Emil Pusch - Ritterkreutzträger

[generalderpanzertruppen]

Can anyone tell me what units he flew with, and whether he survived the war? The only information I have on him is he shot down 83 planes, including 17 four engined bombers. Thanks for reading this.

[Jim P.]

What is your source for this?? While I hesitate to say that no such person exists - I think its safe to say that there is nobody with that name who scored that number of victorys.

[generalderpanzertruppen]

Hi Jim, I'm reading Luftwaffe Fighter Aces: The Jagdflieger and their Combat Tactics and Techniques by Mike Spick, Greenhill Books, 1996. He's listed in between Walter Ohlrogge of JG 3 and JG7, 83 kills, and Hans Goetz, of JG 54, 82 kills, both RK holders, page 233.

[Andy Fletcher]

Emil Pusch is listed here

http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_...archword=Pusch

However the note at the bottom imples he was a fraud. He certainly doesn't show up in any of the recognised claims lists, other than simple lists of aces.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[generalderpanzertruppen]

Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher

Emil Pusch is listed here

http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_...archword=Pusch

However the note at the bottom imples he was a fraud. He certainly doesn't show up in any of the recognised claims lists, other than simple lists of aces.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

Thanks for the link Andy, my German is very rusty but seeing as how he was a Nachtjäger, I guess that rules out the 83 kills! Why would he be on the RK site if he was a fraud do you know? Thanks again.

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by generalderpanzertruppen

... Why would he be on the RK site if he was a fraud do you know?

Probably just to bring to light the fact he may be a fraud and that in the past he was said to be a Ritterkreuzträger.

All the best

Andy Fletcher

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Troy,

I wouldn't put too much faith in "Luftwaffe Fighter Aces" by Mike Spick. Whlist it isn't a bad read, it isn't regarded as being a seminal work on the subject.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[generalderpanzertruppen]

I posted my library on the off topic forum, you may notice that their isn't a 'seminal' book on the Nachtjägers, could you recommend one for me? Thanks again.

[Andy Fletcher]

If you are after details of claims made by pilots then your best bet would be

"Luftwaffe Night Fighter Combat Claims 1939-45" by John Foreman et al

[ghostwriter2]

Hello,

1.) yes, he survived the war
2.) no, he wasn`'t RK holder, even not a pilot, but "faked" the mentioned record in order to be listed into the first volume of Obermaier's book, which was edited in mid 60's (after being identified as pure story teller he fortunately didn't make his way to the second edition) .

Regards

ghost