# Siegfried Simsch > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Siegfried_Simsch > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Siegfried_Simsch.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siegfried_Simsch > Source revision: 1352335999 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|German World War II fighter pilot}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use American English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox military person |name=Siegfried Simsch |birth_date=6 September 1913 |death_date={{death date and age|1944|6|8|1913|9|6|df=y}} |image= |caption= |birth_place= [Posen](/source/Pozna%C5%84), [German Empire](/source/German_Empire) |death_place= [Rennes](/source/Rennes), [France](/source/France) |death_cause=[Killed in action](/source/Killed_in_action) |nickname= |allegiance={{flag|Nazi Germany}} |branch={{air force|Nazi Germany}} |service_years= |rank=''[Hauptmann](/source/Hauptmann)'' (captain) |unit=[JG 52](/source/Jagdgeschwader_52), [JG 11](/source/Jagdgeschwader_11) |commands=5./JG 52, 10./JG 11, I./JG 11 |battles={{hidden |''See battles'' |[World War II](/source/World_War_II) *[Battle of Britain](/source/Battle_of_Britain) *[Eastern Front](/source/Eastern_Front_(World_War_II)) *[Defence of the Reich](/source/Defence_of_the_Reich) {{KIA}} |- |headerstyle=background:#dbdbdb |style=text-align:center; }} |awards=[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross](/source/Knight's_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross) |other_work= }} '''Siegfried Simsch''' (6 September 1913 – 8 June 1944) was a German [Luftwaffe](/source/Luftwaffe) [military aviator](/source/military_aviation) and [fighter ace](/source/fighter_ace) during [World War II](/source/World_War_II). He is credited with 54 aerial victories, all of which claimed on the [Eastern Front](/source/Eastern_Front_(World_War_II)), achieved in approximately 400 combat missions. Born in [Posen](/source/Pozna%C5%84) and half Jewish, Simsch joined the military service in the Luftwaffe. Following flight training, he was posted to [''Jagdgeschwader'' 134](/source/Jagdgeschwader_134) "Horst Wessel" (JG 134—134th Fighter Wing) before World War II. In late 1940, Simsch was transferred to [''Jagdgeschwader'' 52](/source/Jagdgeschwader_52) (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) and fought against the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF). During [Operation Barbarossa](/source/Operation_Barbarossa), the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he claimed his first aerial victory on 22 June 1941. In September 1941, he was made ''[Staffelkapitän](/source/Staffelkapit%C3%A4n)'' (squadron leader) of 5. ''[Staffel](/source/Organization_of_the_Luftwaffe_(1933%E2%80%931945))'' (5th squadron) of JG 52. Simsch was awarded the [Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross](/source/Knight's_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross) on 1 July 1942. In November of that year, he was severely wounded in a flight accident, grounding him for a year. In November 1943, Simsch was transferred to [''Jagdgeschwader'' 11](/source/Jagdgeschwader_11) (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing), a unit fighting in [Defense of the Reich](/source/Defense_of_the_Reich). On 1 June 1944, he was appointed ''[Gruppenkommandeur](/source/Gruppenkommandeur)'' (group commander) of I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 11. One week later, and two days after the [Normandy landings](/source/Normandy_landings), Simsch was shot down and [killed in action](/source/killed_in_action) on 8 June 1944 over [Rennes](/source/Rennes), [France](/source/France). ==Early life and career== Simsch was born on 6 September 1913 in [Posen](/source/Pozna%C5%84), present-day Poznań in west-central Poland, at the time the capital of the [Province of Posen](/source/Province_of_Posen), a [Prussian province](/source/Provinces_of_Prussia) of the [German Empire](/source/German_Empire).{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=207}} Despite being half Jewish, or [Mischling](/source/Mischling) under the [Nuremberg Laws](/source/Nuremberg_Laws),{{Refn|see also [German Jewish military personnel of World War II](/source/German_Jewish_military_personnel_of_World_War_II)|group="Note"}} he enlisted in the [Luftwaffe](/source/Luftwaffe) and served with distinction.{{sfn|Rigg|2002|p=39}} Following flight training,{{refn|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.{{sfn|Bergström|Antipov|Sundin|2003|p=17}}|group="Note"}} he was posted to [''Jagdgeschwader'' 134](/source/Jagdgeschwader_134) "Horst Wessel" (JG 134—134th Fighter Wing).{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1223}} ==World War II== World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces [invaded Poland](/source/Invasion_of_Poland). In late 1940, Simsch was posted to 5. ''[Staffel](/source/Organization_of_the_Luftwaffe_(1933%E2%80%931945))'' (5th squadron) of [''Jagdgeschwader'' 52](/source/Jagdgeschwader_52) (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing).{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1223}} The ''Staffel'' was commanded by ''Oberleutnant'' August-Wilhelm Schumann and subordinated to II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 52 which was headed by ''Hauptmann'' Wilhelm Ensslen. On 2 November, Ensslen was [killed in action](/source/killed_in_action) and replaced by ''Hauptmann'' [Erich Woitke](/source/Erich_Woitke).{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=151}} On 15 April 1941, the Luftwaffe ordered an attack on the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) airfield at [Manston](/source/RAF_Manston). Due to adverse weather conditions, the attack was called off and only a ''[Schwarm](/source/Organization_of_the_Luftwaffe_(1933%E2%80%931945))'', a flight of four aircraft, under the leadership of Simsch, was assumed to have reached the target. The flight however had found the Luftwaffe airfield at [Saint-Omer](/source/Saint-Omer) where II. ''Gruppe'' of [''Jagdgeschwader'' 53](/source/Jagdgeschwader_53) (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing) was based. In the attack, the ''Schwarm'' destroyed nine aircraft, wounding two pilots and five technicians.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=149}} The pilots Simsch, ''Feldwebel'' Georg Mayr, ''Gefreiter'' [Adolf Glunz](/source/Adolf_Glunz) and ''Unteroffizier'' Hans Sembill were punished by [Hermann Göring](/source/Hermann_G%C3%B6ring) personally. In addition, Simsch's advancement in career—he had been scheduled to become a ''[Staffelkapitän](/source/Staffelkapit%C3%A4n)'' (squadron leader) prior to this event—was deferred.{{sfn|Braatz|2010|pp=44–45}} According to Barbas, Simsch claimed an unconfirmed aerial victory over a RAF [Supermarine Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) north of [Dover](/source/Dover) on 19 May 1941.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=41, 328}}{{sfn|Foreman|Johnson|1994|p=236}} This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=156}} ===Operation Barbarossa=== In preparation of [Operation Barbarossa](/source/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](/source/demarcation_line). While the ''[Gruppenstab](/source/Stab_(Luftwaffe_designation))'' (group headquarters unit) and 4. ''Staffel'' were based at [Suwałki](/source/Suwa%C5%82ki) in northeastern Poland, 5. and 6. ''Staffel'' were transferred to a forward airfield at [Sobolewo](/source/Sobolewo%2C_Bia%C5%82ystok_County). For the invasion, II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 52 was subordinated to the ''Geschwaderstab'' (headquarters unit) of [''Jagdgeschwader'' 27](/source/Jagdgeschwader_27) (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing). The ''Geschwader'' was part of the [VIII. ''Fliegerkorps''](/source/8th_Air_Corps_(Germany)) commanded by ''[Generaloberst](/source/Generaloberst)'' [Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen](/source/Wolfram_Freiherr_von_Richthofen) which supported the northern wing of [Army Group Centre](/source/Army_Group_Centre).{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=26}} thumb|left|upright=0.6|II./JG 52 insignia On 22 June, the German forces launched the attack on the Soviet Union which opened the [Eastern Front](/source/Eastern_Front_(World_War_II)). That day, Simsch claimed his first aerial victory. He was credited with shooting down a [Polikarpov I-15](/source/Polikarpov_I-15) fighter west of [Varėna](/source/Var%C4%97na).{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=41}} On 28 June, II. ''Gruppe'' moved to an airfield at [Maladzyechna](/source/Maladzyechna) where they stayed until 4 July.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=77}} Here Simsch claimed two [Polikarpov R-Z](/source/Polikarpov_R-Z) reconnaissance bomber aircraft shot down on 1 July.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=41}} Three days later, II. ''Gruppe'' moved further east to an airfield at Sloboda, east of [Minsk](/source/Minsk) before moving to [Lyepyel](/source/Lyepyel) on 5 July.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|pp=77–78}} Fyling from Lyepyel, Simsch claimed a [Petlyakov Pe-2](/source/Petlyakov_Pe-2) bomber shot down on 7 July and an [Ilyushin DB-3](/source/Ilyushin_DB-3) bomber on 9 July.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=42}} On 13 July, the ''Gruppe'' moved to Kamary, an airfield in the western parts of [Vitebsk](/source/Vitebsk).{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=78}} On 6 September 1941, Simsch succeeded ''Oberleutnant'' August-Wilhelm Schumann as ''Staffelkapitän'' of 5. ''Staffel'' of JG 52. Schumann had been killed in action that day.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=37}}{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=286}} II. ''Gruppe'' moved to an airfield at [Klin](/source/Klin%2C_Klinsky_District%2C_Moscow_Oblast), located {{convert|85|km|sp=us}} northwest of [Moscow](/source/Moscow), on 30 November.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=83}} There, Simsch claimed two I-61 fighters, an early German designation for the [Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3](/source/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-3) fighter, one each on 2 and 4 December, in combat near Moscow.{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=330}} ===Eastern Front=== On 29 May 1942, Simsch was wounded in combat with a Soviet bomber. He was forced to bail out of his [Messerschmitt Bf 109](/source/Messerschmitt_Bf_109) F-4/R1 {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} west of [Izium](/source/Izium). During his convalescence, he was replaced by ''Leutnant'' [Waldemar Semelka](/source/Waldemar_Semelka) (29 May – 30 June 1942) and later by ''Leutnant'' [Heinz Schmidt](/source/Heinz_Schmidt_(pilot)) (1 July – 30 September 1942).{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|pp=475, 502}} On 1 July, Simsch was awarded the [Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross](/source/Knight's_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross) ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes}}) for 45 aerial victories.{{sfn|Schreier|1990|p=80}} Simsch was one of four JG 52 pilots presented with the Knight's Cross that day. The other three pilots to receive the distinction that day were ''Feldwebel'' [Alfred Grislawski](/source/Alfred_Grislawski), ''Feldwebel'' Karl Steffen and ''Unteroffizier'' [Karl Gratz](/source/Karl_Gratz).{{sfn|Weal|2004|pp=78–79, 85}} On 3 November 1942, engine failure of his Bf 109 G-2 (''Werknummer'' 13711—factory number) resulted in a [forced landing](/source/forced_landing) northwest of [Maykop](/source/Maykop). Simsch was severely injured in the accident.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=506}} ''Oberfeldwebel'' [Willi Nemitz](/source/Willi_Nemitz) then briefly led 5. ''Staffel'' before ''Oberleutnant'' [Gustav Denk](/source/Gustav_Denk) officially took command of the ''Staffel'' in January 1943.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=475}} ===Defense of the Reich=== On 30 November 1943, following a lengthy period of convalescence, Simsch was transferred to [''Jagdgeschwader'' 11](/source/Jagdgeschwader_11) (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing) where he was appointed ''Staffelkapitän'' of 10. ''Staffel''. He replaced ''Oberleutnant'' Günter Witt.{{sfn|Prien|Rodeike|1994|p=551}} On 17 May 1944, seven RAF [North American P-51 Mustang](/source/North_American_P-51_Mustang) fighters from the [Second Tactical Air Force](/source/RAF_Second_Tactical_Air_Force) attacked the [Aalborg Airfield](/source/Aalborg_Airport) in Denmark. The RAF fighters claimed nine aerial victories before 10. ''Staffel'' intercepted the RAF fighters. In the pursuit, two [No. 122 Squadron](/source/No._122_Squadron_RAF) P-51 fighters were shot down, including one by Simsch.{{sfn|Prien|Rodeike|1996|pp=943, 946}} On 1 June 1944, he was appointed ''[Gruppenkommandeur](/source/Gruppenkommandeur)'' (group commander) of I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 11 to replace ''Oberleutnant'' [Hans-Heinrich Koenig](/source/Hans-Heinrich_Koenig) who was killed in action on 24 May. One week later, and two days after the [Normandy landings](/source/Normandy_landings) Siegfried Simsch was shot down by a [North American P-51 Mustang](/source/North_American_P-51_Mustang) and killed on 8 June 1944 over [Rennes](/source/Rennes), [France](/source/France).{{sfn|Weal|2004|p=50}}{{sfn|Weal|2011|p=51}} His [Focke-Wulf Fw 190](/source/Focke-Wulf_Fw_190) A-8 (''Werknummer'' 730448) crashed near [Vitré](/source/Vitr%C3%A9%2C_Ille-et-Vilaine).{{sfn|Prien|Rodeike|1996|p=1187}} ==Summary of career== ===Aerial victory claims=== According to US historian [David T. Zabecki](/source/David_T._Zabecki), Simsch was credited with 54 aerial victories.{{sfn|Zabecki|2014|p=1619}} Obermaier also lists him with 54 aerial victories claimed in approximately 400 combat missions.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=207}} The author Rigg however lists him with 95 aerial victories claimed.{{sfn|Rigg|2002|p=39}} Mathews and Foreman, authors of ''Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims'', researched the [German Federal Archives](/source/German_Federal_Archives) and found records for 54 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=1223–1224}} Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = ''Planquadrat''), for example "PQ 95754". The Luftwaffe grid map ({{lang|de|Jägermeldenetz}}) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 [minutes](/source/Minute_of_arc) of [latitude](/source/latitude) by 30 minutes of [longitude](/source/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|#e3d9ff|This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Simsch did not receive credit.|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|#faecc8|This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Barbas, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} |- !scope="col" | Claim !scope="col" | Date !scope="col" | Time !scope="col" width="100px" | Type !scope="col" | Location !scope="col" style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | Claim !scope="col" | Date !scope="col" | Time !scope="col" width="100px" | Type !scope="col" | Location |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –
At the Channel and over England — 26 June 1940 – 9 June 1941 |- | style="background:#e3d9ff;" | {{Center|—}}?{{Refn|This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock,{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=156}} nor is it listed by Mathews and Foreman.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1223}}|group="Note"}} | 19 May 1941 | {{Center|—}} | [Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) | north of Dover{{sfn|Barbas|2005|p=328}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |- ! colspan="10" | – 4. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=1223–1224}}
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 6 September 1941 |- | 1 | 22 June 1941 | 10:00 | [I-15](/source/Polikarpov_I-15) | west of [Varėna](/source/Var%C4%97na){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=41}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 8 | 28 July 1941 | 19:02 | [Pe-2](/source/Petlyakov_Pe-2){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=43}} | |- | 2 | 1 July 1941 | 19:18 | style="background:#faecc8" | [R-Z](/source/Polikarpov_R-Z){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=41}}?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a [Polikarpov R-5](/source/Polikarpov_R-5).{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1223}}|group="Note"|name="R-Z"}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 9 | 29 July 1941 | 17:30 | [DB-3](/source/Ilyushin_DB-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=43}} | |- | 3 | 1 July 1941 | 19:19 | style="background:#faecc8" | R-Z{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=41}}? | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 10 | 29 July 1941 | 17:36 | DB-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=43}} | |- | 4 | 7 July 1941 | 16:43 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=42}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 11 | 27 August 1941 | 09:11 | [SB-2](/source/Tupolev_SB){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=44}} | |- | 5 | 9 July 1941 | 13:36 | DB-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=42}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 12 | 6 September 1941 | 16:42 | I-18 ([MiG-1](/source/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-1)){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | |- | 6 | 15 July 1941 | 08:23 | [I-16](/source/Polikarpov_I-16){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=42}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 13 | 6 September 1941 | style="background:#faecc8" | 16:48?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 18:48.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1224}}|group="Note"}} | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | |- | 7 | 25 July 1941 | 12:28 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=43}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1224}}
Operation Barbarossa — 7 September – 5 December 1941 |- | 14 | 11 September 1941 | 08:52 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 21 | 14 November 1941 | 08:38 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=46}} | |- | 15 | 15 September 1941 | 08:59 | DB-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 22 | 14 November 1941 | 12:25 | [I-16](/source/Polikarpov_I-16){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=46}} | |- | 16 | 15 September 1941 | 13:58 | DB-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 23 | 30 November 1941 | 10:26 | I-26 ([Yak-1](/source/Yakovlev_Yak-1)){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=47}} | |- | 17 | 24 September 1941 | 16:23 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=45}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 24 | 30 November 1941 | 10:34 | [U-2](/source/Polikarpov_Po-2){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=47}} | |- | 18 | 12 November 1941 | 15:40 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=46}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 25 | 2 December 1941 | 09:48 | I-61 ([MiG-3](/source/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-3)) | {{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of [Moscow](/source/Moscow){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=47}} |- | 19 | 14 November 1941 | 08:25 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=46}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 26 | 4 December 1941 | 10:32 | I-61 (MiG-3) | vicinity of Moscow{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=47}} |- | 20 | 14 November 1941 | 08:35 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=46}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 52 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1224}}
Eastern Front — 7 May – 3 November 1942 |- | 27 | 8 May 1942 | 15:15 | MiG-1{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 41 | 27 May 1942 | 06:08 | V-11 ([Il-2](/source/Ilyushin_Il-2)){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} | |- | 28 | 9 May 1942 | 12:36 | [I-153](/source/Polikarpov_I-153){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 42 | 27 May 1942 | 15:36 | [LaGG-3](/source/Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov_LaGG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} | |- | 29 | 9 May 1942 | 12:41 | I-153{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 43 | 27 May 1942 | 15:44 | BB-100 | {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Petrovkaya{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} |- | 30 | 9 May 1942 | 15:25 | MiG-1{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 44 | 28 May 1942 | 12:42 | Il-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} | |- | 31 | 11 May 1942 | 11:34 | R-5{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 45 | 28 May 1942 | 12:43 | Il-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} | |- | 32 | 15 May 1942 | 05:41 | MiG-1{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 46 | 6 October 1942 | 12:30 | LaGG-3 | PQ 95754{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=491}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-northeast of [Tuapse](/source/Tuapse) |- | 33 | 15 May 1942 | 05:48 | MiG-1{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 47 | 10 October 1942 | 14:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 95593{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=491}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Tuapse |- | 34 | 22 May 1942 | 15:00 | BB-100{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 48 | 11 October 1942 | 05:35 | I-153 | PQ 95761{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=491}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Tuapse |- | 35 | 24 May 1942 | 14:26 | V-11 (Il-2){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 49 | 22 October 1942 | 09:35 | I-16 | PQ 95541, north of Maykop{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=491}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Tuapse |- | 36 | 24 May 1942 | 14:28 | V-11 (Il-2){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 50 | 26 October 1942 | 12:25 | La-5 | PQ 44814{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}} |- | 37 | 26 May 1942 | 10:15 | Il-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 51 | 29 October 1942 | 12:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 95152{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}} |- | 38 | 26 May 1942 | 15:36 | BB-100{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=481}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 52 | 29 October 1942 | 12:58 | LaGG-3 | PQ 95154{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}}
vicinity of [Lazarevskoye](/source/Lazarevskoye_Microdistrict) |- | 39 | 26 May 1942 | 15:42 | BB-100 | {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Petrovka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 53 | 30 October 1942 | 12:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 95771{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}}
Black Sea, {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Tuapse |- | 40 | 26 May 1942 | 15:46 | BB-100{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=482}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 54 | 30 October 1942 | 15:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 94145{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=492}}
vicinity of Lazarevskoye |- ! colspan="10" | – 10. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 11 –
Defense of the Reich — 1 January 1940 – 31 May 1944 |- | style="background:#faecc8" | 55?{{Refn|This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1224}}|group="Note"}} | 17 May 1944 | {{Center|—}} | [P-51](/source/North_American_P-51_Mustang){{sfn|Prien|Rodeike|1996|p=1209}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | | | | | |} ===Awards=== * [Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe](/source/Honor_Goblet_of_the_Luftwaffe) on 20 December 1941 as ''[Oberleutnant](/source/Oberleutnant)'' and pilot{{sfn|Patzwall|2008|p=195}} * [Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross](/source/Knight's_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross) on 1 July 1942 as ''Oberleutnant'' and ''[Staffelkapitän](/source/Staffelkapit%C3%A4n)'' of the 5./''Jagdgeschwader'' 52{{sfn|Fellgiebel|2000|p=326}}{{sfn|Scherzer|2007|p=707}} ==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 |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=26 January 2022 |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 |last1=Bergström |first1=Christer |author-link1=:sv:Christer Bergström |last2=Antipov |first2=Vlad |last3=Sundin |first3=Claes |year=2003 |title=Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces |location=Hamilton MT |publisher=Eagle Editions |isbn=978-0-9721060-4-7 }} * {{Cite book |last=Braatz |first=Kurt |author-link=:de:Kurt Braatz |year=2010 |title=Walter Krupinski - Jagdflieger, Geheimagent, General |trans-title=Walter Krupinski - Fighter Pilot, Spy, General |language=de |location=Moosburg, Germany |publisher=NeunundzwanzigSechs Verlag |isbn=978-3-9811615-5-7 }} * {{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=de |location=Friedberg, Germany |publisher=Podzun-Pallas |isbn=978-3-7909-0284-6 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Foreman |first1=John |last2=Johnson |first2=James Edgar |author-link2=Johnnie Johnson (RAF officer) |year=1994 |title=Air War, 1941: From the Blitz to the non-stop Offensive |publisher=Northwestern University |isbn=978-1-871187-27-4 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Mathews |first1=Andrew Johannes |last2=Foreman |first2=John |year=2015 |title=Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z |location=Walton on Thames |publisher=Red Kite |isbn=978-1-906592-21-9 }} * {{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=German |location=Mainz, Germany |publisher=Verlag Dieter Hoffmann |isbn=978-3-87341-065-7 }} * {{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=Rodeike |first2=Peter |year=1994 |title=Jagdgeschwader 1 und 11: Einsatz in der Reichsverteidigung von 1939 bis 1945: Teil 1, 1939–1943 |trans-title=Jagdgeschwader 1 and 11: Operations in the Defense of the Reich from 1939 to 1945 |volume=I 1939–1943 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-21-2 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Rodeike |first2=Peter |year=1996 |title=Jagdgeschwader 1 und 11—Einsatz in der Reichsverteidigung von 1939 bis 1945—Teil 2—1944 |trans-title=Jagdgeschwader 1 and 11—Operations in the Defense of the Reich from 1939 to 1945 |volume=II 1944 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-24-3 }} * {{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 |last=Rigg |first=Bryan Mark |author-link=Bryan Mark Rigg |year=2002 |title=Hitler's Jewish Soldiers: The Untold Story of Nazi Racial Laws and Men of Jewish Descent in the German Military |location=Lawrence, Kansas |publisher=University Press of Kansas |isbn=978-0-7006-1178-2 }} * {{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=German |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=Weal |first=John |year=2004 |title=Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten |series=Aviation Elite Units |volume=15 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=[Osprey Publishing](/source/Osprey_Publishing) |isbn=978-1-84176-786-4 }} * {{Cite book |last=Weal |first=John |year=2011 |title=Fw 190 Defence of the Reich Aces |series=Aircraft of the Aces |volume=92 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=[Osprey Publishing](/source/Osprey_Publishing) |isbn=978-1-84603-482-4 }} * {{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](/source/ABC-Clio) |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-59884-981-3 }} {{Refend}} {{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{succession box |before=''Oberleutnant'' Fritz Engau |after=''Oberleutnant'' Fritz Engau |title=''Gruppenkommandeur'' of I. ''Gruppe'' of [''Jagdgeschwader'' 11](/source/Jagdgeschwader_11) |years=1 June 1944 – 8 June 1944 }} {{s-end}} {{Knight's Cross recipients of JG 52}} {{Subject bar | portal1=Aviation | portal2=Biography }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Simsch, Siegfried}} Category:1913 births Category:1944 deaths Category:Military personnel from Poznań Category:Military personnel from the Province of Posen Category:German Jewish military personnel of World War II Category:German World War II flying aces 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 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Siegfried Simsch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siegfried_Simsch) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siegfried_Simsch?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.