Wilhelm Gänsler

This article is about a decorated German airman of World War II. For others with a similar name, please, see Gensler (disambiguation).
Wilhelm Gänsler
Born 22 May 1919
Arnstadt, Germany
Died 22 November 1985(1985-11-22) (aged 66)
Calw, Germany
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch  Luftwaffe
Years of service 1938–45
Rank Oberfeldwebel
Unit Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Nachtjagdgeschwader 4
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other work worked for the Schnaufer-Schlossbergkellerei

Wilhelm Gänsler (22 May 1919 – 22 November 1985)[1] was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II, a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This decoration recognised extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career Gänsler participated in 115 missions as a flight engineer or aerial gunner, some with Ludwig Becker. He participated in 98 of Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer's victories.[Note 1] He received the Knight's Cross after 80 aerial victories participations and was recommended for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 8 March 1945.[3]

Awards and decorations

Notes

  1. ↑ The RAF bomber Avro Lancaster ME453 (PO-L) lost on night air raid against Dortmund-Ems canal on 3 March 1945, presumably shot down by Heinz Schnaufer.[2]
  2. ↑ According to Obermaier on 20 March 1944.[3]
  3. ↑ According to Scherzer as air gunner in the Stab IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.[7]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Gänsler, Wilhelm". Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 - 1945. Suderburg: Andreas Düfel. 2006.
  2. ↑ "The German Nightfighter force". An Ordinary Crew: 467 Squadron RAF. November 10, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Obermaier 1989, p. 116.
  4. ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 129.
  5. ↑ Patzwall 2008, p. 82.
  6. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 190.
  7. ↑ Scherzer 2007, p. 325.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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. 
  • Hinchliffe, Peter (1999). Schnaufer: Ace of Diamonds. Brimscombe Port, UK: Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-1690-8. 
  • 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. 
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3. 
  • 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. 
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/21/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.