Josef Kraft

Josef Kraft (8 February 1921 – 16 October 1994) was a German military aviator in the Luftwaffe during World War II and an officer in the postwar German Air Force. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 56 aerial victories claimed in 129 combat missions, making him the thirteenth, a shared distinction, most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.[1] All of his victories were claimed in Defense of the Reich missions, the majority against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command and United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on the Western Front and four against the Soviet Air Forces on the Eastern Front.

Josef Kraft
Born8 February 1921
Vienna, Austria
Died16 October 1994(1994-10-16) (aged 73)
Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany (1940–45)
 West Germany (1956–80)
Years of service1940–45
1956–80
RankHauptmann(Wehrmacht)
Oberst (Bundeswehr)
UnitNJG 4, NJG 5, NJG 6, NJG 1
Commands held7./NJG 6, 12./NJG 1
Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 2
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Born in Vienna, Kraft grew up in the First Austrian Republic, the Federal State of Austria and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he joined the military service in 1940, initially serving with an anti-aircraft artillery he was later trained as a pilot. In 1942, he was posted to Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (NJG 4—4th Night Fighter Wing) and to Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 (NJG 5—5th Night Fighter Wing) in 1943. Kraft claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 27/28 August 1943. In May 1944, his Gruppe was subordinated to Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6—6th Night Fighter Wing) based in Hungary. Following his 44th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 September 1944, shortly after, he was appointed squadron leader of 7. Staffel (7th squadron) of NJG 6. Kraft claimed his last aerial victories on 22/23 March 1945 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves 17 April.

Following the rearmament of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kraft joined the German Air Force in July 1956. He died on 16 October 1994 in Fürstenfeldbruck.

Early life and career

Kraft, the son of a tram driver, was born on 8 February 1921 in Vienna, the capital of First Austrian Republic. He joined the military service of the Wehrmacht on 11 April 1940, initially serving with Flak-Regiment 42 (42nd anti-aircraft artillery regiment) of the Luftwaffe. Kraft volunteered for flight service and was promoted to Oberfähnrich (officer candidate) on 1 July 1941.[2] Following night fighter flight training, [Note 1] he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 November 1941 and continued to serve with a Luftwaffe training unit 16 August 1942.[3]

World War II
A map of part of the Kammhuber Line. The 'belt' and night fighter 'boxes' are shown.

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. Following the 1939 aerial Battle of the Heligoland Bight, Royal Air Force (RAF) attacks shifted to the cover of darkness, initiating the Defence of the Reich campaign.[4] By mid-1940, Generalmajor (Brigadier General) Josef Kammhuber had established a night air defense system dubbed the Kammhuber Line. It consisted of a series of control sectors equipped with radars and searchlights and an associated night fighter. Each sector named a Himmelbett (canopy bed) would direct the night fighter into visual range with target bombers. In 1941, the Luftwaffe started equipping night fighters with airborne radar such as the Lichtenstein radar. This airborne radar did not come into general use until early 1942.[5]

Night fighter career

In October 1942, Kraft was posted to II. Gruppe (2nd group) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (NJG 4—4th Night Fighter Wing).[Note 2] In January 1943, he was again transferred then serving with II. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 (NJG 5—5th Night Fighter Wing).[3] Kraft claimed his first air victory on 27/28 August 1943, an Avro Lancaster bomber shot down 22 kilometres (14 miles) west of Nuremberg[6] For this, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse) on 1 September and the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse) on 15 November.[7]

Kraft was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 February 1944 and received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 31 March. In May, II. Gruppe was subordinated to Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6—6th Night Fighter Wing) and moved Hungary on the southern sector of the Eastern Front. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 23 July 1944. By September 1944, his number of aerial victories had increased to 44 for which he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 30 September.[3]

In February and March 1945, he claimed his last aerial victories, increasing his total to 56. For which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 17 April, the 838th officer or soldier of the Wehrmacht so honored. At the end of war he was taken prisoner of war by British forces and was released in August 1945.[3]

Later life

Following the Wiederbewaffnung (rearmament) of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kraft joined the German Air Force in 1956. From 1 October 1 to 31 March 1980, he commanded the Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 2 and retired holding the rank of Oberst (colonel). Kraft died on 16 October 1994 in Fürstenfeldbruck.[3][8]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Kraft was credited with 56 aerial victories.[9] Obermaier lists Kraft with 56 nocturnal aerial victories, four of which on the Eastern Front, claimed in 129 combat missions.[10] Foreman, Parry and Mathews, authors of Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 56 nocturnal victory claims[11] Mathews and Foreman also published Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, listing Kraft with 51 claims, plus five further unconfirmed claims.[12]

Chronicle of aerial victories

  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed in Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939 – 1945 but not in Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims.

Claim Date Time Type Location Serial No./Squadron No.
– 6. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 –[13]
1?[Note 3] 28 August 1943 01:20 Lancaster 22 km (14 mi) west of Nuremberg[6]
2 1 September 1943 00:47 Lancaster 25 km (16 mi) south-southwest of Berlin[14] Lancaster JA848/No. 619 Squadron RAF[15]
3?[Note 3] 1 September 1943 00:55 Stirling east of Berlin[14]
4 27 September 1943 23:26 Lancaster Hannover[16] Halifax JB968/No. 428 Squadron RAF[17]
5 9 October 1943 01:32 Stirling 40–50 km (25–31 mi) north of Bremen[14]
6?[Note 3] 26 November 1943 21:52 Lancaster Berlin[18]
7 2 December 1943 20:32 Lancaster Berlin[19]
– 5. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 –[12]
8 6 January 1944 03:33 Lancaster Stettin[20]
9 6 January 1944 03:45 Lancaster northwest of Stettin[20]
10 6 January 1944 04:01 Lancaster northwest of Stettin[20]
11?[Note 3] 14 January 1944 20:20 Lancaster Berlin[21]
12 20 January 1944 19:45 Lancaster Berlin[22]
13 21 January 1944 23:15 Halifax Magdeburg[23] Halifax DK237/No. 428 (Ghost) Squadron RCAF[24]
14 21 January 1944 23:20 Halifax Magdeburg[23]
15 29 January 1944 03:28 Lancaster Berlin[25]
16 30 January 1944 20:09 Lancaster Berlin[26]
17 30 January 1944 20:16 Lancaster Berlin[26]
18?[Note 3] 30 January 1944 20:28 Lancaster Berlin[26]
– 4. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 –[27]
19 15 February 1944 20:46 Lancaster southwest of Rostock[28]
20 15 February 1944 21:13 Halifax Neuruppin[28]
21 20 February 1944 03:17 four-engined bomber vicinity of Brandenburg[29] Halifax LK905/No. 431 (Iroquois) Squadron RCAF[30][Note 4]
22 24 March 1944 22:23 four-engined bomber 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Berlin[31]
23 24 March 1944 22:58 four-engined bomber Wertheim[32]
24 27 April 1944 01:24 Lancaster 10–20 km (6.2–12.4 mi) south of Strasbourg[33]
25 27 April 1944 01:45 Lancaster vicinity of Strasbourg[33]
26 28 April 1944 02:24 Halifax Friedrichshafen[34]
– 7. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 –[27]
27 25 May 1944 02:18 Lancaster Listig[35] Lancaster DV389/No. 101 Squadron RAF[36]
28 25 May 1944 02:24 Halifax Eifel PN-3[35] Lancaster ND624/No. 103 Squadron RAF[37]
26 26 June 1944 00:40 Halifax Tamási[38]
30 7 July 1944 01:20 Wellington south of Sankt Pölten[39]
31 7 July 1944 01:27 Wellington south of Sankt Pölten[39]
32 21 July 1944 23:40 Wellington west of Brod[40]
33 8 August 1944 01:27 Wellington Körmend[41]
34 20 August 1944 23:10 Wellington east of Steyr[42]
35 20 August 1944 23:18 Wellington[42]
36 21 August 1944 23:14 Wellington Komárom[42]
37 22 August 1944 23:14 Wellington Gyöngyös[42]
38 22 August 1944 23:23 B-24 Tiszafüred[42]
39 14 September 1944 22:00 Il-4 20 km (12 mi) north of Budapest[43]
40 18 September 1944 21:40 PS-84 Tokaj[44]
41 19 September 1944 21:04 PS-84 Nyíregyháza[44]
42 19 September 1944 21:20 PS-84 Nyíregyháza[44]
43 20 September 1944 23:08 Wellington Szombathely[45]
44 20 September 1944 23:12 Wellington Szombathely[45]
45 13 October 1944 20:36 B-24 Tamási[46]
46 13 October 1944 20:46 Wellington southeast of Barcs[46]
47 20 October 1944 21:43 Wellington Szombathely[47]
48 20 October 1944 22:10 B-24 Szombathely[47]
49 20 October 1944 22:15 Wellington Szombathely[47]
– 8. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 –[27]
50 21 February 1945 01:05 Halifax Duisburg[48]
51 21 February 1945 01:09 Halifax Duisburg[48]
52 24 February 1945 22:07 Halifax Duisburg[49] Halifax MZ448/No. 462 Squadron RAF[50]
53 3 March 1945 21:59 Lancaster west of Münster[51]
54 3 March 1945 22:07 Lancaster west of Münster[51]
55 23 March 1945 04:14 Lancaster Bochum[52]
56 23 March 1945 04:00 B-17[52]

Awards

Promotions
Wehrmacht
1 July 1941:Oberfähnrich (officer candidate)[2]
1 November 1941:Leutnant (second lieutenant)[3]
1 February 1944:Oberleutnant (first lieutenant)[3]
1 January 1945:Hauptmann (captain)[3]
Bundeswehr
 ?Oberst (colonel)[3]

Notes
  1. Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations. For pilots destined to fly multi-engine aircraft, the training was completed with the Luftwaffe Advanced Pilot's Certificate (Erweiterter Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein), also known as the C-Certificate.
  2. For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  3. According to Mathews and Foreman, this claim was unconfirmed.[12]
  4. According to the Aviation Safety Network, potentially claimed by Oberleutnant Paul Zorner.[30]
  5. According to Obermaier on 31 March 1944.
  6. According to Scherzer as pilot in the 7./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6.[57]

References

Citations
  1. Scutts 1998, p. 88.
  2. Stockert 2011, p. 100.
  3. Stockert 2011, p. 101.
  4. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 9.
  5. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 27.
  6. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 107.
  7. Stockert 2011, p. 85.
  8. Bundeswehr 2018.
  9. Zabecki 2014, p. 1618.
  10. Obermaier 1989, p. 76.
  11. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 107–244.
  12. Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 682–683.
  13. Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 682.
  14. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 109.
  15. Lancaster JA848.
  16. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 118.
  17. Bowman 2016a, p. 212.
  18. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 130.
  19. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 131.
  20. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 139.
  21. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 141.
  22. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 142.
  23. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 143.
  24. Halifax DK237.
  25. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 145.
  26. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 146.
  27. Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 683.
  28. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 148.
  29. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 149.
  30. Halifax LK905.
  31. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 157.
  32. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 158.
  33. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 170.
  34. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 172.
  35. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 180.
  36. Lancaster DV389.
  37. Lancaster ND624.
  38. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 193.
  39. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 198.
  40. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 203.
  41. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 208.
  42. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 210.
  43. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 216.
  44. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 217.
  45. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 218.
  46. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 219.
  47. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 220.
  48. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 236.
  49. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 238.
  50. Bowman 2016b, p. 197.
  51. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 239.
  52. Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 244.
  53. Thomas 1997, p. 400.
  54. Patzwall 2008, p. 124.
  55. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 249.
  56. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 271.
  57. Scherzer 2007, p. 469.
  58. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 102.

Bibliography
  • Bowman, Martin (2016a). Nachtjagd, Defenders of the Reich 1940–1943. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-4738-4986-0.
  • Bowman, Martin (2016b). German Night Fighters Versus Bomber Command 1943–1945. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Aviation. ISBN 978-1-4738-4979-2.
  • "Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 2". Geschichte der Luftwaffe. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  • 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.
  • Foreman, John; Parry, Simon; Mathews, Johannes (2004). Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939–1945. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-0-9538061-4-0.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Scutts, Jerry (1998). German Night Fighter Aces of World War 2. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 20. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-696-5.
  • Stockert, Peter (2011). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 9 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 9] (in German) (2nd ed.). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. OCLC 76072662.
  • Thomas, Franz (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1: A–K] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2299-6.
  • Zabecki, David T., ed. (2014). Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-59884-981-3.
  • Accident description for Halifax DK237 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Halifax LK905 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Lancaster DV389 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Lancaster JA848 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 22 September 2022.
  • Accident description for Lancaster ND624 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 September 2022.
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