Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

Gentlemen,

Well-known photo depicts Maj. Lutzow handling the command of JG3 to hpt. Wilcke at Tusow on August 12, 1942. It is announced that Wilcke became also operational head of German fighters in Staligrad area, suprisingly having the rank of Hauptmann.
Questions are: 1. When Wilcke was officially promoted to Major?
2. Were there any special reasons for not promoting him to Major before making him Geschwadercommodore or at least in the nearest future after the appointment (maybe his strong anti nazi position)?

TIA

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

As at least a partial answer to your questions, a search of our files reveals:

WILCKE, Wolf-Dietrich.
(DOB: 11.03.13 in Schrimm near Posen).
1934 joined the army, served in a Cavalry Rgt.
1935 trf to the Luftwaffe, as an Oberfähnrich.
01.04.36 promo to Lt.
(n.d.) trf to JG 132.
c.10.37 trf to JFS Werneuchen as an instructor.
1939 served with the Legion Condor in Spain.
01.07.39 Oblt., trf from I. of J/88 Legion Condor to III./JG 53.
03.10.39 Oblt., appt Staka 7./JG 53 (to 18.05.40).
18.05.40 POW – in Bf 109 E-3 shot down by French fighters W of Rethel and bailed out; aircraft crashed at LaGravière, Doux.
01.07.40 promo to Hptm.
07.40 re-appt Staka 7./JG 53 (to 12.08.40).
13.08.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. III./JG 53 (to 18.05.42).
06.08.41 Hptm., awarded Ritterkreuz, Kdr. III./JG 53.
19.05.42 trf to JG 3.
12.08.42 Hptm./Maj., appt Kommodore JG 3 (to 23.03.44).
09.09.42 Hptm., awarded Eichenlaub, Kommodore JG 3.
03.11.42 Maj., awarded DKG, Kommodore JG 3.
23.12.42 Maj., awarded Schwerter, Kommodore JG 3.
01.02.43 promo to Obstlt.
01.12.43 promo to Oberst.
23.03.44 KIA - shot down by P-51 Mustangs near Schöppenstedt by Braunschweig).
Credited with 162 air victories in 732 combat missions.

Thus we do not have a date of promotion to Major, but only an approximate time frame. As for reasons, some fighter maven will have to supply that.

We hope that this helps.

HLdZ
DGS

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

Doug/Nikita/anybody,

Do you happen to know if he was related to the two Wilcke brothers who served in the Kreigsmarine, one being KIA by 'friendly fire' on 14 October 1942?

Thanks,
Bruce

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

Doug,

Thank you. Interesting case, Hauptmann for more than two years...

Bruce,

Unfortunately, I have no idea.

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

I dont know how accurate the victory-lists in the JG 3 book by Prien/Stemmer are, but they have the last entry of Hptm. Wilcke on 29.9.42, and the first entry of Maj. Wilcke 3.10.42.

Just my 2 cents

Norbert

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

Warning! Speculation and (probably) faulty memory ahead.

I seem to remember some off-hand comments in some of the books I own that Wilcke was one of the most outspoken opponents of the brown rulers in Berlin within the Jagdwaffe. It is documented that several pilots of III./JG 53 overpainted the swastika on their aircraft to demonstrate to Göring what they thought of him and his political meddling (that means the issue about Major von Cramon-Taubadel, former Kommodore of JG 53) and Wilcke just happened to be in command of III./JG 53 in the timeframe in question. It is entirely possible that the delayed promotion was a little payback by the "powers that be".

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

Hi,

In the newer "Jagdfliegerverbande...9/II", the transition from Hptm. to Maj. occurs between 20.9.42 and 22.9.42 .

Don

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

By the way, do you happen to know whether Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke was married? I can't find anything about this anywhere. (Maybe he wasn't?)

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

Hi Guys

On 20th September 1942 he claimed his 108-109 confirmed victories as a Hauptmann. On 22nd September 1942 he claimed his 110-115 confirmed victories as a Major.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke at Stalingrad
 

Johannes-this is a 'zombie' thread which Don answered as you have but over 7 years ago!