Gustav Frielinghaus (5 March 1912 – 11 September 1963) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories during World War II.
Military career
In May 1942, II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) was stationed at Plzeň for rest and refit before it was relocated to the Eastern Front on 18 May 1942. Too late to participate in the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula, it was located on the left wing of Army Group South, assigned to an airfield at Chuguyev in the Kharkov area where they arrived on 19 May.
As part of the Luftwaffe plan to expand its fighter force, a fourth Gruppe was to be added to every Geschwader. This was achieved by transferring some of the other Gruppen's personnel and equipment. This created the nucleus of a newly formed Gruppe. IV. Gruppe of JG 3 was officially created on 1 June 1943 at Neubiberg Airfield and placed under command of Major Franz Beyer while Frielinghaus was given command of 11. Staffel. The Gruppe was initially equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, some carrying a pair of 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons installed in conformal gun pods under the wings. In mid-June, the Gruppe was ordered to Italy to fight in the Mediterranean theater.
On 11 July, IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) was ordered to an airfield at Ramacca, Sicily. There, the Gruppe supported German forces defending against the Allied invasion of Sicily. Due to the advancing Allied forces, the airfield had to be abandoned on 15 July, forcing the Gruppe to retreat to Leverano. The next day, Frielinghaus claimed two Supermarine Spitfire fighters shot down in the combat area south and south-southwest of Licata. On 13 July, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down southwest of Caltanissetta. On 20 August, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down east of Gaeta.
On 1 May 1944, Frielinghaus was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 3. He succeeded Leutnant Leopold Münster who temporarily had led the Gruppe after its former commander Hauptmann Hermann Freiherr von Kap-herr was killed in action. Frielinghaus took command at Gardelegen Airfield. Since Frielinghaus was still convalescing from injuries sustained in December 1943, Frielinghaus led the Gruppe from the ground while Münster continued to lead in the air.
Later life
Frielinghaus died on 11 September 1963 at the age of 50 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Summary of career
According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories. Spick also lists him with 74 aerial victories claimed in approximately 500 combat missions.
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
- Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (7 September 1942)
- German Cross in Gold on 24 September 1942 as Leutnant in the Stab II./Jagdgeschwader 3
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 February 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
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