[Doug Stankey]

This is perplexing, as few details can be found.

Here’s our file on this chap:

GALLOWITSCH, Bernhard (Bernd).
Date of birth: 23.02.18 in Wien.
1939-40 in KGr. 100.
06.40 converted to fighters and assigned to IV./JG 51.
31.08.41 Lt., acting Staka 12./JG 51 (to 11.41).
15.09.41 Lt., awarded Ehrenpokal.
24.01.42 Lt., awarded Ritterkreuz, 12./JG 51.
1942 severely WIA.
01.01.43 promo to Hptm.
26.03.43 trf from Frontflieger-Sammelgruppe to RLM (LP 5).
1944 Me 262 jet training at Lechfeld.
01.05.45 Maj., appt Staka 4./JG 1 (to 05.05.45).
Credited with c.480 combat missions, 64 air victories and the destruction of at least 23 tanks.
† 28.12.83 in Wien/Schwechat.


I searched the Tony Wood listings and came up with nothing, excerpt that his kill claims cease c 02.12.41 and there is nothing after that.

Looking in Prien JFV 9/II was unrevealing but 6/I says that he had been the acting Staka up to 11.41 and then disappears completely with the 02.12.41 kill claim.

Could it be that his wounding occurred in very late 1941 or very early 1942, and was severe enough to limit him to staff jobs after that? It might have been the trigger to getting the Ritterkreuz.

Maybe someone out there can fill in the blanks on this?