Klaus Gerlach, WWII German pilot

[kaki3152]

Here's a link to the obituary notice of Klaus Gerlach, who lived in the Houston,Texas area. According to his obituary notice he flew over 250 missions and had 18 victories over British and USAF airplanes. Does anyone know his unit?
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/5118096.html

[AKA_Mountain]

I am a virtual pilot who flies the WWII sim “IL-2” but in real life I had the pleasure of working with Klaus from 1995 to 1997 in the Chicago, IL area. Klaus was on loan from his Houston plant, helping us with our operating procedure for a chemical plant.

Klaus was a wonderful man who was a delight to work with. A couple times we went out for a beer and he opened up and talked about the good old days. He had substantial experience with 109 and 190 types and (from what I remember) may have flown a 262 but if so, not for an extended period.

Both my father (crew chief/pacific) and uncle (pilot/Europe-med.) flew in B-24’s and survived the war. When I told Klaus this, he referred to the Liberator as “A F@cking Death Trap” and said he was glad not to have flown in one. He enjoyed the single seat of a 109 the best, as it was very agile.

One historical event stood out. Both Klaus and my uncle participated in the famous raid on Ploesti, uncle in his 24 and Klaus in an Me-109. I was told the story from both pilot’s perspective. Heck, they could have shot at one another!

Sorry, I don't know their units but the Ploesti raid defense gives a clue.

God Bless You Klaus and Uncle Vic! Thankfully, dad is still with us at 92 y/o.

[NickM]

Well IF he flew against the Ploesti Raid, would I be wrong to guess he flew with JG4?

NM

[kaki3152]

I/JG-53, III/JG-77 and 1/JG-301 also flew in Ploesti.

[Flying_pencil]

Nuts, I live in Houston too. Never knew he was just a short drive away.


Would have been interesting person to chat with.

Some WW2 French ace lived not that far away as well!

[John Manrho]

No Klaus Gerlach in my files....neither shot down, wounded or having victories.....

[thenelm]

Since the gentleman just passed away, I was reluctant to say that I could not find any mention of him in my files either. Perhaps he changed his name after the war? From the posters description of the man, Mr. Gerlach certainly had not been seeking to promote his WW-II career, as we have seen before. May he rest in peace.

[NickM]

Originally Posted by kaki3152

I/JG-53, III/JG-77 and 1/JG-301 also flew in Ploesti.

Yes but were those units there for "THE" Ploesti Raid? My memory IS faulty however; All I recall was I/JG4 & elements of JG27 who engaged the Libs over the Ionian on the way out.

NM

[Nokose]

I checked JFV 10/III after noticing that in the future JFV11/II that I/JG5 was in that area. This possibly could be the man listed Lt. Lothar Gerlach Stab I/JG5 who claimed his 1st and 2nd victories over Beaufighters in the Stavanger area on 1May43 before the unit went to Rumania.

[John Manrho]

Oblt. Lothar Gerlach was killed on January 1st 1945 als St.Kap. of 9./JG 6 (ex-1./JG 5).