Ulrich Wernitz

Ulrich Wernitz (21 January 1921 – 23 December 1980) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. He was credited with 101 aerial victories—that is, 101 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in roughly 240 combat missions. He served in the post World War II German Air Force of the Federal Republic of Germany, retiring with the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel).

Early life and career

Wernitz, nicknamed Pipifax (nonsense),^[1] was born on 21 January 1921 in Schweinitz/Herzberg in the district of Wittenberg, a Province of Saxony.^[2] He joined the Luftwaffe in late 1941 and following flight training,^{["Note" 1]} he was posted to 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in April 1943.^[3] The Staffel was commanded by Oberleutnant Franz Eisenach and subordinated to I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 54 under command of Major Reinhard Seiler, flying the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Seiler had just replaced Hauptmann Gerhard Koall who temporarily led the Gruppe after Major Hans Philipp was transferred to take command of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing) fighting in Defence of the Reich.^[4]

World War II

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. In June 1941, German forces had launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. In April 1943, I. Gruppe of JG 54 was based at Krasnogvardeysk, present-day Gatchina, located approximately 45 kilometers (28 mi) south-south-west of Leningrad on the northern sector of the Eastern Front.^[5] Here on 2 May, Wernitz claimed his first aerial victory on his second combat mission to date.^[6] In support of 18th Army during the Siege of Leningrad, a Rotte, a flight of two aircraft, from 3. Staffel was scrambled shortly before 17:00 and intercepted a formation of Lavochkin La-5 fighter aircraft near Pushkin. In this encounter, Wernitz claimed a La-5 shot down.^[7] At the time, he flew as wingman of Günther Scheel.^[8]

With the Geschwaderstab of JG 54

In early June 1943, Wernitz was transferred the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of JG 54, where he served on the staff of the Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander), initially und command of Oberstleutnant Hannes Trautloft and then Major Hubertus von Bonin. Based at Ziverskaya, Wernitz claimed his first aerial victory while flying with the Geschwaderstab on 1 June when he shot down a Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter.^[9] During this assignment, Wernitz frequently flew combat missions as wingman to Hermann Schleinhege.^[8]

On 5 July, German forces had launched Operation Citadel, the failed attempt to eliminate the Kursk salient that initiated the Battle of Kursk. In support of this offensive, JG 54 moved to Oryol on 9 July, fighting on the northern pincer of Generaloberst Walter Model's 9th Army. Here Wernitz claimed two Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters shot down on 16 July and another Yak-9 the following day. On 23 July, he was credited with the destruction of an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft. The air element of the Geschwaderstab returned to Ziverskaya on 25 July. Wernitz claimed his last aerial victory, and tenth in total, while flying with the Geschwaderstab on 1 August.^[10] By October, he had been awarded both classes of the Iron Cross.(Eisernes Kreuz).^[3]

On the Eastern Front

In September 1943, Wernitz was transferred again to 3. Staffel, which was still under command of Eisenach. Command of I. Gruppe had been transferred to Hauptmann Walter Nowotny which was then based at the airbase Schatalowka, present-day Shatalovo air base, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Smolensk.^[11] Here, Wernitz claimed a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighter shot down on 15 September. Two days later, the Gruppe moved to Vitebsk.^[12] On combat missions, he frequently flew as wingman to Otto Kittel.^[8]

On 22 June 1940, Soviet forces launched Operation Bagration, the offensive which shattered the German front line on the Eastern Front, leading to the subsequent isolation of 300,000 German soldiers in the Courland Pocket. In consequence, I. Gruppe relocated to Polotsk, located approximately 95 kilometers (59 miles) northwest of Vitebsk. Here, the Gruppe supported the German forces fighting on the left wing of Army Group Centre. Two days later, Wernitz became an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time when he claimed two Yak-9 fighters, two Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and a single Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter shot down.^[13]

On 2 August, I. Gruppe moved to an makeshift airfield at Šķirotava, located approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Riga.^[14] Here on 28 August, Wernitz claimed his 82nd aerial victory, a Petlyakov Pe-2 shot down. He then fell ill in September.^[1] During his convalescence, Wernitz, was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 29 October 1944 for 82 aerial victories claimed.^[15] On 1 January 1945, Wernitz also received the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold).^[3]

He returned to his unit in early February 1945, which at the time was fighting in the Courland Pocket.^[8] He was then appointed Staffelführer (squadron leader) of 3. Staffel of JG 54 and claimed 19 further aerial victories, including eight on 8 March 1945.^[2] On 26 March 1945, Wernitz was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 100th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.^[16]

Later life

Following World War II, Wernitz served in the German Air Force of the Federal Republic of Germany, retiring with the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel). He died on 23 December 1980.^[8]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Wernitz was credited with 101 aerial victories.^[17] Spick also lists him with the same number of aerial victories claimed in approximately 240 combat missions and a mission-to-claim ratio of 2.38.^[18] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and state that Wernitz was credited with 101 aerial victories, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.^[19]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 36 Ost 00333". 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.^[20]

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class^[3]
• Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 17 April 1944 as Feldwebel and pilot^[37]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October 1944 as Feldwebel in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 54^{[38]["Note" 10]}
• German Cross in Gold on 1 January 1945 as Feldwebel in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 54^[39]

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.^[40]
2. ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.^[8]
3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:22.^[8]
4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:26.^[41] The authors Prien, Stemmer, Balke and Bock state that files held by the German Federal Archives contain a documentation error as the report filed by Wernitz states 11:26.^[36]
5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:28.^[41]
6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:28 over a Petlyakov Pe-2.^[41]
7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:11.^[41]
8. ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.^[41]
9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:01.^[41]
10. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 54.^[42]

References

Citations

1. ^ Weal 2001, p. 114.
2. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 223.
3. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 173.
4. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 165.
5. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 85.
6. ^ Scutts 1992, p. 103.
7. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 115–116, 173.
8. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1404.
9. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 75, 78.
10. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 65–66, 78.
11. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 146, 165.
12. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 151, 184.
13. ^ Prien et al. 2022, pp. 332–334, 384.
14. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 342.
15. ^ Weal 2001, pp. 114, 120.
16. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 244.
17. ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 331.
18. ^ Spick 1996, p. 233.
19. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1404–1405.
20. ^ Planquadrat.
21. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 173.
22. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 174.
23. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 78.
24. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 184.
25. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 384.
26. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 185.
27. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 186.
28. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 385.
29. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 188.
30. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 379.
31. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 380.
32. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 381.
33. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 386.
34. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 382.
35. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 383.
36. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 387.
37. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 216.
38. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 443.
39. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 508.
40. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
41. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1405.
42. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 780.

Bibliography

• Bergström, Christer; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
• Bergström, Christer. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
• Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-39903-073-1.
• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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.
• Mathews, Andrew Johannes & Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-21-9.
• Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
• Patzwall, Klaus D. & Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
• Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
• Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-07-9.
• Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Balke, Ulf; Bock, Winfried (2022). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 15/II—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 15/II—Action in the East—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-28-4.
• 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 (1992). JG 54: Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz: Aces of the Eastern Front. Osceola, Wisconsin: Motorbooks International. ISBN 978-0-87938-718-1.
• Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
• Weal, John (2001). Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz". Vol. 6. Aviation Elite Units. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-286-9.
• Zabecki, David T. (ed.) (2019). The German War Machine in World War II. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-44-086918-1.

1. ^ 15:50