Bernhard Vechtel
Bernhard Vechtel (31 July 1920 – 21 August 1975) was a fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Vechtel was credited with 108 aerial victories in a total of 860 combat missions, all on the Eastern Front.[1]
Bernhard Vechtel | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 July 1920 |
| Died | 21 August 1975 (aged 55) |
| Allegiance | .svg.png){kind=small} |
| Service/ | Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Unit | JG 51 |
| Commands held | 14./JG 51 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Vechtel flew in the Jagdgeschwader 51. He was awarded the Ehrenpokal on 3 January 1944, the German Cross in Gold on 28 January 1944, and later received the Knight's Cross on 27 July 1944.[2]
On 25 March 1945, Vechtel was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 99th Luftwaffe pilot to have shot down 100 aircraft.[3]
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (3 April 1944)[4]
- German Cross in Gold on 28 January 1944 as Feldwebel in the 10./Jagdgeschwader 51[5]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as pilot and Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel in the 10./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[6]
References
Citations
- Spick 1996, p. 232.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 756.
- Obermaier 1989, p. 244.
- Obermaier 1989, p. 217.
- Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 485.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 756.
Bibliography
- 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.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945] (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.
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