First RK in WW2

[CJE]

Who was the pilot that got the first RK in WW2?

Thanks in advance

[lilsis]

Hi,

Martin Harlinghausen got as 1. Kampfflieger RK + Eichenlaub

[CJE]

Thank you.

[Doug Stankey]

Your question concerning who was the first pilot to receive the Ritterkreuz in WWII set me on the task of systematically extracting such data from our officer career database and then sort it by award date. This took several days. Of the 1787 records, here are some of the results in chronological order (the 6 digit number is the award date for sorting):

390930 - GÖRING, Hermann. (DOB: 12.01.93 in Rosenheim/Oberbayern). 30.09.39 awarded Ritterkreuz. 19.07.40 promo to Reichsmarshall and awarded Grosskreuz zum Ritterkreuz. .
390930 - KESSELRING, Albert. (DOB: 30.11.85 in Marksteft near Kitzingen/Unterfranken). 30.09.39 Gen.Fl., awarded Ritterkreuz, Chef Lfl.1. 25.02.42 GFM, awarded Eichenlaub, Ob. Süd . 18.07.42 GFM, awarded Schwerter, Ob. Süd. 19.07.44 GFM, awarded Brillanten, Ob. Süd. .
390930 - LÖHR, Alexander. (DOB: 20.05.85 in Turnu-Severin/Romania). 30.09.39 awarded Ritterkreuz. 20.01.45 awarded Eichenlaub. .
391011 - JESCHONNEK, Hans. (DOB: 09.04.99 in Hohensalza). (i.G.). 27.10.39 awarded Ritterkreuz. .
400406 - FUCHS, Dipl.Ing. Robert. (DOB: 11.05.95 in Berlin-Reinickendorf). 06.04.40 Obst., awarded Ritterkreuz, Kommodore KG 26- was the first bomber man to receive the Ritterkreuz. .
400504 - GEISLER, Hans-Ferdinand. (DOB: 19.04.91 in Hannover). 04.05.40 awarded Ritterkreuz. .
400504 - HARLINGHAUSEN, Martin. (DOB: 17.01.02 in Rheda/Westfalen). (i.G.). 04.05.40 Maj.i.G., awarded Ritterkreuz, provisional Chef d.Stabes/Fliegerkorps X. 30.01.41 Obstlt., awarded Eichenlaub, Chef d.Stabes/Fliegerkorps X. .
400504 - MILCH, Erhard. (DOB: 30.03.92 in Wilhelmshaven). 04.05.40 awarded Ritterkreuz. .
400508 - BAUMBACH, Werner. (DOB: 27.12.16 in Cloppenburg). 08.05.40 Lt., awarded Ritterkreuz, 5./KG 30. 14.07.41 Oblt., awarded Eichenlaub for his prior service in 5./KG 30. .
400508 - FIEBIG, Martin. (DOB: 07.05.91 in Rösnitz/Oberschlesien). 08.05.40 awarded Ritterkreuz. 23.12.42 awarded Eichenlaub (although most sources agree with 23.12.42, other sources state that he was nominated for the Eichenlaub but did not receive it before the war ended). .


Not all were necessarily pilots.


Interesting, eh?



HLdZ
DGS

[CJE]

Indeed!

Out of the first three pilots two were Geschwaderkommodores.
The seven others were all staff officers.
None of the ten Luftwaffe members was a NCO.

Would be interesting to compare with the Heer and the Kriegsmarine.