Johann Illner

[Leo Etgen]

Hello

Oberfeldwebel Johann Illner served with 4./JG 51 and claimed seven victories during the Battle of Britain before being shot down and taken prisoner on 5 November 1940. He is best known for having collided in aerial combat with F/Lt AC Deere of 54 Sqn, RAF on 9 July 1940. I have his list of victories and loss list information but unfortunately not much else. He appears to have been born in 1911 but there seems to be very little information on this fellow. Can anyone else add more details about this ace?

Horrido!

Leo

[Teresa Maria]

Unfortunately, there is not much information about him:
http://www.anticrohn.de/Namen/i.htm

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/jg51claims.pdf

https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/426293920964230141/

https://books.google.pl/books?id=s7j...twaffe&f=false

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Teresa

Thanks for your help. Actually, it appears that the information that he claimed his first victory on 21 April 1940 is incorrect. According to Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 4/II by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeicke and Bock his first victory was claimed on 5 July 1940. I must say that he also appears to have been somewhat "old" for a fighter pilot when he was captured assuming that he was indeed born in 1911. It is a pity that there is nothing about his prewar or postwar career.

Horrido!

Leo

[Von Alles]

He was Illner's son, involved in the development of the Etrich Taube early combat plane in WW1