Gerhard Schöpfel
Gerhard Schöpfel (19 December 1912 – 17 May 2003) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II. As a fighter ace, he is credited with 45 aerial victories claimed in approximately 700 combat missions, all of which on the Western Front.
Gerhard Schöpfel | |
|---|---|
Gerhard Schöpfel | |
| Born | 19 December 1912 Erfurt |
| Died | 17 May 2003 (aged 90) Bergisch Gladbach-Refrath |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/ | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1936–1945 |
| Rank | Major (major) |
| Unit | JG 26, JG 54, JG 4, JG 6 |
| Commands held | JG 26, JG 4, JG 6 |
| Battles/wars | See battles |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Other work | law |
Born in Erfurt, Schöpfel grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany and joined the German police force. In 1936, he transferred to the Luftwaffe and following flight training was posted to a fighter wing. In September 1939, Schöpfel became a squadron leader in Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). Flying with this wing, Schöpfel claimed his first aerial victory on 19 May 1940 during the Battle of France. In August 1941, he was given command of III. Gruppe of JG 26. During the Battle of Britain, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 11 September for 20 aerial victories claimed. In December 1941, Schöpfel was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 26, a position he held until January 1943.
Schöpfel then held various staff positions with Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne, Jagdfliegerführer Sizilien and Jagdfliegerführer Norwegen. In May 1944, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) and in June was given command of Jagdgeschwader 4 (JG 4—4th Fighter Wing). In April 1945, he was appointed commander of Jagdgeschwader 6 (JG 6—6th Fighter Wing). At the end of the war, he became a Soviet prisoner of war and was released in December 1949. Schöpfel died on 15 May 2003 in Bergisch Gladbach.