Friedrich Obleser
| Friedrich Obleser | |
|---|---|
 Generalleutnant Friedrich Obleser | |
| Born |
21 February 1923 Pottenstein, Austria |
| Died |
5 June 2004 (aged 81) Neunkirchen, Austria |
| Allegiance | |
| Service/branch | |
| Years of service | 1940–45, 1956–83 |
| Rank | |
| Unit | JG 52 |
| Commands held | 8./JG 52 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
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Friedrich-Erich Obleser (21 February 1923 – 5 June 2004) was a German fighter ace in the Luftwaffe during World War II, who claimed 127 aerial victories achieved in 500 combat missions. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded by Nazi Germany to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. For his post-war service in the German Air Force, he received the Grand Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Career
Obleser at one point questioned the aerial claims made by Erich Hartmann. Hartmann asked Günther Rall to have Obleser transferred to be Hartmann's wingman for a while. Obleser became a witness on some of Hartmann's claims and no longer questioned Hartmann's claims.[1] In August 1944, Obleser was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 87th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[2]
After World War II, Friedrich Obleser settled in West Germany and continued his career in the German Air Force after the re-militarization of West Germany in 1955. From 1 October 1978 until his retirement on 31 March 1983, he held the position of Inspector of the Air Force in the Bundeswehr, achieving the rank of Generalleutnant.
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st class
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (8 November 1943)[3]
- German Cross in Gold on 14 November 1943 as Leutnant in the III./JG 52[4]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 8./JG 52[5]
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Officer's Cross (April 1973)
- Commanders Cross (November 1979)
- Grand Cross with Star (4 March 1983)
References
Citations
Bibliography
- 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.
- 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.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Oberstleutnant Erich Hohagen |
Commander of Jagdgeschwader 72 1 November 1961 – 19 December 1963 |
Succeeded by Oberstleutnant Benno Schmieder |
| Preceded by Oberstleutnant Wilhelm Meyn |
Commander of Jagdbombergeschwader 31 Boelcke December 1963 – November 1966 |
Succeeded by Oberst Paul Monreal |
| Preceded by Generalleutnant Gerhard Limberg |
Inspector of the Air Force 1 October 1978 – 31 March 1983 |
Succeeded by Generalleutnant Eberhard Eimler |
|  | |
