Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 29th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 1st, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 24th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1942

According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz awarded on 2-6-1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (Pilot Officer)

Unit:

2. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

July 10th, 1942

According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz awarded on 23-7-1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)

Unit:

Flugzeugführer, 2. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

March 24th, 1943

Oberländer’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Oberleutnant Oberländer has already been awarded the German Cross in Gold in recognition of the great offensive spirit and personal devotion to duty that he displayed over the course of flying 148 sorties.

Following this he has continued to show outstanding readiness for duty, bravery and skill as both a formation commander and individual pilot over the course of another 115 sorties. The successes of his Staffel are in large part attributable to his personal example and leadership abilities. This brave and humble officer represents a great example of character for his men.

He has achieved notable success in carrying out individual attacks under the most difficult of conditions, a feat that is attributable to his ruthless offensive spirit. His skill as a formation commander has likewise been proven by the effective attacks of his Staffel in the face of fearsome enemy defenses (and with minimal friendly losses at that). On the 25.11.1942 his aircraft was badly shot up as it carried out multiple low-level attacks against advancing hostile troops near Tschernischewskaja. However, thanks to his outstanding piloting skills and nerves of steel, it was possible for the aircraft to return to base following a low-level flight on just one engine (where it proceeded to crash as a result of it having become totally impossible to fly). He [Oberländer] was badly wounded on this occasion; his left leg was amputated.

The following successes of Oberleutnant Oberländer are particularly worthy of note:

1. On the 24. and 26.05.1942 his Staffel had a major share in the successes of the Gruppe in the battle around Kharkov. Heavily occupied villages and roads near Izyum were struck with devastating effect. The particularly high sortie count of his Staffel during these days were decisive for the successes of the Gruppe. 90-100 vehicles were destroyed during just two operations. The swift and frequently unclear shifting of the frontlines demanded extremely skillful leadership.

2. The enemy suffered crushing blows during the battle east of Kharkov that preceded the great offensive of the summer of 1942. On the 22. and 24.06.1942 Oberleutnant Oberländer led the group formation against major enemy assemblies before the crossings over the Oskol. The destructive force of these attacks (around 200 vehicles were destroyed) was noted by the commanding general of the IV. Flieger-Korps (General der Flieger Pflugbeil) during a roll-call he made before the Gruppe on the 27.06.1942.

3. On the 19.07.1942 Oberleutnant Oberländer’s Staffel were assigned the Rostov train station as a target. He proceeded to lead 5 aircraft in a decisive attack despite the fiercest of enemy AA defenses. The train station was severely damaged, and 2 AA batteries were also destroyed. The extremely powerful enemy defense here meant that success here could only have been possible through a combination of fearless offensive spirit and masterful formation leadership.

4. Successes during the Battle of Stalingrad:

a) On the 25.08.1942 Oberleutnant Oberländer led 4 aircraft in an attack against the Stalingrad engine works. Although this attack was opposed by a powerful AA defense, a very good series of hits were scored in the factory area. Following the attack a number of powerful explosions plus numerous fires were observed here.

b) He scored direct hits against multiple ships whilst executing bold low-level attacks against shipping targets along the Volga. Overall he and his men managed to sink or damage several small ships. Direct hits were scored against 6 ships (of about 800 tons each) on the 25. and 27.08.1942 alone.

5. In the time period 27.10.-14.11.1942 Oberleutnant Oberländer led his Staffel in a series of daily attacks against enemy battery positions to the east of Stalingrad. Although great difficulties were encountered due to both the enemy defenses as well as the difficulties in acquiring targets, great successes were nonetheless achieved (this was repeatedly confirmed by the ground control station). This is largely attributable to the extremely skillful leadership of Oberleutnant Oberländer.

6. His devotion to duty and skill as a pilot were phenomenal whilst flying aerial resupply missions to Romanian formations and the encircled 22. Panzer-Division in the Perelasowskij area on the 22.-24.11.1942. Despite the most difficult of weather conditions (which often necessitated a flying altitude of just 20-50 metres, which in turn left the aircraft fully exposed to the strong enemy defense), Oberleutnant Oberländer flew every mission that he could. The significance of these sorties were given particular mention in a message from the 22. Panzer-Division (which was ultimately able to break out thanks to the invaluable resupply it received from the air).

The successful feats of arms by Oberleutnant Oberländer represent an exceptionally impressive model of devotion to duty, aerial leadership and heroic conduct. This renders him as one who is worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Oberländer’s sortie count up until this point in time was distributed as follows…

France: 23
England: 36
Soviet Union: 204