[Gordon Raddock]

Hi Rick

Eugen Wintergerst was born on 13 June 1915 at Lauben. He was serving with 4./JG 77 at the time of the invasion of Russia. On 24 September 1941 collided with Lt. Herwig Zuzic (13 victories, KIA 19 August 1943). Both pilots baled out into Russian captivity. Wintergerst had 20 victories to his credit at this time. Some months later Wintergerst and Zuzic were parachuted into Rumania by the Russians to act as spies. They gave themselves up to German authorities and told them they had persuaded the Russians they had defected. Wintergerst was appointed Staffelkapitän of 9./JG 1 based at Deelen in Holland on 1 April 1943. He raised his victory total to 22 but was then shot down and killed in aerial combat with RAF Spitfires on 4 September 1943, his Bf 109 G-6 (WNr 15609) "Yellow 1" crashing near Bergues, France. He was a recipient of the Ehrenpokal.

Cheers
Gordon