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On 22 June 1940, I. ''Gruppe'' of [[Jagdgeschwader 21|''Jagdgeschwader'' 21]] (JG 21–21st Fighter Wing) was withdrawn from France and moved to [[Mönchengladbach|München Gladbach]], present-day Mönchengladbach. The following day the ''Gruppe'' was ordered to [[Soesterberg]] in the Netherlands. On 2 July, the unit moved to [[Bergen op Zoom]]. Three days later I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 21 was renamed and became the III. ''Gruppe'' of [[Jagdgeschwader 54|''Jagdgeschwader'' 54]] (JG 54–54th Fighter Wing).{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=325}}
On 22 June 1940, I. ''Gruppe'' of [[Jagdgeschwader 21|''Jagdgeschwader'' 21]] (JG 21–21st Fighter Wing) was withdrawn from France and moved to [[Mönchengladbach|München Gladbach]], present-day Mönchengladbach. The following day the ''Gruppe'' was ordered to [[Soesterberg]] in the Netherlands. On 2 July, the unit moved to [[Bergen op Zoom]]. Three days later I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 21 was renamed and became the III. ''Gruppe'' of [[Jagdgeschwader 54|''Jagdgeschwader'' 54]] (JG 54–54th Fighter Wing).{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=325}}


On 5 September, Bob was temporarily appointed ''[[Staffelkapitän]]'' (squadron leader) of 7. ''Staffel'' of JG 54, replacing ''Oberleutnant'' [[Günther Scholz]]. Scholz was temporarily transferred to the [[Stab (Luftwaffe designation)|''Gruppenstab'']] (headquarters unit) of III. ''Gruppe'' of JG 54. There, Scholz succeeded ''Hauptmann'' Fritz Ultsch who had been [[killed in action]].{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=332}} By November 1940, Bob had claimed his 19th aerial victory, and was awarded the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]] ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes}}) on 7 March 1941.{{sfn|Weal|2001|p=36}} On 21 March, Bob made a [[forced landing]] in the sea off of [[Cherbourg]] due to engine failure of the [[Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann]] D-2 (''Werknummer'' 4506—factory number) trainer.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=346}}
On 5 September, Bob was temporarily appointed ''[[Staffelkapitän]]'' (squadron leader) of 7. ''Staffel'' of JG 54, replacing ''Oberleutnant'' [[Günther Scholz]]. Scholz was temporarily transferred to the [[Stab (Luftwaffe designation)|''Gruppenstab'']] (headquarters unit) of III. ''Gruppe'' of JG 54. There, Scholz succeeded ''Hauptmann'' Fritz Ultsch who had been [[killed in action]].{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=332}} On 15 September, also known as the [[Battle of Britain Day]], Bob's [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] was hit by cannon shell in the radiator while flying over [[Canterbury]] at an altitude of {{convert|12000|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}. Fearing that his engine would overheat, he nursed his Bf 109 back to France by periodically turning his engine off, trading altitude for distance, thus cooling the engine before restarting it to gain altitude again.{{sfn|Weal|2001|pp=31–32}} By November 1940, Bob had claimed his 19th aerial victory, and was awarded the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]] ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes}}) on 7 March 1941.{{sfn|Weal|2001|p=36}} On 21 March, Bob made a [[forced landing]] in the sea off of [[Cherbourg]] due to engine failure of the [[Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann]] D-2 (''Werknummer'' 4506—factory number) trainer.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2002|p=346}}


On 29 May 1944, the wing commander [[Jagdgeschwader 3|''Jagdgeschwader'' 3]] "Udet" (JG 3–3rd Fighter Wing), named after the World War I fighter ace [[Ernst Udet]], ''Major'' [[Friedrich-Karl "Tutti" Müller|Friedrich-Karl Müller]] was killed in action. In consequence, Bob was transferred and temporarily was placed in command of JG 3 until the official successor, ''Major'' [[Heinz Bär]], took command on 9 June. Bob was then given command of IV. ''Gruppe'' of JG 3, replacing ''Hauptmann'' [[Gustav Frielinghaus]] in this capacity.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Bock|2018|pp=252, 302}}
On 29 May 1944, the wing commander [[Jagdgeschwader 3|''Jagdgeschwader'' 3]] "Udet" (JG 3–3rd Fighter Wing), named after the World War I fighter ace [[Ernst Udet]], ''Major'' [[Friedrich-Karl "Tutti" Müller|Friedrich-Karl Müller]] was killed in action. In consequence, Bob was transferred and temporarily was placed in command of JG 3 until the official successor, ''Major'' [[Heinz Bär]], took command on 9 June. Bob was then given command of IV. ''Gruppe'' of JG 3, replacing ''Hauptmann'' [[Gustav Frielinghaus]] in this capacity.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Bock|2018|pp=252, 302}}

Revision as of 16:18, 7 September 2023

Hans-Ekkehard Bob
Born24 January 1917
Freiburg, Breisgau
Died12 August 2013 (aged 96)
Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branchTemplate:Luftwaffe
Years of service1936–45
RankMajor
UnitJG 54, JG 51, JG 3, EJG 2, JV 44
CommandsIV./JG 51, II./JG 3, II./EJG 2
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross
RelationsElmar Bob (son)
Other workFounder and Chairman of Bohrmaschinen und Geräte GmbH (drilling equipment)

Hans Ekkehard Bob (24 January 1917 – 12 August 2013) was a German fighter pilot, serving with the Luftwaffe. During World War II, Bob flew approximately 700 combat missions, and claimed 60 victories; 37 of which were on the Eastern Front.

Early Luftwaffe

Bob joined the Luftwaffe in 1936,[1] at the rank of a Fahnenjunker (officer candidate), and began his flight training on 1 June 1937.

World War II

On 22 June 1940, I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 21 (JG 21–21st Fighter Wing) was withdrawn from France and moved to München Gladbach, present-day Mönchengladbach. The following day the Gruppe was ordered to Soesterberg in the Netherlands. On 2 July, the unit moved to Bergen op Zoom. Three days later I. Gruppe of JG 21 was renamed and became the III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54–54th Fighter Wing).[2]

On 5 September, Bob was temporarily appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 7. Staffel of JG 54, replacing Oberleutnant Günther Scholz. Scholz was temporarily transferred to the Gruppenstab (headquarters unit) of III. Gruppe of JG 54. There, Scholz succeeded Hauptmann Fritz Ultsch who had been killed in action.[3] On 15 September, also known as the Battle of Britain Day, Bob's Messerschmitt Bf 109 was hit by cannon shell in the radiator while flying over Canterbury at an altitude of 12,000 feet (3,700 meters). Fearing that his engine would overheat, he nursed his Bf 109 back to France by periodically turning his engine off, trading altitude for distance, thus cooling the engine before restarting it to gain altitude again.[4] By November 1940, Bob had claimed his 19th aerial victory, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 7 March 1941.[5] On 21 March, Bob made a forced landing in the sea off of Cherbourg due to engine failure of the Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann D-2 (Werknummer 4506—factory number) trainer.[6]

On 29 May 1944, the wing commander Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3–3rd Fighter Wing), named after the World War I fighter ace Ernst Udet, Major Friedrich-Karl Müller was killed in action. In consequence, Bob was transferred and temporarily was placed in command of JG 3 until the official successor, Major Heinz Bär, took command on 9 June. Bob was then given command of IV. Gruppe of JG 3, replacing Hauptmann Gustav Frielinghaus in this capacity.[7]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Bob was credited with 60 aerial victories.[8] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 57 aerial victory claims, plus four further unconfirmed claims. This figure includes 37 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and another 20 on the Western Front, including one heavy bomber.[9]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Bob did not receive credit.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 21 –[10]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
1 10 May 1940 10:33 Gladiator Tongeren[11] 3 25 May 1940 19:45 M.S.406 north of Cambrai[11]
Péronne-en-Mélantois
2 24 May 1940 15:20 D.520 Hénin-Liétard[11] 4 26 May 1940 09:10 Hawk 75 Cambrai[11]
– 3. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 21 –[10]
Action at the Channel and over England — 26 June – 4 July 1940
5 26 June 1940 18:10 Blenheim 60 km (37 mi) west of Rotterdam[12]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[10]
Action at the Channel and over England — 5 July – 4 September 1940
6 12 August 1940 18:33 Spitfire Canterbury[13] 10 31 August 1940 11:40 Hurricane Eastchurch[13]
7 15 August 1940 19:27 Spitfire southeast of Dover[13] 11 31 August 1940 11:42 Hurricane Eastchurch[13]
8 16 August 1940 13:13 Spitfire Calais[13] 12?[Note 1] 4 September 1940 10:10 Hurricane Folkestone[13]
9 18 August 1940 14:40 Hurricane 10 km (6.2 mi) off Ramsgate[13] 13?[Note 1] 9 September 1940 18:40 Spitfire[13] Tunbridge
– 7. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[10]
Action at the Channel and over England — 5 September – October 1940
14 30 September 1940 14:35 Spitfire Tunbridge[13] 16 9 October 1940 16:38?[Note 2] Spitfire Chatham[14]
—
 30 September 1940
—
 Spitfire[13] 17 20 October 1940 15:40 Spitfire London[14]
15 9 October 1940 14:00 Spitfire Ashford[14]
– Stab III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[10]
Action at the Channel and over England — October – November 1940
18 27 October 1940 10:30 Hurricane 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Tonbridge[14] 19 11 November 1940 13:17 Spitfire Margate[14]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[10]
  2. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:58.[10]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Ries and Obermaier 1991
  2. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 325.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 332.
  4. ^ Weal 2001, pp. 31–32.
  5. ^ Weal 2001, p. 36.
  6. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 346.
  7. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, pp. 252, 302.
  8. ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1617.
  9. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 114–115.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 114.
  11. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2000, p. 197.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 336.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2002, p. 338.
  14. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2002, p. 340.
  15. ^ Bergström 2007, p. 12.
  16. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 90.
  17. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 46.
  18. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 135.
  19. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 226.

Bibliography

  • Bergström, Christer (2007). Hans-Ekkehard Bob Ace Profiles Number 1 — The Men and Their Aircraft. Crowborough: Air Power Editions. ISBN 978-0-9555977-1-8.
  • Bob, Hans-Ekkehard (2003). Betrayed Ideals, Memoirs of a Luftwaffe Fighter Ace. Cerberus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84145-031-6.
  • Bob, Hans-Ekkehard (2011). Jagdgeschwader 54 — Die Piloten mit den grünen Herzen (in German). Aachen, Germany: Helios Verlags- und Buchvertriebsgesellschaft. ISBN 978-3-86933-041-9.
  • 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.
  • Forsyth, Robert (1996). JV 44: The Galland Circus. Classic Publications. ISBN 0-9526867-0-8.
  • 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.
  • 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). Eutin, Germany: 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/II—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/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-64-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2018). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/IV—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/IV—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-19-2.
  • Ries, Karl and Obermaier, Ernst (1991). Luftwaffe Rudder Markings 1936–1945. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-88740-337-9.
  • 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.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Trautloft, Hannes and Bob, Hans-Ekkehard (2005). War Diaries of Hannes Trautloft Kommodore of JG54 Grunherz. Cerberus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84145-010-3.
  • Weal, John (2001). Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 6. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-286-9.
  • Zabecki, David T., ed. (2014). Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-59884-981-3.
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