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Ludwig Franzisket

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Prof. Dr.

Ludwig Franzisket
Ludwig Franzisket
Born(1917-06-26)26 June 1917
Düsseldorf
Died23 November 1988(1988-11-23) (aged 71)
Münster
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branchLuftwaffe
Years of service1937–1945
RankMajor (major)
UnitJagdgeschwader 26
Jagdgeschwader 1
CommandsJagdgeschwader 27
Battles / wars
See battles

World War II

AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other workdirector of the Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde

Ludwig Franzisket (born 26 June 1917 in Düsseldorf – died 23 November 1988 in Münster) was a German World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] He scored all of his 43 victories against the Western Allies in over 500 combat missions whilst flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. After the war, he became a professor and director of the Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde.

Early life and military career

Franzisket was born on 26 June 1917 in Düsseldorf, at the time in the Rhine Province, the westernmost province of the Kingdom of Prussia within the German Empire.[2] In 1937, he volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe. Following completion of flight,[Note 1] Franzisket initially served with Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) from 1938, and then transferred 1. Staffel (1st squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing) on the 1 August 1939.[4]

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland.

Battle of France and Britain

The Wehrmacht launched the invasion of France and the Low Countries on 10 May 1940. During this campaign, I. Gruppe of JG 1 was subordinated to the Stab (headquarters unit) of Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27–27th Fighter Wing) which was under the control of VIII. Fliegerkorps (8th Air Corps) under the command of Generaloberst Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen.[5] The next day, Franzisket claimed his first two victories, ending the French campaign with nine aerial victories.

On 5 July, I. Gruppe of JG 1 was redesignated and became the III. Gruppe of JG 27. Consequently, 1., 2. and 3. Staffel of JG 1 became the 7., 8. and 9. Staffel of JG 27 respectively.[6]

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 of Jagdgeschwader 27 with two MG 151/20 under its wings. This aircraft was flown by Gruppenkommandeur Major Ludwig Franzisket in early 1944.[7]

On 1 October 1940 Franzisket was appointed Adjutant of I./Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing). Franzisket had achieved 14 victories at the time of the units relocation to North Africa. A notable success in this period occurred on 14 June 1941 when Franzisket intercepted and shot down South African ace Captain Kenneth Driver. The air battle was fought singularly, in a one-versus-one situation. Both men fired at each other, but only the German scored hits. Franzisket got too close and struck Driver's tail with a wing tip ,damaging it. Franzisket remained ignorant of the collision, as did Driver, who was preparing to bail out, until after they met. Franzisket showed Driver around the damaged Bf 109. Driver showed Franzisket a picture and lock of hair belonging to his girlfriend who had come to visit him in Cairo. The German promised to have a message dropped via container over his airfield informing her that Driver lived.[8] Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Franzisket was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 20 July for 22 victories in 204 missions.

Franzisket was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 1. Staffel JG 27 on 5 December 1941.[9] With his score at 39, Frankisket was shot down on 29 October 1942 by Royal Air Force (RAF) Spitfires. As he bailed out of Messerschmitt Bf 109 (Werknummer 10616—factory number) he struck the vertical stabilizer, a fate suffered by his close friend and fellow ace Hans-Joachim Marseille just four weeks before, breaking his leg. Marseille had not been as fortunate to survive the accident and was killed. Franzisket was tasked with recovery of Marseille's body from the desert.

Franzisket summed up his view of the air war over North Africa after the war:

In the air we were superior to the British fighter aircraft [Hurricanes] particularly in 1941. The Curtiss Tomahawks and Kittyhawks were much better aircraft, but the Bf 109F had the better performance at high altitude. Over and above, our tactics seemed to be better than the British, but on the other hand, the ever-growing superiority in numbers of the RAF was the reason why JG 27 was from the summer, 1942 onwards, more and more decimated and weakened. Negative points were the enormous technical difficulties and the lack of supply. An important but not decisive psychological factor was the news of the immense super-victories of the German pilots in Russia. But we all had the feeling that these victories were gained much more easily than ours. I never envied the German Jagdgeschwadern on the Channel front; I have a very unpleasant memory of my own tour of several months over England, and therefore had the highest respect for the results of the pilots on the Western front."[10]

After recovering Franzisket led 1./Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Süd—a supplementary training unit—from 1 July 1943. On 15 July, he was then appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I./JG 27. Hu succeeded Hauptmann Hans Remmer who had temporarily led the Gruppe since 1 June when the former commander Hauptmann Erich Hohagen had been wounded in combat.[9] The Gruppe was based in Germany, defending against the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

In May 1944, the Allies initiated the Oil Campaign of World War II, targeting various facilities supplying Germany with petroleum, oil, and lubrication products. On 12 May, the Eighth Air Force sent an attack force of 886 heavy bombers, protected by 980 escort fighters, against the German refineries in central Germany at Leuna, Merseburg, Böhlen and Zeitz.[11] That day, Franzisket's Bf 109 G-6/U4 (Werknummer 441097) was shot down and severely wounded in combat with the bombers, forcing him to bail out near Frankfurt.[12] Subsequently he surrendered command of I. Gruppe to Hauptmann Ernst Börngen.[13] On 15 December 1944 Franzisket joined the Geschwaderstab of JG 27, and then was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of JG 27 on 30 December 1944.

Franzisket surrendered with the remnants of his unit to American Forces at Salzburg, Austria on 8 May 1945. His younger brother Max, born 22 August 1918 in Düsseldorf, was a Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Zerstörergeschwader 1 (ZG 1—1st Destroyer Wing) and was killed in action on 19 July 1943 on the Eastern Front.[14]

Academic career

After World War II Ludwig Franzisket went to the University of Münster and attained a Doctor of Philosophy (German: Doktor abbreviated Dr.) in Biology. He later became a Professor and director of the Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde. He died aged 71 on 23 November 1988 in Münster.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces: Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 39 aerial victory claims, plus four further unconfirmed claims. All of his aerial victories were claimed on the Western Front and include three four-engined bombers.[15]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Franzisket did not receive credit.
  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
– 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 1?[Note 2] –
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
1 11 May 1940 06:53 Gladiator vicinity of Maastricht[17] ?[Note 3] 23 May 1940 14:20 Hurricane Douai
2?[Note 4] 11 May 1940 19:55 M.S.406 Riemst[17] 6 23 May 1940 14:20?[Note 5] Hurricane Douai[18]
3 17 May 1940 13:05 Potez 63 Laon[17] 7 5 June 1940 10:45?[Note 6] LeO 451 Nesle[18]
4 19 May 1940 13:50 Mureaux Amiens[18] 8 5 June 1940 10:50 LeO 451 Nesle[18]
5 23 May 1940 14:12 Hurricane Douai[18] ?[Note 3] 5 June 1940 10:50 LeO 451 Nesle
?[Note 3] 23 May 1940 14:15 Hurricane Douai 9 5 June 1940 21:22 M.S.406 Roye[18]
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[16]
Action at the Channel and over England — 26 June – 10 November 1940
10?[Note 2] 11 July 1940 09:03 Hurricane south of Portland[19] 13 25 August 1940 18:55 Hurricane Portland[20]
11 8 August 1940 13:25 Hurricane south of the Isle of Wight[19] 14?[Note 7] 8 September 1940 13:42 Blenheim Calais[20]
12 16 August 1940 14:20 Hurricane Portsmouth[20]
– Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[16]
Sicily, Balkans and North Africa — 4 December 1940 – 31 May 1941
15 23 April 1941 10:40 Hurricane Tobruk[21] 16 23 April 1941 11:05 Hurricane Tobruk[21]
– 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[16]
Sicily, Balkans and North Africa — 1 June – 17 November 1941
17 14 June 1941 05:05 Hurricane south of Ain el Gazala[21] 21 30 June 1941 16:35 P-40 north of Marsa Luccech[22]
18 14 June 1941 05:06 Martin 167 southeast of Ain el Gazala[21] 22 19 July 1941 18:15 P-40 north of Ras Asaz[22]
19 15 June 1941 16:30 Hurricane southeast of Gambut[21] 23 9 September 1941 17:15 Hurricane 30 km (19 mi) east of Sidi Barrani[23]
20 26 June 1941 13:45 P-40 Ain el Gazala[22] 24 12 October 1941 08:08 P-40 Bir Sheferzen[23]
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[16]
In North Africa — 5 December 1941 – 31 October 1942
25 17 December 1941 11:12 P-40 Martuba[24] 32?[Note 4] 9 June 1942 07:50 P-40 southwest of Hagfa el Beda[25]
26 17 December 1941 11:20 P-40 southeast of Timimi[24] 33 12 June 1942 18:50 Hurricane Al Adm[25]
27 23 December 1941 12:24 Maryland northeast Ajdabiya[24] 34 26 June 1942 12:12 P-40 southwest of Mersa Matruh[26]
28 21 March 1942 07:55 P-40 north of Ain el Gazala[27] 35?[Note 4] 27 June 1942 08:55 Martin 167 southwest of RAF El Daba[26]
29 27 March 1942 16:55 P-40 south of Ain el Gazala[27] 36 27 June 1942 18:25 Hurricane southwest of Fouka[26]
30 11 April 1942 10:55 P-40 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Bir Habex[27] 37 5 July 1942 13:50 Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) south of El Alamein[26]
31 22 May 1942 07:41 P-40 20 km (12 mi) east of Derna[27] 38 17 July 1942 13:12 Hurricane southwest of El Alamein[28]
—
[Note 8] 		22 May 1942 07:51 P-40 south of Timimi[29] 39?[Note 4] 12 October 1942
—
 Spitfire La Valetta, Malta[30]
– Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[16]
Defense of the Reich — 29 July – 31 December 1943
40 14 October 1943 14:50 B-17 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Schweinfurt[31] 42 14 October 1943 14:55?[Note 9] B-17 15 km (9.3 mi) west-southwest of Rothenburg[31]
41 14 October 1943 14:55 B-17 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Schweinfurt[31]

Awards

Works

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.[3]
  2. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed while flying with 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 1.[16]
  3. ^ a b c This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[18]
  4. ^ a b c d According to Mathews and Foreman, this claim is unconfirmed .[16]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:15.[16]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:43.[16]
  7. ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[16]
  8. ^ This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[16]
  9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:02.[16]
  10. ^ According to Scherzer on 23 July 1941.[33]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 113.
  3. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  4. ^ a b Dixon 2023, p. 80.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2000, p. 70.
  6. ^ Prien et al. 2002, pp. 408, 416.
  7. ^ Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1998, p. 437.
  8. ^ Shores & Ring 1969, pp. 43–44.
  9. ^ a b Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1998, p. 535.
  10. ^ Shores, Massimello & Guest 2012, p. 15.
  11. ^ Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1998, p. 403.
  12. ^ Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1998, pp. 404, 550.
  13. ^ Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1998, p. 406.
  14. ^ Ziefle 2013, p. 117.
  15. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 334–335.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 335.
  17. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2000, p. 77.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2000, p. 78.
  19. ^ a b Prien et al. 2002, p. 420.
  20. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2002, p. 421.
  21. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2003, p. 370.
  22. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003, p. 371.
  23. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 372.
  24. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004, p. 177.
  25. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 181.
  26. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2004, p. 182.
  27. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2004, p. 179.
  28. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 183.
  29. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 180.
  30. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 185.
  31. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2009, p. 171.
  32. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 185.
  33. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 317.
  34. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 121.

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.
  • 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.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
  • 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.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Rodeike, Peter; Stemmer, Gerhard (1998). Messerschmitt Bf 109 im Einsatz bei Stab und I./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1939 – 1945 [Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Action with the Headquarters Unit and I./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1939 – 1945] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-46-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000). 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/I—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/I—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-63-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003). 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 (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 8/I—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—November 1941 bis December 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 8/I—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 (2009). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/III—Reichsverteidigung—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/III—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-89-2.
  • 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.
  • Scutts, Jerry (1994). Bf 109 Aces of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 2. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-448-0.
  • Shores, Christopher; Ring, Hans (1969). Fighters over the Desert. London: Neville Spearman Limited. ISBN 978-0-668-02070-1.
  • Shores, Christopher F.; Massimello, Giovanni; Guest, Russell (2012). A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945 Volume 2: North African Desert, February 1942 – March 1943. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-909166-12-7.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Weal, John (2003). Jagdgeschwader 27 "Afrika". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 12. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-538-9.
  • Ziefle, Michael (2013). Messerschmitt Bf 110: Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges [Messerschmitt Bf 110: The Rehabilitation of an Aircraft] (in German). Norderstedt Books on Demand. ISBN 978-3-8482-8879-3.
Military offices
Preceded by
Oberstleutnant Gustav Rödel
 Commander of Jagdgeschwader 27 Afrika
30 December 1944 – 8 May 1945 		Succeeded by
none
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