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The Kracker Luftwaffe Archive: Axis Powers Pilots and Crew




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You searched for: “ritter”

#Pilot/Crew
SORT (↑)		RankBornPlaceScore
SORT (↑)		PhotoUnitsAircraftAwards*************Notes*************LinksAuthorComments
1 Ritter, Rudolf, RudiUffz712/JG-54, 4/JG-54 (S.U.)Fw 190A-5 Werk# (15)2607 "White 4" (lost 8/3/43)
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		MIA 3 August, 1943 in aerial combat with 6 Lagg 5s south of Schum. His first known Soviet victories, Two LaGG-3s, an I-180 and an Il-2 on 13 July, 1943. A 5th, a LaGG-3 on 15 July, 1943. A Yak-7B on 17 July, 1943. A 7th, an La-5 on 19 July, 1943.
2 Felgel von Farnholz, WilhelmLt1917/01/27Hallein, Salzburg6-7


Courtesy CK

6./JG 2 (08/42), Stfkpt 7./JG 2 (10/43 France)Bf 109 F, Bf 109 G (Trop), Bf 109 G-6 "White 1" Werknr 410496 (lost 26/11/43)

EK 1 & 2

at least Fighter Operational Clasp in Bronze		KilledInAction (KIA) 26 November, 1943 in aerial combat with a P-47 at Brie Comte Robert in his G-6. One known victory, perhaps his 1st, a Spitfire on 19 August, 1942. One known Desert victory, a P-38 10 km west of Djebel Serdj on 8 February, 1943. A 3rd, a P-40 5 km southeast of Djebel Qusseltia on 9 February, 1943. A 4th, a B-17 (e.V.) 6 km SE of Elbeuf-s-Seine on 10 July, 1943. A 5th, a B-17 (HSS) 2 km W of Goussainville on 14 July, 1943. A 6th, a B-17 at Loquigerl on 20 (or 23) October, 1943. Added: His burial: Champigny-St.Andre', Fr., Blk 6, Row 13 (VDK), Gr 1115. AKA: Viktor Johann Felgel Ritter von Farnholz (D.Drury).
3 Schwerdtner, Heinrich Hironimus Ritter vonLt2/7/1922Klagenfurt62/JG-53 (12/41; 2/42 Med)Bf 109E, Bf 109F-4 Werk # 7298 "Black 12" (lost 2/7/42)
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		KIFA 7 February, 1942, colliding with another Bf 109, Werk # 7262, piloted by Lt Erich Thomas, upon landing at Gela (Prien). One known victory, his first, a Spitfire on 18 August, 1940, no location, a Flieger at the time. A 2nd, a Hurricane south of La Valetta (Malta) on 22 December, 1941. Magnus, 9 victories.
4 Habermann, EdgarOblt11/20/1921Wittkowitz53/JG-77 (12/41), 2/JG-5 (5/43), TO I/JG-5 (until 8/10/43), Stfkpt 2/JG-5 (10/9/43 to 4/11/44)Bf 109F in JG-77, Ar 96 Werk # 4209 (25% damaged), Fw 58 Werk # 58325 (lost 4/11/44)
EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge
Fighter Operational Clasp		KilledInAction (KIA) 11 April, 1944 (JG-5 Chronik courtesy H. Breuer). WIC (injured) 19 July, 1943; non-operational emergency landing at Sola Norway airfield, cause unknown (Source:SIG Norway). One known victory, his 1st, a Hudson V9036 over western Norway on 2 December, 1941, an Obfhr at the time. His 2nd, a Blenheim W of Herdla on 27 December, 1941. A 3rd, a Beaufighter over Norway on 1 May, 1943. A 4th, another Beaufighter on 4 May, 1943. A 5th, a B-17 NW of Helgoland on 9 September, 1943. Added: Oblt Habermann ws injured in the crash of the Fw 58 at St Gonlay, Fr on 11 April, 1994, and died of his wounds on 12 April, in a hospital in Rennes. He was buried at Mont de Huisnes, Vault 14, Grave 109. Also killed was Ogefr Herbert Burkhard (4/23/1920 Berlin, buried Vault 14, Grave 108. Lt D.Ritter, TO I/JG-5 was injured (absa3945).

Read Archive Report

Rob Philips Memorial Archive Hudson V9036
5 Ritter, KarlOblt38/JG-53 (5/43 Sicily), 11/JG-53 (8/44)Bf 109G (Trop), Bf 109G-6 Werk # 15289 (lost 5/10/43)
EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge
Fighter Operational Clasp		WIA 10 May, 1943 during aerial combat with "4 mots" near Chinisia, bailed safely (Bf 109 Loss List). One known Desert victory, his 1st, a B-17 in the Chinisia area on 10 May, 1943. A 2nd, a B-24 at Havelte, N of Meppel, on 15 August, 1944. His 3rd, a B-17 at Brünn on 29 August, 1944.
6 Hahn, HansLt2/21/1919Rheydt13




Cannock Chase

Courtesy Christian König

3/NJG-2 (9/40; 7/41 Gilze-Rijen)Bf 110C-2, Ju 88C-2 Werk # 0764 (20% dam takeoff acc, pilot injured), Ju 88C-4 Werk # 0337 "R4 + OL" (30% dam 9/4/41, Deelen accident, all OK), Ju 88C-4 Werk # 0851 (or 0351) "R4 + NL" (lost at Barrow by Village, Grantham, Lincolnshire,10/11/41)
RK(7/9/41)

EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge
Night Fighter Operational Clasp		The first Night Fighter to win the Ritter Kreuz. Most successful Night Fighter pilot until his death, 11-12 October, 1941, when he collided with a British Airspeed Oxford AB767 over Grantham England. Buried Cannock Chase, Block 3/10/306 (Rosseels). 12 victories were Night victories. On five occasions, he returned to his base at Gilze-Rijen on one engine. Once he returned with a balloon cable wrapped around his wing in his C-4. His first known victory, a Wellington near Linton-on-Ouse on the night of 24-25 October, 1940. His 2nd, a Whitley on the East Anglia coast, 50 km east of Withernsea, the night of 2-3 January, 1941. His 3rd, a Hudson at Leeming on the night of 12-13 March, 1941. His 4th, a Blenheim over England on the night of 13-14 March, 1941. His 5th, a Hampden at Upwood, 8 April, 1941. His 6th, a Wellington at Wellingore on 8 April, 1941. His 7th, a Hampden SE of Waddington the night of 16-17 April, 1941. His 8th, a Herford at Digby on 21 April, 1941. His 9th, a Fulmar at Stoke Holy Cross on 3-4 May, 1941. His 10th, a Blenheim at Feltwell, 5 May, 1941. Both this Hans Hahn and Hans von Hahn received the RK the same day according to Obermaiers book. Added: Known crewman, Uffz Helmuth Scheidt, KilledInAction (KIA), bur CC, Blk 1, Gr 305 (Luftwaffe Graves UK).



Archive Report Airspeed Oxford AB767
7 Ritter, HeinzLt1Stab/JG-27Bf 109G
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		One known victory, his 1st, a B-17 5 km N of Sieding on 10 May, 1944.
8 Ritter, HerbertGefr19/JG-27Bf 109F EK 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		His first known Soviet victory, a DB-3 on 20 July, 1941.
9 Ritter, Hptm1Stab JGr-110Bf 109G, Fw 190A EK 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		One known victory, a P-51 at Eatten on 22 February, 1944. This is most likely one of the other Ritters on file, Hermann, perhaps
10 Ritter,Uffz12/NJG-3Bf 110 EK 2
Night Fighter Operational Clasp		One known victory, a Wellington by Halle/Holland Grenze on 29 July, 1942.
11 Ritter, KurtUffz17/JG-54Bf 109G-6 Werk# 15574 "White 9" (lost 4/8/44)
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		KilledInAction (KIA) 8 April, 1944 over Dedelsdorf/Uelzen, Gannerwinkel area? One known victory, a B-17 5 km north of Labd on 19 May, 1943.
12 Boruschen, WalterHptm1Führer Kurierstaffel (4/44 Rastenburg)Ju 88G
Ritter Kreuz, EK 1 & 2
One known victory, a Lancaster "ND 853 XN-J" 15 km WSW of Schweinfurt on 27 April, 1944 (OKL Claims List & Photo).
13 Ritter, WilhelmOfw4(H)/12 (Africa 6/42)Bf 109E-7 Werk # 762 (lost 6/6/42), Bf 109F-4/R3 Werk # 8414 (80% dam 1/24/43)
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(1/28/43)

EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge
Observer Operational Clasp		WIA 24 January, 1943 due to engine damage during combat; made an emergency landing at Zuara. His E-7 reported lost on 6 June, 1942, cause and location not reported, pilot returned. DK-G Awards List
14 Sattler, KarlUffz8/SG-2 (S.U.)Ju 87D-3 Werk # 110822 "T6 + JR" (lost 12/18/43)Dive Bomber Operational ClaspKIC with unnamed crew 18 December, 1943 when they collided with Ju 87 Wk# 130876, piloted by Lt Friedrich Ritter (KIC & unnamed R/O injured), crashing in Map Quad Pl.Qu. 2964. Ju 87 Loss List
15 Schleich, Eduard Ritter vonObstBavariaKdr II/JG-234 (6/37), Kdr JG-26 (11/38-12/39 Odendorf)Bf 109B in 234, Bf 109D & EPour le Merite
Fighter Operational Clasp		The 1st Kdr of JG-26. WWI pilot known to the Allies as the 'Black Knight'.
16 Ritter, Karl HeinzUffz1/JG-11Fw 190A-8 Werk # 172712 ""White 120" (lost 6/26/44)Wound Badge
Fighter Operational Clasp		WIA 26 June, 1944 during aerial combat in the Lonrai area.
17 Schmutzler, KarlHptm1/27/1914Oelsnitz1(F)/129BV 222C-10 (aka V-10) Werk # 310010 "TB + QN" (lost 2/8/44)Observer Operational ClaspKilledInAction (KIA) with his entire crew 8 February, 1944 when their ac was sd during a night test flight, by a Mosquito of No.157 Sq., piloted by S/L herbert E.Tappin. The ac crashed near Lake Biscarrosse, Landes, France. Remaining crew (KilledInAction (KIA), all bur Ger War Cem., Berneuil, Fr., Blk4): Oblt Erich Todt, Co-Pilot 1 (geb 3/24/1913 Böblingen, bur Row 17/Gr778); Ofw Heinz Josko, Co-Pilot 2 (geb 8/17/1913 Berlin, bur Row 18/Gr832); Lt.z.S Karlheinz Strahlke, Obs (bur R19/G887); StbsFw Hans Erbarth, Flt/Engr 1 (bur R17/G798); Ofw Johann Waskowiak, Flt/Engr 2 (no burial info); Fw Walter Möckel, R/O 1 (bur R9/G350); Uffz Rudolf Hagenguth, R/O 2 (bur R18/G858); Uffz Ernst Zöllner, Gnr 1 (bur R19/G901); Ogefr Robert Kremser, Gnr 2 (bur R9/G353); Ogefr Hans Blinken, Gnr 3 (bur R19/G889); Ogefr Helmuth Ritter, Gnr 4 (bur R17/G785) and Uffz Gerhard Schult, Gnr 5 (bur R17/G795). Source: D.Drury
18 Ritter, Karl ErichLt1/KGr-806 (Med)Ju 88A-4 Werk # 140701 "M7 + DH" (lost 8/11/42)Bomber Operational ClaspMIA with unnamed crew 11 August, 1942 due to flak while attempting an attack on HMS Victorious during Operation Pedestal (Ju 88 Loss List).
19 Ritter, HermannObstltKdr BFS 4Fw 58, Fw 200, He 111, Ju 52 & Ju 88Stankey & DeZeng.
20 Suwelack, WilhelmHptm12/28/1899BillerbeckStfkpt Kurrierstaffel 7 (S.U.)Fi 156C Werk # 5287 (lost 9/12/41)Liason Operational ClaspKIFA 12 September, 1941 when he accidentall landed in a minefield at Dmitriewka. Source: A. Mebius. Added: The passenger was GenObst Eugen Siegfried Erich Ritter von Schobert, Commander of the 11th Army. Hptm Suwelack was the Generals personal pilot. Both were killed; both buried at Nikolaev. The Hptm commemorated at the Kirowograd Sammelfriedhof, Ukraine; the VDK understands there is a grave at Nikolaev/Kirowograd, Ukraine (D.Drury & LOCS).
21 Ritter, HeinzOfw4/StG-77 (Yugoslavia)Ju 87B-1 Werk # 5286 "S2 + BM" (lost 4/6/41)Dive Bomber Operational ClaspThis ac reported lost near Celje 6 April, 1941 due to engine failure, crew returned. Ju 87 Loss List
22 Ritter, HeinzOfwSG unitFw 190F-8
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(1/1/45)

EK 1 & 2
Assault Operational Clasp		DK-G Awards List. This may be Ofw Heinz Ritter, earlier in StG-77.
23 Ritter, GeorgOblt6/Sch.G-1 (1/43), Stfkpt 1/NSGr.-1 (2/45)Bf 109E-7, Hs 129, Ju 87D-5 Werk # Unk (lost 2/8/45)
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(1/15/43)

EK 1 & 2
EP (11/30/41), Wound Badge, Assault Operational Clasp		WIA 8 February, 1945 when he was sd by a Spitfire of No.442 Sq. during a transfer flight between Kirchhellen & Krefeld (DK-G Awards List & LOCS).
24 Ritter, Hans JoachimMajKdr IV/KG-51 (2/42), Kdr I/KG-51 (10/42)Ju 88ABomber Operational Clasp
25 Ritter, Georg Uffz9/JG-26Bf 109K-4Wound Badge
Fighter Operational Clasp		WIFA 25 November, 1944 when the engine of his new K-4 caught fire over Moers during a mission. He bailed safely with minor injuries.
26 Berke, HerbertLt2/KGr-100 (Chartres)He 111H-3 Werk # 3212 "6N + HK" (lost 7/6/41)Bomber Operational ClaspMIA with his entire crew 6 July, 1941; failed to return from an operation to Lowestoft, Suffolk, cause unknown. Remaining crew: Fw Johannes Hasnpf (or Hampf), Obs; Fw Herbert Schuster, R/O; Fw Walter Kryschak, Flt Engr and Uffz fritz Ritter, Gnr (D.Drury). Alternate spelling: Betke.
27 Ritter, FritzUffz2/JG-3Bf 109G-14/AS Werk# 780721 "Black 14"Fighter Operational ClaspKIFA 19 November, 1944 for unknown reasons, near his airbase at Gottstedt. Per a witness, Fw Rudolf Hener, Ritters Bf 109 turned on its back at about 100 meters, and dove straight into the ground. His bride-to-be, who had visited Ritter at the base, also watched in horror, as Ritters life came to an end. Along with Georg Kögler, Ritter was another good friend of Franz Mörl, "...lost in a cruel war", in the words of Franz in a letter to me.
28 Ritter, FriedrichLt8/SG-2 (S.U.)Ju 87D-5 Werk # 130876 "T^ + DR" (lost 12/18/43)
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold

EK 1 & 2
Dive Bomber Operational Clasp		KIC 18 December, 1943; he collided with another Ju 87, Wk# 110822, piloted by Uffz Karl Sattler (KIC w/unnamed R/O), crashing in Map Quad Pl.Qu. 2964. His unnamed R/O was injured. Ju 87 Loss List
29 Ritter, ErichFw10/JG-53 (9/44 Paderborn)Bf 109G-6 Werk # 166046 "White 19 + I" (lost 9/27/44)Fighter Operational ClaspKilled 27 September, 1944; his G-6 crashed near Niel, NE of Kranenburg Germany, on 27 September, 1944, cause unknown. (DeSwart & Bf 109 Loss List). Added: Buried Donsbrüggen, Grave 304 (SGLO).
30 Ritter,UffzII/JG-1Fw 58 "Weihe" ASR AC assigned to II/JG-1Air Sea Rescue Operational ClaspRitter piloted the ASR AC searching for Peter Eberhard over the North Sea on 2 May, 1943. Thgis could be Uffz Karl Heinz Ritter, later in JG-11.
31 Müller, HansOblt2/9/19163(F)/22Ju 88D-1 & D-5, Ju 290A-7 Werk # Unk "9V + FK" in FAGr.-5
Ritter Kreuz (11/18/44), Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(8/21/42)

EK 1 & 2
EP (11/17/41), Observer Operational Clasp		Deceased 31 December, 1994 (DK-G Awards List & LOCS).
32 Lex, Hans ? Ritter vonObstKdr KG-255 (11/38-2/39)Do 17Z or He 111PBomber Operational Clasplexx
33 Leicht, AugustHptm08/03/09Celle W.B.K.


4./KG 26, II./KG 26 (06/41-03/42), Stfkpt 10./KG 26 (11/42-02/43), Stfkpt 2./KG 26 (02/43-02/44),He-111 H (lost 18/06/41), He-111 H-11/LT "1H + AK" (lost) 12-13/02/44)
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (25/02/42 )
EP (CK)

EK 1 & EK 2
MIA/KIA on 12-13 February 1944 where he failed to return from operations over the Nettuno beachhead in the Mediterranean theater.WIA on 15/06/41, cause and location unknown. WIA as an Obsv in the night 17-18/06/41when ditched off Derna (due to an error of the inexperienced pilot) after an espionage special mission (which failked, with 2 He-111, the other of KG 26 landed without problem) while carrying 2 Abwehr agents,1 agent named Mühlenbruch was KIA, while the crew of Pilot, Mech and Radop survived WIA as well as Oblt Ritter from the Abwehr Ausland.CKönig
34 Heider, Herwig Ritter vonHptm6/5/1915Innsbruck2/Kü.Fl.Gr.- 606 (Channel)Ju 88A-5 Werk # 5247 "7T + LK" (lost 9/15/41)
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(12/2/41 in absentia-POW)

EK 1 & 2
Bomber Operational Clasp		POW with unnamed crew 15 September, 1941; shot down by a Hurricane of RAF No. 257 Sq., piloted by S/Ldr Francis Soper. DK-G Awards List & Ju 88 Loss List. Added: Remaining crew (POW): Ofw Karl Ützen, R/O; Sdf Hans Kelch, Flt Engr and Gefr Herrmann Lesemeister (or Lessmeister) (WIA) (D.Drury).
35 Greim, Robert Ritter vonMaj18931st Kdr Fliegergruppe Döberitz (34)Ar 65WWI Pour Le MeriteWWI pilot. Fliegergruppe Döbernitz was the 3rd Reichs first fighter Gruppe, much later redesignated I/JG-2.
36 Drasche von Wartinberg, Richard EberhardUffz7/22/1913Ebreichsdorf3(F)/NAG-Dno (S.U.)Do 17P Werk # 3535 "K7 + BL" (lost 3/8/42)Night Observation Operational ClaspKilledInAction (KIA) with his entire crew 8 March, 1942, when they failed to return from a reconnaissance mission on Bologoye, Kalinin Oblast, Russia. Believed sd by a Soviet fighter of 27IAP, piloted by Sr/Lt Arkadiy Fedorovich Kovachevich. Remaining crew: Oblt Theodor Ritter, Obs and Uffz Günther Gross, R/O, No mention of a Gnr. No VDK burial data and it is understood that no parachutes were seen prior to the crash (D.Drury).
37 Cümbal, AlfredFw5(F)/122 (1/42 Gostkino S.U.)Ju 88D-1 Werk # 1426 "F6 + UN" (lost 1/22/42)Observer Operational ClaspMIA with his entire crew, 22 January, 1942, when they failed to return from a reconnaissance mission covering Torzhok and Bologoye, Kalinin Oblast, Russia, cause unknown. Remaining crew: Lt Helmut Ewald Hombrecher, Obs; Gefr Oswald Ritter, R/O and Uffz Alois Werschnick, Gnr. No VDK burial matches (D.Drury). Alternate spelling: Gümbal.
38 Bordelle, WalterOblt7/9/1918Metz-Lothringen2/KG.z.b.V.-106 (4/40), 3/KG.z.b.V.- S7 (12/42), Stfkpt 4/KG.z.b.V.-800 (3/43), Stfkpt 8/TG-2 (5/43), 5/TG-2 (11/43), 6/TG-2 (4/44), Stfkpt 5/TG-2 ('45)Ju 52 Werk # Unk "8T + KM" (lost 4/5/43), Ju 52 Werk # Unk "4V + ?T" (dam 11/14/43)
Ritter Kreuz (3/26/44), Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(3/16/43)

EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge, Transport Operational Clasp w/"400" pendant		POW 8 May, 1945, released June, 1945. WIA 5 April, 1943; sd by fighters at Cap Bon. Added: His remaining crew on 5 April, 1943: Uffz Heinz Häger, R/O (WIA); Fw August Mattes, Mech (KilledInAction (KIA)) and Ogefr Heinrich Vollriede, Gnr (KilledInAction (KIA)) (Qu.Meister File). Uninjured 14 November, 1943 when his ac was hit by AA fire near Leros (DK-G List & LOCS).

Results 1 to 38 of 38.



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