Herbert Bachnick | |
---|---|
Born | Mannheim, Germany | 9 February 1920
Died | 7 August 1944 Myslowitz. Oberschlesien, Germany | (aged 24)
Cause of death | Killed in action |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ | Luftwaffe |
Rank | Leutnant (second lieutenant) |
Unit | JG 52, JGr Ost |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Herbert Bachnick (9 February 1920 – 7 August 1944) was a World War II flying ace in the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) credited with 80 aerial victories—that is, 80 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft, all but one over the Eastern Front. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Bachnick was born on 9 February 1920 in Mannheim in the Republic of Baden. Following flight training,[Note 1] he was posted to 9. Staffel (9th squadron), also known as the Karaya-Staffel, of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52–52nd Fighter Wing) on 5 December 1942 serving on the Eastern Front.[2] At the time, 9. Staffel was commanded by Hauptmann Ernst Ehrenberg and was subordinated to III. Gruppe (3rd group) of JG 52 headed by Major Hubertus von Bonin.[3]
In preparation for Operation Citadel and the Battle of Kursk, III. Gruppe moved to the airfield Bessonovka at Ugrim, located south of Kursk, on 3 July. Here, Bachnick claimed his first three aerial victories on 5 July 1943 when he shot down a Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber, an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and a Lavochkin La-5 fighter.[4] Following these events, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse) and promoted to Feldwebel (sergeant).[5] On 2 August, III. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Warwarowka, located south of Belgorod, where they stayed for three days. There, Bachnik claimed an Il-2 ground-attack aircraft and a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighter shot down on 4 August.[6]
By end-August, he had claimed 14 victories. By late September his victory total was 31, and by the end of 1943 had 47 victories credited. Bachnick received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 13 December 1943.[7] On 7 January 1944 he claimed five Il-2 Sturmovik aircraft shot down. He claimed 27 victories in March.
On 7 January 1944, Bachnick became an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time when shot down five Soviet aircraft.[8] On 21 March, he was credited with III. Gruppe's 3,500th aerial victory.[9] In April, Unteroffizier Bachnick was transferred to 2. Staffel of Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost as an instructor. He was promoted to Leutnant in May. Bachnick was wounded in combat with United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) bombers and fighters on 7 July force landing his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 near Moran. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 27 July for 78 aerial victories.[10][11]
Bachnick returned to 9. Staffel of JG 52 following three months as an instructor. On 7 August 1944, he engaged a USAAF formation and shot down a North American P-51 Mustang. However, his Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 166065—factory number) "Yellow 4" was damaged in the encounter. Bachnick attempted a forced landing near Myslowitz but crashed into a railroad embarkment, killing him.[12][13][14]
According to Spick, Bachnick was credited with 80 aerial victories, including one four-engined bomber, claimed in 373 combat missions.[15] Obermaier lists Bachnick with 80 aerial victories, 79 of which on the Eastern Front, claimed in 373 combat mission.[2] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 78 aerial victory claims, plus one further unconfirmed claim, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[8]
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 62773". 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.[16]
Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Bachnik 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 – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Bachnik did not receive credit.
This and the ? (exclamation mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Balke, Bock, Mathews, and Foreman.
| |||||||||
Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location |
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[10] Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943 | |||||||||
1 | 5 July 1943 | 12:51 | Pe-2 | PQ 35 Ost 62773[17] vicinity of 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Oboyan |
24 | 18 September 1943 | 15:29 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 68572[18] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Pavlohrad |
2 | 5 July 1943 | 16:42 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 35 Ost 61631[17] 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Vovchansk |
25 | 19 September 1943 | 10:15 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 59634[18] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pavlohrad |
3 | 5 July 1943 | 18:58 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 61661, 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Vovchansk[17] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Vovchansk |
26 | 19 September 1943 | 15:28 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 59612[18] 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Pavlohrad |
4 | 4 August 1943 | 09:46 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 35 Ost 61161[19] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Prokhorovka |
27 | 20 September 1943 | 13:35 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 59471[18] 20 km (12 mi) west of Pavlohrad |
5 | 4 August 1943 | 13:49 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61354[20] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Tomarovka |
28 | 20 September 1943 | 15:40 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 58824[18] vicinity of Bolschoj Tomak |
6 | 5 August 1943 | 08:35 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 61194[20] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Krasny Liman |
29 | 23 September 1943 | 14:10 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 58194[18] 20 km (12 mi) east of Zaporizhzhia |
7 | 17 August 1943 | 05:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 70733[21] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Izium |
30 | 23 September 1943 | 14:15 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 58192[18] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Zaporizhzhia |
8 | 19 August 1943 | 13:38 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88283, southwest of Kuibyschewo[21] 1 km (0.62 mi) south of Jalisawehino |
31 | 27 November 1943 | 09:07 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 49791[22] 55 km (34 mi) north of Nikopol |
9 | 20 August 1943 | 06:13 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88252, Marinowka[21] 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Kuteinikovo |
32 | 27 November 1943 | 14:23 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 48761, Pawlowka[22] 40 km (25 mi) west-southwest of Bilozirka |
10 | 20 August 1943 | 10:18 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88263[23] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Marinowka |
33 | 27 November 1943 | 14:26 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 48732[22] 35 km (22 mi) south of Nikopol |
11 | 21 August 1943 | 07:18 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88282, west of Kuibyschewo[23] 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Jalisawehino |
34 | 27 November 1943 | 14:36 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 48723[22] 40 km (25 mi) south-southwest of Nikopol |
12 | 21 August 1943 | 07:24 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88291, west of Kuibyschewo[23] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Jalisawehino |
35 | 28 November 1943 | 12:05 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 49841[22] 40 km (25 mi) south-southwest of Werchnedjeprowak |
13 | 21 August 1943 | 11:50 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88432[23] 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast of Marienkeim |
36 | 28 November 1943 | 13:45 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 48481[22] 25 km (16 mi) east of Nikopol |
14 | 22 August 1943 | 16:21 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88284[23] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Jalisawehino |
37 | 28 November 1943 | 13:49 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 48671[22] 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Nikopol |
15 | 22 August 1943 | 16:25 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 88431[23] vicinity of Marienkeim |
38 | 28 November 1943 | 13:53 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 48622[22] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Nikopol |
16 | 24 August 1943 | 17:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 88332[23] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Kuteinikovo |
39 | 7 December 1943 | 14:10 | LaGG-3 | north of Golovkovka[22] |
17 | 24 August 1943 | 17:59 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 88414[23] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Jalisawehino |
40 | 13 December 1943 | 12:28 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | northwest of Varvarovka[22] |
18 | 11 September 1943 | 11:04 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 60691[18] 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Grishino |
41 | 17 December 1943 | 14:16 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 29651[24] 20 km (12 mi) south of Nowa Praha |
19 | 14 September 1943 | 10:25?[Note 3] | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 69652[18] 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Grishino |
42 | 17 December 1943 | 14:19 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 29691[24] 30 km (19 mi) south-southeast of Nowa Praha |
20 | 14 September 1943 | 17:05 | Yak-9?[Note 4] | PQ 34 Ost 69494[18] vicinity of Pavlohrad |
43 | 19 December 1943 | 12:09 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 48691[24] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Beloserka |
21 | 15 September 1943 | 11:58 | La-5 | PQ 34 Ost 68624[18] 35 km (22 mi) east-southeast of Polohy |
44 | 19 December 1943 | 12:16 | Il-2 | PQ 34 Ost 48663[24] 20 km (12 mi) north of Beloserka |
22 | 18 September 1943 | 15:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 34 Ost 68814[18] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Pavlohrad |
45 | 20 December 1943 | 08:56 | Il-2 | south of Bolshaya Belozerka[24] |
23 | 18 September 1943 | 15:24 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 59682[18] 25 km (16 mi) south-southwest of Pavlohrad |
46 | 25 December 1943 | 11:12 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | north of Kamenka[24] |
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 –[8] Eastern Front — 1 January – 7 August 1944 | |||||||||
47♠ | 7 January 1944 | 11:22 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 29823[25][26] 40 km (25 mi) south of Nowa Praha |
64♠ | 13 March 1944 | 16:19 | Il-2 m.H.?[Note 2][Note 5] | PQ 25 Ost 60663[29][27] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Balakliia |
48♠ | 7 January 1944 | 11:25 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 29822[25][26] 40 km (25 mi) south of Nowa Praha |
65♠ | 13 March 1944 | 16:26 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 25 Ost 60063[29][27] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Balakliia |
49♠ | 7 January 1944 | 11:28 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 29684[25][26] 25 km (16 mi) south of Nowa Praha |
66♠ | 13 March 1944 | 16:29 | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 60481[29][27] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Andreyevka |
50♠ | 7 January 1944 | 11:45 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 19623[25] PQ 19632[26] 25 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Kirovograd |
67 | 14 March 1944 | 06:14 | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 70543[29][27] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Balakliia |
51♠ | 7 January 1944 | 11:49 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 29373[25][26] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Kirovograd |
68 | 14 March 1944 | 16:29?[Note 6] | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 70512[29][27] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Balakliia |
52 | 8 January 1944 | 14:05 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 29392[25][26] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Kirovograd |
69 | 15 March 1944 | 06:48?[Note 7] | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 70511[29][27] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Balakliia |
53 | 9 January 1944 | 14:05 | Il-2 m.H.[Note 2] | PQ 34 Ost 29511[25][26] vicinity of Kirovograd |
70 | 17 March 1944 | 10:20 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 60621[29][27] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Andreyevka |
54 | 23 January 1944 | 13:27 | LaGG | PQ 34 Ost 19292[25][26] 25 km (16 mi) south-southwest of Alekandrovka |
71♠ | 19 March 1944 | 07:06 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 70523,[27] east of Parchamowszy[29] 20 km (12 mi) east of Balakliia |
55 | 30 January 1944 | 14:27 | LaGG | PQ 34 Ost 19253[25][26] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Signajewka |
72♠ | 19 March 1944 | 07:08 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 70611[29][27] 35 km (22 mi) north-northeast of Izium |
56 | 26 February 1944 | 14:36 | P-39 | PQ 34 Ost 29562[29][27] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Kirovograd |
73♠ | 19 March 1944 | 07:11 | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 70642[29][27] 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Izium |
57 | 7 March 1944 | 10:20 | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 70321[29][27] vicinity of Shevchenkovo |
74♠ | 19 March 1944 | 07:35 | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 70372[29][27] vicinity of Shevchenkovo |
58 | 12 March 1944 | 11:58 | LaGG?[Note 8] | PQ 25 Ost 70512[29][27] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Balakliia |
75♠ | 19 March 1944 | 16:33 | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 60623[27][30] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Andreyevka |
59 | 12 March 1944 | 12:01 | LaGG?[Note 8] | PQ 25 Ost 70374[29][27] vicinity of Shevchenkovo |
76 | 21 March 1944 | 13:22 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 60624[27][30] 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Andreyevka |
60 | 12 March 1944 | 15:46 | LaGG?[Note 8] | PQ 25 Ost 70562[29][27] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Izium |
77 | 21 March 1944 | 13:24 | Il-2 | PQ 25 Ost 60491[27][30] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Balakliia |
61 | 12 March 1944 | 16:06 | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 70612[29][27] 35 km (22 mi) north-northeast of Izium |
78 | 21 March 1944 | 16:16 | Pe-2 | PQ 25 Ost 70521[27][30] 20 km (12 mi) east of Balakliia |
62♠ | 13 March 1944 | 16:05 | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 70522[29][27] 20 km (12 mi) east of Balakliia |
—
|
7 August 1944 | —
|
P-51[31][32] | vicinity of Mysłowice |
63♠ | 13 March 1944 | 16:15?[Note 9] | LaGG | PQ 25 Ost 60631, south of Kalinowka[29] PQ 60644[27] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Andreyevka |