Walter Oesau

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Walter Oesau
Walter Oesau ca. 1941
Nickname(s)"Gulle"
Born(1913-06-28)28 June 1913
Farnewinkel, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Died11 May 1944(1944-05-11) (aged 30)
near St. Vith, German-occupied Belgium
Cause of deathKilled in action
Buried
Friedhof Meldorf Meldorf, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Years of service1933–1944
RankOberst (colonel)
UnitCondor Legion, JG 1, JG 2, JG 51, Jagdgruppe 88
Commands heldIII./JG 3, III./JG 51, JG 2, Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne, JG 1.
Battles/wars
See battles

Spanish Civil War

World War II

AwardsSpanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Signature

Walter "Gulle" Oesau (28 June 1913 – 11 May 1944) was a German fighter pilot during World War II. A fighter ace, he served in the Luftwaffe from 1934 until his death in 1944. He rose to command Jagdgeschwader 1, which was named in his honor after his death.

He served with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War with the Jagdgruppe 88. He claimed nine aircraft during the campaign, becoming one of only 28 people to earn the award of the Spanish Cross in Gold and Diamonds.

At the start of World War II, Oesau was given command of a fighter group within Jagdgeschwader 20. The group took part in the Invasion of Poland, later moving to the Western Front as the redesignated III Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 51. Oesau operated on both the Western and Eastern Fronts.

He returned to operations as commander of Jagdgeschwader 1. He was killed in action on 11 May 1944 aged 30. JG 1 was given the name "Oesau" in his honor.

Early life[edit]

Walter "Gulle" Oesau was born to a bank director in Farnewinkel near Meldorf, Germany on 28 June 1913. He joined the German Army (Heer) in October 1933 and served in the Second Artillery Regiment as an enlisted soldier. After being transferred to a Luftwaffe transport unit, he undertook flying training in 1934 as a cadet (Fahnenjunker) at the Luftwaffe Academy (Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule) in Hanover. Upon completion of his training he was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 132, as a Leutnant. The unit was re–designated as Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" in May 1939.[Note 1][1][2]

Combat career[edit]

Spanish Civil War[edit]

Main article: Spanish Civil War
Bf 109 C–1, Similar to one flown by Oesau in the Spanish Civil War.

Oesau started his operational career with the Condor Legion, along with future contemporary aces such as Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland. He was one of the first to join 3. Jagdgruppe 88 in Spain in April 1938.[Note 2] The Staffel, commanded by Werner Mölders, took part in the Spanish Civil War where Oesau claimed nine victories, flying 130 combat missions. For this he received the Spanish Cross (Spanienkreuz) in Gold with Diamonds. He was also wounded in this conflict which earned him the Spanish Wound Badge. He also received the Medalla de la Campaña and the Medalla Militar.[1]

Western Front 1939–40[edit]

Main article: Phoney War

On 1 March 1939 Oesau joined the Headquarters Flight (Stabsschwarm) of I./JG 2. By 15 July 1939 Oesau was promoted to Oberleutnant and given command of 2./JG 20. On 15 July 1939, I./JG 20 was activated in Döberitz initially consisting of two Staffeln drawn from JG 2. Prior to the invasion of Poland I./JG 20 was transferred to Strausberg on 26 August 1939. From there, the group was transferred to Sprottau (modern Szprotawa) anticipating an attack from the Polish Air Force. A week later the group moved to Brandenburg. On 21 February 1940, the unit was relocated to Bönninghardt under the control of JG 51. It continued to operate in this fashion until the end of the Battle of France. On 4 July it was re–designated III./JG 51. Oesau served as Staffelkapitän of 7./JG 51.[3][4]

Battle of France[edit]

Main article: Battle of France

Oesau got his first World War II victory during the Battle of France on 13 May 1940, when he claimed a French Curtiss P-36 Hawk over Halsteren in the Netherlands, earning him the Iron Cross 1st class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse). On 31 May, he claimed three Spitfires during a patrol North West of Dunkirk and next day he claimed a Bristol Blenheim. On 13 June 1940, he shot down the last French aircraft kill claimed by JG 51, a French Amiot bomber. By the end of hostilities in France on 25 June, his World War II tally stood at 5 (13 including Spanish kills).[3][5]

Following the Battle of France, the Luftwaffe started its attacks on Channel convoys as a prelude to the Battle of Britain. The primary task of JG 51 during this time was to provide fighter escort to these bomber missions. The commander of JG 51, Oberst Theo Osterkamp established a policy of unrestricted combat air patrol (freie Jagd) of fighter Staffeln providing loose protection rather than close escort to the bombers, actively seeking out Royal Air Force fighters. On 7 July 1940 Oesau claimed one Spitfire.[1][3]

Battle of Britain[edit]

Main article: Battle of Britain

On 10 July 1940, the first major clashes of the Battle of Britain occurred in a phase known as the Kanalkampf. 20 Bf 109s of III./JG 51 led by Hauptmann Hannes Trautloft and 30 Bf 110 C of I./Zerstörergeschwader 26 escorted 20 Dornier Do 17 bombers of II./Kampfgeschwader 2 attacking a large convoy off Folkestone. Oberleutnant Oesau was leading 7./JG 51.[3][6][7]

Trautloft noticed three of a flight of six intercepting Hurricanes of No. 32 squadron higher than the escorts, attempting to intercept the bombers. Soon they were joined by four squadrons of British fighters: No. 56 Squadron, No. 111 Squadron, No. 64 Squadron and No. 74 Squadron. Oesau was able to claim three Spitfires. Two 7./JG 51 aircraft crash landed in France.[6][7][8] British losses show that no Spitfire was lost or destroyed in the ensuing battle. Only one No. 32 Hurricane, piloted by Pilot Officer Higgs, was destroyed in a collision with one of the Do 17s and only one other Hurricane was damaged. It is possible Oesau was responsible for damaging Higgs' Hurricane, causing him to lose control. Two Spitfires landed with light damage while a third was also slightly damaged and force-landed at RAF Manston. Over claiming of enemy losses was rife on both sides during the battle.[9]

On 19 July, III./JG 51 were confronted by Defiants of No. 141 Squadron south of Folkestone. As the German pilots were now aware of the Defiant's lack of forward armament, they soon gained the advantage in combat and claimed 11 Defiants shot down in 8 minutes. Oesau was credited with one Defiant, taking his score to 19. He was the first one of JG 51 to reach double digits in World War II.[10][1][3][6][7] RAF losses record six Defiants destroyed and two damaged.[11]

On 18 August 1940, III./JG 51 escorted Dorniers attacking Hornchurch airfield. Intercepted by Hurricanes over Kent, Oesau claimed one Hurricane shot down as his 20th victory, earning him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) two days later, the first pilot of JG 51 to be thus honored. On 24 August 1940, Trautloft took over as Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 54, and Oesau replaced him as Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 51 while command of 7./JG 51 went to Oberleutnant Hermann Staiger.[12] By October 1940, Oesau had a total score of 48 (including 26 Spitfires).[13][14][15]

On 10 November 1940, Oesau succeeded Wilhelm Balthasar as Gruppenkommandeur of III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3. With 39 victories he was currently the 4th highest scoring fighter pilot behind Helmut Wick, Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland. On 5 February 1941, the RAF flew "Circus" No. 3 targeting the airfield at Saint-Omer. That day, Oesau shot down the Hurricane piloted by Sergeant H. D. Denchfield from No. 610 Squadron over Desvres, France. This was his 40th aerial victory.[16] Oesau was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) next day. It also earned him a second entry in the Wehrmachtbericht. In early 1941, JG 3 returned to Germany to replace their Bf 109 'Emils' with the new 'F' variant (Friedrich). However, Oesau disliked the Bf 109F and kept flying his 'Emils' for some time. JG 3 returned to France in May 1941 and Oesau added two more kills on 16 May and 28 May bringing his total to 51.[17][4][15][18][19]

Operation Barbarossa[edit]

Main article: Operation Barbarossa

The Gruppe relocated to an airfield at Moderówka on 18 June where the Gruppe concluded their last preparations for Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941. At the start of the campaign, JG 3 was subordinated to the V. Fliegerkorps (5th Air Corps), under command of General der Flieger Robert Ritter von Greim, which was part of Luftflotte 4 (4th Air Fleet), under command of Generaloberst Alexander Löhr. These air elements supported Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt's Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South), with the objective of capturing the Ukraine and its capital Kiev.[20] Oesau shot down his first Soviet aircraft on 24 June, and by 30 June 1941 had reached his 60th victory, downing a Tupolev SB bomber. Next day he downed three more SB bombers near Lvov (modern Lviv, Ukraine). This earned him his 3rd entry in the Wehrmachtbericht. On 10 July 1941, Oesau claimed 5 more aircraft and two more kills by 11 July 1941. On 12 July 1941, he shot down 7 Soviet aircraft in one sortie. In the five weeks since moving to the Eastern Front, Oesau was credited with 44 Soviet aircraft downed. He became the third pilot to reach 80 victories, the 80th kill an Ilyushin DB-3 bomber. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) on same day. He was the third person to earn the Swords. He was again then wounded, receiving heavy splinter injuries in face and knee. A fortnight later he was transferred to the Western Front to take over JG 2.[1][2][15][21]

Defence of the Reich 1941–44[edit]

He succeeded Balthasar for the second time as JG 2 commander, who had died in combat with Spitfires over northern France when he pulled the tail off his Bf 109F in a dive. The Bf 109F-2 proved an excellent match to the Spitfire V, but Oesau disliked its reduced armament compared to the 'Emil', and continued to fly an E-4 model in preference to the Bf 109F, until lack of spares forced him to switch to the newer variant. Upon his appointment on 4 July 1941, he addressed JG 2 with the following words.[1][22][23][24]

In the spirit of Manfred von Richthofen, and following the example set by my predecessors, Major Wick and Hauptmann Balthasar, constant readiness and devotion to duty will enable us to achieve yet further successes.[24]

Oesau at the funeral of Ernst Udet.[Note 3]

JG 2 was tasked with defending targets in occupied France against the RAF fighter offensive. For the next two years Oesau led JG 2 through the war of attrition waged by the RAF. On 10 August 1941 Oesau claimed a Spitfire for his first kill with JG 2. Over the next two days, he claimed four more Spitfires. By the end of September 1941, Oesau had claimed two more Spitfires.

JG 2 participated in the Luftwaffe air cover of the Channel Dash. Two Boeing B-17C Flying Fortresses of No. 90 Squadron attacked the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. In one of the highest altitude interceptions of World War II, the bombers were attacked by I./JG 2, resulting in the destruction of one. This aircraft put JG 2's score past the 800 mark, matching the score of their Great War namesake. Kills No. 88 to 92 were all Spitfires claimed between Calais and Dungeness on 12 August 1941. Oesau claimed his 100th kill on 26 October 1941, the third pilot to do so.[Note 4] This earned him his 4th entry in the Wehrmachtbericht.[1][26][27]

He was then grounded from flying on operations, as his experience and leadership qualities were regarded as too valuable to risk further in front line combat. He did fly on occasional sorties, the most famous involving the shooting down of an Avro Lancaster bomber of No. 44 Squadron RAF piloted by Warrant Officer G. T. Rhodes in April 1942, during a rare RAF daylight raid on the MAN engine plant in Augsburg. It was his 101st kill. In August 1942, the Geschwaderstab of JG 2 exchanged their Bf 109 F aircraft for Fw 190 A–2s.

From late 1942 onwards JG 2 was in the front line against the increasingly numerous United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) day bomber formations of B-17s and B-24s.[1][23][24][28]

Oesau added four more to his tally by mid-1943. Shortly before his 30th birthday, Oesau was elevated to a series of Luftwaffe staff and administration positions. On 1 July 1943 he was posted as Fighter Leader Brittany (Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne[Note 5]), before being appointed as Geschwaderkommodore of JG 1 on 12 November 1943, following the death of JG 1's Hans Philipp in October 1943. The ban on Oesau's combat flying was lifted. While commanding JG 1, Oesau became an expert (Experten) at shooting down 4 engine bombers, with 14 bomber kills claimed. He was awarded the Combined Pilots-Observation Badge in gold and diamonds on 17 October 1943. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 10 January 1944.[1][29]

For Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe Hermann Göring it was an ongoing concern that inadequate numbers of fighters were able to continually engage the bomber streams, at the very time that the USAAF's 8th Air Force's new commander, Maj. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle had instituted a new fighter strategy against the Luftwaffe. Hence on 23 February 1944 – near the midpoint of the USAAF's Big Week bomber offensive against the Luftwaffe, also being carried out by the 15th Air Force flying out of Italian bases – Generalmajor Joseph Schmid Commander of I. Jagdkorps established a new rule for the fighters returning to base. They were to arrive at the nearest designated fighter airfield for resupply instead of returning to their own base. They were to be commanded by the senior pilot landing on that airfield, irrespective of their unit. This was meant to turn around the fighters in time to intercept returning bombers.[30]

On the next day, B-24s of 2nd Bomb division of the Eighth Air Force bombed Gotha. JG 1 (under Oesau), JG 11 and JG 3 were sent to intercept. Due to high winds, the bombers were ahead of the escorts unprotected. Two groups of JG 1 met them before Gotha and 9 B-24s were claimed as a result. Since B-17s of 1st Bomb division also bombed Schweinfurt, other fighter units also arrived to intercept, eventually involving almost all the Western day fighter units of the Luftwaffe. This caused some confusion among pilots landing on airfields other than their own. This tested the directive of Schmid. Oesau led one of two such improvised formations successfully, with the other led by Hauptmann Borris of I./JG 26[30] Oesau added 4 fighters to his score between January and March 1944, and his tally stood at 117. On 8 May 1944 he claimed a Thunderbolt shot down over Hanover; his last kill.[1][2]

Death[edit]

While being the Geschwaderkommodore of JG 1 Oesau frequently received his share of Hermann Göring's anger and frustration over the failure to beat off the Allied bomber offensive. Göring questioned the commitment of commanders who were not flying regularly and thus not really "leading" their respective units. In this context it should be stated that in order not to risk one of the Luftwaffe expert's life [German fighter aces were called Experten], there was an automatic ban on Oesau for further combat flying since his 100th victory. Perhaps the ban was lifted temporarily or bypassed when he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of JG 1.[4] On the other hand, Oesau might simply have ignored the ban and continued to lead missions.

Oesau added several victories over American heavy bombers in the first five months of 1944. On 11 May 1944 one thousand U.S. heavy bombers from Eighth Air Force attacked railway targets in Eastern France and North East Belgium. They were escorted by even more numbers of P-38 and P-51 fighters. Oesau was in bed with influenza. Upon hearing the news, Göring phoned Oesau's staff:[4]

Göring – "Is the Kommodore flying?"
Staff – "No, he is in bed with fever."
Göring – "Yes, yes, I know that kind!", Göring said scornfully,
Göring – "He has also turned tired and coward!"[4]

Angered by this comment, Oesau took off in a Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6/AS "Green 13" (Werknummer 20601—factory number) from Paderborn despite a high fever. Leading three aircraft of the Geschwaderstab, the schwarm broke formation over the Ardennes as it approached the bombers. In the dogfight Oesau's wingman reported damage to his machine and he was ordered to break off. Left alone, Oesau faced P-38s and possibly P-51s as well. According to Major Hartmann Grasser, Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 1, who was on the same mission, there were five P-38s facing Oesau.[1][4]

What followed is unclear as there are several versions. Oesau was chased by 1st Lt. James Leslie Doyle, 1st Lt. Wilbur L. Jarvis III and 1st Lt. James C. Austin, of the 428th Fighter Squadron (474th FG, 9th AF). All three were experienced pilots and chased Oesau from 28,000 feet to tree-top level. In the ensuing 20-minute dogfight, Oesau defended skillfully, though his aircraft was damaged by gunfire. While attempting an emergency landing, his Gustav received a final burst of fire in the cockpit area and crashed into the ground 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) southwest of St. Vith. His body was thrown clear of the aircraft some yards away.[1][4][31]

His grave in Meldorf.

According to the "Eighth Air Force Mission Folder for 11 May 1944, Mission 351", Lt. Doyle engaged in a turning dogfight with a pair of Bf 109s, scoring hits on the leader. Doyle had then broken off combat without claiming a kill, unaware that his victim, Oesau, had been killed by a 20 mm shell. Doyle's kill had been the first kill of the 474th Fighter Group in its first combat with the Luftwaffe.[32]

There is some dispute regarding who exactly shot down his fighter. Some sources claim that he was shot during the dogfight and while the aircraft was falling to the ground, he was shot at again a few feet above ground, possibly by the Mustangs of 354th FG. Lt Wilbur Jarvis, No. 2 in the flight led by Doyle received a Damaged credit (not a kill) for Oesau's aircraft. Doyle noted bullet damage in the cockpit area and his gun camera footage showed that it was Oesau's Green 13. German records indicated that his death was caused by an explosive shell in the cockpit, his body having several bullet wounds. Later an image from the Gun camera was published (without caption) that purportedly showed Oesau's aircraft from the right side.[33][34]

Oesau was aged 30 at the time of his death. He had a total of 127 kills gained over 300 missions. 27 were Spitfires, 14 four-engined bombers, 44 were scored on the Eastern Front and 9 in the Spanish Civil War. In recognition of his record, JG 1 received the title Oesau in honor of its fallen Geschwaderkommodore. Only Werner Mölders had a similar honor with JG 51 Mölders. Walter Oesau is buried in Meldorf, close to his birthplace and the town museum (Dithmarscher Landesmuseum) has documented his last journey in pictures.[1][2][4][15]

Aftermath[edit]

Johannes Steinhoff, the high-ranking Luftwaffe ace (176 Kills) who went on to become the Chief of Staff for Allied Air Forces in Central Europe, once said: "Walter Gulle Oesau was the toughest fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe".[4]

In 1940, frustrated with the perceived lack of success against RAF Fighter Command, Göring was keen on infusing the fighter force leadership with younger blood. He perceived a lack of aggressiveness in the Jagdgeschwader leadership. The likes of Theo Osterkamp were the first victim of this policy, handing over JG 51 to Werner Mölders. Oesau was considered to be one such rising star. However, being a star and staying in Göring's favor required keeping up the kill rate and promotions were invariably linked to scores. According to Dr. Kurt Tank, the Focke–Wulf designer, although many of the younger generation were good flyers, they were unable to cope with problems of overall planning and broader strategic aspects. However, Oesau was one of the outstanding leaders ever produced by Luftwaffe fighter wings with the likes of Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland.[1][35]

The decision to continually retain or return gifted experts (Experten) to front line battle proved extremely costly, resulting in the death in combat of many of the earlier experts and aces. This, coupled with the acute shortage of well trained pilots and the fact that by 1943 they were facing a better equipped and well-trained enemy, meant the life expectancy of even the most gifted was tragically short. Author John Weal says that, although other Geschwaderkommodore would end up dying in combat, nothing would showcase the changing fortunes of Luftwaffe fighter forces than the death of Walter Oesau.[1]

Personality and personal life[edit]

German historian Hans Otto Böhm commented on Oesau as "One of my best professors". There is little information available on the personal side of Walter Oesau. He had good sense of humor and liked to spend time with his friends. He was a simple man, who did not display any flamboyant personal emblems on his aircraft. His aircraft while commanding JG 2 did not have any special markings except for the unit's normal yellow under–cowling. While Oesau commanded, JG 2, like many others, dropped the special symbols for Stab (headquarters flight) units in favor of numerals. This helped make the leader's aircraft anonymous. Unlike other aces, Oesau reportedly never had markings on his rudder representing his personal tally, although this is contradicted by some photos displaying what may be his aircraft rudder painted with score of downed aircraft. The authenticity of the photograph is questioned by some as there are also Ju 87 photos supposedly signed by Oesau (he never flew a Stuka bomber).[36][37]

Summary of career[edit]

Aerial victory claims[edit]

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Oesau was credited with 125 aerial victories, nine of which during the Spanish Civil War.[38] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 127 aerial victory claims, plus three further unconfirmed claims. This number includes nine claims during the Spanish Civil War, 44 on the Eastern Front, and 74 on the Western Front, including 13 four-engined bombers.[39]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 05 Ost 0021". 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.[40]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Oesau 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 Oesau 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 along with the & (ampersand) indicates an endgültige Vernichtung (final destruction)—a coup de grâce inflicted on an already damaged heavy bomber.
  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
Spanish Civil War
– Stab of Jagdgruppe 88 –[41]
Spanish Civil War — July – November 1938
1 15 July 1938
—
 I-15[42] 6 15 August 1938
—
 I-15[42]
2 17 July 1938
—
 I-15[42] 7 20 August 1938
—
 I-16[42]
3 18 July 1938
—
 I-16[42] 8 15 October 1938
—
 I-16[42]
4 20 July 1938
—
 I-15[42] 9 3 November 1938
—
 I-16[42]
5 27 July 1938
—
 SB-2[42]
World War II
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 20 –[41]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
10 13 May 1940 19:27 Curtiss Halsteren[43] 12 31 May 1940 18:26 Spitfire northwest of Dunkirk[43]
—
[Note 6] 		23 May 1940
—
 Hurricane 13 1 June 1940 11:35 Blenheim 20 km (12 mi) north of Ostend[43]
11 31 May 1940 18:22 Spitfire northwest of Dunkirk[43] 14?[Note 7] 13 June 1940 15:41 Amiot 351 southwest of Les Andelys[44]
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –[41]
At the Channel and over England — 26 June – August 1940
15 7 July 1940 14:05 Spitfire 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Dover[45] 22 5 August 1940 09:59 Spitfire 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Dover[45]
15?[Note 8] 7 July 1940 19:27 Curtiss 23 14 August 1940 13:59 Hurricane northwest of Dover[45]
16 10 July 1940 14:39 Spitfire 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Dover[45] 24 15 August 1940 12:32 Spitfire south of Folkestone[45]
17 10 July 1940 14:49 Spitfire 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Dover[45]
west of Folkestone 		25 15 August 1940 12:34 Spitfire 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Folkestone[45]
18?[Note 9] 10 July 1940 15:04 Spitfire west of Folkestone[45] 26 16 August 1940 17:35 Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Cap Gris-Nez[45]
19 19 July 1940 13:50?[Note 10] Defiant south of Folkestone[45] 27 16 August 1940 17:36 Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Cap Gris-Nez[45]
20 19 July 1940 13:55?[Note 11] Hurricane south of Dover[45] 28 18 August 1940 18:37 Hurricane 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Canterbury[46]
21 25 July 1940 15:52?[Note 12] Spitfire 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Dover[45] 29 18 August 1940 18:50 Hurricane 8 km (5.0 mi) northwest of Cap Gris-Nez[46]
– Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51 –[47]
At the Channel and over England — September – November 1940
30 4 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[46] 40 28 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48]
31 6 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[46] 41 29 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48]
32 7 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[46] London 42 29 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48]
33 11 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48] 43 30 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48]
34 14 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48] 44 5 October 1940
—
 Spitfire London[48]
35 14 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48] 45 12 October 1940
—
 Spitfire[48]
36 15 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[48] 46 15 October 1940
—
 Hurricane[48]
37 18 September 1940 14:30 Spitfire 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Ashford[48] 47 25 October 1940
—
 Spitfire[48]
38 27 September 1940
—
 Hurricane[48] 48 1 November 1940
—
 Spitfire[48]
39 27 September 1940
—
 Hurricane[48]
– Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 –[49]
At the Channel and over England — February – 9 June 1941
49 5 February 1941 15:05?[Note 13] Hurricane Desvres[50] 51 28 May 1941 19:25 Hurricane north of Calais[50]
50 16 May 1941 15:45 Spitfire south of Folkestone[50]
– Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 –[49]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – July 1941
52 24 June 1941 12:08 I-18 (MiG-1)[51] 74♠ 10 July 1941 11:50 I-17 (MiG-1)[52]
53 24 June 1941 15:15 I-15[51] 75♠ 10 July 1941 12:35 Pe-2[52]
54 26 June 1941 06:42 SB-2[51] 76♠ 10 July 1941 15:55 I-153[52]
55 26 June 1941 06:45 SB-2[51] 77♠ 10 July 1941 18:35 I-16 east of Makarow[52]
56 26 June 1941 12:45 I-15[51] 78 11 July 1941 17:44 I-16[53]
57 26 June 1941 12:50 SB-2[51] 79 11 July 1941 18:00 SB-2[53]
58 29 June 1941 18:10 V-11 (Il-2) north of Ostroh[54] 80♠ 12 July 1941 13:00 V-11 (Il-2)[53]
59 30 June 1941 09:20 V-11 (Il-2)[54] 81♠ 12 July 1941 13:04 V-11 (Il-2)[53]
60 30 June 1941 13:30 SB-2[54] 82♠ 12 July 1941 15:35 I-16[53]
61 1 July 1941 18:20 SB-2[52] vicinity of Lviv 83♠ 12 July 1941 15:35 I-16[53]
62 1 July 1941 18:22 SB-2 north of Hoszca[52] 84♠ 12 July 1941 15:35 I-16[53]
63 1 July 1941 18:24 SB-2 north of Korets[52] 85♠ 12 July 1941 15:36 SB-2[53]
64 2 July 1941 12:00 DB-3[52] 86♠ 12 July 1941 15:37 SB-2[53]
65 6 July 1941 14:42 SB-3[52] 87 13 July 1941 11:44 DB-3[55]
66 6 July 1941 17:20 SB-2[52] 88 15 July 1941 12:50 I-153[55]
67 6 July 1941 17:24 Pe-2[52] 89 15 July 1941 12:55 DB-3[55]
68 7 July 1941 05:57 Pe-2[52] 90 22 July 1941 16:40?[Note 14] Il-2?[Note 14] low level attack on an airfield[56]
69 8 July 1941 13:00 SB-2[52] 91 23 July 1941?[Note 15] 11:20?[Note 15] DB-3?[56][Note 15]
70 8 July 1941 13:02 SB-2[52] 92 23 July 1941 13:44 SB-2[56]
71 8 July 1941 13:04 SB-2 northeast of Miropol[52] 93 23 July 1941 15:28 I-15[56]
72 8 July 1941 17:15 SB-2[52] 94 23 July 1941 17:22 DB-3 west of Bila Tserkva[56]
73♠ 10 July 1941 09:07 V-11 (Il-2)[52] 95 24 July 1941 13:55 DB-3[56]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[57]
On the Western Front — August – 31 December 1941
96 10 August 1941 14:15 Spitfire northeast of Calais[58] 103 21 August 1941 10:23 Spitfire west of Calais[58]
97♠ 12 August 1941 11:43 Spitfire?[Note 16] north-northwest of Calais[58] 104 21 August 1941 15:10 Spitfire east of Étaples[58]
98♠ 12 August 1941 12:50?[Note 17] Spitfire northwest of Saint-Omer[58] 105 31 August 1941 20:07 Spitfire Rouen[58]
99♠ 12 August 1941 12:54 Spitfire northwest of Saint-Omer[58] 106 4 September 1941 17:35 Spitfire[59] Saint-Omer/Béthune
100♠ 12 August 1941 13:06 Spitfire 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Dover[58] 107 13 October 1941 14:35 Spitfire 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Boulogne[59]
101♠ 12 August 1941 13:15?[Note 18] Spitfire southeast of Dover[58]
15 km (9.3 mi) south of Dungeness 		108 13 October 1941 15:28 Spitfire[59]
102 16 August 1941 19:38 Spitfire 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Calais[58] 109 26 October 1941 13:08 Spitfire[59]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[60]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1942
110 17 April 1942 17:10 Lancaster west of Évreux[61] 111?[Note 19] 20 December 1942 12:30 B-17 Melun
111 5 September 1942 12:30 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost 0021[61] 112 20 December 1942 13:53 B-17 25 km (16 mi) north-northwest of Dieppe[61]
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[60]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1943
113 4 April 1943 14:30 B-17 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Elbeuf[62]
west of Saint-Pierre 		114 29 May 1943 17:25 B-17* PQ 14 West 3972[62]
PQ 14 West 3831
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 1 –[60]
Defense of the Reich — January – 11 May 1944
115 5 January 1944 12:00?[Note 20] B-24[63] Heide 121 22 February 1944 15:25 B-17[64]
116 30 January 1944 12:00 B-17[65] southwest of Osnabrück 122 24 February 1944 12:40 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/HT/HU, vicinity of Minden[66]
—
 30 January 1944 12:20 B-17&[65] 123 25 February 1944 13:05 B-17 PQ 04 Ost N/AR, vicinity of Baden-Baden[66]
117 8 February 1944 12:00 P-38 PQ 05 Ost S/PS[65]
220° from Bad Nauheim 		124 25 February 1944 15:00 B-24 PQ 04 Ost N/AQ-2/3, west of Baden-Baden[66]
118 10 February 1944 12:55?[Note 21] B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/FO, east of Zwolle[65] 125 6 March 1944 12:05?[Note 22] P-47 PQ 05 Ost S/EQ, northwest of Vechta[66]
119 10 February 1944 13:00 P-47 PQ 05 Ost S/FM/FN, vicinity of Zwolle[65] 126 6 March 1944 12:20?[Note 23] B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/ER, south of Delmenhorst[66]
120 22 February 1944 13:36?[Note 24] B-17 north of Thiel[64] 127 8 May 1944 09:45?[Note 25] P-47 PQ 05 Ost S/FS/FT, southwest of Verden[67]

Awards[edit]

Date of Rank[edit]

October 1933: Enlisted Soldier[2]
1934: Fahnenjunker[2]
20 April 1937: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)[1]
15 July 1939: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant)[2]
19 July 1940: Hauptmann (Captain)[1][3]
20 July 1941: Major (Major)[75]
1 February 1943: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)
1 May 1944: Oberst (Colonel) (posthumous promotion after death)[76]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organization
  2. ^ Jagdgruppe 88, four squadrons equipped with the Heinkel He 51
  3. ^ Oesau is the 2nd person on the left side of the coffin behind Adolf Galland and in front of Dietrich Peltz.
  4. ^ The first fighter pilot to claim 100 aerial victories in combat was Oberstleutnant Werner Mölders on 15 July 1941 and the second was Major Günther Lützow on 24 October 1941.[25]
  5. ^ Reformed 6 September 1943 in Saint-Pol–Brias from Jagdfliegerführer 2
  6. ^ This unconfirmed claim is listed by Mathews and Foreman,[41] but not by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[43]
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[41]
  8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is listed as Oesau's 15th aerial victory.[41] However, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock do not list this claim.[45]
  9. ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[41]
  10. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:48.[41]
  11. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:50.[41]
  12. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:34.[41]
  13. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:05.[49]
  14. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:20 over an Ilyushin DB-3.[49]
  15. ^ a b c According to Mathews and Foreman claimed on 22 July 1941 at 16:40 over an aircraft of unknown type.[49]
  16. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Hawker Hurricane.[49]
  17. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:50.[49]
  18. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 19:27.[49]
  19. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is listed as Oesau's 111th aerial victory.[60] However, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock do not list this claim.[61]
  20. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:10.[60]
  21. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:00.[60]
  22. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:10.[60]
  23. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:10.[60]
  24. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:26.[60]
  25. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:00.[60]
  26. ^ According to Scherzer on 16 July 1941.[71]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Weal 1999, pp. 70–71.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 30–31.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Weal 2006, pp. 15–25.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sundin & Bergström 2002, p. 56.
  5. ^ Weal & Price 1996, pp. 50–52.
  6. ^ a b c Weal & Price 1996, p. 68.
  7. ^ a b c Bekker & Ziegler 1994, p. 132.
  8. ^ Foreman 2003, p. 99.
  9. ^ Mason 1969, p. 158.
  10. ^ Kacha 2007.
  11. ^ Mason 1969, p. 180.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2002b, p. 80.
  13. ^ Weal 2006, p. 31.
  14. ^ Holmes 2007, p. 74.
  15. ^ a b c d Miller 1997, p. 30.
  16. ^ Franks 2016, p. 11.
  17. ^ Weal 2006, pp. 41–43.
  18. ^ Weal 1999, p. 10–11.
  19. ^ Deighton 1977, p. 281.
  20. ^ Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 105.
  21. ^ Weal 2001, p. 28.
  22. ^ Kay, Smith & Creek 2002, p. 234.
  23. ^ a b Mombeek 2003.
  24. ^ a b c Weal 2000, p. 78.
  25. ^ Berger 1999, p. 268.
  26. ^ Weal 2000, p. 80.
  27. ^ Weal 1996, p. 79.
  28. ^ Weal 1996, p. 21.
  29. ^ Weal 2000, pp. 77–104.
  30. ^ a b Caldwell & Muller 2007, pp. 160–162.
  31. ^ Weal 1996, p. 57.
  32. ^ Caldwell & Muller 2007, p. 194.
  33. ^ "Aero-Journal", no 3, April 1997
  34. ^ James L. Doyle at Arlington National Cemetery
  35. ^ Townsend 2000, p. 339.
  36. ^ Weal 2000, p. 125.
  37. ^ Toliver & Constable 1996, p. 352.
  38. ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1610.
  39. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 932–934.
  40. ^ Planquadrat.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 932.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i Forsyth 2011, p. 103.
  43. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2000, p. 187.
  44. ^ Prien et al. 2000, p. 188.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Prien et al. 2002b, p. 83.
  46. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2002b, p. 84.
  47. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 932–933.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Prien et al. 2002b, p. 86.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 933.
  50. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2002a, p. 247.
  51. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2003b, p. 137.
  52. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Prien et al. 2003b, p. 140.
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2003b, p. 141.
  54. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003b, p. 138.
  55. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003b, p. 142.
  56. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2003b, p. 144.
  57. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 933–934.
  58. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2003a, p. 411.
  59. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2003a, p. 412.
  60. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 934.
  61. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2004, p. 213.
  62. ^ a b Prien et al. 2010, p. 428.
  63. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1200.
  64. ^ a b Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1202.
  65. ^ a b c d e Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1201.
  66. ^ a b c d e Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1203.
  67. ^ Prien & Rodeike 1996, p. 1208.
  68. ^ a b c d e Berger 1999, p. 255.
  69. ^ a b Thomas 1998, p. 130.
  70. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 336.
  71. ^ a b c Scherzer 2007, p. 576.
  72. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 329.
  73. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 54.
  74. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 39.
  75. ^ Stockert 1996, p. 66.
  76. ^ Stockert 1996, p. 68.

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Further reading[edit]

Military offices
Preceded by Commander of Jagdgeschwader 2 Richthofen
4 July 1941 – 1 July 1943 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
unknown
 Commander of Jagdfliegerführer 4
1 July 1943 – 6 September 1943 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne
6 September 1943 – 11 November 1943 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Jagdgeschwader 1 Oesau
12 November 1943 – 11 May 1944 		Succeeded by

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