Willi Pfranger JG5

[BrianC]

Hi guys

I can't seem to find much about Willi Pfranger, 30-victory ace of JG5, apart from that he was shot down on 17 May 1942, and taken prisoner. Following interrogation, he apparently agreed to spy for the Russians and was parachuted into German-held territory.

Assuming this was true, has anyone more information, please? Dates etc?

Stay safe
Brian

[Strahler]

This story about Willi Pfränger is true. All about him You can read in Eric Mombeeks JG 5 chronicle.
Stay well,
Gerry.

[igorrB]

A. Mardanov wrote in his new book: Pfranger was shot down by captain Alagurov from 2 GKAP. P. say that he already have Iron cross I and II and almost receive DKiG. All in all, he say many interesting details about Luftwaffe.

[AGO Scheer]

Hello Brian,

after he came back he became Einflieger with the AGO Flugzeugwerke in late 1942. ("AGO-Flugzeugwerke Vom Gitterrumpf zur Me 262", page 256)

[BrianC]

Many thanks, guys. Excellent!

I will follow-up all the given leads and feel sure that I will satisfy my needs!

Out of curiosity, a similar series of events apparently surrounded Leopold Knier, also of JG5 and shot down on 19 July 1942 (re: page 71, Gerbig history). Is there any further information available?

Stay safe
Brian

[Edward L. Hsiao]

So Willi Pfranger never returned to air combat over the Eastern Front for the rest of WWII?

Edward L. Hsiao

[taitbb]

No. As I recall Girbigs book states he was reassigned to training duty in the west.