Wilhelm Gänsler

This article is about a decorated German airman of World War II. For others with a similar name, please, see Gensler (disambiguation).
Wilhelm Gänsler
Born 22 May 1919
Arnstadt, Germany
Died 22 November 1985(1985-11-22) (aged 66)
Calw, Germany
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1938–45
Rank Oberfeldwebel
Unit Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Nachtjagdgeschwader 4
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other work worked for the Schnaufer-Schlossbergkellerei

Wilhelm Gänsler (22 May 1919 – 22 November 1985)[1] was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II, a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This decoration recognised extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career Gänsler participated in 115 missions as an flight engineer or aerial gunner, some with Ludwig Becker. He participated in 98 of Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer's victories.[Note 1] He received the Knight's Cross after 80 aerial victories participations and was recommended for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 8 March 1945.[3]

Awards and decorations

Notes

  1. ↑ The RAF bomber Avro Lancaster ME453 (PO-L) lost on night air raid against Dortmund-Ems canal on 3 March 1945, presumably shot down by Heinz Schnaufer.[2]
  2. ↑ According to Obermaier on 20 March 1944.[3]
  3. ↑ According to Scherzer as air gunner in the Stab IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.[7]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Gänsler, Wilhelm". Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 - 1945. Suderburg: Andreas Düfel. 2006.
  2. ↑ "The German Nightfighter force". An Ordinary Crew: 467 Squadron RAF. November 10, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Obermaier 1989, p. 116.
  4. ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 129.
  5. ↑ Patzwall 2008, p. 82.
  6. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 190.
  7. ↑ Scherzer 2007, p. 325.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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. 
  • Hinchliffe, Peter (1999). Schnaufer: Ace of Diamonds. Brimscombe Port, UK: Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-1690-8. 
  • 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 Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. 

External links

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