Signed German Photos

Lacy

the last page of Wener Streib pic is mis-marked that is not Egmont Lippe-Weissenfeld but a very well known nummer # 3 Nachtjäger saluting, He came for a surprise visit to NJG 1 under Streibs command. you guys know whom I speak

 

erich I thought so, it even says Wittgenstein and streib on the back of the photo but I forgot which of the two prinz's it was so naturally i wrote the wrong one

 

Witti was a very private secretive sort even though he was a bonafide show-off. he loved to make surprise visits to many Luftw. NF airfields to say hello and look on the conditions of those units so he could build up and bolster the ones he was CO over. Under his care the NF units that he CO'd it was declared a very serious offense if anyone was caught taking any type of photos whether aircraft, personell or buildings as Witti was very security conscience oriented .

 

Many of his fellow pilots described him as a "complete german officer" and an aristocrat. In everything he did he was determined to be the best and he manipulated things to ensure that he was in the forefront of the action. Not so much for the glory of it but in his sincere desire to defend his homeland from the bomber onslaught. Herbert Kummritz, a radar operator for Wittgenstein, recalled (this is from Hinchcliffe's "the other battle") He had an unusual amount of amibiton, but it was also a conviction that as a member of the German aristocracy he was duty-bound to attain high achievement. He did not make things easy for either his subordinates or his superior officers. This also applied to his relationship with his crew. I was the only radar operator that stuck with him for a year (1943) At first he did not make it easy for me, I still remember his pointless, stereotyped question, "Why can't you see anything?" when he wanted information from the radar and the radar wasn't picking up anything. I had a difficult time convincing him that when the radar was looking for a target and there wasn't one that there just wasn't a blip on the screen.
He would also "pull rank" to ensure he got the first crack at incoming bombers. He would remain in the Op room until it was quite clear from the situation map where the bomber stream was heading, and only then would he take off and fly to the beacon that would offer the best chance of interception. If "as usual" there was another pilot already on the beacon, Wittgenstein would yell into the R/T "Hier Wittgenstein-geh weg" or "clear off"
He was also was one of the first "schrage musik" upward firing guns users and a big proponent for it gaining popularity.

 

to Erich, (or anyone who would like to reply)
curious to know who you think the "best" luftwaffe fighter pilot was or if narrowing it down to one is difficult then your top three and why you think so?
I will tell you mine after you respond
thanks
LS

 

A Very difficult question, Egon Mayer is one of my favorites for the day fighters

 

My favorite is a tie between H.J. "Der Stern von Afrika" Marseille and E.A. "Bubi" Hartmann. A.F. Galland is an honorable third favorite. Oh and I also like J. "Macky" Steinhoff as an honorable 4th.