Lt. Ernst-Dieter Bernhard, Stab III./JG53

[Ferreira]

Hi,

I'm seeking information of Lt. Ernst-Dieter Bernhard, that served in Stab III./JG53, in the last year of the war.

I discovered that he participated of the Operation Bodenplatte, and in April of 1945 he was based on Kaufbeuren, Germany.

He flow this Bf-109 K-4:



Bf-109 K-4

Only that didn't find any information on possible victories. How many did he obtain? What medals did him receive?

Thank's a lot!

Franklin

from Brazil

[robert]

Hi Franklin,

according to Prien`s book about JG53 Bernhard had 1 victory (claimed by JG53) but he give any details. So I`m unable to give you date,time and opponent of this claim.

Regards

Robert

[Ferreira]

Hi, Robert

Thank's very much for the information.

I discovered that after the war, Bernhard served in new Luftwaffe, arriving to the position of General Lieutenant.

http://www.fliegergemeinschaft.de/ma...age5_9_eng.htm

Cheers,

Franklin

[Edward L. Hsiao]

I wonder if Bernhard was a holder of the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st class?

Edward L. Hsiao

[Rottler]

Originally Posted by robert

Hi Franklin,

according to Prien`s book about JG53 Bernhard had 1 victory (claimed by JG53) but he give any details. So I`m unable to give you date,time and opponent of this claim.

Regards

Robert

Hello Robert,

according to the JG 53 chronicle part 3 Lt Ernst-Dieter Bernhard claimed a P-51 on 19 March 1945. A quote from page 1571: "Sofort nach dem Start bekamen wir es direkt am Platz Kirrlach mit Thunderbolts und Mustangs zu tun ..... Um 15 Uhr 55 gelang mir der wahrscheinliche Abschuss einer P-51, ein Aufschlagpilz jenseits des Rheins war zu beobachten …"

Regards
Leo

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

So I think Ernst-Dieter Bernhard must have gotten the Iron Cross 2nd Class for his contribution of Operation "Bodenplatte" on January 1st,1945. Several flying missions later plus an air to air victory,he must have gotten the Iron Cross 1st Class. While in the new Luftwaffe after WWII (Bundeswehr) he must have gotten several decorations including foreign ones.

Edward L. Hsiao

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Does anyone have a picture of Lt. General Ernst-Dieter Bernhard in the Bundesluftwaffe with his decorations on? I still think he got the Iron Cross 1st Class during WWII.

Edward L. Hsiao

[BABIN]

Extracted from the "Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries" of this website :


BERNHARD, Ernst-Dieter. 12.44 with 12./JG 53. 14.03.45 Lt. and Adj of III./JG 53 unhurt - Bf 109 K-4 (Black<1 +I) shot down by P-47 and crashed near Oppenheim in Bf 109 K-4 (uninjured)- bailed out. 23.03.45 Lt., Adj. III./JG 53 unhurt - Bf 109 K-4 force-landed vic Echterdingen due to motor failure. Credited with one victory. [16.03.60 promo to Maj.?]


Pierre