Although I don't collect Luftwaffe uniforms, when I came across this jacket and white linen vest, I just had to have it. This once belonged to Luftwaffe Oberleutnant Karl Bretschneider, JG-300, FW-190 fighter ace with 34 victories including 14 at night in 20 sorties as part of Hajo Herrmann's Wild Sau. If you've ever been to the National Air & Space Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., check out the huge mural painted by Keith Ferris of B-17s in action. Coming up from behind is an FW-190. This is Bretschneider's fighter. Keith also did three other paintings that limited edition prints were made from. One is the reverse of the mural and shows Bretschneider's FW-190 closing on the tails of the B-17s. The other two prints also show his heavily-laden fighter.
interesting that you mention Keith F. as I worked with him or so I tried to get the events of the 15 August 44 mission correct but sadly it was after he presented his work which is not historically correct, esepcially the second view of the pilots a/c/ His reply was a simple oh well ......... with that I hae never been encouraged to purchase one of his prints
I sold A TEST OF COURAGE, the last print pictured. I never had the first one, but do have the second... at least it's still on my inventory list but I cannot find it. I think I've sold it off. Supposedly the original painting is available but whenever I've emailed the gallery for a price, I don't get any response. I wouldn't mind owning the original of the second piece there, especially since I own Bretschneider's dress jacket. I do have Ferris' print with the B-17s being assaulted by the Bf-109s. That is framed and signed but not numbered by Ferris. I think the name of that is FORTRESSES ENGAGED. The only limited edition print I have of his is THE CIRCUS OUTBOUND showing B-24s heading out over the Channel towards Germany... must be a 1943 mission as the Liberators don't yet have the chin turret. Nice print and long. Bob
If memory serves, I believe Oberleutnant Bretschneider's fighter was called "Rauhbautz", "Streetfighter".
was looking ove that pic of his jacket again...........what a wonderful find Bob ! beautiful actually. Klaus was one of the top SturmFw pilots in either of the 3 sturmgruppen and had a knack for smelling out the US heavy bomber formations. The folling pic shows Ritterkreuzträger Konrad Bauer of the same 5th Sturmstaffel chatting with Klaus in the cockpit of his Röte 1 Raubautz VII. The term means tough guy in reality. His 7th Raubautz could actually be questioned though. Konrad racked up a huge amount of bomber kills but in reality I think it is one of overclaiming and then JG 300 pushing it's propaganda to the home front. Without a doubt Konrad was another skilled pilot and after his severe wounding in September of 44 stayed with 5th staffel after his reovery never to fly again but training the young flyers on forms of Sturm Taktiks.
Yes, excellent looking jacket with details in superb condition! I can only guess I could never afford one....Thanx Bob for sharing this with us!
Thank you Kai. I also have the Luftwaffe Officer Service Cap. It didn't belong to Bretschneider but is another nice early piece which matches well to this dress jacket. The material on this jacket is doeskin, which is a very high-quality wool. Bob
Here is the Luftwaffe Officer Service Cap I bought to finish off the set. I didn't buy trousers as I like the upper torso mannequins better... with full mannequins you then have to buy footwear...
Thank you, Richard. It is a fine tailored piece made of doeskin and so soft to the touch. I just couldn't pass it up and I'm glad to have it. If you're a militaria collector, feel free to post some of your stuff on the forum. I'm trying to breathe some life into it. Bob
