| Gordon Gollob | |
|---|---|
| 16 June 1912 – 8 September 1987 (aged 75) | |
 Gordon Gollob |
|
| Place of birth | Graz |
| Place of death | Sulingen |
| Allegiance |  First Austrian Republic (to 1938) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1933-1945 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | ZG 76, JG 3, JG 54, JG 77, Luftflotte 5 |
| Commands held | II. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Graz (etymologically from Slovene: Gradec IPA /gradeʦ/ "little castle" with a population of around 290000 as of 2008 (of which 252852 have principal Sulingen is a town in the district of Diepholz, Lower Saxony, Germany. In Austrian history the First Republic encompasses the period following the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy at the end of World War I, up Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers ( German 'luftvafe is a generic German term for an Air force. Colonel ( RP ˈkɜnəl GA ˈkɜrnəl is a Military rank of a Commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3 Udet was a Luftwaffe fighter - wing of World War II. Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54 Grünherz (Green Hearts was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during the Second World War. Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77 Herz As {Ace of Hearts was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II. Luftflotte 5 (Air Fleet 5 was one of the primary divisions of the German Luftwaffe in World War II. /JG 3, JG 77, Jafü 5 and General der Jagdflieger |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten |
Gordon MacGollob (16 June 1912 – 8 September 1987) was an Austrian fighter pilot and flying ace in the Luftwaffe from 1938 to 1945) during World War 2. Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3 Udet was a Luftwaffe fighter - wing of World War II. Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77 Herz As {Ace of Hearts was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II. Jagdfliegerführer 5 (Jafü 5 was formed September 6 1943 in Bernay from Jagdfliegerführer 3, subordinated to 5 Inspector of Fighters ( German language: Inspekteur der Jagdflieger redesignated to General der Jagdflieger) was not a rank but a leading position within World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ( German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, often simply Ritterkreuz) was a grade of the Iron Cross Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy Aircraft during aerial combat ( German 'luftvafe is a generic German term for an Air force. Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including His name comes from the fact his father was originally Scottish. He changed it to become more "Germanic" sounding on joining the military. He rose to the position of General der Jagdflieger, and was one of only 27 to receive the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Inspector of Fighters ( German language: Inspekteur der Jagdflieger redesignated to General der Jagdflieger) was not a rank but a leading position within Gollob was credited with 150 victories achieved in 340 missions. He recorded 144 victories over the Eastern front.
Contents |
Early life
Gollob was born in Graz. Graz (etymologically from Slovene: Gradec IPA /gradeʦ/ "little castle" with a population of around 290000 as of 2008 (of which 252852 have principal In 1933 he joined the Austrian Bundesheer as an officer cadet, and the year after he completed his flying training. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The current name of the Military of Austria is Österreichs Bundesheer ("Federal Army of Austria " official English name Austrian Armed Forces He rose to command a training unit, the Schulstaffel A. When Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, Gollob joined the Luftwaffe with the rank of Oberleutnant. The ( German: "link-up" also known as the, was the 1938 Annexation of Austria into Greater Germany by the Nazi Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. On 15 March 1939 Gollob was posted to the 3. Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. /ZG 76[1] flying the Bf 110 twin-engined fighter. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed
World War 2
ZG 76 was stationed on the Polish border and took part in Fall Weiss, the invasion of Poland from 1 September 1939. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Gollob scored his first victories over Poland, and continued his success when ZG 76 took part in the Battle of the Heligoland Bight.
On 8 April 1940 Gollob was appointed Staffelkapitän of 3. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Staffelkapitän is a Luftwaffe position (not a rank that is the equivalent of Royal Air Force / US Air Force Squadron Leader. /ZG 76. The unit took part in Operation Weserübung and Gollob had two more victories over Norway. Operation Weserübung was the codename for Nazi Germany 's assault on Denmark and Norway during World War II and the opening operation Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional Later that year Gollob shot down a Spitfire during the Battle of Britain. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Battle of Britain (German ''Luftschlacht um England'' is the name given to the sustained strategic effort by the German Luftwaffe during the summer and He was then given night fighter training and assigned to II. A night fighter (also all-weather fighter) is a Fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility /JG 3 on 7 September. Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. JG 3 was stationed on the Channel Front, and saw much action. On 9 October Gollob was appointed Staffelkapitän of 4. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. /JG 3.
In 1941 the unit was transferred east to take part in Operation Barbarossa. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Operation Barbarossa ( Unternehmen Barbarossa) was the Codename for Nazi Germany 's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II A few days after the invasion started, on 27 June, Gollob was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Gruppenkommandeur is a Luftwaffe ( German air force position that is the equivalent of a commander of a group or wing in other air /JG 3, and promoted to Hauptmann. Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as Captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies Against the weak Soviet Air Force Gollob proved quite successful, downing 18 enemy aircraft in the month of August alone. The Soviet Air Force, also known under the abbreviation VVS, transliterated from Russian: ВВС, Военно-воздушные силы ( Voenno-Vozdushnye On 18 September he was awarded the Ritterkreuz for his 42 victories. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ( German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, often simply Ritterkreuz) was a grade of the Iron Cross In October he had an impressive 37 victories, including 9 in one day on 18 October. Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid On 26 October he was awarded the Eichenlaub after reaching 85 victories. Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death In December Gollob was pulled of frontline service, and was transferred to a testing unit, to help with the development of the next version of the Bf 109. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout
After a brief spell at the Stabschwarm of JG 54 Gollob, now a Major, assumed command over JG 77 as Geschwaderkommodore on 16 May 1942. Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54 Grünherz (Green Hearts was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during the Second World War. Major is a Military rank the use of which varies according to country Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77 Herz As {Ace of Hearts was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II. Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position (not rank that is the equivalent of a Royal Air Force Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. JG 77 was tasked with supporting the hard fighting over the Kerch straits on the Crimean peninsula. The JG 77, led by such able experts as Gollob and Heinrich Bär leading I. Colonel Heinz (Oskar-Heinrich "Pritzl" Bär ( 21 March 1913 – 28 April 1957) was a German Luftwaffe /JG 77, "took over" the air space over the Kerch-Taman area. Intense rivalry ensued between Gollob and Bär, each striving to outperform the other. On 20 May Gollob reached his victory number 100. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held On 23 June he was awarded the Schwerter, after his tally had risen to 107. Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Only two months later he reached 150 victories, becoming the Luftwaffe's highest scoring pilot at that point. For this he was awarded the Brillianten to his Ritterkreuz on 29 August, only number 3 to receive such honours. Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708)
An anonymous JG 77 pilot described Gollob's methods; "Gollob flew from Kerch together with his wingman. They positioned themselves at a low altitude beneath a Russian formation. Then they started climbing in spirals, carefully maintaining their position beneath the enemy formation. Before the peacefully flying Russians had even suspected any mischief, the two planes at the bottom of their formation had been shot down and the two Germans were gone. "[2]
High command
On 1 October 1942, now an Oberst, Gollob was posted to the staff of Jagdfliegerführer 3[3] on the Channel Front, and on 15 October he was appointed Jagdfliegerführer 5, being responsible of the tactical fighter command over northwestern France. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Jagdfliegerführer 3 (Jafü 3 was formed December 21, 1939 in Wiesbaden. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Jagdfliegerführer 5 (Jafü 5 was formed September 6 1943 in Bernay from Jagdfliegerführer 3, subordinated to 5 This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.
In April 1944 Gollob was transferred to the personal staff of General der Jagdflieger Adolf Galland, to advise on the development of the jet aircraft projects. Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Inspector of Fighters ( German language: Inspekteur der Jagdflieger redesignated to General der Jagdflieger) was not a rank but a leading position within Adolf "Dolfo" Joseph Ferdinand Galland ( 19 March 1912 9 February 1996) was a World War II German fighter He had a falling out with Galland however, and was transferred to Kommando der Erprobungstellen, or HQ of test units. In November Gollob was appointed commander of the Jäger-Sonderstab - or special fighter commando - for the Ardennes offensive. The Ardennes Offensive (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945 was a major German offensive launched towards the end of World War II through the forested Ardennes Mountains In January 1945 Gollob was appointed General der Jagerflieger, following Galland's sacking by the OKL after the costly Operation Bodenplatte. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar The Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL was the air force High Command of the Third Reich. Unternehmen Bodenplatte (German "Operation Baseplate" or "Operation Ground Plate" launched on January 1 1945, was an attempt by the
Controversy
Gollob was very pro-Nazi, and was often thought poorly of by his fellow pilots. Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German Johannes Steinhoff said about Gollob in an interview first printed in World War 2 Magazine in February 2000:
"Well, I will say this, then I will say nothing else about Gollob. Johannes Steinhoff ( September 15, 1913 – February 21, 1994) was a German Luftwaffe Fighter ace of 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Losses soared under his leadership everywhere he went, much like Göring in the first war. He placed leaders in command of units not because of their competence, but due to their loyalty to the Nazi Party, which were very few in the Jagdwaffe. " [1]
Gollob was regarded as a competent pilot, but a poor leader due to his eagerness to impress superiors and his unhealthy competitive spirit.
After the war
After being released from captivity following the surrender, Gollob made a living as a contributor to Aircraft Magazines and lecturing. In 1948 he became a foreman of the Party of Independence in Austria. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. From 1951 he started working for a company making motors and vehicles. Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January He had two sons and a daughter with his wife. Gollob died in Sulingen, Diepholz, Lower Saxony on 7 September 1987. Sulingen is a town in the district of Diepholz, Lower Saxony, Germany. Diepholz (ˈdiːphɔlts is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. Lower Saxony ( German: Niedersachsen ch is pronounced before an s --> lies in north-western Germany and is second Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar)
Awards
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "300"
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe
- Pilot and Observer Badge
- Crimea Shield
- Iron Cross 2. The Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe (Frontflugspange was awarded in Bronze Silver and Gold with upgrade possible to include diamonds The Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe was a Luftwaffe award established on February 27 1940 by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, For other meanings please see Iron Cross (disambiguation The Iron Cross ( was a Military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and 1. class
- Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
- Knight's Cross (18 September 1941)
- 38. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ( German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, often simply Ritterkreuz) was a grade of the Iron Cross Oak Leaves (26 October 1941)
- 13. Swords (23 June 1942)
- 3. Diamonds (30 August 1942)
- Mentioned three times in the Wehrmachtbericht
References
- ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II
- ^ Prien. The Wehrmachtbericht was a daily report made by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht regarding the military situation on all fronts Organization of the Luftwaffe: The German Air Force ( Luftwaffe) of World War II had a distinct organization and command structure JG 77, p. 1018
- ^ A Jagdfliegerführer, or Jafü, was the commander of the Fighter forces of a Luftflotte. For more details see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II
- Berger, Florian, Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Organization of the Luftwaffe: The German Air Force ( Luftwaffe) of World War II had a distinct organization and command structure Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Selbstverlag Florian Berger, 2006. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Prien, Jochen. Jagdgeschwader 77. 1993. ISBN 3-923457-19-7.
- World War 2 Magazine interview with Johannes Steinhoff
See also
External links
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Major Gotthard Handrick |
Commander of Jagdgeschwader 77 Herz As May 16, 1942 – September 30, 1942 |
Succeeded by Major Joachim Müncheberg |
| Preceded by Major Karl Hentschel |
Commander of Jagdfliegerführer 3 October 15, 1942 – September 6, 1943 |
Succeeded by Jagdfliegerführer 5 |
| Preceded by Jagdfliegerführer 3 |
Commander of Jagdfliegerführer 5 September 6, 1943 – May, 1944 |
Succeeded by unknown |
| Preceded by Generalleutnant Adolf Galland |
General der Jagdflieger January 31, 1945 – May 8, 1945 |
Succeeded by none |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Gollob, Gordon |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | MacGollob |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | German World War II fighter pilot |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 16 June 1912 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Graz, Austria |
| DATE OF DEATH | 8 September 1987 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Sulingen, Germany |
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