Reinhard Heydrich: A fighter pilot?!

I guess I have missread this earlier as I´ve never thought his status would allow him to fly in battle areas.

Anyone know better of these:

At the beginning of the German campaign in the West Heydrich passed his fighter pilot examination. During the campaign in Norway he flew from Stavanger several reconnaissance flights over England and Scotland with a Me 110.
He was awarded with the bronzene Frontflugspange and the Eiserne Kreuz II.During the campaign in Russia Heydrich served once more as a fighter pilot in southern Russia and was awarded with the silberne Frontflugspange and the Eiserne Kreuz I. Klasse, and according to one site he did some 60 flights over Russian front alone...???

Did not find if he got any victories though?



A pic from Heydrich´s funeral and medals at the end of this site...

http://www.specialcamp11.fsnet.co.uk/SS-Obergruppenf%FChrer%20und%20General%20der%20Waffen-SS%20Karl%20Wolff.htm

 

I knew he flew in Russia and received his Iron Cross there. I know Himmler recalled him after a close call. It intrigued me how he could have flown as while assigned to the SD. Or was he? Not a whole lot of details of this period. You have found no more than I have.

Sepp Dietrich also received his oberserver's badge. He earned his wings while serving as body guard for Hitler and at times flew him around during the 20's. Hitler was scared to death of the "rat trap" Dietrich used as a plane. Can't remember what it was.

[ 17. April 2003, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: PzJgr ]

 

He flew also reconnaissance missions over France.

 

Some pictures of Reinhard Heydrich





Heydrich grave

 

early in the war he served in JG 1

~E

 

Found this

http://www.portal-ns.com/thecensure/heydrich.htm

"It was difficult for him, the fighter and daredevil who was always ready for action, not to be on the Frontline. Despite his many and constant responsibilities, which he performed as one of the most hardworking men in the Reich both day and night, he took the time, for weeks and months, to get a flying licence in the early morning hours, and to pass his test for a Pilot's licence. In 1940 he flew to Holland and Norway as a fighter pilot, and earned the Fighter Operational Flying Clasp In Bronze and the Iron Cross, Second Class. But he was still not satisfied."

In 1941, during the early Russian campaign, without my knowledge -- I am able to state with proud joy that this was the only secret he ever kept from me in the eleven years of our common path -- he flew as a fighter pilot with a German Squadron in southern Russia on many occasions, earning the Fighter Operational Flying Clasp In Silver and the Iron Cross, First Class. Fate had already stretched out its hand to him once at that time. He was shot down by Russian antiaircraft fire, but fortunately landed between the fronts, and fought his way back to the German lines, to get right back into another aeroplane the next morning.

Excerpt of Himmler's speech at Heydrich's funeral.

 

Does anyone knows what happened with the grave?

 

http://stevenlehrer.com/heydrich_grave.htm

Czech partisans attacked and mortally wounded Reinhard Heydrich, May 27, 1942, and he died of septicemia (blood poisoning) June 4, 1942. His funeral was held in the Mosaic Hall of the New Reich Chancellery, June 9, 1942. Both Hitler and Heinrich Himmler eulogized him. Heydrich's grave is in Section A of the Invalidenfriedhof, Scharnhorststraße, Berlin. Heydrich was buried with full military honors next to General of Infantry Count Tauentzien von Wittenberg, who fought against Napoleon in the wars of liberation (1813-1815). Heydrich was to have had a monumental tomb, designed by the architect Wilhelm Kreis and the sculptor Arno Breker. Because of the downhill course of the war, the tomb was never built. Heydrich’s wooden grave marker disappeared in 1945. His grave is now unmarked. His death mask survives on postage stamps the Nazis issued to commemorate him.

[ 18. April 2003, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: PzJgr ]

 

Thanks PzJgr! Btw, what a great site. Never saw it before.

 

Wonderful site, PzJgr! That small documentary about Heydrich's funeral is great! And also the speech of the Führer! That is what I call a really great site, well researched.