Messerschmitt Bf 109 E Emil

 

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Luftwaffe pilot Herbert Ihlefeld

Herbert Ihlefeld was one of the most important aces of the Luftwaffe and, although he undoubtedly had an exceptional career and served throughout the war with several significant units, he remains also one of the least known.

Born on 1 June 1914 at Pinnow in Pomerania, Ihlefeid joined the Army's 5th Stettin Infantry Regiment in 1933, at the age of 19. On 15 July 1934, a time when aviation in Germany was the subject of rapid expansion following Adolf Hitler's rise to power, Ihlefeld started a course on aviation engineering. He later joined the Luftwaffe, began pilot training in January 1935, and in March 1937 was posted to I./JG132 'Richthofen' at Doberitz where he became familiar with the He-72, He-51 and most other aircraft then serving in the new German Air Force.

Spain

With the benefit of about two years' experience as a pilot, the young, still unmarried Unteroffizier Ihlefeld volunteered for service in Spain. At the end of 1937 he joined 2./J88 and flew a Heinkel-51 in the great Battle of Teruel. At that time, most of the aircraft used by both sides still had open cockpits and as aerial combat sometimes took place at high altitude, where temperatures reached -50°F, conditions were extremely difficult and uncomfortable. On 21 February 1938, Ihlefeld achieved his first victory, an I-15, known to the Nationalists as the 'Rata'. In the course of the year, 2./J88 was re-equipped with the ,Messerschmitt Bf 109B and it was with this type of aircraft that Ihlefeld achieved eight more victories. In view of his nine Abschusse and his obvious courage, he was promoted to acting Leutnant. Returning to Germany in July 1938, this promotion was confirmed and in 1939 he was awarded the Spanish Cross with Swords, the first of his many decorations, in recognition of his service and achievements in Spain.

Adjutant to 1.(Jagd)/Lehrgeschwader 2

The newly promoted Leutnant Ihlefeld was then assigned as Technical Officer to I(Jagd)/Lehrgeschwader 2 where his abilities as a pilot brought him to the attention of his Kommandeur, Hptm. Hanns Trubenbach who, in addition to commanding I.(J)/LG2, also led the Kunstflugstaffel, the Luftwaffe's aerobatics team. Trubenbach offered Ihlefeld a place in the team which, in the months before the war, participated in various air meetings in western Europe. Due to his responsibilities with I.(J)/LG2, Ihlefeld served mainly as a reserve pilot, but he nevertheless took part in rehearsals and became an effective member of the team. Due to the imminence of war, however, the Kunstflugstaffel was in existence for only a short time.

The First Months of War

On 1 September 1939, the Wehrmacht invaded Poland, a campaign in which I.(J)/LG2 took part although, despite his impressive record in Spain, Ihlefeld was unable to increase his number of victories, nor in the subsequent so-called 'Phoney War'.

On 10 May 1940, the German Army attacked in the West and Ihlefeld was soon able to increase his score when, on 29 May 1940, he and the Kommandeur, Hptm. Bernhard Mielke, each claimed an MS 406 at approximately 20.15 hrs in the St Quentin/Chauny sector, Ihlefeld's being his first confirmed victory in the West.

1 On 1 June 1940, Herbert Ihlefeld was promoted to Oberleutnant and on the 30th he was credited with destroying two Blenheim bombers over St. Omer, thought to be from RAF Coastal Command. During this action, Ihlefeld had to make a forced landing in his Bf 109, but was not injured. On this date, too, I.(J)/LG2 was transferred to Pihen in anticipation of the battle against England.

Over England

At the beginning of July, Ihlefeld acquired his first command when he took over as Staffelkapitan of 2./JG2. On the 9th when the Gruppe was escorting some Do-17s from KG2, Oblt. Ihlefeld shot down his first Hurricane over Kent. From then on, victories came rapidly: a Hurricane on 13 August, two Spitfires on 23 August and two more on the 24th. On 30 August, when he achieved his tenth victory, he learned that his Kommandeur, Hptm. Mielke (Trubenbach's successor), had been shot down near Hastings. Ihlefeld was then appointed the new Gruppenfuhrer and led the Gruppe without any break in his flying. On 13 September, after 21 victories (not including those achieved in Spain), Ihlefeld was awarded the Ritterkreuz and on 1 October 1940, in recognition of his decoration, and also to bring his rank in line with his duties as official Kommandeur, he was promoted to Hauptmann.

I.(1)/LG2 saw little action during the Winter of 1940/41 as the Gruppe was withdrawn from operations for about seven weeks in order to recuperate at Ko1n-Butzweilerhof. Returning to the Channel on 10 February 1941, Ihlefeld resumed operations and obtained his 27th victory, a Spitfire.

Herbert Ihlefeld's 30th victory has an interesting sequel. On 26 February 1941, two Spitfires from 54 Squadron at Hornchurch led a sweep over the Boulogne/Calais sector. Spitfire KL-E (P7443), belonging to Sgt. Howard Squire, was shot down by Ihlefeld's Bf 109, the pilot making a forced landing near Calais. As the aircraft had come down close to I.(1)/LG2's base at Marek, this was an ideal opportunity to inspect the Spitfire and entertain the pilot in the mess. A Luftwaffe war correspondent later prepared a short article on the event, complete with appropriate photographs, which subsequently appeared in the Wehrmacht magazine 'Signal'. Years after the war, the negatives of these photographs were located in a photo archive in France and identified by researcher Jean-Paul Pallud, then working for 'After the Battle' magazine. Their discovery inspired Winston Ramsey, editor of the magazine, to try to reunite the former adversaries. Happily, both Squire and Ihlefeld were still alive and, on 26 July 1984, they met again on the site of Squires' forced landing so that further photographs could be taken for a 'then and now' comparison. By that time, however, Ihlefeld admitted that he could barely remember the details as all his personal possessions had been looted by Soviet troops at the time of their entry into Berlin in May 1945.

On 25 March, Hptm. Ihlefeld achieved his 35th victory over a Spitfire near Dungeness. Soon after this, I.(1)/LG2 left France as it was urgently required in the Balkans.

In the Balkans

As Germany prepared to invade Greece, Yugoslavia broke off its alliance with the Reich and it therefore became equally necessary for Germany to bring Yugoslavia as well as Greece under its control. Reinforcements in the form of men and equipment were brought to the area and on 1 April 1941, I.(J)/LG2 moved to Radomir, in southern Bulgaria, in order to participate in operations. The offensive opened on 6 April, I.(J)/LG 2 operating against Yugoslav airfields around Nisch, and during its first mission, the Gruppe was involved in a great air battle over the airfield at Rezanovacka Kosa in which eight Hawker Furies were claimed destroyed in the air and another five aircraft destroyed on the ground. Later in the day, I.(J)/LG2 flew several more missions of this type, one proving particularly successful when the Gruppe shot down two aircraft and damaged a third. However, Ihlefeld's aircraft - on this occasion he was flying Bf10 E-7 WNr. 2057, 'Yellow 1' - was hit in the engine by ground fire. The Daimler Benz cut out and, with great difficulty, Ihlefeld made an emergency landing. He was soon captured by Serbian soldiers and was held in captivity for a week, during which time he was badly treated, being beaten and several times threatened with execution. He was later freed by a German armoured unit and, with his head bandaged, returned to his unit on the 14th to say goodbye to his men, just before I.(J)/LG2 moved to Bitolj, near the Greek-Yugoslav border.

[2] Ihlefeld then enjoyed a period of leave in order to recover from his injuries but was nevertheless back with his unit in time to participate in 'Operation Merkur', the invasion of Crete, during which he shot down a Hurricane over Maleme on 26 May as his 36th victory.

In Russia

By 22 June 1941, I.(1)/LG 2 had moved to Rumania in order to participate in 'Operation Barbarossa', the invasion of Russia. From the first days of the invasion, Ihlefeld claimed various victories: two SB-2s on the 23rd and three on the 26th. These brought his total to 41 and the next clay he was awarded the Oak Leaves.

I.(J)/LG2 was then temporarily withdrawn from the front in order to protect certain strategic targets in Rumania, during which period Ihlefeld claimed six DB-3 bombers shot down on 3 August 194I.

[3] Rather than note all Ihlefe1d's Abschusse, it is only necessary to mention that by 22 April 1942, on which date he shot down two I-61s and two I-301s, his total number of victories had increased to 101. By this time, I.(J)/LG2 had, on 1 January 1942, been officially redesignated 1./JG77, the Gruppe having operated jointly with  II and III./JG77 since the start of the offensive in the East.

On 24 April 1942, now with more than the 100 victories required for a further decoration, Ihlefeld was awarded the Swords. He remained with I./JG77 for a few weeks, in which time he increased his score to 103, and was then summoned to the Fuhrer's HQ were Hitler personally presented him with his new decoration and promoted him to Major.

Kommodore

On 11 May, in order to prepare him for his future role as a Kommodore, Major Ihlefeld underwent a training course for commanding officers at the headquarters of JG51. He then took command of JG52 on 22 June 1942 but, on orders from Hitler and Goring, was formally forbidden to fly on the grounds that his irreplaceable experience had to be preserved. However, as with other pilots affected by this Order, this ban did not stop Ihiefeld from flying further combat missions although, in order to keep the matter secret, his victories were no longer attributed to him. Ironically, however, on 22 July 1942, he was hurt in a non-combat accident when he crashed in an Fi-156 while taking off from Taganrog. Although the Storch, (CQ+QC W.Nr. 4436) was 75% destroyed, Ihlefeld escaped with only slight injuries.

On 29 October 1942, Ihlefeld left JG52 in order take command of the training unit Jagdschule 3 which, in January 1943, was redesignated JG103. However, this was not to Ihlefeld's liking and, eventually, on 21 July 1943, he left to take command of JG25. This unit, formed in August from Stab/Jagdgruppe Nord, only ever comprised a single Gruppe not even the size of a Staffel and, equipped with Messerschmitt 109s, it specialised in high-altitude operations, particularly against the RAF's Mosquitoes. JG25 was in existence only for some five months, and when it was disbanded in December, Ihlefeld took over the headquarters of the 30.Jagddivision which co-ordinated the activities of JG300, JG301 and JG302, then specialising in night-fighter operations with single-engined aircraft. In this role, Ihlefeld was able to study the different tactics employed to attack the Allied bombers which swept over Germany.

During the first half of 1944, several experienced offices were lost, notably in JG2 where two Kommodore, Oberstleutnant Egon Mayer and Major Kurt Ubben, were killed within two months. Faced with a shortage of experienced officers, the Luftwaffe was obliged to break its own official ban preventing its most successful pilots from flying in combat and placed several of its great aces with front-line units. Consequently, Oberstleutnant Ihlefeld was first posted to the Stab of JG11 where he remained for just eight days until, at the beginning of May 1944, he transferred to the Stab of JG1. Here Ihlefeld quickly proved that not only was he effective against enemy fighters, but also that he was equally accomplished as a 'bomber-killer' and on 8 May, in two missions, he shot down two B-17s, his 111th and 112th victories. At the headquarters of JG1, Ihlefeld was assisting another legendary ace, Oberst Walter Oesau, but any collaboration was short-lived as 'Gull' Oesau was himself shot down and killed on 11 May. Nine days later, Ihlefeld took command of JG1 and remained with this Geschwader until the end of the war.

Following the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944, Ihlefeld settled down with Stab JG1 at St. Quentin where he found himself, once again, charged with forming a high-altitude unit by bringing together the four existing Hohengruppen, III./JG1, I./JG3, I./JG5 and II./JG11, all of which specialised in the role of engaging the bombers' fighter escort. Placed under Ihlefeld's control they often occupied the same airfield. Meanwhile, Ihlefeld continued to add to his score, shooting down three Spitfires on 12 July, a P-51 and a Spitfire on the 14th a P-38 on the 18th a Lancaster and a Spitfire on the 25th and two P-51s on 27 July and 1 August.

After returning to Germany at the end of August to re-equip and gain some new pilots, JG1 then experienced dreadful losses during the Autumn battles over the Reich. On 26 November, Ihlefeld accounted for his 123rd victory, but it was a deadly battle which cost JG1 eleven killed and three wounded, including some very experienced pilots.

By the middle of January 1945, as with many other Jagdgeschwader based in the West, JG1 was sent urgently to the Eastern Front where Soviet forces were advancing on the River Oder. JG1 launched many sorties, principally ground-attack or fighter-bomber escort missions. Paradoxically, this transfer to the East benefited a great number of JG1's pilots as losses in the East were moderate at a time when those in the West were catastrophic. Undoubtedly JG1 again achieved numerous victories, and although few documents from this chaotic period have survived, Ihlefeld obviously gained some further Abschusse as his final official score reached 132 victories. A short training course on the He-162 followed, after which JG1 was ordered back to the West and was based at Leck, in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. The Geschwader was still there in May 1945 when Germany surrendered and JG1's jet-fighters, together with its prestigious Kommodore, were captured by the British.

After 1945

After the war, Herbert Ihlefeld was not able to return to his Berlin home or his native Pomerania due to the Soviet occupation. Instead, he settled in Wennigsen, in the Hanover region, and returned to his life as an engineer. It was in this village that he died on 8 August 1995, after a long illness which, during the last months of his life, confined him to bed. He was laid to rest with full military honors in the presence of former Hptm. Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert, one of the few surviving holders of the Swords. Ihlefeld's final tally totaled nine victories in Spain in 1938 plus 132 more between 1940 and 1945, among which were no fewer than 15 four-engined bombers.
 

[1]. In this context, 'the West' refers to Germany's Western Front. Therefore this was Ihlefeld's first victory on that front and does not include those obtained in Spain. It should be noted, however, that in Paul Martin's book Invisible Victors, there are no MS-406s reported lost on this date.

[2]. This reunion was the subject of a one-page report in the aviation magazine Der Adler. 3. Again it should be noted that this number cannot be confirmed from Russian sources.

Asisbiz Database list of aerial victories for Herbert Ihlefeld

Date	Pilot Name	Unit	Enemy A/C Type	Height	Time	Location
29-May-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Morane 406		20.12	Chauny
30-Jun-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Blenheim		15.25
30-Jun-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		15.30
09-Jul-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		17.04	Thames Estuary
13-Aug-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Blenheim		17.10	Barham
22-Aug-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		15.30	Dover
22-Aug-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		15.35	Dover
24-Aug-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		12.40	Dover
24-Aug-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		16.55	South of London
26-Aug-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		19.25	Biggin Hill
31-Aug-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		14.00	Kenley
02-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		18.20	Sheerness
02-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		14.25	Dungeness
05-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		11.10	South of London
05-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire			South of London
06-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		10.10	South of London
06-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		17.55	Ashford
07-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		18.30	Maidstone
07-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		18.20	Rochester
11-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		10.50	South of London
11-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		17.35	Ashford
15-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	2.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		15.30	South of London
24-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	1.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		10.25	South of London
24-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		10.25
27-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	1.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		10.10	South of London
27-Sep-40	Herbert Ihlefeld	1.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		10.50	South of London
17-Jan-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		15.50
10-Feb-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I.(Jagd)/LG2	Spitfire		13.24
14-Feb-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		13.40
14-Feb-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		13.48
26-Feb-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		14.15
26-Feb-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		14.30
01-Mar-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		17.15
13-Mar-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /LG2	Spitfire		15.45
19-Mar-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /LG2	Spitfire		19.10
19-Mar-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /LG2	Spitfire		19.08
25-Mar-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Spitfire		12.30
26-Mar-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I.(J)LG2	Spitfire		12.30	Dungeness
16-May-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Hurricane		16.50	MTO Crete Campaign
26-May-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	Hurricane
22-Jun-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		04.30
23-Jun-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	SB-2		05.50
26-Jun-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		09.10
26-Jun-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	SB-2		09.20
27-Jun-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		09.20
02-Jul-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		16.07
04-Jul-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		17.48
06-Jul-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		18.50
09-Jul-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-153		09.35
10-Jul-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	P-40 Warhawk		13.17
12-Jul-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	MiG-3		11.20
15-Oct-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	MiG-3		17.42
08-Dec-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-116		14.02
09-Dec-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		13.00
11-Dec-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	SB-3		10.15
11-Dec-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-116		10.12
22-Dec-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-15 Rata		13.25
22-Dec-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	MiG-3		10.05
27-Dec-41	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		14.00
05-Jan-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./LG2	I-16 Rata		15.00
19-Jan-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		15.15
20-Jan-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	-
20-Jan-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	-
24-Jan-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	SB-3		12.12
24-Jan-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		12.10
25-Jan-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		12.35
04-Feb-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	SB-2		12.50
04-Feb-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		15.50
11-Feb-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		14.00
17-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-26		09.00
20-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-15		16.25
20-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-26		16.50
21-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		17.10
21-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		17.09
24-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	Il-2 Sturmovik		20.50
24-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		13.40
24-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		13.38
24-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		07.02
24-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-16 Rata		07.00
27-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301		17.05
30-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		11.42
30-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		11.55
30-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		11.48
30-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-5		11.40
30-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301		09.45
30-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301		09.45
30-Mar-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-10		1150
06-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	R-5		15.10
08-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61
19-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301		09.11
19-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		15.20
19-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301		11.45
19-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		11.45
20-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		08.10
20-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		14.57
20-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		14.56
20-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		14.55
20-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		08.12
20-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		08.11
21-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		17.13
21-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61		17.10
22-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301		17.30
22-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301		12.35
22-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301
22-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-301
23-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	LaGG-3
25-Apr-42	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab I./JG77	I-61
13-Nov-43	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JGr.25	P-38 Lightning	5000m	11.58	South of Quakenbruck
08-May-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	B-17 Fortress		12.00	ET-2 (bei Verden)
08-May-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	B-17 Fortress		09.56	ET-1 (bei Thedinghausen)
12-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	Spitfire	5000m	19.05	15 West S/TT-8 (Bayeux)
12-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	Spitfire	5000m	19.04	15 West S/TT-9 (Carpiquet)
12-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	Spitfire	5500m	19.03	15 West S/TT-9 (Carpiquet)
14-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	Spitfire	1000m	19.19	UU-1 (South Caen)
14-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	P-51 Mustang	1200m	19.17	UU-1 (South Caen)
18-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	P-38 Lightning	Low Level	09.55	UC-15 (Louviers)
25-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	Lancaster	3200m	19.23	TC-3 (20km ENE Rouen)
25-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	Spitfire	3000m	19.30	TC-3 (20km ENE Rouen)
27-Jul-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	P-51 Mustang	1500m	07.27	UU-AU (Caen-Lisieux)
01-Aug-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	P-51 Mustang
26-Nov-44	Herbert Ihlefeld	Stab /JG1	B-17 Fortress

Luftwaffe pilot Ludwig Lenz

Units: Stab I(J)/LG-2 (Channel)

Awards: EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft: Bf 109 E-7 WNr 3734 '<+' (lost 15^th October 1940)

Remarks: KIA 15^th October 1940; while flying a Fighter bomber mission, a single fighters bullet hit the bomb slung underneath and exploded, spreading the wreckage over a 3 mile area at Spruce Lawn, Elham, Kent. Buried Hawkinge Cem., Kent, German Plot 'O', Row 2 Gr 2 (M.Croft). One reported victory found on 12 O'clock High Forum Board, a Hurricane over England on 10 July, 1940. Item questioned this being the first Battle of Britain victory. His 2nd, a Spitfire in the area of the Isle of Wight on 18 August, 1940. His 3rd, a Spitfire in the Dover area on 24 August, 1940.

Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz database list of 3 aerial victories for Ludwig Lenz

Date	Pilot Name	Unit	Enemy A/C Type	Height	Time	Location
10-Jul-40	Ludwig Lenz	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Hurricane		15.05	Thames Estuary
18-Aug-40	Ludwig Lenz	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		18.50
24-Aug-40	Ludwig Lenz	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Spitfire		16.40

Luftwaffe pilot Hanns Trübenbach

Units: Kdr I(J)/LG-2 (9/39-8/40 Calais-Marck), Kdr JG-52, Kdr JG-104, 'Jafu Mittelrhein'

Awards: EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft: Bf 109E WNr 5065, Bf 109F-4 WNr 7090 (or 7079) 'Black <<-+-' (10/41 Tiraspol, S.U.)

Remarks: One known victory, his 1st, a Hawk-75A southwest of Peronne, 26 May, 1940. His 2nd, a Morane 406 at Chauny on 29 May, 1940. His 3rd, a Battle at Aumale, 8 June, 1940. His 4th a Spitfire W of Dover on 14 February, 1941. Channel pilot. Flugbuch (9/39 to 4/41). Magnus, 9 victories. Deceased 9 June, 2002.

Luftwaffe pilot Asisbiz Database of 4 aerial victories for Hanns Trübenbach

Date	Pilot Name	Unit	Enemy A/C Type	Height	Time	Location
26-May-40	Hanns Trübenbach	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Hawk-75A		14:20	SW Peronne
29-May-40	Hanns Trübenbach	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Morane 406		20:12	Chauny
08-Jun-40	Hanns Trübenbach	Stab I.(J)/LG2	Fairey Battle		16:16	Aumale
14-Feb-41	Hanns Trübenbach	StabJG52	Spitfire		13:20	Maidstone

    Bibliography: +

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• Beaman, John R. Jr. Messerschmitt Bf 109 in action, Part 2. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1983. ISBN 0-89747-138-5.
• Boyne, Walter J. Clash of Wings. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. ISBN 0-684-83915-6.
• Bergström, Christer. Barbarossa – The Air Battle: July–December 1941. London: Chevron/Ian Allan, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-270-2.
• Bergström, Christer and Martin Pegg. Jagdwaffe:The War in Russia, January–October 1942. Luftwaffe Colours, Volume 3 Section 4. London: Classic Colours Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-903223-23-7.
• Burke, Stephen. Without Wings: The Story of Hitler's Aircraft Carrier. Oxford, UK: Trafford Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1-4251-2216-7.
• Caidin, Martin. Me 109 – Willy Messerschmitt's Peerless Fighter (Ballantine's illustrated history of World War II. Weapons book no. 4). New York: Ballantine Books, USA, 1968. ISBN 0-345-01691-2.
• Caldwell, Donald L. JG 26: Top Guns of the Luftwaffe. New York: Ballantine Books, 1991. ISBN 0-8041-1050-6.
• Craig, James F. The Messerschmitt Bf.109. New York: Arco Publishing Company, 1968.
• Cross, Roy and Gerald Scarborough. Messerschmitt Bf 109, Versions B-E. London: Patrick Stevens, 1976. ISBN 0-85059-106-6.
• Dimensione Cielo: Caccia Assalto 3, Aerei Italiani nella 2a Guerra Mondiale (in Italian). Roma: Edizioni Bizzarri, 1972.
• Ebert, Hans A., Johann B. Kaiser and Klaus Peters. Willy Messerschmitt: Pioneer of Aviation (The History of German Aviation Design). Atglen, PA: Schiffer Books, 2000. ISBN 0-7643-0727-4.
• Feist, Uwe. The Fighting Me 109. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1993, ISBN 1-85409-209-X.
• Fernández-Sommerau, Marco. Messerschmitt Bf 109 Recognition Manual. Hersham, Surrey, UK: Classic Publications, 2004. ISBN 1-903223-27-X.
• Glancey, Jonathan. Spitfire: The Illustrated Biography. London: Atlantic Books, 2006. ISBN 978-1-84354-528-6.
• Green, William. Messerschmitt Bf 109: The Augsburg Eagle; A Documentary History. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishing Group Ltd., 1980. ISBN 0-7106-0005-4.
• Griehl, Manfred. Das geheime Typenbuch der deutschen Luftwaffe: Geheime Kommandosache 8531/44 gKdos. Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas Verlag, 2004. ISBN 978-3-7909-0775-9.
• Griehl, Manfred.Flugzeug Profile. No. 5 – Messerschmitt Bf 109G/K.Rheinfelden, Germany: BPV Medien Vertrieb GmbH & Co KG, 1987.
• Hitchcock, Thomas H. Messerschmitt 'O-Nine' Gallery. Chicago: Monogram Aviation Publications, 1973. ISBN 978-0-914144-00-7.
• Hitchcock, Thomas H. Monogram Close-Up Number 9:Bf 109F.Sturbridge, Mass: Monogram Aviation Publications, 1990. ISBN 0-914144-20-0
• Hooton, Edward R. Blitzkrieg in the West, 1939 -1940 (Luftwaffe at War: 2). Hersham, Surrey, UK: Midland Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-272-6.
• Kobel, Franz and Jakob Maria Mathmann. Bf 109. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1997. ISBN 0-88740-919-9.
• Mankau, Heinz and Peter Petrick. Messerschmitt Bf 110, Me 210, Me 410. Raumfahrt, Germany: Aviatic Verlag, 2001. ISBN 3-925505-62-8.
• Marshall, Francis L. Messerschmitt Bf 109T "Die Jäger der Graf Zeppelin". Gilching, Germany: Marshall-Verlag, 2002. ISBN 3-00-008220-4.
• Marshall, Francis L. Sea Eagles – The Messerschmitt Bf 109T. Walton on Thames, Surrey, UK: Air Research Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-871187-23-0.
• Mason, Francis K. Messerschmitt Bf 109B, C, D, E in Luftwaffe & Foreign service. London, UK: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1973. ISBN 0-85045-152-3.
• Massimello, Giovanni and Giorgio Apostolo. Italian Aces of World War Two. Oxford/New York, Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-84176-078-0.
• Mermet, Jean-Claude. Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-1 through K-4. Engines and Fittings. Marnaz, France: Jean Claude Mermet SA, 1999.
• Messerschmitt AG. Messerschmitt Bf 109G; technisch Kompendium, Handbücher, Ersatztelliste, Bewaffnung Bedienungsvorschrift/Fl, Bordfunkanlage, Lehrbildreihe; 1942/1944. [Elektronische Resource] (Reprint) Ludwigsburg, Germany: Luftfahrt-Archiv, 2006. ISBN 3-939847-13-5.
• Messerschmitt AG. Messerschmitt Bf 109K; technisch Kompendium, Handbüch, Ersatztelliste, Rep.-Answeisung, Bewaffnung Bedienungsvorschrift; 1943–1944. [Elektronische Resource] (Reprint). Ludwigsburg, Germany: Luftfahrt-Archiv, 2006. ISBN 3-939847-14-3.
• Morgan, Eric B and Edward Shacklady. Spitfire: The History. Stamford: Key Books Ltd, 2000. ISBN 0-946219-48-6.
• Neulen, Hans Werner. In the Skies of Europe. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-799-1.
• Nowarra, Heinz. Die Deutsche Luftrustung 1933–1945, Band 3: Flugzeugtypen Henschel – Messerschmitt. Koblenz, Germany: Bernard & Graefe, 1993. ISBN 3-7637-5467-9.
• Osché, Philippe (translated by Patrick Laureau). The Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Swiss Service. Boulogne sur Mer, France: Lela Presse, 1996. ISBN 2-914017-31-6.
• Poruba, T and A Janda. Messerschmitt Bf 109K. Hradec Králové, Czech Republic: JaPo, 1997.
• Prien, Jochen and Peter Rodeike. Messerschmitt Bf 109 F, G & K Series – An Illustrated Study. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1995. ISBN 0-88740-424-3.
• Price, Alfred. Spitfire Mk. I/II Aces (Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces). London: Osprey, 1996. ISBN 84-8372-207-0.
• Punka, György. "A Messzer": Bf 109s in the Royal Hungarian "Honvéd" Air Force. Budapest, Hungary: OMIKK, 1995. ISBN 963-593-208-1.
• Radinger, Willy and Walter Schick. Messerschmitt Me 109 (Alle Varianten: vion Bf (Me) 109A bis Me 109E). Oberhaching, Germany: Aviatic Verlag GmbH, 1997. ISBN 3-925505-32-6.
• Radinger, Willy and Wolfgang Otto. Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-K – Development, testing, production. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1999. ISBN 0-7643-1023-2.
• Rimmell, Ray. ME 109: Messerschmitt Bf 109E. Chipping Ongar, Essex, UK: Linewrights Ltd., 1986. ISBN 0-946958-18-1.
• Ritger, Lynn. Meserschmitt Bf 109 Prototype to 'E' Variants. Bedford, UK: SAM Publications, 2006. ISBN 978-0-9551858-0-9.
• Savic, D. and B. Ciglic. Croatian Aces of World War II (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 49). Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-435-3.
• Scutts, Jerry. Bf 109 Aces of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 1994. ISBN 1-85532-448-2, ISBN 978-1-85532-448-0.
• Shores, C., B. Cull and N. Malizia. Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece & Crete – 1940–41. London: Grub Street, 1987. ISBN 0-948817-07-0.
• Starr, Chris. "Developing Power: Daimler-Benz and the Messerschmitt Bf 109." Aeroplane magazine, Volume 33, No. 5, Issue No 385, May 2005. London: IPC Media Ltd.
• Stenman, Kari and Kalevi Keskinen. Finnish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 23). London: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1998. ISBN 1-85532-783-X.
• Taylor, John W.R. "Messerschmitt Bf 109." Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.
• U.S. Army Air Force. German Aircraft and Armament: Informational Intelligence, Summary No. 44-32, October 1944 (Informational Intelligence Summary). New York: Brassey's Inc., 2000 (first edition 1944). ISBN 1-57488-291-0.
• Valtonen, Hannu. Messerschmitt Bf 109 ja saksan sotatalous (Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the German war economy). Helsinki, Finland: Keski-Suomen Ilmailumuseo (Central Finnish Aviation Museum), 1999. ISBN 978-951-95688-7-4.
• Vogt, Harald. Messerschmitt Bf 109 G/K Rüstsatze. Flugzeug Profile 21. Illertissen, Flugzeug Publikations GmbH.
• Wagner, Ray and Heinz Nowarra. German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945. New York: Doubleday, 1971.
• Weal, John. Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front. Oxford: Osprey, 2001. ISBN 978-1-84176-084-1.
• Weal, John. BF 109D/E Aces 1939–41. Oxford: Osprey, 1996. ISBN 978-1-85532-487-9.
• Weal, John. Bf 109F/G/K Aces of the Western Front. Oxford: Osprey, 2000. ISBN 978-1-85532-905-8.
• Winchester, Jim. "Messerschmitt Bf 109." Aircraft of World War II: The Aviation Factfile. Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-639-1.

    Messerschmitt Bf 109 operational history Bibliography: +

• Beale, Nick, Ferdinando D'Amico and Gabriele Valentini. Air War Italy: Axis Air Forces from Liberation of Rome to the Surrender. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife, 1996. ISBN 1-85310-252-0.
• Bergström, Christer. Barbarossa – The Air Battle: July–December 1941. London: Chevron/Ian Allan, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-270-2.
• Bergström, Christer and Martin Pegg. Jagdwaffe:The War in Russia, January–October 1942. Luftwaffe Colours, Volume 3 Section 4. London: Classic Colours Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-903223-23-7.
• Feist, Uwe. The Fighting Me 109. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1993. ISBN 1-85409-209-X.
• Green, William. Messerschmitt Bf 109: The Augsburg Eagle; A Documentary History. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishing Group Ltd., 1980. ISBN 0-7106-0005-4.
• Hooton, Edward R. Blitzkrieg in the West, 1939 -1940 (Luftwaffe at War: 2). Hersham, Surrey, UK: Midland Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-272-6.
• Jackson, Robert. Aircraft of World War II: Development – Weaponry – Specifications. Enderby, Leicester, UK, Amber Books, 2003. ISBN 1-85605-751-8.
• Mankau, Heinz and Peter Petrick. Messerschmitt Bf 110, Me 210, Me 410. Raumfahrt, Germany: Aviatic Verlag, 2001. ISBN 3-925505-62-8.
• Mason, Francis K. Messerschmitt Bf 109B, C, D, E in Luftwaffe & Foreign service. London, UK: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1973. ISBN 0-85045-152-3.
• Massimello, Giovanni and Giorgio Apostolo. Italian Aces of World War Two. Oxford/New York, Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-84176-078-0.
• Morgan, Eric B. and Edward Shacklady. Spitfire: The History. Stamford, UK: Key Books Ltd, 2000. ISBN 0-946219-48-6.
• Neulen, Hans Werner. In the skies of Europe – Air Forces allied to the Luftwaffe 1939–1945. Ramsbury, Marlborough, THE CROWOOD PRESS, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-799-1
• Price, Alfred. Spitfire Mark I/II Aces 1939–41 (Aircraft of the Aces 12). London: Osprey Books, 1996, ISBN 1-85532-627-2.
• Punka, György. "A Messzer": Bf 109s in the Royal Hungarian "Honvéd" Air Force. Budapest, Hungary: OMIKK, 1995. ISBN 963-593-208-1.
• Savic, D. and B. Ciglic. Croatian Aces of World War II (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 49). Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-435-3.
• Stenman, Kari and Kalevi Keskinen. Finnish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 23). London: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1998. ISBN 1-85532-783-X.

    Some of the most widely used Book References:

• Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase One: July-August 1940 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 1) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Eddie J Creek (Author)
• Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase Two: August-September 1940 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 2) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Martin Pegg (Author)
• Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase Three: September-October 1940 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 3) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Martin Pegg (Author)
• Jagdwaffe: Battle of Britain: Phase Four: November 1940-June 1941 (Luftwaffe Colours: Volume Two, Section 4) Paperback Eric Mombeek (Author), David Wadman (Author), Martin Pegg (Author)

    Magazines: +

• Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
• Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
• EDUARD - https://www.eduard.com/
• EDUARD - Are in my opinion are what modelers are looking for loads of pictures and diagrams and have become a leading historical information source. *****
• FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
• Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
• Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
• Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
• Luftwaffe IM Focus (German) - https://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/
• Embleme der Luftwaffe Band-1 (German) - https://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/
• Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
• Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
• Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
• model airplane international magazine - https://adhpublishing.com/shop/store/magazine-backissues/model-airplane-international-backissues/
• Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

• eBay - https://picclick.de/ or https://www.ebay.com
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com
• Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109
• Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#cite_ref-100
• Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_operational_history
• Flickr.com - https://www.flickr.com/photos/farinihouseoflove/2209839419/in/photostream