Adolf Borchers

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Adolf Borchers
Adolf Borchers.jpg
Born(1913-02-10)10 February 1913
Wendhausen near Lüneburg
Died9 February 1996(1996-02-09) (aged 82)
Oberstaufen-Steibis
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchCondor Legion
Balkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
RankMajor (major)
UnitJagdgruppe 88, JG 51, JG 52
Commands held11./JG 51, I./JG 52, III./JG 52
Battles/wars
See battles
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Spouse(s)Christl Cranz
RelationsWalter Borchers
Hermann Borchers
Other workSki school

Adolf Borchers (10 February 1913 – 9 February 1996) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. He was credited with 132 aerial victories—that is, 132 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in approximately 800 combat missions.

Biography[]

Borchers was born on 10 February 1913 in Wendhausen near Lüneburg. He had two brothers who also received the Knight's Cross. Major Walter Borchers was a night fighter pilot and wing commander. A second brother, SS-Hauptsturmführer Hermann Borchers served in the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen.

He joined the Condor Legion in the fall of 1938 and participated as an Unteroffizier in the Spanish Civil War. After the Spanish Civil War he was transferred to 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) which later became 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) on 21 November 1940.[Note 1] In this unit he fought in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France and Battle of Britain, claiming two aerial victories. On 19 May 1940, he claimed his first aerial victory over a Hawker Hurricane in the vicinity of Le Cateau[1]

Following aerial combat on 31 August 1940, Borchers ditched his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 (Werknummer 5808—factory number) in the Thames Estuary but was rescued. That day, I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 77 lost seven Bf 109s in combat over southeastern England, with one pilot killed in action and five taken prisoner of war.[2]

Eastern Front[]

During Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he accumulated further victories and by the end of 1941 his score had increased to 23 aerial victories. After being promoted to an Officers rank he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 11. Staffel of JG 51 on 20 August 1942, replacing Leutnant Wolfgang Böwing-Treuding who was transferred to 10. Staffel.[3] By the end of 1942, his number of aerial victories had increased to 38.[4]

In 1943, Borchers married the famed skier Christl Cranz.[5] For 78 aerial victories Borchers was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes).[6]

Group commander[]

On 11 June 1944, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) replacing Hauptmann Johannes Wiese who had been injured in combat on 19 May 1944.[7] He claimed his 100 aerial victory on 24 July 1944. He was the 86th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[8] His 118th victory claimed on 2 September 1944, is also noted for claiming JG 52 10,000th aerial victory.[9][10] Borchers was given command to III. Gruppe of JG 52 on 1 February 1945.[7] He succeeded Hauptmann Wilhelm Batz who was transferred to take command of II. Gruppe of JG 52.[11] Command of I. Gruppe of JG 52 was passed to Hauptmann Erich Hartmann.[12] Together with his comrades he surrendered to U.S. force only to be turned over to Soviet forces.

After World War II he and his wife, Christl Cranz, founded a Ski school which she led until 1987.

Summary of career[]

Aerial victory claims[]

According to Spick, Borchers was credited with 132 aerial victories, 127 of which on the Eastern Front and five during the Battle of France and Battle of Britain together, claimed in over 800 combat missions.[13] Matthews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and also state that Borchers was credited with 132 aerial victories, including two on the Western Front and the others on the Eastern Front.[14]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ PQ 47764". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 × 4 km in size.[15]

Awards[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  2. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed as a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3.[21]
  3. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin DB-3.[21]
  4. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin Il-2.[21]
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  6. ^ According to Obermaier on 13 October 1941.[51]

References[]

Citations[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2000, p. 390.
  2. ^ Prien et al. 2002, pp. 96, 107.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 350.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2006, p. 358.
  5. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Christl Cranz". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
  6. ^ Weal 2006.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Weal 2004, p. 121.
  8. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  9. ^ Weal 2004, p. 117.
  10. ^ Bergström 2008, p. 79.
  11. ^ Barbas 2010, p. 279.
  12. ^ Schreier 1990, p. 186.
  13. ^ Spick 1996, p. 230.
  14. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 124–127.
  15. ^ Planquadrat.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 124.
  17. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 106.
  18. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 124–125.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 334.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Prien et al. 2003, p. 343.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 125.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b c Prien et al. 2003, p. 335.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2003, p. 345.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 336.
  25. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 337.
  26. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 339.
  27. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 341.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2005, p. 119.
  29. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 120.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b c Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 125–126.
  31. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 353.
  32. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 354.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 356.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 357.
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 359.
  36. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 147.
  37. ^ Jump up to: a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 151.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 148.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 152.
  40. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 153.
  41. ^ Jump up to: a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 149.
  42. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 154.
  43. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 150.
  44. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 155.
  45. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Prien et al. 2012, p. 156.
  46. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 126.
  47. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 126–127.
  48. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 127.
  49. ^ Jump up to: a b Barbas 2010, p. 381.
  50. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 55.
  51. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 92.
  52. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 52.
  53. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 140.
  54. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 235.

Bibliography[]

  • Barbas, Bernd (2010). Die Geschichte der III. Gruppe des Jagdgeschwaders 52 [The History of 3rd Group of Fighter Wing 52] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-94-6.
  • Bergström, Christer (2008). Bagration to Berlin—The Final Air Battles in the East: 1944–1945. Burgess Hill: Classic Publications. ISBN 978-1-903223-91-8.
  • Bergström, Christer. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  • 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.
  • Matthews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
  • 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.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940 [Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-61-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-64-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/I—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/I—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-69-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2005). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6 December 1941 bis 30 April 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-76-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-77-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/II—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/II—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-05-5.
  • 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.
  • Schreier, Hans (1990). JG 52 Das erfolgreichste Jagdgeschwader des 2. Weltkriegs [JG 52 The Most Successful Fighter Wing of World War II] (in German). Berg am See: K. Vowinckel. ISBN 978-3-921655-66-5.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Weal, John (2004). Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten (Aviation Elite Units). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-786-4.
  • Weal, John (2006). Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders". Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-045-1.
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