Major Gerhard Richter - LG 1 RKT

[hucks216]

Hello all,
I have some paperwork including the wehrpass of Major Gerhard Richter of Lehrgeschwader 1. He was awarded the Knight's Cross on 24th November 1940 but I have been unable to find out why he was awarded the RK. Can any members shed some light on this - a single mission, accumulation of missions, leadership??? Any and all info is appreciated.

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what we have for this fellow:

RICHTER, Gerhard.
(DOB: 21.11.13 in Nieder-Gebra/Schlesien).
1934 entered the Heer then moved to the Luftwaffe in 1936.
01.02.37 trf to III./LG.
22.07.37 trf to K88 of the Condor Legion (to 01.04.38).
06.06.39 awarded Spanienkreuz in Gold mit schwertern.
09.39 in 8./LG 1.
18.03.40 appt Staka 7./LG 1 (to 07.40).
05.40 appt Staka 8./LG 1.
18.05.40 Oblt., appt Staka 7./LG 1 (to 07.40).
07.40 appt Staka 9./LG 1 (to 1941).
24.11.40 Oblt., awarded Ritterkreuz, Staka 9.(K)/LG 1.
19.06.41 trf to Stab/LG 2.
26.02.42 Hptm., appt Kdr. IV./LG 1 (to 17.10.42).
18.10.42 appt acting Kdr. II./LG 1 (20.01.43).
21.01.43 trf to Stab/LG 1 (to 23.03.43).
24.03.43 Maj., in Stab/LG 1, appt provisional then permanent Kdr. II./LG 1 (to 10.09.43).
23.08.43 Maj., awarded Ehrenpokal.
01.09.43 promo to Maj.
11.09.43 removed from combat.
04.10.43 Maj., trf from Frontfliegersammellager to Luftflotte 3 and appt Ic/Lw. in Stab/AOK 1.
04.03.44 appt Lehrgangsleiter with LKS 7.
10.44 appt (acting?) Staka 9./KG 6 (to 14.11.44).
15.11.44 trf to IV./NJG 2.
06/07.01.45 Maj. in 11./NJG 2, WIA - crashed vic Stendal as a result of fuel starvation.
Credited with about 450 combat missions.
(n.d.) postwar, joined the Bundeswehr. as a Maj.
(n.d.) served in Territorial-Kommando-Süd in Mannheim.
31.03.70 retired as an Obstlt.
†12.03.95 in Neckargemünd.

It doesn’t say why he was awarded the Ritterkreuz.

We hope that this helps.

HLdZ
DGS

[Melvin Brownless]

From the book, "Das waren die deutschen Kampfflieger Asse 1939=1945" I found the following regarding Gerhard Richter. Dont know wether this helps?

Regards,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

[hucks216]

Thanks for the additional pieces of information that you have been able to provide. The search continues! I have the telegrams congratulating him on his award and also for Richter asking his wife to tell his parents about his award of the RK but they don't shed any light on it at all. I also have 3 or 4 pages of A3 listing all his flights from approx the start of the war to late 1940 as well which I think also lists the side code of the aircraft flown on each particular mission (I can't be sure of this as I am currently working away from home and won't be able to check for another 12 days or so) and what occured on each flight, i.e attacked shipping in the Bristol Channel etc.