Joachim Schlichting


Joachim Schlichting was a German aviator in the Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Career

Schlichtung was born on 1 February 1914 in Kassel, at the time in the Province of Hesse-Nassau, a province of the Kingdom of Prussia within the German Empire. He joined the pre-war Luftwaffe, and served with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. There, he served as Staffelkapitän of 2. Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 from 6 September 1937 to 28 May 1938. For his service in Spain, he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds upon his return on 6 June 1938. Schlichting joined the Lehrgeschwader 2 in November 1938, with which he took part in the Invasion of Poland in September 1939.
On 1 November 1939, Schlichting was transferred and made Geschwaderadjutant, the adjutant of the newly formed Jagdgeschwader 27 under Geschwaderkommodore Max Ibel. He was promoted again on 1 February 1940, to lead I./Jagdgeschwader 1 as Gruppenkommandeur. In the campaign against France he shot down a Bristol Blenheim on 12 May and a LeO 45 on 6 June. At the end of the campaign the unit was redesignated III./JG 27. In the Battle of Britain he claimed his 8th victory over Portland on 25 July 1940.
On 6 September 1940, Schlichting was shot down in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 near Shoeburyness. He was flying a bomber escort mission attacking Thameshaven when his aircraft experienced engine problems. Forced to turn back, he came under attack by Royal Air Force fighters from either No. 41 or No. 222 Squadron. He baled out near the Shoeburyness artillery ranges and was taken prisoner by the British forces.
The presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was made over a year later on 31 October 1941 in British captivity. In late November, he was promoted to Major.
His 8 victories came in over 100 combat missions. After World war II he joined the Bundeswehr of the Federal Republic of Germany and served as the Chief of Staff of the 5. Luftwaffendivision in 1963.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Schlichting was credited with eight aerial victories, five of which during the Spanish Civil War.

Awards