest |death_place= Chernigov |death_cause=Killed in action |image= |allegiance={{flag|Nazi Germany}} |branch={{air force|Nazi Germany}} |service_years=1939–1943 |rank=''Oberleutnant'' (first lieutenant) |unit=JG 52 |commands=5./JG 52, 6./JG 52 |battles={{hidden |''See battles'' |World War II *Invasion of Poland *Battle of France *Battle of Britain *Eastern Front :*Operation Barbarossa :*Operation Blue :*Battle of the Caucasus{{KIA}} |- |headerstyle=background:#dbdbdb |style=text-align:center; }} |awards=Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |other_work= }}
'''Gustav Denk''' (24 January 1915 – 13 February 1943) was a German military aviator who served in the Luftwaffe during World War II. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 67 aerial victories—that is, 67 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in over 500 combat missions. One aerial victories were claimed over the Western Front, the other victories were claimed over the Eastern Front.
Denk was born in Soest, and following fighter pilot training was posted to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) in 1939. He claimed his first aerial victory on 13 July 1940 during the Battle of Britain. In 1941, his unit was transferred east where it participated in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. In January 1943, Denk was appointed ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader) of 5. ''Staffel'' (5th squadron) of JG 52. On 13 February 1943, he was killed in action, shot down by Soviet anti-aircraft artillery near Chernigov. Posthumously, Denk was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943.
==Career== Denk was born on 24 January 1915 in Soest in the Province of Westphalia of the German Empire.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=100}} In late 1939, he was posted to II. ''Gruppe'' (2nd group) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing), at the time headed by ''Hauptmann'' Hans-Günther von Kornatzki.{{sfn|Schreier|1990|pp=183, 188}} On 27 June 1940, II. ''Gruppe'' moved to an airfield at Nordholz located approximately {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} south of Cuxhaven. Here on 13 July during the Battle of Britain, Denk claimed his first aerial victory when he shot down a Royal Air Force Bristol Blenheim bomber.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=31, 327}}
===Operation Barbarossa=== In preparation of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 52, without a period of replenishment in Germany, was ordered to airfields close to the German-Soviet demarcation line. While the ''Gruppenstab'' (group headquarters unit) and 4. ''Staffel'' were based at Suwałki in northeastern Poland, 5. and 6. ''Staffel'' were transferred to a forward airfield at Sobolewo. For the invasion, II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 52 was subordinated to the ''Geschwaderstab'' (headquarters unit) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing). The ''Geschwader'' was part of the VIII. ''Fliegerkorps'' commanded by ''Generaloberst'' Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen which supported the northern wing of Army Group Centre.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=26}}
II. ''Gruppe'' was ordered to relocate to Soltsy, {{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} west of Lake Ilmen, on 5 August in support of the 16th Army and Army Group North.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=28}} Here, the ''Gruppe'' supported the fighting south of Lake Ilmen, and the German attacks on Shlisselburg, Leningrad and the Soviet fleet at Kronstadt.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=79}} On 24 August, II. ''Gruppe'' was ordered to an airfield at Spasskaya Polist on the river Polist, south of Chudovo and north of Novgorod on Lake Ilmen, supporting the 18th Army in its advance towards the Neva and Lake Ladoga. Here Denk claimed his second aerial victory and first on the Eastern Front on 25 August when he shot down an I-18 fighter, an alternative Luftwaffe name for a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=29, 31, 44}}
Since German forces had reached the proximity of Leningrad, II. ''Gruppe'' was ordered to Lyuban on 1 September, approximately {{Convert|70|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} to Leningrad and located on the road to Moscow.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=80}} The ''Gruppe'' stayed at Lyuban until 30 September, flying missions to Shlisselburg, Leningrad and Mga. Here Denk claimed a Polikarpov I-16 fighter on 7 September and a Polikarpov I-153 fighter on 21 September.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=31, 45}}
===Eastern Front=== In late January 1942, II. ''Gruppe'' was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and sent to Jesau near Königsberg for a period of recuperation and replenishment, arriving on 24 January 1942.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=446}} In Jesau, the ''Gruppe'' received many factory-new Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 aircraft. On 14 April, II. ''Gruppe'' received orders to move to Pilsen, present-day Plzeň in the Czech Republic, for relocation to the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=447}} The ''Gruppe'' had also received a new commander, ''Hauptmann'' Erich Woitke had been transferred and was replaced by ''Hauptmann'' Johannes Steinhoff.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=285}} The ''Gruppe'' then moved to Wien-Schwechat on 24 April before flying to Zürichtal, present-day Solote Pole, a village near the urban settlement Kirovske in the Crimea. There, II. ''Gruppe'' participated in Operation ''Trappenjagd'', a German counterattack during the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula, launched on 8 May.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=447}}
The ''Gruppe'' then moved to Maykop located in the North Caucasus on 21 September where, with the exception of 24 to 29 October, they were based until 26 November.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=108–110}} Here, Denk claimed two aerial victories over Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighters near Tuapse on 25 September, taking his total to 21 aerial victories.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=109, 335}} On 19 November, Soviet forces launched Operation Uranus which led to the encirclement of Axis forces in the vicinity of Stalingrad. To support the German forces fighting in the Battle of Stalingrad forced the Luftwaffe to relocate its forces and ordered II. ''Gruppe'' to move from Maykop to Morozovsk, located approximately {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} west of Stalingrad, on 26 November. By end of November 1942, Denk's number of aerial victories had increased to 36, making him the fifth most successful fighter pilot of II. ''Gruppe''.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=110–111}}
On 23 December, Denk received the German Cross in Gold ({{Lang|de|Deutsches Kreuz in Gold}}).{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=288}} On 30 December, the ''Gruppe'' was ordered to an airfield at Gigant, retreating from the advancing Soviet forces. There, the unit flew ground missions against the Soviet infantry as well as fighter escort missions for Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=113}} On 22 January 1943, II. ''Gruppe'' had to retreat further and moved to an airfield at Rostov-on-Don.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=114}} Operating from Rostov, Denk claimed a Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber on 26 January, a Polikarpov R-5 reconnaissance bomber on 27 January, two LaGG-3 fighters on 31 January, a Lavochkin La-5 fighter on 1 February, and another La-5 and a Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter the following day.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=340}}
===Squadron leader and death=== In January 1943, Denk officially succeeded ''Oberleutnant'' Siegfried Simsch as ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader) of 5. ''Staffel'' of JG 52. Simsch had been wounded in combat on 3 November 1942. The ''Staffel'' had then been temporarily led by ''Oberfeldwebel'' Willi Nemitz.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=475}} On 7 February, the ''Gruppe'' moved to Kuteinykove near Stalino, present-day Donetsk, where Denk claimed a Yak-1 that day.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=114, 340}} On 10 February, he succeeded ''Hauptmann'' Rudolf Resch as ''Staffelkapitän'' of 6. ''Staffel'' of JG 52.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=374}}{{sfn|Weal|2007|p=33}} That day, the ''Gruppe'' was moved to the combat area of the Kuban bridgehead where it was initially based at an airfield at Slavyansk-na-Kubani. The next day on 11 February, he claimed two Yak-1 fighters. On 12 February, Denk became an ace-in-a-day, claiming four I-153 fighters and a R-5 reconnaissance bomber.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=124, 340–341}}
On 13 February, Denk claimed his 67th and last aerial victory when he shot down a Douglas A-20 Havoc, also known as "Boston".{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=341}} He was then killed in action when he was shot down in his Bf 109 G-2 (''Werknummer'' 14554—factory number) by anti-aircraft artillery over the Soviet airfield at Chernigov.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=396}} He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes}}) on 14 March 1943.{{sfn|Schreier|1990|p=183}}{{sfn|Weal|2004|p=92}} Denk was succeeded by Nemitz as commander of 6. ''Staffel''.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=286}}
==Summary of career== ===Aerial victory claims=== According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Denk was credited with 67 aerial victories.{{sfn|Zabecki|2014|p=1616}} Spick also lists Denk with 67 aerial victories claimed in over 500 combat missions.{{sfn|Spick|1996|p=239}} Mathews and Foreman, authors of ''Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims'', researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 67 aerial victory claims, plus one further unconfirmed claim. All but two of his confirmed victories were claimed on the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|pp=212–213}}
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = ''Planquadrat''), for example "PQ 95722". The Luftwaffe grid map ({{lang|de|Jägermeldenetz}}) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about {{Convert|360|sqmi|sqkm}}. These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area {{Convert|3|x|4|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} in size.{{sfn|''Planquadrat''}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders collapsible" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; text-align:right; width: 100%;" |- ! colspan="10" | Chronicle of aerial victories |- | colspan="10" style="text-align: left;" | {{legend|#fbec5d;|This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Denk an ace-in-a-day, a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day. |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|#e3d9ff|This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Denk did not receive credit.|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|#faecc8|This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} |- !scope="col" width="100px"| Claim !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Time !scope="col" width="100px"| Type !scope="col"| Location !scope="col" style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" width="100px" | Claim !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Time !scope="col" width="100px"| Type !scope="col"| Location |- ! colspan="10" | – 6. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|p=212}}<br /><small>Battle of Britain and on the English Channel — 26 June 1940 – 9 June 1941</small> |- | 1 | 13 July 1940 | 19:50 | Blenheim | northwest of Borkum{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=155}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#e3d9ff;" | {{Center|—}} | 1 May 1941 | 14:28 | Blenheim{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=156}} | |- ! colspan="10" | – 6. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|p=212}}<br /><small>Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 6 November 1941</small> |- | 2 | 25 August 1941 | 16:35 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=44}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 4 | 21 September 1941 | 05:55 | I-153{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | |- | 3 | 7 September 1941 | 18:30 | I-16{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |- ! colspan="10" | – ''Stab'' II. ''Gruppe'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|pp=212–213}}<br /><small>Eastern Front — 7 May 1942 – January 1943</small> |- | 5 | 9 May 1942 | 15:27 | I-16{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 29 | 12 November 1942 | 14:04 | I-16 | PQ 95722{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=494}}<br />{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} north-northeast of Tuapse |- | 6 | 13 June 1942 | 10:27 | LaGG-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 30 | 12 November 1942 | 14:06 | Il-2 | PQ 95753{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=494}}<br />{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} east of Tuapse |- | 7 | 22 August 1942 | 10:56 | I-153 | PQ 49334{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=487}}<br />south of Stalingrad | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 31 | 15 November 1942 | 09:14 | Yak-1 | PQ 94161, Lazarevskoye{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=494}}<br />{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} southwest of Pavlovskaya |- | 8 | 23 August 1942 | 05:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 49661{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=487}}<br />{{Convert|65|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} southeast of Stalingrad | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 32 | 28 November 1942 | 12:06 | Il-2 | PQ 49382{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} south of Bassargino |- | 9 | 23 August 1942 | 17:30 | LaGG-3 | PQ 49271{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=487}}<br />{{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} east of Stalingrad | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 33 | 28 November 1942 | 12:10 | Il-2 | PQ 49353{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />south of Bassargino |- | 10 | 7 September 1942 | 12:05 | I-16 | PQ 44651{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 34 | 30 November 1942 | 13:09 | Yak-1 | PQ 39143{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />{{Convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} west-northwest of Kalach |- | 11 | 9 September 1942 | 05:38 | LaGG-3 | PQ 54571{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}}<br />west of Bolkhov | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 35 | 30 November 1942 | 13:12 | Yak-1 | PQ 39153{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} northwest of Kalach |- | 12 | 9 September 1942 | 14:04 | LaGG-3 | PQ 44444{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 36 | 30 November 1942 | 13:15 | Il-2 | PQ 29432{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />vicinity of Usawijnskij |- | 13 | 9 September 1942 | 14:08 | LaGG-3 | PQ 44482{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 37 | 1 December 1942 | 08:57 | P-40 | PQ 39311{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} east-northeast of Oblivskaya |- | 14 | 10 September 1942 | 14:07 | LaGG-3 | PQ 44153{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}}<br />vicinity of Wosnessnokaja | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 38 | 2 December 1942 | 12:14 | Yak-1 | PQ 49354{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />south of Bassargeno |- | 15 | 12 September 1942 | style="background:#faecc8" | 14:12?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 04:12 over a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|p=212}}|group="Note"|name="12 September 1942"}} | style="background:#faecc8" | P-40?<ref group="Note" name="12 September 1942"/> | PQ 49413, Krasnaya Sloboda{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}}<br />south of Malgobek | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 39 | 2 December 1942 | 12:16 | Il-2 | PQ 49354{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=495}}<br />south of Bassargeno |- | 16 | 16 September 1942 | 16:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 54414, northeast of Kalinowskaja{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}}<br />vicinity of Kalinowskaja | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 40 | 8 December 1942 | 09:45 | Yak-1 | PQ 39651{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=496}}<br />{{Convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} north of Shutow |- | 17 | 16 September 1942 | 16:21 | LaGG-3 | PQ 54414, northeast of Kalinowskaja{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}}<br />vicinity of Kalinowskaja | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 41 | 8 December 1942 | 09:46 | Yak-1 | PQ 39654, Nowy Jereskij{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=496}}<br />{{Convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} north of Shutow |- | 18 | 18 September 1942 | 14:15 | I-153 | PQ 54412{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}}<br />vicinity of Kalinowskaja | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 42 | 8 December 1942 | 09:58 | P-40 | PQ 39491{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=496}}<br />vicinity of Nowij-Kut |- | 19 | 18 September 1942 | 14:16 | I-153 | PQ 54412{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=490}}<br />vicinity of Kalinowskaja | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 43 | 18 December 1942 | 10:33 | Yak-1 | PQ 39823{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=497}}<br />vicinity of Gromosslawka |- | 20 | 25 September 1942 | 16:30 | LaGG-3 | PQ 95763, Tuapse{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=491}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 44 | 18 December 1942 | 10:34 | Yak-1 | PQ 39733{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=497}}<br />{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} northwest of Shutow |- | 21 | 25 September 1942 | 16:31 | LaGG-3 | PQ 95763, Tuapse{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=491}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 45 | 19 December 1942 | 13:14 | La-5 | PQ 49534{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}}<br />{{Convert|35|-|40|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} south of Stalingrad |- | 22 | 26 October 1942 | 14:20 | Yak-1 | PQ 44784{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 46 | 19 December 1942 | 13:15 | Yak-1 | PQ 49641{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}}<br />{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} south-southeast of Stalingrad |- | 23 | 30 October 1942 | 12:33 | Yak-1 | PQ 94161, Lazarevskoye{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 47 | 19 December 1942 | 13:17 | Yak-1 | PQ 49671{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}}<br />{{Convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} south-southeast of Stalingrad |- | 24 | 30 October 1942 | 12:37 | Yak-1 | PQ 94161, Lazarevskoye{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 48 | 20 December 1942 | 10:54 | Il-2 | PQ 39853{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}} |- | 25 | 2 November 1942 | 11:56 | LaGG-3 | PQ 94152{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=494}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 49 | 22 December 1942 | style="background:#faecc8" | 10:51?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 00:51.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|p=213}}|group="Note"}} | La-5 | PQ 39823, north of Vasilyevka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}}<br />vicinity of Gromosslawka |- | 26 | 2 November 1942 | 11:56 | LaGG-3 | PQ 94152{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=494}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 50 | 26 December 1942 | style="background:#faecc8" | 10:28?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 00:28.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|p=213}}|group="Note"}} | La-5 | PQ 39812{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}}<br />{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} northwest of Shutow |- | 27 | 3 November 1942 | 11:32 | Pe-2 | PQ 94481{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=494}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 51 | 28 December 1942 | 10:27 | La-5 | PQ 38351, north of Kotelnikowo{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}} |- | 28 | 3 November 1942 | 12:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 94152{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=494}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|pp=212–213}}<br /><small>Eastern Front — January – 3 February 1943</small> |- | 52 | 26 January 1943 | 10:35 | Pe-2 | PQ 08613{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 56 | 1 February 1943 | 12:00 | La-5 | PQ 18544{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}} |- | 53 | 27 January 1943 | 14:25 | R-5 | PQ 07442{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 57 | 2 February 1943 | 06:50 | La-5 | PQ 12842{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=499}}<br />{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} west-northwest of Neshin |- | 54 | 31 January 1943 | 13:07 | LaGG-3 | PQ 99601{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 58 | 2 February 1943 | 13:32 | Yak-1 | PQ 08843{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=499}} |- | 55 | 31 January 1943 | 13:10 | LaGG-3 | PQ 99541{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=498}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|p=213}}<br /><small>Eastern Front — 4 – 10 February 1943</small> |- | 59 | 7 February 1943 | 12:54 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 99662{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}}<br />{{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} east of Rovenki | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |- ! colspan="10" | – 6. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2014|p=213}}<br /><small>Eastern Front — 10 – 13 February 1943</small> |- | 60 | 11 February 1943 | 06:00 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 8646{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 64♠ | 12 February 1943 | 14:35 | I-153 | PQ 34 Ost 85482{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}}<br />vicinity of Schabonowskoja |- | 61 | 11 February 1943 | 06:02 | Yak-1 | PQ 34 Ost 8649{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 65♠ | 12 February 1943 | 14:37 | I-153 | PQ 34 Ost 85624{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}}<br />Lake south of Nowo-Michajlowskoje |- | style="background:#fbec5d;" | 62♠ | 12 February 1943 | 07:50 | I-153 | PQ 34 Ost 85174{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}}<br />west of Eriwanskaja | style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 66♠ | 12 February 1943 | 14:42 | R-5 | PQ 34 Ost 85833{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}}<br />Oljginka |- | style="background:#fbec5d;" | 63♠ | 12 February 1943 | 07:53 | I-153 | PQ 34 Ost 85311{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}}<br />vicinity of Schapssugskaja | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 67 | 13 February 1943 | 09:38 | Boston | PQ 34 Ost 86522{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=378}}<br />Storo-Dsherilijewskaja |}
===Awards=== * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class{{sfn|Dixon|2023|p=8}} * Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 2 November 1942 as ''Leutnant'' and pilot{{sfn|Patzwall|2008|p=65}} * German Cross in Gold on 23 December 1942 as ''Leutnant'' in the II./''Jagdgeschwader'' 52{{sfn|Patzwall|Scherzer|2001|p=82}} * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943 as ''Oberleutnant'' and pilot in the II./''Jagdgeschwader'' 52{{sfn|Fellgiebel|2000|p=159}}{{sfn|Scherzer|2007|p=269}}
==Notes== {{Reflist|group="Note"}}
==References==
===Citations=== {{Reflist|25em}}
===Bibliography=== {{Refbegin|30em}} * {{Cite book |last=Barbas |first=Bernd |year=2005 |title=Die Geschichte der II. Gruppe des Jagdgeschwaders 52 |publisher=Selbstverl. |trans-title=The History of 2nd Group of Fighter Wing 52 |language=de |isbn=978-3-923457-71-7 }} * {{Cite web |last=Bergström |first=Christer |author-link=:sv:Christer Bergström |work=Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat |title=Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website |url=http://www.bergstrombooks.elknet.pl/bc-rs/planquadrat.htm |access-date=18 August 2021 |ref={{sfnRef|''Planquadrat''}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222042030/http://www.bergstrombooks.elknet.pl/bc-rs/planquadrat.htm |archive-date=22 December 2018 |url-status=dead }} * {{Cite book |last=Dixon |first=Jeremy |year=2023 |title=Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945 |location=Barnsley |publisher=Pen and Sword Books |isbn=978-1-39903-073-1 }} * {{Cite book |last=Fellgiebel |first=Walther-Peer |author-link=:de:Walther-Peer Fellgiebel |year=2000 |orig-date=1986 |title=Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile |trans-title=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 |language=German |location=Friedberg, Germany |publisher=Podzun-Pallas |isbn=978-3-7909-0284-6 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Mathews |first1=Andrew Johannes |last2=Foreman |first2=John |year=2014 |title=Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F |location=Walton on Thames |publisher=Red Kite |isbn=978-1-906592-18-9 }} * {{Cite book |last=Obermaier |first=Ernst |year=1989 |title=Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 |trans-title=The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945 |language=de |location=Mainz, Germany |publisher=Verlag Dieter Hoffmann |isbn=978-3-87341-065-7 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Patzwall |first1=Klaus D. |last2=Scherzer |first2=Veit |year=2001 |title=Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II |trans-title=The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2 |language=de |location=Norderstedt, Germany |publisher=Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall |isbn=978-3-931533-45-8 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Patzwall |first1=Klaus D. |year=2008 |title=Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg |trans-title=The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War |language=de |location=Norderstedt, Germany |publisher=Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall |isbn=978-3-931533-08-3 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2002 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-64-9 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2003 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/II—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/II—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-70-0 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2006 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-77-9 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2012 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/II—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/II—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Buchverlag Rogge |isbn=978-3-942943-05-5 }} * {{Cite book |last=Scherzer |first=Veit |year=2007 |title=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 |trans-title=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 |language=de |location=Jena, Germany |publisher=Scherzers Militaer-Verlag |isbn=978-3-938845-17-2 }} * {{Cite book |last=Schreier |first=Hans |year=1990 |title=JG 52 Das erfolgreichste Jagdgeschwader des 2. Weltkriegs |trans-title=JG 52 The Most Successful Fighter Wing of World War II |language=de |location=Berg am See |publisher=K. Vowinckel |isbn=978-3-921655-66-5 }} * {{Cite book |last=Spick |first=Mike |year=1996 |title=Luftwaffe Fighter Aces |location=New York |publisher=Ivy Books |isbn=978-0-8041-1696-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/luftwaffefighter00mike }} * {{Cite book |last=Weal |first=John |year=2004 |title=Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten |series=Aviation Elite Units |volume=15 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84176-786-4 }} * {{Cite book |last=Weal |first=John |year=2007 |title=More Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front |series=Aircraft of the Aces |volume=76 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84603-177-9 }} * {{Cite book |editor-last=Zabecki |editor-first=David T. |editor-link=David T. Zabecki |title=Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History |location=Santa Barbara, California |publisher=ABC-Clio |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-59884-981-3 }} {{Refend}}
{{Knight's Cross recipients of JG 52}} {{Subject bar | portal1=Aviation | portal2=Biography }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Denk, Gustav}} Category:1915 births Category:1943 deaths Category:People from Soest, Germany Category:Luftwaffe pilots Category:German World War II flying aces Category:Recipients of the Gold German Cross Category:Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Category:Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II Category:Aviators killed by being shot down Category:Military personnel from North Rhine-Westphalia