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Eckerle, Franz (Jagdgeschwader 54)

Date of birth:
April 24th, 1912 (Baden-Baden/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Date of death:
February 14th, 1942 (Welikije Luki, Soviet Union)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Franz Eckerle achieved 62 victories in about 295 operational flights. He was the Kommandeur of the I. / Jagdgeschwader 54 from December 21st 1941 till February 14th 1942.

Promotions:
00.00.1936: Oberfähnrich
April 01st, 1937: Leutnant - RDA 01.04.1936
00.00.1939: Oberleutnant
June 01st, 1941: Hauptmann

Career:
00.00.1936: attended JFS Schliessheim
00.00.1938: placed fourth in the German aerobatics championship
00.00.1939: placed second in the German aerobatics championship
00.00.1939: Staka, 3. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 134
May 01st, 1939: Staka, 3. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 76
May 15th, 1940: 1st victory, a Spitfire, no known location
July 06th, 1940: Staka, 6. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 54
July 30th, 1940: 2nd, a Blenheim at Vlissingen
August 01st, 1940: 3rd, a Blenheim 5 km outside Haamstede
November 09th, 1940: 4th, a Spitfire 3 km East of Deal
September 1941: Staka, 6. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 54, flown Bf 109F-2 Werknummer 9588 coded "Yellow ?"
December 20th, 1941: Kdr., I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 54
January 01st, 1942: first known Soviet victory, a triple, two I-16s and an I-153
January 07th, 1942: two P-40s of 158 IAP
January 28th, 1942: another triple, an I-18 and two I-180s
February 07th, 1942: another triple, An I-16, a U-2 and an Il-2
February 14th, 1942: KIA when Bf 109F-2 Werknummer 9728 coded "CH+OP" "Black <<" shot down by ground fire and forced landed in the Welikije Luki area, 27 km southeast of Schüsselburg, near Woronovo, behind enemy lines

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 4th, 1935

Document nr. 890/35
Flugzeugführerabzeichen
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 13th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 11th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer
Awarded on:
December 19th, 1940
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
Staffelkapitän, 1. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1941
Awarded after 30 aerial victories.

331st Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
with clasp "200"
Frontflugspange für Jäger in Gold mit Anhänger und Einzatszahl
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
March 12th, 1942
Awarded in recognition of his 59 aerial victories.

82nd Award, posthumous awarded.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

Photo