Gustav Frielinghaus


Gustav Frielinghaus 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, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories during World War II.

Military career

In May 1942, II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" was stationed at Plzeň for rest and refit before it was relocated to the Eastern Front on 18 May 1942. Too late to participate in the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula, it was located on the left wing of Army Group South, assigned to an airfield at Chuguyev in the Kharkov area where they arrived on 19 May.

Mediterranean theater

As part of the Luftwaffe plan to expand its fighter force, a fourth Gruppe was to be added to every Geschwader. This was achieved by transferring some of the other Gruppens personnel and equipment. This created the nucleus of a newly formed Gruppe. IV. Gruppe of JG 3 was officially created on 1 June 1943 at Neubiberg Airfield and placed under command of Major Franz Beyer while Frielinghaus was given command of 11. Staffel. The Gruppe was initially equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, some carrying a pair of 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons installed in conformal gun pods under the wings. In mid-June, the Gruppe was ordered to Italy to fight in the Mediterranean and [Middle East theatre of World War II|Mediterranean theater].
On 11 July, IV. Gruppe of JG 3 was ordered to an airfield at Ramacca, Sicily. There, the Gruppe supported German forces defending against the Allied invasion of Sicily. Due to the advancing Allied forces, the airfield had to be abandoned on 15 July, forcing the Gruppe to retreat to Leverano. The next day, Frielinghaus claimed two Supermarine Spitfire fighters shot down in the combat area south and south-southwest of Licata. On 13 July, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down southwest of Caltanissetta. On 20 August, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down east of Gaeta. On 9 September, Frielinghaus was shot down and wounded in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 in aerial combat near Orta Nova. In consequence, command of 11. Staffel was passed on to Leutnant Hermann Schmied.
On 1 May 1944, Frielinghaus was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II. Gruppe of JG 3. He succeeded Leutnant Leopold Münster who temporarily had led the Gruppe after its former commander Hauptmann Hermann Freiherr von Kap-herr was killed in action. Frielinghaus took command at Gardelegen Airfield. Since Frielinghaus was still convalescing from injuries sustained in December 1943, Frielinghaus led the Gruppe from the ground while Münster continued to lead in the air.

Later life

Frielinghaus died on 11 September 1963 at the age of in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories. Spick also lists him with 74 aerial victories claimed in approximately 500 combat missions. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 69 aerial victory claims, plus one further unconfirmed claim. This figure includes 61 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and eight over the Western Allies.

Awards