Wikipedia

Karl-Heinz Bendert

Karl-Heinz Bendert (9 September 1914 – 16 July 1983) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Karl-Heinz Bendert claimed 55 victories in 610 missions. During his time with JG 27 in Africa he was involved in scandal with falsifying claims; his victories were mostly false because he would claim to have shot down enemy aircraft during missions in which other squadron members did shoot down aircraft to save face. Despite this, he was given credit to the victories. After a confrontation with his squadron leader, Gustav Roedel, who did not interfere with his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross nomination, he did not score any more victories.

Karl-Heinz Bendert
Born9 September 1914
Schwiebus, Province of Brandenburg
Died16 July 1983(1983-07-16) (aged 68)
Oldenburg
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Years of service1937–1945
RankOberleutnant (first lieutenant)
UnitJG 27
JG 104
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Career edit

Bendert was born on 9 September 1914 in Schwiebus, present-day Świebodzin in western Poland, at the time in the Province of Brandenburg within the German Empire.[1]

In North Africa, Bendert flew in the Schwarm made up of Oberleutnant Ferdinand Vögl, the commander of 4. Staffel, Oberfeldwebel Franz Stigler, Oberfeldwebel Erwin Sawallisch and Bendert. At the time, most of the aerial victories claimed by II. Gruppe were allegedly achieved by pilots of 4. Staffel, of which 63 out 66 claims were attributed to these four pilots alone. In comparison, the claims filed by Vögl, Stigler, Sawallisch and Bendert far exceeded the number of aerial victories claimed by other units of JG 27 and raised significant doubt within the Luftwaffe.[2] This Schwarm of JG 27 was prevented from flying together after fellow pilot Hans-Arnold Stahlschmidt reported that he saw them shooting into the dunes of the desert during a mission in which they claimed 12 aerial victories.[3]

On 1 December 1943, Bendert was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing). He succeeded Oberleutnant Herbert Schramm who was killed in action.[4] On 25 April 1944, Bendert was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 104 (JG 104—104th Fighter Wing) where he was given command of 2. Staffel. Command of 5. Staffel of JG 27 was passed to Hauptmann Eberhard Bock.[5]

Summary of career edit

Aerial victory claims edit

According to Obermaier, Bendert was credited with 55 aerial victories claimed in 610 combat mission over the Western Front and North Africa, including ten four-engined heavy bombers.[6] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 44 aerial victory claims, plus eight further unconfirmed claims. All of his aerial victories were claimed over the Western Allies on the Western Front or in North Africa and includes two four-engined heavy bombers.[7]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Bendert an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Bendert did not receive credit.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Unit Claim Date Time Type Location Unit
– Claims with II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[8]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
1 12 May 1940 08:54 Blenheim north of Rotterdam[9] 4./JG 27 2 9 June 1940 13:40 M.S.406 Fort de Villers[9] 4./JG 27
– Claims with II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[8]
At the Channel and over England — 26 June – 5 November 1940
3 11 August 1940 11:50 Curtiss??[Note 1] west of Portland[10] 4./JG 27 5 3 September 1940 11:45?[Note 2] Spitfire Rochester[10] 4./JG 27
4?[Note 3] 3 September 1940 11:40?[Note 4] Spitfire Thames Estuary[10] 4./JG 27 6 6 September 1940 10:10 Spitfire Tunbridge Wells[10] 4./JG 27
– Claims with II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[7]
In North Africa — 22 September 1941 – 6 December 1942
7 22 November 1941 16:46 P-40 southeast of Bir Hakeim[11] Stab II./JG 27 26 7 August 1942 09:21?[Note 5] Hurricane 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of El Alamein[12] 4./JG 27
8 13 December 1941 16:55?[Note 6] Blenheim 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Timimi[13] Stab II./JG 27 27 7 August 1942 09:23 P-40 south of El Hamam[12] 4./JG 27
9 22 May 1942 07:33 P-40 30 km (19 mi) east of Timimi[14] 4./JG 27 28 10 August 1942 11:04 P-40 southeast of El Alamein[12] 4./JG 27
10 22 May 1942 07:45 P-40 3 km (1.9 mi) north of Ain el Gazala[14] 4./JG 27 29 10 August 1942 11:05 P-40 south-southeast of El Alamein[12] 4./JG 27
11 23 May 1942 10:05 P-40 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Ain el Gazala[15] 4./JG 27 30♠ 12 August 1942 06:43 Hurricane southeast of El Alamein[16] 4./JG 27
12 30 May 1942 16:03 P-40 east of Fort Acroma[15] 4./JG 27 31♠ 12 August 1942 06:50 Hurricane west of Alam-el-Kadim[16] 4./JG 27
13 8 June 1942 06:03 P-40 east of Bir Hakeim[17] 4./JG 27 32♠ 12 August 1942 06:52 Hurricane east of Alam-el-Kadim[16] 4./JG 27
14 8 June 1942 06:25?[Note 7] P-40 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Bir Hakeim[17] 4./JG 27 33♠ 12 August 1942 07:02 P-40 southwest of Alam-el-Halfa[16] 4./JG 27
15 9 June 1942 08:25 P-40 southeast of El Adem[17] 4./JG 27 34♠ 12 August 1942 07:04 P-40 southwest of Alam-el-Halfa[16] 4./JG 27
16 27 June 1942 18:55 P-40 southeast of Mersa Matruh[18] 4./JG 27 35 16 August 1942 08:28 P-40 south of Alam-el-Kadim[16] 4./JG 27
17 27 June 1942 19:00 P-40 southeast of Mersa Matruh[18] 4./JG 27 36 16 August 1942 08:35 P-40 east of Alam-el-Kadim[16] 4./JG 27
18 23 July 1942 18:10 Spitfire south of El Alamein[19] 4./JG 27 37 16 August 1942 08:40 P-40 south of El Hamam[16] 4./JG 27
19 3 August 1942 18:12 Spitfire northwest of El Hamam[12] 4./JG 27 38 19 August 1942 09:01 Spitfire west of El Hamam[16] 4./JG 27
20 4 August 1942 08:10 P-40 southeast of El Alamein[12] 4./JG 27 39 19 August 1942 09:05 Spitfire west-southwest of El Hamam[16] 4./JG 27
21 4 August 1942 13:30 Spitfire northwest of El Hamam[12] 4./JG 27 40 22 August 1942 07:28 Spitfire south of El Hamam[20] 4./JG 27
22 5 August 1942 10:08 P-40 Alam-el-Halfa[12] 4./JG 27 41 22 August 1942 07:30 Spitfire south of Alam Uzeiligh[20] 4./JG 27
23 6 August 1942 12:05 P-40 east of Deir-el-Abaid[12] 4./JG 27 42 2 September 1942 09:22 Spitfire south-southwest of Imayid[20] 4./JG 27
24 6 August 1942 12:08 P-40 southwest of El Alamein[12] 4./JG 27 ?[Note 8] 3 September 1942 11:40 Spitfire Stab II./JG 27
25 7 August 1942 09:13 Hurricane southeast of Alam-el-Kadim[12] 4./JG 27
– Claims with II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[21]
Defense of the Reich — 1 August – 31 December 1943
—
 14 October 1943
—
 B-17 Kirn,[22] west of Bad Kreuznach Stab II./JG 27 44?[Note 3] 11 December 1943 13:25 B-17* east of Groningen[23] 5./JG 27
43?[Note 3] 14 October 1943 15:00 B-17 Avricourt,[22] southwest of Sarrebourg Stab II./JG 27
– Claims with II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[21]
Defense of the Reich — 1 January – 25 April 1944
45?[Note 3] 11 January 1944 12:40~ P-47 south of Meppel[24] 5./JG 27 48 8 March 1944 13:35 B-17 3 km (1.9 mi) west of Leitzkau[24]
10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Magdeburg 		5./JG 27
46?[Note 3] 11 January 1944 12:55~ B-24 north of Lhee[24] 5./JG 27 49 8 March 1944 14:10~ B-17 west of Coburg,[24] 35 km (22 mi) north of Bamberg 5./JG 27
47 29 January 1944 10:52 B-17* south of Seemoos[24] 5./JG 27 50?[Note 3] 8 April 1944 14:15~ B-24* northeast of Braunschweig[24] 5./JG 27

Awards edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Supermarine Spitfire.[8]
  2. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:45.[8]
  3. ^ a b c d e f According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[7]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:40.[8]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:30.[8]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:55.[8]
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 06:30.[8]
  8. ^ This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[20]
  9. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the II./Jagdgeschwader 27.[29]

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 54.
  2. ^ Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1997, p. 150.
  3. ^ Ring & Shores 1969, p. 304.
  4. ^ Prien et al. 2009, p. 197.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 288.
  6. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 86.
  7. ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 83–84.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 83.
  9. ^ a b Prien et al. 2000, p. 258.
  10. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2002, p. 402.
  11. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 260.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2004, p. 271.
  13. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 261.
  14. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 263.
  15. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 264.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2004, p. 272.
  17. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004, p. 266.
  18. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 268.
  19. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 269.
  20. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2004, p. 273.
  21. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 84.
  22. ^ a b Prien et al. 2009, p. 199.
  23. ^ Prien et al. 2009, p. 200.
  24. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2019, p. 292.
  25. ^ a b Dixon 2023, p. 302.
  26. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 48.
  27. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 35.
  28. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 128.
  29. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 214.

Bibliography edit

  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52677-864-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims – Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Rodeike, Peter; Stemmer, Gerhard (1997). Messerschmitt Bf 109 im Einsatz bei II./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1940 – 1945 [Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Action with I./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1940 – 1945] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-42-7.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940 [Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-61-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/I—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/I—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-63-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 8/I—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—November 1941 bis December 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 8/I—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—November 1941 to December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-74-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2009). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/III—Reichsverteidigung—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/III—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-89-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Balke, Ulf; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2019). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/V—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/V—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-21-5.
  • Ring, Hans; Shores, Christopher (1969). Fighters over the desert: the air battles in the Western Desert, June 1940 to December 1942. London, UK: Neville Spearman. ISBN 978-0-85435-060-5.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2005). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1941–45. Elite. Vol. 123. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-642-3.
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