Helmut Neumann
Birth date21 November 1921
Death date21 April 1992 (aged 70)
Birth placeFrankfurt am Main, Weimar Republic
Death placeFrankfurt am Main, Germany
AllegianceNazi Germany
Service years1939–1945
RankLeutnant (second lieutenant)
UnitJG 5
Commands14./JG 5
BattlesWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Helmut Neumann (21 November 1921 – 21 April 1992) was a Luftwaffe (German air force) fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 62 aerial victories achieved in 162 combat missions, becoming an "ace-in-a-day" on two separate occasions. All but two of his aerial victories were claimed on the Eastern Front.

Career

Neumann was born on 21 November 1921 in Frankfurt am Main, at the time in the Province of Hesse-Nassau within the Weimar Republic.[1] Following completion of flight,["Note" 1] Neumann completed his fighter pilot training with the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe West, a supplementary training unit for fighter pilots, based in Cazaux, France. He was then posted to 7. Staffel (7th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5—5th Fighter Wing) on 11 August 1942 based in Kirkenes.[2] At the time, 7. Staffel was commanded by Oberleutnant Hans-Curt Graf von Sponeck, son of Hans Graf von Sponeck, and subordinated to III. Gruppe (3rd group) of JG 5 headed by Hauptmann Günther Scholz.[3] Two days later, he crash landed his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7 (Werknummer 6033—factory number) at Kirkenes, nearly destroying the aircraft.[4]

On 4 April 1943 at 13:10, 7. and 9. Staffel were scrambled to intercept an inbound Soviet formation of Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft, escorted by Bell P-39 Airacobra and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters. In this encounter, Neumann claimed one of the P-39 fighters shot down which was not confirmed.[5] During this aerial engagement, his Bf 109 F-4 (Werknummer 8562) suffered engine failure, resulting in a forced landing at Petsamo.[6] On 26 September, Neumann was wounded in combat when his Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 15791) was hit by anti-aircraft artillery during a search and rescue mission southeast of the Liza Bight. Nevertheless, he managed to fly back to Petsamo.[7] Searching for Leutnant Friedrich Schumann, who remained missing in action, shrapnel from the anti-aircraft artillery shell had hit him in the throat. Heavily bleeding, he had to be pulled out if his aircraft. Nearly dying from the loss of blood, his speech remained impaired for the rest of his life and Neumann was hospitalized for six months.[8]

Squadron leader and end of war

On 4 September 1944, Finland implemented a ceasefire followed by the Soviet Union a day later, effectively ending the Continuation War. Consequently, IV. Gruppe of JG 5 was ordered to move to northern Norway. That day, 14. Staffel relocated to Trondheim-Værnes Airfield and placed under the command of Neumann, replacing Oberleutnant Horst Keim.[9] On 26 September, Neumann claimed his 50th aerial victory when he shot down a Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter.[10]

On 13 January 1945, Neumann flew his last combat mission with JG 5. He was then transferred to Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 2 for conversion training to the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. With this unit, he flew the Me 262 for the first time at Lechfeld Airfield on 28 January. Command of his former 14. Staffel of JG 5 was transferred to Leutnant Hans Richter.[11] Neumann was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 12 March 1945 for 62 aerial victories claimed.[12]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Neumann was credited with 62 aerial victories.[13] Spick also lists him with 62 aerial victories claimed in 162 combat missions.[14] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 62 aerial victories, claimed in 162 combat missions. All but two of his aerial victories were claimed on the Eastern Front.[15]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 37 Ost RC-3". The Luftwaffe grid map (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 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 by 4 km (1.9 by 2.5 mi) in size.[16]

Chronicle of aerial victories
ClaimDateTimeTypeLocationClaimDateTimeTypeLocation
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[17]
Eastern Front, eastern and northern Norway, and Finland — 1 January – 31 December 1943
122 July 194323:02HurricanePQ 37 Ost RC-3, 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Pummanki[18][19]623 August 194304:53P-39PQ 37 Ost SE 3, north of Eyna Guba[20]
10 km (6.2 mi) north of Eyna Guba[21]
225 July 194302:55P-39PQ 37 Ost QC-4[18]
18 km (11 mi) south of Kiberg[19]		72 September 194317:50P-40northwest of Pummanki[20]
8 km (5.0 mi) northwest of Pummanki[21]
325 July 194302:58P-39PQ 37 Ost QC-6[18]
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Kiberg[19]		814 September 194318:39P-39PQ 37 Ost RC 46, northwest of Petsamo[20]
20 km (12 mi) northwest of Petsamo Bight[22]
418 August 194312:43P-39southeast of Eyna Guba[20]
4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Eyna Guba[19]		914 September 194318:53P-40PQ 37 Ost RC 93, south of Heinäsaari[23]
4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Heinäsaari[22]
518 August 194314:45P-39southeast of Eyna Guba[20]
8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Eyna Guba[21]
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[15]
Eastern Front and northern Norway, and Finland — May – July 1944
1011 May 194407:35Yak-9PQ 37 Ost QC-5/6[24]
35 km (22 mi) northwest of Vayda-Guba[25]		29♠17 June 194421:35BostonPQ 37 Ost RC-4/1[26]
34 km (21 mi) northeast of Jaarnet[27]
1116 May 194419:15P-39PQ 37 Ost QC-3/8[24]
20 km (12 mi) east of Kiberg[25]		3027 June 194416:41Yak-9PQ 37 Ost SD-6/6[26]
24 km (15 mi) southeast of Kirkenes[27]
1216 May 194419:40P-39PQ 37 Ost QF-9/5[24]
31 km (19 mi) north-northeast of Cape Lazar[25]		3127 June 194416:42P-40PQ 37 Ost SD-8/4[26]
18 km (11 mi) south-southwest of Kirkenes[27]
1325 May 194421:47P-40north-northeast of Berlevåg[24]
18 km (11 mi) north-northeast of Berlevåg[28]		3227 June 194416:46BostonPQ 37 Ost RB-4/5[26]
21 km (13 mi) northeast of Kirkenes[27]
1425 May 194421:49Bostonnorth-northeast of Berlevåg[29]
29 km (18 mi) north-northeast of Berlevåg[28]		33♠28 June 194400:01BostonPQ 37 Ost SU-3/3[30]
4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Kirkenes[31]
1525 May 194421:51P-39north of Berlevåg[29]
16 km (9.9 mi) north of Berlevåg[28]		34♠28 June 194400:03BostonPQ 37 Ost SU-8/1[30]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Kirkenes[31]
1626 May 194405:01P-40north-northeast of Hamningberg[29]
19 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Hamningberg[28]		35♠28 June 194400:11P-40PQ 37 Ost RD-9/6[30]
13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Ivarnet[31]
1726 May 194405:02P-39north of Hamningberg[29]
15 km (9.3 mi) north-northeast of Hamningberg[28]		36♠28 June 194403:47P-40PQ 37 Ost RD-7/4[30]
6 km (3.7 mi) north-northeast of Petsamo Fjord[31]
1826 May 194405:03Il-2northeast of Hamningberg[29]
12 km (7.5 mi) north-northeast of Hamningberg[28]		37♠28 June 194403:48P-40PQ 37 Ost SD-2/3[30]
13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Petsamo Fjord[31]
1926 May 194405:07P-39northeast of Hamningberg[29]
26 km (16 mi) north-northeast of Hamningberg[28]		38♠28 June 194403:59Yak-9PQ 37 Ost RC-8/9[30]
12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Petsamo Fjord[31]
2015 June 194402:42Yak-9PQ 37 Ost RD-6/8[29]
8 km (5.0 mi) north of Pumanki[32]		394 July 194403:47P-40PQ 37 Ost NB-7/5[30]
21 km (13 mi) northeast of Makur[31]
2115 June 194419:28P-40PQ 37 Ost SD-2/3, northeast of Kirkenes[29]
8 km (5.0 mi) southwest of Pumanki[32]		404 July 194419:15BostonPQ 37 Ost RA-2/5[30]
22 km (14 mi) northwest of Jaarnet[33]
22♠17 June 194407:48P-40PQ 37 Ost PC-6/2[29]
12 km (7.5 mi) west of Kiberg[32]		414 July 194419:19P-40PQ 37 Ost SA-3/4[30]
18 km (11 mi) east of Kirkenes[33]
23♠17 June 194407:49P-40PQ 37 Ost PC-9/3[29]
18 km (11 mi) east-northeast of Kiberg[32]		4217 July 194418:54Yak-9PQ 37 Ost RA-4/1[34]
21 km (13 mi) north of Kirkenes[33]
24♠17 June 194408:06BostonPQ 37 Ost QC-2/7[26]
20 km (12 mi) south of Kiberg[27]		4317 July 194418:56Yak-9PQ 37 Ost RA-5/4[34]
19 km (12 mi) west of Kirkenes[33]
25♠17 June 194408:10Il-2PQ 37 Ost/QC-9/1[26]
27 km (17 mi) southwest of Kiberg[27]		4417 July 194418:59BostonPQ 37 Ost SB-4/9[34]
27 km (17 mi) southeast of Kirkenes[35]
26♠17 June 194421:28P-40PQ 37 Ost RB-6/5[26]
38 km (24 mi) northeast of Kirkenes[27]		4528 July 194413:15P-39PQ 37 Ost RU-3/7[34]
15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Vadsø[36]
27♠17 June 194421:29P-39PQ 37 Ost RB-5/3[26]
35 km (22 mi) northeast of Kirkenes[27]		4628 July 194413:22Il-2PQ 37 Ost RA-3/6[34]
17 km (11 mi) southeast of Ekkerøya[36]
28♠17 June 194421:30P-40PQ 37 Ost RB-7/8[26]
15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Jaarnet[27]		4728 July 194413:26P-39PQ 37 Ost RC-5/4[34]
16 km (9.9 mi) northwest of Heinäxaret island[36]
– Stab of III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[37]
Eastern Front — August 1944
4817 August 194410:18Pe-2PQ 37 Ost RB[38]
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Ekkerøya[36]		4923 August 194412:17?["Note" 2]Il-2PQ 37 Ost RQ[38]
5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Ekkerøya[39]
– 14. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[37]
Eastern Front — 6 September – 6 November 1944
50?["Note" 3]26 September 194416:48Yak-9[40]40 km (25 mi) east of Ekkerøya[37]568 October 194409:03P-3935 km (22 mi) southeast of Petsamo[40][41]
51?[Note 1]27 September 1944
—
Pe-2Ekkerøya[40]
23 km (14 mi) east-southeast of Ekkerøya		579 October 194408:31P-3927 km (17 mi) southeast of Petsamo[40][41]
52?[Note 1]27 September 194411:41?["Note" 4]P-39[40]23 km (14 mi) south of Kiberg[37]589 October 194408:34P-3940 km (25 mi) southeast of Petsamo[40][41]
5327 September 194411:43P-3930 km (19 mi) south of Kiberg[40][39]599 October 194408:37Boston40 km (25 mi) southeast of Petsamo[40][41]
5427 September 194411:44Boston40 km (25 mi) east of Ekkerøya[40][39]609 October 194414:47Boston52 km (32 mi) southeast of Petsamo[40][41]
5529 September 194415:27P-3928 km (17 mi) east-southeast of Ekkerøya[40]
26 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Ekkerøya[41]

Awards

Notes

  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.[46]
  2. ^ According to Mombeek, Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:15.[39][37]
  3. ^ This claim is not lised by Mombeek.[39]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:40.[37]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 173.
  2. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 250.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 470.
  4. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 484.
  5. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 342.
  6. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 316.
  7. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 318.
  8. ^ Mombeek 2010, p. 75.
  9. ^ Mombeek 2011, pp. 73, 296.
  10. ^ Weal 2016, p. 101.
  11. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 143.
  12. ^ Weal 2007, p. 43.
  13. ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1617.
  14. ^ Spick 1996, p. 240.
  15. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 909–910.
  16. ^ Planquadrat.
  17. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 909.
  18. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 312.
  19. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 272.
  20. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 313.
  21. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 273.
  22. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 274.
  23. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 314.
  24. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 144.
  25. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 283.
  26. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 146.
  27. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 286.
  28. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 284.
  29. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 145.
  30. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 147.
  31. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 287.
  32. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 285.
  33. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 288.
  34. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 148.
  35. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 289.
  36. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 290.
  37. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 910.
  38. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 149.
  39. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 291.
  40. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 173.
  41. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 292.
  42. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 208.
  43. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 329.
  44. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 323.
  45. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 566.
  46. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.

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  1. ^ not listed