Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

The above was killed 25 Sep 44 when his Bf 109G-14, 462693, Blaue 10 crashed at Kilder in the Netherlands, his body not being recovered until 1951. Can anyone add any more to his story? He was formerly 3./ZG 1

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

What do you want to know? His remains were recovered from the wreck and he was buried at Ysselsteyn Grave TLL-10-115.

John

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

John-I have emailed you

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

On 25.9.44 several missions were flown by the Jagdwaffe against the Allied landings near Arnhem, one at around 17.00 hrs (German Time) with Gefechtsverband Major Späthe;

17.07 – 18.21 hrs 28x Bf 109 from III./JG 4 from Lippspringe
Claimed 1 Mustang
Lost 1 Bf 109 (Gilfert) and at least two damaged Bf 109’s
17.13 - 18.50 hrs 23x Fw 190 from III./JG 11 from Achmer
Claimed 2 Thunderbolts
Lost 1 Fw 190 (pilot returned)
17.25 – 18.25 hrs 14x Fw 190 from IV./JG 54 from Plantlünne
Claimed 4 Mitchells
Lost 2 Fw 190 (Adler & Zorn)

The unit was in combat with numerous different units, mainly RAF Mustangs and Spitfires. It is very difficult to determine who shot down who…

Fw. Fritz Gilfert joined 10./KG 40 in May 1943. Was later with 16./KG 40, then 3./ZG 1 and finally 12./JG 4.

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Thanks John. His name doesn't come up until V./KG 40 became I./ZG 1 in October 43 and he was with 3./ZG 1 formerly 15./KG 40.

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Hi Chris

I also have him with 10./KG 40 and 15./KG 40. Two claims with 3./ZG 1:-

26,2.44 Halifax 1045 hrs
11,4.44 Mosquito 1536 hrs

Born 22,07.1921

Regards

Johannes

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Thanks I have this as well. 16./KG 40 is this mysterious Staffel about which I have nothing. The fact that it became 9./ZG 1 is also a puzzle as this was formed from Kdo Kunkel to be 9 (NJ)./ZG 1. Also, III./ZG 1 was 7 Staffel only from what I can see until Feb/Mar 44 when it became a pseudo Gruppe commanded by Hptm Hans Morr who handed over 7 Staffel to Oblt Martin Reuter

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Hi Chris

I have claims for 9./ZG 1 going back to 08.02.1941(Johannes Lutter)and Kdo.Kunkel's only two claims 02.05.1944 and 04.05.1944 by Artur Meyer . Also with 9./ZG 1 I have three claims for Alwyn Meyer on 02.02.1942 and 13.02.1942 x 2.

Regards

Johannes

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

I believe Lt. Alwin Meyer belonged to 6./ZG 26 at that time.

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Kdo Kunkel's claims were by Ly Arthur Ewert (10 Jun 1913) not Meyer. He was originally a transport pilot with KGrzbv I/323, Stab LLG 2 before joining I./ZG 101 11 Feb to 16 Jun 43, 10./KG 40 17 Jun-18 Aug 43, 14./KG 40 19 Aug to 7 Oct 43, 2./ZG 1 to 10 Nov 43 then 9.(Nacht)/ZG 1 to 16 Jul 44. He ended the war with 1./NJG 4. He had another claim on 11 Sep 43 for a Mosquito. His claims with Kdo Kunkel cannot be matched with any losses

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Hi Chris

Sorry, a senior moment, yes Ewert. Usually night-fighter pilots claims are very honest(Kurt welter an exception). Got the Alwin Meyer information from a flugbuch, so might very have been with 6./ZG 26 as stated by John. There seem to be no daily mikrofilms entries 11-13 September 1943, therefore likely the Mosquito claim was unconfirmed, or less likely mikrofilms for this day lost.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Yes, Lt. Alwyn Meyer was from Dec 1941 till May 1942 with the old 6./ZG 26 in Russia. He scored 4 more vic in Dec 1943 and Jan 1944 with the new 5./ZG 26 as an Oblt. and Staffelführer. I have his total as 7.

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Hi John

I made it five in the period you state:-

29,11.43 B-17
01,12.43 B-24 Cologne area
11,12.43 B-17 Waddenzee area 1232 hrs 7200 metres
11,01.44 B-17 x 2 Blankersee area

The four without times must be unconfirmed as missing from the mikrofilms.. January 1944's mikrofilm daily sheet remain missing, but they is a mikrofilm listing date and time only, and there's nothing for 11th January 1944 on it.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

He does not report on 29.11.43 an Abschuss in his FB. There is something with a Boeing Fortress on that day in the remarks, but he clearly marks his 01.12.43 claim as his 4th...

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Hi John

Am sure your correct, I'll check again and update my biography.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Hi John

Personally I think it is a claim on 29th November 1943. Reason being he has scripted this like his other claims. Seems he came to grief himself and omits the flying time. Can't read the last word written, but "1 Boing Fortress in ....."

His hand-writing is appalling though, I suspect he was disappointed each Christmas when he asked Santa for a boomerang, and Santa read it as break both my legs !

Perhaps we need other eyes on this one.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4
 

Of interest hidden in a document sent to me by Nick Beale, it states that on 13 Apr 44, Gilfert was awarded the EKI for 19 missions more than four hours and seven less than four hours