Hubert Strassl
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Hubert Straßl | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 May 1918 |
| Died | 8 July 1943 (aged 25) |
| Allegiance | File:Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg Nazi Germany |
| Branch | File:Balkenkreuz.svg Luftwaffe |
| Service years | 1939–1943 |
| Rank | Oberfeldwebel (staff sergeant) |
| Unit | JG 51 |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
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Hubert Straßl[Note 1] (24 May 1918 – 8 July 1943) was an Austrian-born German fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe and fought during World War II. He was credited with 67 aerial victories—that is, 67 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in 221 combat missions. He was "ace-in-a-day" four times, shooting down five or more aircraft on a single day. On 8 July 1943, during the Battle of Kursk, Straßl was killed in aerial combat with Soviet fighters near Ponyri.
Career
[edit | edit source]Straßl was born on 24 May 1918 at Linz, Austria. Following completion of flight and fighter pilot training,[Note 2] he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) in late 1941.[2]
On 5 July 1943, he became a triple-ace in a day when he shot down 15 enemy aircraft in four missions south of Orel in Russia during the Battle of Kursk. Over the course of the three days, Straßl shot down 30 enemy aircraft.[3] He was forced to bail out of his Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-4 (Werknummer 2351—factory number) following combat with a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 south of Ponyri on 8 July.[4] His parachute failed to fully deploy and he fell to his death.[5][6] On 12 November 1943, Straßl was awarded a posthumous Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes).[7][8]
Summary of career
[edit | edit source]Aerial victory claims
[edit | edit source]According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Straßl was credited with 67 aerial victories.[9] Spick also lists Straßl with 67 enemy aircraft shot down, claimed in 221 combat missions, all of which on the Eastern Front.[10] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 67 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[11]
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 47722". 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 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[12]
| Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Strassl an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
| |||||||||
| Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location |
| – 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –[13] Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943 | |||||||||
| 1 | 6 July 1942 | 06:35 | Pe-2[14] | 8 | 19 August 1942 | 18:37 | Pe-2 | PQ 47722[15] 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Rzhev | |
| 2 | 4 August 1942 | 12:25 | Il-2 | PQ 37832[16] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Bely |
9 | 19 August 1942 | 18:40 | Pe-2 | PQ 47762[15] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Zubtsov |
| 3 | 4 August 1942 | 17:07 | Pe-2[16] | 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Bely | 10 | 19 August 1942 | 18:41 | Pe-2 | PQ 47762[15] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Zubtsov |
| 4 | 5 August 1942 | 11:58 | LaGG-3 | PQ 57782[16] 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Zubtsov |
11 | 26 August 1942 | 06:10 | LaGG-3 | PQ 47824[15] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Zubtsov |
| 5 | 12 August 1942 | 09:45 | Pe-2 | PQ 47561[15] 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Rzhev |
12 | 2 September 1942 | 08:50 | Il-2 | east-northeast of Sychyovka[15] |
| 6 | 13 August 1942 | 09:40 | Pe-2 | PQ 47562[15] 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Rzhev |
13 | 26 November 1942 | 12:27 | Il-2 | PQ 46132[17] 20 km (12 mi) north of Konaja |
| 7 | 19 August 1942 | 18:35 | Pe-2 | PQ 47583[15] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Rzhev |
|||||
| – 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –[18] Eastern Front — 4 February – June 1943 | |||||||||
| 14 | 30 May 1943 | 16:15 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 64183[19] 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Belyov |
17 | 2 June 1943 | 04:02 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63883[20] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Zolotukhino |
| 15 | 1 June 1943 | 16:40 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ot 63854[19] 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Zolotukhino |
18 | 2 June 1943 | 04:10 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63782[20] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Zolotukhino |
| 16 | 1 June 1943 | 16:42 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63851[19] 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Zolotukhino |
19 | 2 June 1943 | 07:35 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 62133[20] 25 km (16 mi) north-northeast of Kursk |
| – 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –[21] Eastern Front — June – 8 July 1943 | |||||||||
| 20 | 6 June 1943 | 14:55 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63884[20] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Zolotukhino |
44♠ | 5 July 1943 | 10:36 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63544[22] 10 km (6.2 mi) south-southeast of Trosna |
| 21 | 6 June 1943 | 14:58 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63842[20] 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Zolotukhino |
45♠ | 5 July 1943 | 10:42 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 63542[22] 10 km (6.2 mi) south-southeast of Trosna |
| 22♠ | 8 June 1943 | 10:47 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] | PQ 35 Ost 63573[20] 20 km (12 mi) south-southeast of Trosna |
46♠ | 5 July 1943 | 10:46 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63551[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 23♠ | 8 June 1943 | 10:50 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] | PQ 35 Ost 63721[20] 20 km (12 mi) west of Zolotukhino |
47♠ | 5 July 1943 | 10:49 | Boston | PQ 35 Ost 63564[22] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 24♠ | 8 June 1943 | 10:51 | Yak-1 | PQ 35 Ost 63722[20] 20 km (12 mi) west of Zolotukhino |
48♠ | 5 July 1943 | 10:51 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63532[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 25♠ | 8 June 1943 | 19:04 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64722[20] 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Telchje |
49♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:24 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] | PQ 35 Ost 63562[22] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 26♠ | 8 June 1943 | 19:06 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 64751[20] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Oryol |
50♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:27 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] | PQ 35 Ost 63621[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 27♠ | 8 June 1943 | 19:17 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63171[20] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Zmiyovka |
51♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:31 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] | PQ 35 Ost 63551[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 28 | 11 June 1943 | 10:58 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64352[20] 20 km (12 mi) south-southeast of Belyov |
52♠ | 5 July 1943 | 18:33 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] | PQ 35 Ost 63522[22] 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 29 | 11 June 1943 | 11:05 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64354[20] 20 km (12 mi) south-southeast of Belyov |
53 | 6 July 1943 | 12:34 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63654[23] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 30 | 11 June 1943 | 11:11 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64382[20] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Bolkhov |
54 | 6 July 1943 | 12:37 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63652[23] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 31 | 14 June 1943 | 08:12 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64383[20] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Bolkhov |
55 | 6 July 1943 | 12:40 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63653[23] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 32 | 20 June 1943 | 18:12 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 64643[20] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Mtsensk |
56 | 6 July 1943 | 19:35 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63582[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 33 | 28 June 1943 | 07:06 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 635571[20] 20 km (12 mi) south-southeast of Trosna |
57♠ | 7 July 1943 | 04:20 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63751[23] 20 km (12 mi) west-southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 34 | 28 June 1943 | 07:08 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63581[20] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
58♠ | 7 July 1943 | 04:25 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 63527[23] 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 35 | 28 June 1943 | 07:15 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63592[20] 15 km (9.3 mi) south-southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
59♠ | 7 July 1943 | 09:10 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63561[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 36 | 30 June 1943 | 06:25 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 54121[20] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Sukhinichi |
60♠ | 7 July 1943 | 09:24 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63583[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 37 | 3 July 1943 | 17:38 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 64521[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Telchje |
61♠ | 7 July 1943 | 09:26 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63573[23] 20 km (12 mi) south-southeast of Trosna |
| 38♠ | 5 July 1943 | 03:48 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63651[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
62♠ | 7 July 1943 | 18:36 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63714[23] vicinity of Zalegoshch |
| 39♠ | 5 July 1943 | 03:50 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63631[22] 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
63♠ | 8 July 1943 | 12:20 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63387[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 40♠ | 5 July 1943 | 07:18 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63651[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
64♠ | 8 July 1943 | 12:25?[Note 4] | Boston | PQ 35 Ost 63675[23] |
| 41♠ | 5 July 1943 | 07:25 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63613[22] 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
65♠ | 8 July 1943 | 17:35 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63584[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 42♠ | 5 July 1943 | 07:28 | MiG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 63652[22] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk |
66♠ | 8 July 1943 | 17:50 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63582[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
| 43♠ | 5 July 1943 | 10:34 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63543[22] 10 km (6.2 mi) south-southeast of Trosna |
67♠ | 8 July 1943 | 17:51 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 63582[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Maloarkhangelsk |
Awards
[edit | edit source]- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class[25]
- Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (22 July 1943)[2]
- German Cross in Gold on 16 August 1943 as Feldwebel in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 51[26]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 November 1943 (posthumously) as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[27][28]
Notes
[edit | edit source]- ^ His name, in German, is spelled with a "sharp S"; see ß.
- ^ 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.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:25.[24]
References
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
- ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 211.
- ^ Harvey 2011, p. 153.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 75.
- ^ Stühring 2014, p. 235.
- ^ Page 2020, p. 19.
- ^ Weal 2006, pp. 93, 105.
- ^ Aders & Held 1993, p. 244.
- ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1617.
- ^ Spick 1996, p. 237.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1280–1282.
- ^ Planquadrat.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1280–1281.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 330.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2006, p. 332.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 331.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 333.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1281.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 61.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Prien et al. 2012, p. 62.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1281–1282.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Prien et al. 2012, p. 63.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Prien et al. 2012, p. 64.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1282.
- ^ Dixon 2023, p. 46.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 463.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 414.
- ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 729.
Bibliography
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External links
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