• Messerschmitt Me 262

Date of birth:

December 10th, 1912 (Castle Altenburg-Alsfeld/Hesse, Germany)

Date of death:

February 9th, 1945 (near Idstein/Hesse, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Volprecht Riedesel Freiherr zu Eisenbach joined the Kraftfahrabteilung 5 in January 1934. Soon he was transferred ot the Luftwaffe as Fähnrich and after his training he was placed with Kampfgeschwader 253 and later joined Kampfgeschwader 54.

After taking part in the Polish Campaign he and his unit acted in the campaign in the West. He was shot down on May 10th, 1940 in his Heinkel He 111P of 8. / Kampfgeschwader 54 by Hurricanes of No. 3, No. 85 and No. 607 Squadron during an attack at the Belgian Airfield Wevelgem. The plane crashed near Ruiselede. in the crash Obergefreiter G. Flehmer was killed, Eisenbach, Feldwebel W. Joest and Unteroffizier E. Kreib were taken POW by the Belgians. They were released after the Belgian Capitulation. After the fightings he was placed as Kommandeur II. / Kampfgeschwader 76 in 1941, with which he took part in the campaign on the Eatersn Front. Later he fought in the Mediterranean.
Riedesel Freiherr zu Eisenbach had conducted about 450 operational sorties when he was shot down with his Me 262 (B3+GL / Werk-Nr. 110802) on February 9th, 1945 at 3km East of Camberg near Idstein in the Hochtaunus. He was posthumously promoted to Oberst.

Promotions:
1934: Fähnrich;
April 1st, 1935: Leutnant;
?: Oberleutnant;
February 1st, 1941: Hauptmann;
March 1st, 1943: Major;
October 1st, 1943: Oberstleutnant;
?: Oberst (posthuum).

Career:
1934: Kraftfahrabteilung 5;
?: Kampfgeschwader 253;
?: Adjutant II. / Kampfgeschwader 54;
?: Staffelkapitän 8. / Kampfgechwader 54;
April 1941 - January 31st, 1943: Kommandeur II. / Kampfgeschwader 76;
February 1st, 1943 - February 2nd, 1945: Kommodore Kampfgeschwader 54.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)

Unit:

Staffelkapitän

Awarded on:

March 9th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)

Unit:

II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 76, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

May 11th, 1942

Award 26/42.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 76, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

October 7th, 1942

As Hauptmann operational from 28th June till 16th July 1942 during the summer offensive against Voronesh, operations in the Don bend against Kalatsch, above the lower Don towards the Caucasus. From 10th August bombardment operations against Stalingrad and the Caucasus.

By the time of his reception of the Knight's Cross he had flown over 250 sorties.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Wing Commander)

Unit:

Kommodore, Kampfgeschwader 54, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
• Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
  
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