Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Hello Brian
more important info than the Iron Cross is that according to the link Alain gave Salwender also got the Ehrenpokal and the Deutsches Kreutz in Gold. So he did achieve more than a few victories.

Juha

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Many thanks Juha

Was Salwender operational before being posted to the Eastern Front, do we know? And what might his decorations imply?

Might he have been involved in the massacre of the FAA Albacores during the attack on Petsamo July 1941?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Sorry Brian
to my understanding because the war diaries of the JG 77 are missing we only knew that 14./JG 77 pilots achieved 12 victories but do not know any details. We also know that Fw Hugo Dahmer from 1./JG 77 got one victory, but no details of it. Only the victories of the Bf 110 crews of Z./JG 77 are known (altogether 6 Albacores).

Juha

My source is Pentti Manninen's article 'Brittien ilmahyökkäys Petsamoon ja Kirkkoniemeen 30.7.1941' in the Suomen Ilmailuhistoriallinen Lehti 2/2012

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Hi Guys

I do have a vague memory of seeing a photo of Salwender's rudder with seventeen Russian stars above the bars for claims, but can't remember where. Assuming this actually is his rudder, then his only British claims would be like Rudolf Müller later and either Hurricanes or two engaged British bombers, but it is likely that all his claims were over Sowiet aircraft.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Thanks Johannes

Finding that photograph would be great!!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Hi Guys

Photo found in Jochen Prien book Jagdfliegerbände der Luftwaffe:22.6.1941 bis 5.12.1941........page 426. Photo stated as Ofw Salwender's rudder with nineteen bars with Russian red star on. Prien himself states claims 1-23 claimed in 1941......evidence some documentation or other. "Cup of honour" awarded 30th September 1941 as a Uffz.

So if the photo(which doesn't contain the pilot himself) is actually Salwender's, and was taken in 1941 as the book implies, them as he got at least two claims in 1942, then total must be at least twenty-one.....all in the east.

No Deutsches Kreuz in Gold awarded, unless like Hermann Graf's it's missing from book on the subject. One would think the award was just about warranted for this total at this time period.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Thanks Johannes and others

What actually was a 'Cup of Honour'? For what reason was it presented and by whom? Was it just Gruppe level?

I'd still like to see that photograph!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg-the Honour Goblet which was awarded to aircrew for their efforts. One below DKiG one can say

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

This one ??? Recent eBay auction ...


Thanks for your comments.

Regards, Franck.

Re: Florian Salwender JG77/JG5 1941/42
 

Criteria for award of the Ehrenpokal changed during the conflict, and as it predates the DKiG, was not originally considered as an award to bridge the gulf between the EK1 and the DKiG.