Luftwaffe Pilots from other Armed Forces branches

[Schlageter]

Thanks a lot for the input so far!


Ernst Scotti of 8./SG3 was an infantry soldier as well before switching to the Luftwaffe.


So not only fighter pilots had an Army past


Best an Merry Christmas to everybody

[NickM]

Originally Posted by Schlageter

Hello gents,

I would like to ask for your help researching the career of specific Luftwaffe pilots.

I am interested how many and which members of the Army and Navy (maybe Waffen-SS too?) volunteered or were selected for pilot training and subsequent transfer to the Luftwaffe during wartime.

What was the criteria/ ratio behind these changes in the careers? Were e.g. only professional soldiers eligible for such a step? Did the other Armed Forces branches encourage these transfers or did they try to prevent losing their members (and trained and specialized personnel) to the Luftwaffe?

I am excluding from my request the Army members who served as observers in Nahaufklärungsgruppen and from 1943 onwards were sent to pilot training as well the (pilot trained) Army and Navy personnel who were transferred in the 1930s to build up the Luftwaffe.

I know of following examples to above-described process:

• Helmut Lipfert (JG52), member of Nachr. Abt.37 of 1. Panzerdivision, volunteered 1941 for pilot training
• Hans Dortenmann (JG54, JG26), NCO in an Infantry Regiment, transferred to Luftwaffe after self-inflicted wounds saw him unfit for ground combat duties
• Siegfried Sy (JG26), Officer in an Infantry Regiment, began 1943 pilot training
• Willi Heilmann (JG54, JG26), Officer in an Engineer Battalion, began 1943 pilot training

Do you know other examples of such a wartime transfer and career change?

Thanks a lot in advance

Best

Michael

Firstly, Didn't 'Wutz' Galland start his service in a flak regiment?

Secondly: Dortenmann had a 'self inflicted wound'? Do you have any details of this interesting little factoid?

[tonda75]

Hello,
Major Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland was a member of FLAK from 1935 to 1940.
Regards Tony

[Teresa Maria]

Herbert Findeisen (JG 54) was first in the infantry, then he became a reconnaissance pilot and, finally, a fighter pilot.

[Bookman]

Mr. Drewes told us the story years ago about panzer school, witha son of Cjiang Ki Chek's son. Years later Martin and son visited the son in Taiwan, spoke still perfect German). Martin related he didn't like the tanks close quarters, but then...the 109, also narrow.
My old friend Otto Wernik (JG1/11) was straining to go to flight school all through LW service, first in a Flak unit, where he earned that qualification badge, then a LW ground unit, where he earned that badge, finally flight school, that badge. He was reunited many years later with his Belgian rescuers, thanks to Lt. Col. Klaeys. Even two re enactors w/US uniforms and his first jeep ride in decades.
As the first westerner i visited and spent a week with Guenther Scholz, JG54/JG5 etc. The stories weren't all repeated, but he was one of the so called Goring Kadetten, first navy, then LW. His friend Mr. Hrabak was also.
Herbert Trautman of our JG27 was invalided out of flying service but sent to the HG division. LW tankers badge awarded, and kindly passed on to a certain bookman.
A merry Healthy Christmas to all and families. Best wishes for the new year, and some...good books!

[Schlageter]

Originally Posted by NickM

Firstly, Didn't 'Wutz' Galland start his service in a flak regiment?

Secondly: Dortenmann had a 'self inflicted wound'? Do you have any details of this interesting little factoid?

Well, Dortenmann shot and cut himself accidentially on a hunting trip. The wounds rendered him unfit for infantry service.

[NickM]

Originally Posted by Schlageter

Well, Dortenmann shot and cut himself accidentally on a hunting trip. The wounds rendered him unfit for infantry service.

Well...'ouch'.

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

I have to move this interesting topic to the front page. I know there were a lot of men from the Kriegsmarine that went to serve with the Luftwaffe.

Edward L. Hsiao

[Johannes]

Hi Michael

I know there were a few Luftwaffe pilots without a pilots license, also a private license holder flying with NJG units, and making claims, yet not a member of the Luftwaffe at all !

Kind Regards

Johannes