Rolf Hermichen

Rolf Hermichen
Born(1918-07-25)25 July 1918
Wernigerode, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Died23 May 2014(2014-05-23) (aged 95)
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branch Luftwaffe
RankMajor
UnitZG 1, ZG 76, SKG 210, JG 26, JG 11, JG 104
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Other workManager at Karstadt

Rolf Hermichen (25 July 1918 – 23 May 2014) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

He was born in Wernigerode in the district of Harz.[1]

On 15 July 1942, Hermichen was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 3. Staffel of JG 26. He succeeded Oberleutnant Johannes Schmidt who was transferred.[2] On 13 June 1943, the Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III. Gruppe, Hauptmann Kurt Ruppert was killed in action. Command of the Gruppe was temporarily given to Hermichen.[3] On 29 June, Geschwaderkommodore Josef Priller appointed Major Klaus Mietusch as the new commander of III. Gruppe. Mietusch assumed command on 5 July and Hermichen returned to 3. Staffel.[4]

On 16 October 1943, Herminchen was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing). He succeeded Hauptmann Erich Woitke who temporarily led the Gruppe after Hauptmann Erwin Clausen was killed in action on 4 October.[5] On 2 April 1944, Hermichen was presented the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) by Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen Stumpff at the airfield in Rotenburg an der Wümme. The Knight's Cross had been awarded on 26 March.[6]

On 12 May, the Eighth Army Air Force targeted the German fuel industry.[7] In total 886 four-engined bombers, escorted by 980 fighter aircraft, headed for the five main synthetic fuel factories in middle Germany in area of Leuna, Merseburg, Böhlen and Zeitz, and the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and Brüx.[8] That day, Hermichen was shot down in aerial combat near Limburg an der Lahn.[9] In consequence, he was transferred to the staff of the 2. Jagd-Division (2nd Fighter Division) based in Stade. Hermichen was replaced by Oberleutnant Hans-Heinrich Koenig as commander of I. Gruppe.[10]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Hermichen was credited with 64 aerial victories.[11] Obermaier also lists him with 64 aerial victories claimed in 629 combat missions, 11 of them while flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110. He shot down 53 enemy aircraft in Defense of the Reich, including 26 four-engine strategic bombers.[1] Forsyth also lists him with 26 heavy bombers shot down.[12] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 49 aerial victory claims, plus eight further unconfirmed claims. This figure includes 11 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 38 over the Western Allies, including 17 four-engine bombers.[13]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 28321". 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.[14]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Hermichen did not receive credit.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  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
– 6. Staffel of Zerstörergeschwader 1 –[15]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
1 10 May 1940 11:15 Battle Waalhaven 2 27 May 1940
—
 Spitfire
—
 15 May 1940
—
 M.S.406
—
 30 May 1940
—
 Potez 63
– 9. Staffel of Zerstörergeschwader 76 –[15]
Battle of Britain — 10 July – 31 October 1940
—
 12 August 1940
—
 Hurricane
—
 25 August 1940
—
 Hurricane
—
 15 August 1940
—
 Spitfire
– III. Gruppe of Zerstörergeschwader 76 –[15]
Norwegian Coast
3 9 February 1941 11:00 Beaufort Mandal
– 6. Staffel of Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 –[15]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
4 6 September 1941
—
 Yak-1 6 22 October 1941
—
 Pe-2
5 12 October 1941
—
 Yak-1
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 15 July 1942
12?[Note 1] 4 April 1942 11:35 Spitfire northwest of Brouckerque[16]
off Lister 		13 12 April 1942 13:43 Spitfire 3 km (1.9 mi) north of Cassel[16]
– 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
On the Western Front — 15 July – 31 December 1942
14 9 May 1942 17:42 Spitfire 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Koksijde[17] 18 19 August 1942 11:28 P-39 Dieppe[18]
15 30 July 1942 19:11 Hurricane Saint-Omer-Wizernes[17] 19 4 December 1942 14:35 Spitfire 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Desvres[19]
south of Ardres
16 18 August 1942 15:01?[Note 2] Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) south of Dungeness[18] 20 6 December 1942 11:37 Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) west of Le Tréport[19]
17 19 August 1942 09:51 Spitfire northeast of Dieppe[18] 21 19 December 1942 14:15 US-fighter 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Deal[19]
– Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
On the Eastern Front — 2 February – 7 June 1943
22 18 February 1943 08:23 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 28321[20] 26 5 March 1943 15:09 P-40 PQ 35 Ost 18443[20]
23 19 February 1943 09:59 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 18293[20] 27 7 March 1943 10:03 Pe-2 PQ 35 Ost 18254[20]
24 19 February 1943 10:01 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 18462[20] 28 7 March 1943 15:43 Pe-2 PQ 35 Ost 18551[21]
25 4 March 1943 08:03 Pe-2 PQ 35 Ost 18242[20] 29 23 March 1943 13:42 Yak-7 PQ 36 Ost 00412[21]
– 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[15]
Defense of the Reich — 5 July – 15 October 1943
31?[Note 3] 28 July 1943 12:17 Typhoon PQ 05 Ost S/JH-1/NH-7[22]
west of Rotterdam[23] 		34 12 August 1943 08:42 B-17* PQ 05 Ost S/KN-3/6[22]
Mönchengladbach[24]
32 30 July 1943 10:12 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/JM-3[22]
Nijmegen[25] 		35 15 August 1943 11:58?[Note 4] Spitfire PQ 05 Ost S/KG-7[22]
Vlissingen-North Sea[24]
33 30 July 1943 10:15 P-47 PQ 05 Ost S/JM-2/3[22]
Dordrecht[25]
– Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 –[15]
Defense of the Reich — 16 October – 31 December 1943
36 5 November 1943 14:02 P-47 PQ KH, Schouwen[26] 38 1 December 1943 12:20 B-24 PQ 05 Ost OO-8/6, south of Euskirchen[26]
—
 5 November 1943
—
 B-17*[27]
—
 1 December 1943
—
 B-24*[28] south of Euskirchen
37 13 November 1943 11:30 B-24 PQ 05 Ost SS-5/6[26]
east of Husum 		39 11 December 1943 12:17 B-17 PQ 05 Ost AP-2/4[26]
25 km (16 mi) north of Norderney
– Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 –[13]
Defense of the Reich — January – June 1944
49?[Note 5] 10 February 1944 12:55 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/EP-8, northwest of Lingen[29] 57 8 March 1944 15:26 B-24 PQ 15 Ost S/FA, north of Großburgwedel[30]
50 20 February 1944 13:27 B-24 PQ 05 Ost S/JU-4, vicinity of Holzminden[31] 58 8 March 1944 15:28 B-24 PQ 15 Ost S/FA, north of Großburgwedel[30]
51 20 February 1944 13:30 B-24 PQ 05 Ost S/JU-1, vicinity of Holzminden[31] 59 8 March 1944 15:36 B-17 PQ 15 Ost S/FA, vicinity of Celle[30]
52 20 February 1944 13:37 B-24 PQ 15 Ost S/JA-1/1, vicinity of Gotha[31] 60?[Note 6] 8 March 1944 15:47 B-17[30]
53 20 February 1944 13:45 B-24 PQ 05 Ost S/JU-6, vicinity of Holzminden[31] 61 23 March 1944 10:03?[Note 7] B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/ES, south of Bremen[30]
54 3 March 1944 12:02 B-17 west of Tönning[33] 62 15 April 1944 13:56?[Note 8] P-38 PQ 05 Ost S/DT, vicinity of Rotenburg[34]
54 6 March 1944 12:00 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/EP, vicinity of Haselünne[33] 63 15 April 1944 13:57?[Note 9] P-38 PQ 05 Ost S/DT-2/9, vicinity of Rotenburg[34]
55 6 March 1944 12:06 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/ER, south of Delmenhorst[33] 64 24 April 1944 13:06 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/SS, vicinity of Mannheim[35]
56 6 March 1944 12:12 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/ER, south of Delmenhorst[33]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock Prien list this claim as Hermichen's 12th aerial victory,[16] while Mathews and Foreman present this claim as his 7th aerial victory.[15]
  2. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:04.[15]
  3. ^ Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock Prien list this claim as Hermichen's 31st aerial victory,[22] while Mathews and Foreman present this claim as his 25th aerial victory.[15]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:59.[15]
  5. ^ Prien and Rodeike list this claim as Hermichen's 49th aerial victory,[29] while Mathews and Foreman present this claim as his 34th aerial victory.[15]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[32]
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:05.[32]
  8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:57.[32]
  9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:00.[32]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 73.
  2. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 348.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2009, pp. 100, 133.
  4. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 95–96.
  5. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 588.
  6. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 824.
  7. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 927.
  8. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 930.
  9. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, pp. 936, 1179.
  10. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 939.
  11. ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1617.
  12. ^ Forsyth 2011, p. 90.
  13. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 517–518.
  14. ^ Planquadrat.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 517.
  16. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004, p. 396.
  17. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 352.
  18. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004, p. 353.
  19. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004, p. 354.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 374.
  21. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 375.
  22. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2009, p. 94.
  23. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 125.
  24. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 133.
  25. ^ a b Caldwell 1998, p. 129.
  26. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2008, p. 394.
  27. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 640.
  28. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1994, p. 641.
  29. ^ a b Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1201.
  30. ^ a b c d e Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1204.
  31. ^ a b c d Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1202.
  32. ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 518.
  33. ^ a b c d Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1203.
  34. ^ a b Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1206.
  35. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1207.
  36. ^ a b Thomas 1997, p. 273.
  37. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 100.
  38. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 180.
  39. ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 385.
  40. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 224.
  41. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 97.

Bibliography

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