Feldwebel Adolf "Bubi" Spohrer, KG53

[ejstuczko]

I am attempting to get information about great-cousin who flew Heinkel111s with KG 53. He flew throughout the war from France, Britain, and Poland to Russia. I had the privilege to speak with him in 1983 when visiting family in Landshut, Germany. I was recently given a photo of him and his family taken sometime in 1943-1944 while he was on leave. He is in uniform with decorations and Legion Condor cuff is visible. I will download it later for your review. I am using this forum for any information, or ways to get it, and greatly appreciate any assistance with this matter. Thank you in advance.

[ejstuczko]

Here is photo with father, mother, and younger brother. I hope I did this correctly.

[Chris Goss]

He was awarded the Ehrenpokal (as a gunner) 5 Jun 43 and then the DKiG 31 Aug 43 with 9/KG 53

[ejstuczko]

Thank you and Happy Holidays to everyone.

[ejstuczko]

Gentlemen,
Happy New Year. Can anyone check if Adolf received any additional/higher awards or decorations as a pilot? My resources are very limited to the public internet and if anyone has a broader library that lists recipients of Ritterkreuzes, etc. it would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, the photo is all I have to go with to date. He has a bomber clasp that appears to be silver- I am wondering if he ever received a gold. The Luftwaffe crews flew until they were killed, wounded, or physically unable to complete their duties, which makes his surviving the war a remarkable accomplishment.
My thanks to Chris Goss and Thomas in Rotterdam for their correspondence and shared knowledge.
Ed

[Thomas H]

Hi Ed,

Happy new year to toy too!

Adolf Spohrer was not a recipient of das Ritterkreuz: www.das-ritterkreuz.de

Wolfgang Dietrich gives a rough time frame in his KG 55 book about which medal/award could be earned after a number of enemy sorties:

15 Feindflüge - EK II
20 Feindflüge - Frontflugspange in Bronze
25-40 Feindflüge - EK I
60 Feindflüge - Frontflugspange in Silber
80 Feindflüge - Ehrenpokals des Reichsmarschalls
110 Feindflüge - Frontflugspange in Gold
140 Feindflüge - Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
200-400 Feindflüge - Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

This could mean that Bubi flew more than 140 enemy sorties. It could also mean that he did something that earned him the DKiG earlier, for example he shot down a enemy plane at 100 sorties and got it. Hard to say at this time.

Kind regards,

Thomas

[ejstuczko]

Thank you Thomas,
You supplied a wealth of information. The Frontflugspange appears to be silver, but may be gold. Difficult to discern with black and white photo. Anyway, will use the Dietrich outline to explain Bubi's decorations to my family. Many thanks and stay warm.

Ed