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Ehlers, Hans

Date of birth:
July 15th, 1914 (Hennstedt/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Date of death:
December 27th, 1944 (near Dinant-Rochefort/Namur, Belgium)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Hans Ehlers was credited with 55 victories.
Ehlers was nominated for the posthumous Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross. This nomination was not approved.

1936-1939: member of the groundstaff of J/88 in the Condor Legion
01.08.1939: FFS Salzwedel
18.09.1939: Jagdfliegerschule Werneuchen
16.11.1939: Erg.JGr. 2
07.12.1939: 2./JG 3
05.1940: Unteroffizier - 2./JG 3
18.05.1940: Uffz., 2./JG 3 - POW when forced to make an emergency landing
1940: severely WIA over England or the Channel and out of action for many months 05.02.1941: Feldwebel - 2./JG 3
01.03.1941: promoted to Oberfeldwebel
30.06.1941: 3./JG 3 - WIA - lost Bf 109 F-1 hit an obstruction
15.01.1942: 6./JG 1
11.08.1942: 3./JG 1
11.03.1943 Ofw., 6./JG 1
05.1943: Ofw., now with JG 1
01.07.1943: promoted to Leutnant (Kr.O.) (RDA 01.01.39)
17.08.1943: Lt., 2./JG 1 rammed a B-17 and bailed out vic Kalle
01.10.-10.10.1943: Lt., appointed Staka 2./JG 1
08.10.1943 Lt., Staka 2./JG 1 - WIA - Fw 190 A-6 (Black 5) collided with a B-17 vic Kalle, crashed vic Welsum/Holland
11.11.1943-16.04.1944: Oblt., appointed Staka 3./JG 1
13.04.1944: Oblt., Staka 3./JG 1 - WIA - Fw 190 A-8 (Yellow 5) belly-landed vic Gutersdorf after combat with B-17s
17.04.-27.12.1944: Hauptmann - appointed Kdr. I./JG 1
27.12.1944: Hptm., I./JG 1 KIA – Fw 190 A-8 (White 20) shot down by P-51 Mustangs of 364 FG over Mayen in the Eifel

KIA 27 December, 1944 during aerial combat in Werknummer 739363 "White 20" with P-51s of 364FG while providing cover for Panzers in the Dinant-Rochefort area, over the Eifel Mountains. His "White 20" went down near Berresborn, west of Mayen.
While in 2 Staffel, on 8 October, 1943, in A-6, Werknummer 530715, He was wounded 8 October, 1943 when he collided with a B-17 from the 100th BG; bailed safely.
His 1st & 2nd known victories, both Spitfires southeast of Valenciennes, 18 May, 1940.
His 3rd, a Spitfire W of Calais on 26 August, 1940.
His 4th, a Spitfire in the London area on 5 September, 1940.
His 5th, a Spitfire northwest of St. Omer, 5 Feb., 1941.
His 1st Soviet victory, his 6th victory, an I-16 on 22 June, 1941.
His Werknummer 530715 crashed at Welsum Holland on 8 October, 1943, cause and pilot disposition unknown (DeSwart).
His 20th victory, a Spitfire southeast of Lamswaarde on 4 May, 1943, while in 6/JG-1.
His 35th, a B-17 on 30 January, 1944.
Channel pilot. 23 bombers. Shot down 12 times.
His 40th, a P-38 on 15 March, 1944, no location, while in 3/JG-1.
His 50th, a B-24 S of Verden on 19 May, 1944.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939
Spanienkreuz, Silber mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 20th, 1940
Flugzeugführerabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 1 'Oesau', Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
October 17th, 1943

Date according to the Awarding document.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Staffelkapitän, 3. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 1 'Oesau', Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 9th, 1944
Awarded after 52 aerial victories, a total which included 20 four-engined bombers.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photos