Georg Seelmann (4 February 1917 – 18 September 1989) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership - for the fighter pilots, it was a quantifiable measure of skill and success.

Early life and career

Seelmann was born on 4 February 1917 in Bamberg in the Kingdom of Bavaria within the German Empire.[1] On 3 November 1937, he joined the military of service of the Luftwaffe and was trained as a fighter pilot.[Note 1] Seelmann began his flight training at Herzogenaurach Airfield and Dornstadt before in July 1939 transferring to the Jagdfliegerschule (fighter pilot school) in Schleißheim where he completed his fighter pilot training.[3] In September 1939, Seelmann was posted to 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing), a squadron of I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 77. At the time, I. Gruppe was based at Oedheim in southern Germany. The Gruppe relocated to Frankfurt Rhein-Main to protect the Zeppelin hangar.[4]

World War II

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. Seelmann claimed hist first aerial victory during the Battle of France on 14 May 1940, when he shot down a Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter near Charleroi.[5] On 25 August 1940, I. Gruppe of JG 77 relocated from Wyk auf Föhr to Marquise located near the English Channel to fight in the Battle of Britain.[6] On 7 September 1940, I. Gruppe participated in Operation "Loge", 350 bombers escorted by 648 fighters, attacked various targets in the greater London area. On this mission, Seelmann claimed a Royal Air Force (RAF) Supermarine Spitfire fighter shot down at 18:05 and another one at 18:30.[7] For his two aerial victories claimed to date, he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse) on 29 September.[3]

Following the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe fighter units were consolidated. On 21 November 1940, I. Gruppe of JG 77 was officially redesignated and became IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing).[8] In consequence, Seelman's 2. Staffel of JG 77 became 11. Staffel of JG 51. On 5 March 1941, Seelmann was forced to bail out of his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 (Werknummer 5255–factory number) after his engine exploded over Wideham.[9]

Operation Barbarossa

On 15 June, IV. Gruppe began transferring east and was located at the airfield Krzewicze, approximately 70 km (43 mi) west Brest-Litovsk on the western bank of the Bug River. On 22 June, German forces launched Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.[10] JG 51, under the command of Oberstleutnant Werner Mölders, was subordinated to II. Fliegerkorps (2nd Air Corps), which as part of Luftflotte 2 (Air Fleet 2). JG 51 area of operation during Operation Barbarossa was over the right flank of Army Group Center in the combat area of the 2nd Panzer Group as well as the 4th Army.[11] In these initial weeks, Seelmann was particularly successful over the poorly trained and led Russian pilots. He quickly reached his 20th victory on 16 July and then his 30th on 9 August. On 30 August, Seelmann's Bf 109 F-2 (Werknummer 9647) was rammed by a Soviet aircraft, forcing him to bail out near Novgorod.[12] He successfully evaded capture and made his way back to his unit. On 6 October 1941, Seelmann, together with Unteroffizier Franz-Josef Beerenbrock, were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) after 37 and 42 aerial victories respectively.[13]

Instructor and squadron leader

On 26 December 1941, Seelmann was posted to Ergänzungsgruppe JG 51 - the Geschwader's training squadron - as an instructor and Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 2. Staffel, replacing Oberleutnant Egon Falkensamer. The unit was based at La Rochelle, France. In January 1942, 2. Staffel of Ergänzungsgruppe JG 51 moved to Kraków where in February it became the newly formed Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost (Erg. Ost—Supplementary Fighter Group East). Consequently, Seelmann then commanded 1. Staffel of Erg. Ost.[14][3]

Seelmann returned to front-line duty on 1 August 1942, taking command of 11. Staffel of JG 51 as the Staffelkapitän, replacing Hauptmann Franz Hahn. At the time, IV. Gruppe was based at Novodugino.[15] Two days later, Seelmann was shot down in aerial combat with Ilyushin DB-3 bombers in an area 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) southwest of Rzhev. He bailed out of his Bf 109 F-2 (Werknummer 12652). Severely injured, Seelmann was temporarily relaced by Leutnant Wolfgang Böwing-Treuding before command of 11. Staffel was passed on to Oberleutnant Adolf Borchers on 20 August.[16]

Mediterranean theatre

II. Gruppe of JG 51 had been withdrawn from the Eastern Front in early October 1942 and sent to Jesau in East Prussia, present day Yushny, Bagrationovsky District, for conversion to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Conversion training began on 7 October and on 4 November, the unit received the order to convert back to the Bf 109 and to transfer to the Mediterranean theatre. Via various stopovers, II. Gruppe moved to Sidi Ahmed airfield, arriving on 14 November. There, the unit was subordinated to Fliegerführer Tunis (Flying Leader Tunis). During this period, Seelmann had recovered from his injuries and was given command of 4. Staffel on 5 November.[17]

On 17 March 1943, Seelmann transferred command of 4. Staffel to Oberleutnant Karl Rammelt.[18] After further recuperation, in summer 1943 he was instead transferred to a non-combat role as the Staffelkapitän for the training squadron 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 103, where he ended his successful combat career.

Later life

Seelmann died on 18 September 1989 at the age of 72 in Lichtenfels, West Germany.[19]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to Obermaier, Seelmann flew 550 combat missions and was credited with 39 aerial victories.[1]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 47582". 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.[20]

Chronicle of aerial victories
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 –
Battle of France — 10–23 May 1940
1 14 May 1940 11:40 M.S.406 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Charleroi[21]
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 –
Battle of Britain and on the English Channel — 25 August – 20 November 1941
2 7 September 1940 18:30 Spitfire[22]
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 –
Battle of Britain and on the English Channel — 21 November 1940 – 7 June 1941
3 16 April 1941 18:35 Hurricane southeast of Dungeness[23]
– 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
4 22 June 1941 07:05 I-153[24] 22 23 July 1941 18:16 DB-3[25]
5 22 June 1941 16:14 DB-3[24] 23 24 July 1941 08:11 I-16[25]
6 24 June 1941 09:27 SB-3[24] 24 31 July 1941 04:37 Pe-2[26]
7 24 June 1941 09:29 SB-3[24] 25 3 August 1941 12:25 I-16[27]
8 29 June 1941 18:34 ZKB-19[24] 26 4 August 1941 07:25 R-3[27]
9 2 July 1941 19:32 DB-3[28] 27 8 August 1941 08:47 Pe-2[27]
10 2 July 1941 19:35 DB-3[28] 28 8 August 1941 15:08 DB-3[27]
11 4 July 1941 15:00 SB-2[29] 29 8 August 1941 15:29 DB-3[27]
12 4 July 1941 15:03 SB-2[29] 30 9 August 1941 13:17 Pe-2 7 km (4.3 mi) southeast of Yelnya[27]
13 5 July 1941 05:58 DB-3[29] 31 19 August 1941 19:14 I-153[30]
14 6 July 1941 16:30 ZKB-19[29] 32 25 August 1941 18:12 R-10[31]
15 9 July 1941 04:32 I-16[32] 33 26 August 1941 17:58 R-10[31]
16 11 July 1941 15:32 I-16[32] 34 30 August 1941 07:35 SB-3[31]
17 13 July 1941 12:25 Pe-2[32] 35 30 August 1941 11:55 DB-3[31]
18 14 July 1941 12:29 DB-3[32] 36 30 August 1941 17:50 DB-3 Shatalovka[31]
19 15 July 1941 14:12 DB-3[25] 37 24 September 1941 16:30 I-18[33]
20 16 July 1941 10:12 DB-3[25] 38 8 October 1941 14:55 Pe-2[34]
21 23 July 1941 18:12 DB-3[25]
– 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" –
Operation Barbarossa — 1–3 August 1942
39 2 August 1942 17:50 Il-2 PQ 47582[35]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ 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.[2]
  2. ^ According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves.[37]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 204.
  2. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  3. ^ a b c d Dixon 2023, p. 147.
  4. ^ Prien 1992, pp. 171, 174–175.
  5. ^ Prien 1992, p. 283.
  6. ^ Prien 1992, p. 329.
  7. ^ Prien 1992, pp. 381–382.
  8. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 357.
  9. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 108.
  10. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 319.
  11. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 206.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 351.
  13. ^ Weal 2006, p. 122.
  14. ^ Prien et al. 2003a, pp. 586–588.
  15. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 350.
  16. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 350, 361.
  17. ^ Prien et al. 2004, pp. 1, 8.
  18. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 359.
  19. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 148.
  20. ^ Planquadrat.
  21. ^ Prien et al. 2001, p. 390.
  22. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 104.
  23. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 106.
  24. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2003b, p. 334.
  25. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2003b, p. 338.
  26. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 339.
  27. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2003b, p. 341.
  28. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003b, p. 335.
  29. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2003b, p. 336.
  30. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 342.
  31. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2003b, p. 343.
  32. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2003b, p. 337.
  33. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 344.
  34. ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 345.
  35. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 355.
  36. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 397.
  37. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 699.

Bibliography

  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52677-864-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (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.
  • 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.
  • Prien, Jochen (1992). Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77—Teil 1—1934–1941 [History of Jagdgeschwader 77—Volume 1—1934–1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-19-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940 [Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-61-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-64-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/I—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/I—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-69-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 8/II—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—November 1941 bis Dezember 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 8/II—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—November 1941 to December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-74-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-77-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 11/I—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 11/I—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-95-3.
  • 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.
  • Weal, John (2006). Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 22. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-045-1.


Military offices
Preceded by
Hptm Franz Hahn
 Squadron Leader of 11./JG 51
September, 1941 – 25 December 1941 		Succeeded by
Hptm Franz Hahn
Preceded by
Oblt Egon Falkensamer
 Squadron Leader of 2.(Erg)/JG 51
26 December 1941 – 26 January 1942 		Succeeded by
unit renamed 1./EJGr.Ost
Preceded by
new unit
 Squadron Leader of 1./EJGr.Ost
27 January 1942 – 24 June 1942 		Succeeded by
unknown
Preceded by
Hptm Franz Hahn
 Squadron Leader of 11./JG 51
1 August 1942 – 7 October 1942 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Oblt Harald Jung
 Squadron Leader of 4./JG 51
9 October 1942 – March, 1943 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
unknown
 Squadron Leader of 1./JG 103
July, 1943 – 15 March 1945 		Succeeded by
none: unit disbanded
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Seelmann
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