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Wilhelm Mayer (fighter pilot)

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Wilhelm Mayer
Born5 December 1917
Fürth
Died4 January 1945(1945-01-04) (aged 27)
near Lohnerbruch
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Years of service?–1945
RankLeutnant
UnitJG 26
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Wilhelm Mayer (5 December 1917 – 4 January 1945) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. On 4 January 1945, Mayer was shot down by Supermarine Spitfires near Emsland, Germany. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 March 1945. During his career he was credited with 27 aerial victories, all on the Western Front.

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. In January 1942, Mayer was transferred from the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe West, a supplementary training unit for fighter pilots destined to fight on the Western Front, to 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing), a squadron of the II. Gruppe. Mayer made four touch-and-go flights on the Focke Wulf Fw 190 on 26 January, his fist on the Fw 190.[1] At the time, II. Gruppe was based at Abbeville-Drucat Airfield and commanded by Hauptmann Joachim Müncheberg while 6. Staffel was headed by Oberleutnant Otto Behrens.[2]

On 30 July 1943, Mayer was wounded and made a forced landing northeast of Emmerich in his Fw 190 A-5 (Werknummer 57222—factory number) following combat with a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.[3]

On 18 February 1944, the RAF flew a low-level bombing raid on the Amiens Prison in German-occupied France dubbed Operation Jericho. The objective of the raid was to free French Resistance and political prisoners.[4] The attack force of nineteen de Havilland Mosquito bombers was escorted by eight Hawker Typhoon fighters from No. 174 Squadron. At 11:35, Luftwaffe fighters were scrambled from Grévillers. Following the bomb run by the Mosquitos, the commanding officer of the operation, Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard of the No. 140 Wing, circled the target to assess the result of the operation. Pickard was attacked by Mayer and shot down at 12:05, killing him and his navigator Flight Lieutenant John Alan Broadley.[5][6] On 16 April, Mayer was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) for 15 aerial victories.[7]

Squadron leader and death

Mayer was killed in action on 4 January 1945. Officially a member of 5. Staffel, Mayer led a flight from 8. Staffel on mission from the airfield at Nordhorn. Shortly after takeoff, the flight came under attack by Spitfires from the Canadian No. 442 Squadron. In this encounter, Mayer was shot down in his Fw 190 D-9 (Werknummer 500052) near Lohnerbruch.[8] Posthumously, Mayer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 12 March 1945.[9]

Summary of career

Matthews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces: Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 27 aerial victory claims, plus thirteen further unconfirmed claims, all of which were recorded on the Western Front.[10]

Chronicle of aerial victories

  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Mayer did not receive credit.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Matthews and Foreman.

Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[11]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1942
—
 31 July 1942 15:20 Spitfire mid-English Channel[12][13]
—
 28 August 1942 14:45 Spitfire[14] Amiens[15]
—
 27 August 1942?[Note 1] 16:00 Spitfire[16] Somme Estuary[12]
—
 6 September 1942 18:45 B-17[15]
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[11]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1943
1 14 March 1943 17:57 Spitfire 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Étaples[17]
Somme Estuary[18]
—
[Note 2] 		27 August 1943 20:00 Spitfire Lens-Béthune-Arras[19]
—
[Note 2] 		4 April 1943 15:00 Spitfire 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Dieppe[18]
—
[Note 2] 		2 September 1943 20:30 P-47 Lille-Merville[21]
2 29 April 1943 13:32?[Note 3] P-47 30 km (19 mi) north of Ostend[17][22] 5 3 September 1943 10:00?[Note 4] B-17* Melun[24][23]
3 13 June 1943 14:54 P-47 40 km (25 mi) north-northwest of Dunkirk[25][26]
—
[Note 2] 		3 September 1943 10:00 P-47 vicinity of Creil[23]
4 22 June 1943 09:16 B-17* Antwerp[25][27] 6 6 September 1943 12:10?[Note 5] B-17* 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Cormeilles[24][28]
Chalens
—
[Note 2] 		26 June 1943 19:00 P-47 20–30 km (12–19 mi) northwest of Dieppe[29]
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[30]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1943
7 28 December 1943 16:07 Spitfire Brailly-Cornehotte[31][32] 9 30 December 1943 15:40 B-17 22 km (14 mi) northwest of Arras[31][33]
8 30 December 1943 13:30 P-47?[Note 6] 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Soissons[31][33]
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[10]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1944
10 14 January 1944 11:58 B-26 15 km (9.3 mi) west-northwest of Étaples[34]
—
 14 February 1944 16:30?[Note 7] Spitfire Étaples-Berck[35]
—
[Note 8] 		28 January 1944 15:40 Spitfire vicinity of Grévillers[36] 13 18 February 1944 12:05 Mosquito northeast of Amiens[35]
11 29 January 1944 12:40 P-47 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Bapaume[37]
—
[Note 8] 		18 February 1944 12:15 Mosquito vicinity of Amiens[35]
—
 29 January 1944 13:20 B-17[37] Bertincourt, 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Bapaume
—
 22 February 1944 15:45 P-47 vicinity of St Trond[38]
—
 30 January 1944 13:15 P-47 vicinity of Geldern[39] 14 24 February 1944 15:50 B-17 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Amiens[40]
12 11 February 1944 13:45 P-38 Vitry-en-Artois[41] 15 2 March 1944 13:30 B-17 24 km (15 mi) northeast of Abbeville[42]
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[9]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1944
16 18 August 1944 08:25 P-51 Beauvais[43] 22 27 September 1944 17:22 Spitfire Kirchhellen[44]
17 18 August 1944 13:29 P-47 Beauvais[43] 23 7 October 1944 16:30 Spitfire Nijmegen[45]
18 25 August 1944 19:05 P-51 Saint-Quentin[46] 24 7 October 1944 16:32 Spitfire Nijmegen[45]
19 19 September 1944 18:02 P-51 Nijmegen[47] 25 16 October 1944 14:10 Auster Düren[48]
20 19 September 1944 18:04 P-51 Nijmegen[47] 26 19 November 1944 14:06 Spitfire north of Kirchhellen[49]
21 23 September 1944 17:34 P-51 Goch[50] 27 19 November 1944 14:08 Spitfire north of Kirchhellen[49]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ According to Caldwell, Matthews and Foreman claimed on 26 August 1942.[16][11]
  2. ^ a b c d e This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[20]
  3. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 13:33.[11]
  4. ^ According to Caldwell claimed at 09:57.[23]
  5. ^ According to Caldwell claimed at 12:08.[28]
  6. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed as a Consolidated B-24 Liberator.[11]
  7. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 16:40.[9]
  8. ^ a b This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Matthews and Foreman.[11]
  9. ^ According to Obermaier on 31 March 1944.[52]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 200, 202.
  2. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 367.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 560.
  4. ^ Attack on Amiens Prison.
  5. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 213–214.
  6. ^ Lyman 2014, Chapter Seventeen—The Journey Home.
  7. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 244.
  8. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 417–418.
  9. ^ a b c Matthews & Foreman 2015, p. 825.
  10. ^ a b Matthews & Foreman 2015, pp. 824–825.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Matthews & Foreman 2015, p. 824.
  12. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 373.
  13. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 265.
  14. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 284.
  15. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 375.
  16. ^ a b Caldwell 1996, p. 283.
  17. ^ a b Prien et al. 2010, p. 554.
  18. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 42.
  19. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 146.
  20. ^ Prien et al. 2010, pp. 554–556.
  21. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 148.
  22. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 50.
  23. ^ a b c Caldwell 1998, p. 150.
  24. ^ a b Prien et al. 2010, p. 556.
  25. ^ a b Prien et al. 2010, p. 555.
  26. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 101.
  27. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 106.
  28. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 152.
  29. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 111.
  30. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2015, p. 540.
  31. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2010, p. 557.
  32. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 189.
  33. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 192.
  34. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 201.
  35. ^ a b c Caldwell 1998, p. 214.
  36. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 204.
  37. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 205.
  38. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 217.
  39. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 207.
  40. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 220.
  41. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 212.
  42. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 224.
  43. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 328.
  44. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 359.
  45. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 362.
  46. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 335.
  47. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 352.
  48. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 373.
  49. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 380.
  50. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 355.
  51. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 143.
  52. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 165.
  53. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 300.
  54. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 305.
  55. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 532.

Bibliography

  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1996). The JG 26 War Diary: Volume One 1939–1942. London, UK: Grubstreet. ISBN 978-1-898697-52-7.
  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1998). JG 26 War Diary: Volume Two 1943–1945. London: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-86-2.
  • 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.
  • Lyman, Robert (2014). The Jail Busters: The Secret Story of MI6, the French Resistance and Operation Jericho, 1944. London: Quercus. ISBN 978-1-78206-536-4.
  • Matthews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 3 M–R. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-20-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • 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. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 7—Heimatverteidigung—1. January bis 31 Dezember 1942—Einsatz im Westen—1. Januar bis 31. Dezember 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 7—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1942—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-73-1. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/IV—Einsatz im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/IV—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-92-2.
  • 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.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • "Attack on Amiens Prison, 18th February 1944". RAF. 2004. Archived from the original on 1 January 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
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