Hans Ehlers

Infobox Military Person
name=Hans Ehlers
lived=15 July 1914 – 27 December 1944
placeofbirth=Hennstedt, Germany
placeofdeath=Mayen, France
allegiance=flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
branch=
serviceyears=1939–1943
rank=Hauptmann
commands=I./JG 1
unit= Condor Legion, JG 3, JG 1
battles=Spanish Civil War
World War II
*Battle of France
*Battle of Britain
*North African Campaign
awards=Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (17 October 1943) Ritterkreuz (9 June 1944)

laterwork=

Hans Ehlers (15 July 1914 – 27 December 1944) was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross during World War II. Hans Ehlers was credited with 55 victories, in addition with some unconfirmed victories in Normandy campaign.

Military career

Ehlers was a member of the groundstaff of the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. "Unteroffizier" Ehlers was serving with 2./JG 3 during the Battle of France. On 18 May 1940, He recorded his first victories when he claimed two RAF fighters shot down over Valenciennes. He in turn, was shot down by RAF Hawker Hurricane fighters of No. 56 Squadron on the same day and crash-landed his Bf 109 E-1 south of Valenciennes and was listed as missing. However, Ehlers managed to escape and return to his own lines to rejoin. During the Battle of Britain, Ehlers added a further two victories.

Leutnant Ehlers was appointed "Staffelkapitän" of 2./JG 1 on 1 October 1943. On 24 October 1943, Ehlers was presented the German Cross in Gold by Hermann Göring. On 11 November 1943, "Oberleutnant" Ehlers became "Staffelkapitän" of 3./JG 1. Hauptmann Ehlers became "Gruppenkommandeur" of I./JG 1. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 for 52 victories. On 27 December 1944, Ehlers led off 18 Fw 190s on a mission to cover ground troops in the Dinant-Rochefort area. Near Mayen, he encountered P-51 Mustangs of the USAAF 364th Fighter Group and was shot down in his Fw 190 A-8. Hans Ehlers was credited with 55 victories. His final score may well be higher if his successes during the Normandy campaign were counted.

Awards

* German Cross in Gold (17 October 1943)
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (9 June 1944)

References

*cite web | title=Aces of the Luftwaffe|work=Hans Ehlers| url=http://www.luftwaffe.cz/ehlers.html|accessdate=19 February| accessyear=2008
* Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945". Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.

* [http://www.military-art.com/mall/profiles.php?SigID=1022 Franz Eisenach - Art prints and originals signed by Franz Eisenach ] at www.military-art.com
* [http://home.pacbell.net/horrido1/photos.htm Horrido1 - WWII Autographed Photos ] at home.pacbell.net
*www.axishistory.com/index