Ján Gerthofer
Ján Gerthofer (27 May 1910 – 9 August 1991) was the third-highest scoring fighter ace from Slovakia during World War II. He accumulated 26 kills.[1]
Ján Gerthofer | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 27, 1910 Láb |
| Died | August 9, 1991 (aged 81) Podbrezová |
| Allegiance | Slovakia |
| Service/ | Slovak Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Nadporučík - Oberleutnant |
| Unit | 13 JG 52 |
| Awards | War Victory Cross Iron Cross 1st Class |
Gerthofer had joined the Czechoslovak Air Force in 1927 flying bombers. In 1939, he became a pilot in the Air Force of newly independent Slovakia. After completing training on Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft in October 1942,[2] he was appointed deputy commanding officer of 13 JG 52, the Slovak air contingent on the Eastern Front. In 175 sorties he shot down 26 Soviet aircraft.[2]
In the Slovak National Uprising in August 1944, Gerthofer joined the insurgents, but was taken prisoner on 31 August and spent the rest of the war in Stalag XVIII-A.[2]
After the war, Gerthofer served in the re–formed Czechoslovak Air Force before being discharged for political reasons in 1951.[2]
References
- "Gerthofer, Ján : G". Forum.valka.cz. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
- Rajlich, Boshniakov & Mandjukov 2004, p. 67.
Bibliography
- Rajlich, Jiri; Boshniakov, Stephan; Mandjukov, Petko (2004). Slovakian and Bulgarian Aces of World War 2. Osprey Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 58. Oxford: Osprey. pp. 66–67. ISBN 1841766526.