TheStarofAfrica

TheStoryofHansMarseille,theRogueLuftwaffeAce

WhoDominatedtheWWIISkies

ColinD.HeatonandAnne-MarieLewis

Contents

ForewordsbyCol.WalterJ.BoyneandAlbertH.WunschIII

Preface

Chapter1:UnlikelyBeginnings

Chapter2:MarseilletheMan

Chapter3:NorthAfricaandGlory

Chapter4:LearningtheRopes

Chapter5:MaturationandSuccess

Chapter6:AKillingWinter

Chapter7:TheKnightsCross

Chapter8:AGrowingThreat

Chapter9:BackintheSky

Chapter10:AStarFalls

Epilogue

Tables

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Acknowledgments

Foreword

OVERTHEYEARSIThasbeenmyprivilegeandpleasuretomeetmanyWorldWarIIfighterpilotsfrombothAlliedandAxiscountries.TheirnumberincludesSirDouglasBader,AdolfGalland,GntherRall,WalterKrupinski,GabbyGabreski,JohnnyJohnson,SaburoSakai,ChuckYeager,andmanymore.Icansayunequivocallythatnoneofthesefineairmen,asdeservingastheywere,hadthegreatgoodfortunetohavebiographieswrittenofthemthatcompareinquality,accuracyortonetoColinHeatonssuperbbookonHans-JoachimMarseille.

ThisstemsinequalpartsfromHeatonsresearchandMarseillesmystique.Hisastoundingvictoryrecord,phenomenalshootingaccuracyandlessthanPrussiandemeanorwerewrittenaboutforyears,mostofteninaquestioningway.Itjustdidnotseempossiblethatsomeonesoyoung,withsuchengagingcharacteristics,couldalsobeanaceofsuchlegendaryskills.

Astheauthorreveals,Marseilledidinfactdifferfromalmosteveryotherfighterace,particularlythoseoftheLuftwaffe,inmanysignificantways.HeroseabovethetraditionalGermanofficersstrictmilitaryregimen,justasheroseabovethesuper-nationalisticandracistpreceptsoftheNaziregime.OnlyamanofMarseillesabilitycouldhavedonethisandescapedtheusualpoliticalrepercussions.

Marseillesblazingcombatcareerwasmadepossiblebyhisunbelievableskill.Heatonhascapturedthis.Perhapsevenmoreimportant,hehasalsocapturedthemanyincidentsinwhichMarseillerevealedhishumanenature.Hewasayoungmanwhocaredbothforhiscomradesand,whenthefightwasover,forhisenemy.

Col.WalterJ.Boyne

THEENIGMATHATISHans-JoachimMarseilleisnoteasilydecipheredandseldomdiscussed.ThisKnightoftheReichpersonifiedallthatwastaboototheFatherland.Inmanyways,hewasatypicalBerlineryouthrebellious,Bohemian,andjuvenile.Yet,healsopossessedthetenacityanddisciplinenecessarytoachieveaeronauticalexcellence.ThisdichotomyclearlyfrustratedtheGermanHighCommandandmadehimtheidoloftherankandfile.Thisquintessentialbadboy,however,wasachivalrousandbravewarrior.Heamassed158killsandwasdeadbytwenty-twoyearsofage.

Certainly,thisinherentcontradictioncanbeattributedtohisupbringing,surroundings,andHuguenotheritage.Each,Ibelieve,contributedtohisessenceaswellashissuccess.ItprovidedadualitynotoftenfoundinaGermanmilitaryman.

TheHuguenots,atermoriginallyusedinderision,weretraditionallyknownfortheirharshandpointedcriticismsofthedoctrineandworshiptraitsoftheCatholicChurch.LivinginFrance,theydenouncedthePopeasatyrant.ThesecontroversialviewsprovokedpersecutionculminatingintheSt.BartholomewsDaymassacre(August24October3,1572),whereinapproximatelythirty-thousandHuguenotswerekilled,forcing

massexodusfromFranceorconversiontoCatholicism.

ManyHuguenotrefugeesfoundsafehaveninGermany,andagoodnumbersettledinBerlin.By1700,one-fifthofthecityspopulationwasFrenchspeaking.TheuseofFrenchintheirChurchserviceslasteduntiltheearly1800s.

Clearly,thisheritagepromotedindividualityaswellasaconsciousappreciationofthosewhosufferpersecution.Amongthefaithful,theremustbeasubliminalrecognitionoftheplightoftherefugeeaswellasanadvocationoftolerance.

Berlin,inMarseillesformativeyears,wasawell-knownmeccaforartists.Jochen,ashewasknownbyhisfriends,hailedfromtheBerlin-Charlottenburgdistrict.ThiswasalsohomeofthefamousRomanischesCaf.Thiscaf-barwasahotspotfortheintelligentsia,aplaceatwhichleadingwriters,painters,actors,directors,journalists,andcriticsofthedaymet.TheyouthofBerlinwereofferedtheopportunitytoconsortwithBillyWilder,BertoltBrecht,OttoDix,SylviaVonHarden,ArthurKronfeld,andErichMariaRemarque,tonameafew.Theseleft-wingintellectualsdiscussedpoliticsandlistenedtoAmericanswingandjazzmusic.

Jochensfamilylifecanbecharacterizedasunstable.Hisparentsdivorcedwhenhewasveryyoung.SiegfriedGeorgMartinMarseille,hisfather,wasanarmyofficerduringWorldWarI.Hewouldrejointhemilitaryin1933andwouldrisetotherankofGeneralmajor.SiegfriedwouldbekilledontheEasternFrontin1944.

Jochenhadadifficultanddistantrelationshipwithhisfather.Thedivorcefurtherdroveawedgebetweenfatherandson.Hedidsharehisfatherspenchantforthenightlifebuthadlittleelseincommon.Theywereneverclose.

Charlotte,hismother,remarriedalocalpoliceofficial,andinitiallyJochentookhislastname,Reuter,forschoolpurposes.JochenwouldchangebacktoMarseillepriortoentryintomilitaryservice.Duringthewar,hisyoungersister,Inge,withwhomhewasverycloseandprotectiveof,wasmurderedundermysteriouscircumstances.ThislossleftJochenwithdeepemotionalscars.

Itismyopinion,afterreadingthisbook,thatthesefactorsleftaprofoundimpressionanddeeplymotivatedJochen.Theyaffectedhislifestyleandoutlook.Heworehishairlong,lovedtoplaypracticaljokes,partied,enjoyedjazzandswingmusic,womanized,andyetwassensitive.HewasnotatypicalAryanfighterpilot.JochenwasatrueindividualistwhodidnotblindlyfollowormarchlockstepwiththeGermanHighCommand.AsdemonstratedsuperblybyDr.ColinHeatonandAnne-MarieLewis,Jochenwasnotaracist.Hewasnotafollower.Moreover,theauthorsaccuratelyportrayJochenasamannotfazedbybigotryornarrow-mindedthinking.Thisinformativebookportraysthisoverlookedhistoricalfigureasabenevolent,enlightened,andinspiredwarrior.ThisStarofAfricawasastarindeed.

AlbertH.WunschIII

Preface

THEFIRSTAVIATIONHISTORYbookIeverreadwasRaymondF.ToliverandTrevorJ.ConstablesHorrido!FighterAcesoftheLuftwaffe,andthementheywroteaboutintriguedme.Whatwasevenmorefascinatingwasthatduringthisperiodintheearly1970smostofthesemenwerestillalive.Ireadthisbookmanytimes,thenIbeganreadinganyandallotherbooksaboutaviationhistory,aircombat,andstoriesabout(andpreferablyby)theaces.Thetalesoftheiraccomplishmentsandtheirhumanitystruckmeassolidlyastheiraerialskills.

SometimesafewoftheLuftwaffeaceswouldcometoAmericaandholdsymposiumswithAmericanandevenBritishaces,andIlongedtoattend.Ifinallymanagedtoattendonewhileinhighschool,thenotherslater,andIwasabletobrieflymeetAdolfGalland,JamesH.Doolittle,RobertStanfordTuck,WalterKrupinski,JohannesSteinhoff,JohnnyJohnson,BrianKingcome,GntherRall,JohnCunningham,W.DennisDavid,DietrichHrabak,RobertStanfordTuck,ErichHartmann,WolfgangSchenck,DietrichPeltz,HajoHerrmann,andmanyothers.AsIcametoknowthembetter,IrealizedatsomepointIwasgoingtowriteaboutthesemen.

FortunesmileduponmewhenIreceivedlettersfromDoolittle,Toliver,Steinhoff,andKrupinski,whosentalongaddressesandcontactsformoreofthesemenIhadlearnedtoadmire.Intheearly1980swhenIwasstationedinWestGermany,IwasfortunateenoughtomeetmostofthesemenonseveraloccasionsandwasabletoexpandmycontactstoincludemanybranchesoftheGermanmilitaryfromWorldWarII.

ThegreatestassistancecamefromKrupinskiandSteinhoff,whowereincontactwithalloftheformeraces.Arippleeffectfollowed.Whilemeetingwithdozensofpilots,Iwasabletogathernotonlyinterviewsandsignedphotos,butalsoagreatsupportnetworkformyinterest.Iwasverypleasedthatmostofthesemenapplaudedmyeffortstoexpandtheliteratureandeducatepeoplefurtherabouttheirservice.

OneoftheseoutstandingmenwithwhomIbecameacquaintedwasOberstEduardNeumann.IwasabletovisithimafewtimesinMunich,andknowingIhadreadoftheexploitsoftheStarofAfrica,Hans-JoachimMarseille,NeumannsuggestedthatIspeakwithafewofthemenwhoalsoknewhim.Followingthesemeetings,ImustadmitthatI,too,fellunderthespelloftheMarseilleMagic.JohannesSteinhoffandHerbertIhlefeldwerelessthanenthusiasticaboutMarseillespersonalcharacter,buttheyacknowledgedthathedidpossessagiftenviedbyallfighterpilots.AccordingtoSteinhoff,hisgreatestgiftwasluck.

SeveralbookshavebeenwrittenaboutMarseille:FranzKurowskisworkisverygood,butRobertTatesisthebestinmyopinion.However,afterdiscussionswithNeumannin2000and2001,andmorerecentconversationswithSteveDaubenspeckatZenithPress,IdecidedthatthetimewasrighttodoabookontheStarofAfricausingmuchofthepersonaldataIhadcollected.

Theendresultisthisbook,whichIhopeisreceivedwithanunderstandingthattheintentionwasnotjustaresurrectionofwell-knownfacts(thesewillbecoveredofcourse)orachronicleoftheshortlifeandmeteoriccareerofagiftedpilot,butaportraitofaverycharming,tortured,andcomplexpersonwhoselifeoutsidethecockpitwasjustasexciting,tragic,andadventurous.Marseillelivedafastlife,andhelefthismarkuponhistory.Perhapsmostimportant,heremainsheldinhighesteembyhisfriendsandformeradversariesalike.Inthiscontext,hehasbeyondanydoubtearnedhishonoredplaceinthepantheonofyoungwarriorswhowouldnevercomehome.

ForsimplicityandeasierunderstandingofthedesignatedmatrixregardingtheMesserschmitt109,wehavechosentousetheprefixMethroughoutthebook,asopposedtotheearlywarprefixBf(forBayersicheflugzeugwerk),whichismorehistoricallyaccurateuntilProf.WilliMesserschmitttookpersonalcontrolofthecompany.

Timespostedinthisbookwillusethetwenty-four-hourmilitaryclock.Inaddition,whencomparingpostedtimes,suchasthetimeforavictorybyMarseille,itmustberememberedthattheBritishusedGreenwichMeanTime(GMT),whichwasonehourbehindBerlintime.Therefore,18:00hoursGMTwouldbe19:00Berlin/CentralEuropeanTime(CET),or6:00p.m.GMTand7:00p.m.CET.

CHAPTER1

UnlikelyBeginningsMarseillewastheultimaterolemodelforGermanyouthuntilheopenedhismouth.

ArturAxmann

HANS-JOACHIMJOCHENWALTERRUDOLFSiegfriedMarseillewasborntoastrictmilitaryfamilyatBerlinerStrasse164inBerlin,Germany,onDecember13,1919,at11:45p.m.WhileayoungchildhebecameoneofthehundredsofmillionsofvictimsoftheSpanishinfluenza,andwasoneoftheluckysurvivors,althoughhewouldalwaysbeathinandsicklyboy,pronetoillness.

Hismother,CharlotteMarieJohannaPaulineGertrudRiemerMarseille,andhisfather,thenHauptmannSiegfriedGeorgMartinMarseille,wereatypicalGermanmilitarycouple,butdivorcedwhenhewasstillyoung.Therigidlifestyleimposedbyhisfather,aswellasthesubsequentdivorce,wereprobablythecatalyststhatforcedhimtorebel,disdaindiscipline,andchallengeauthority,traitsthathewouldcarrythroughouthislife.

HismotherlatermarriedpoliceofficialCarlReuter,andwhileatprimaryschool,Marseilleinitiallycarriedthenameofhisstepfather,athismothersinsistence.Heapparentlynevercaredmuchforthis,althoughtheirrelationshipdevelopedintoacopaceticone.HelaterretookthenameMarseillebeforehefinishedgymnasium.1

MarseillebecameateenagerduringthetumultuouseventsthatformedagatheringpoliticalstorminGermany.TheReichstagspassageoftheEnablingActin1933providedalegalfoundationforAdolfHitlersdictatorship,givinghim,aschancellor,thepowertocreatelawswithouttheconsentoftheReichstag.Hitlersoonabolishedallotherpoliticalpartiesandtradeunionsandintegratedtherolesofpresidentandchancellor.TheNationalSocialistsfollowedupwiththeNurembergLawsonracialdistinctionsin1935.LikeallyoungGermans,MarseillewasconstantlyinundatedwiththeraciallawsandpropagandaspewingfromthePropagandaMinistry,andhisyearsintheHitlerYouthwereundoubtedlyadisturbingperiod.MarseillesbestfriendwhileingradeschoolwasaJewishboy,aneighborwhosefamilyhadsimplydisappearedbythetimeMarseillereturnedfromadvancedflighttraining.Hisfamilyphysicianthedoctorwhohaddeliveredhimwasalsogone,alongwithhisentirefamily,aswereallJewishfamiliesinhisdistrict.Theirhomeswereoccupiedbystrangers.

EarlydevelopmentsinMarseillescharacterrevealedtraitsantitheticaltowhatwouldbeexpectedofhimasayoungGermanofficer,orevenagoodGermancitizen.Alwaysintrouble,Marseillewasajuveniledelinquentandanoutcastwhoneverfitinanywhereuntilheclimbedintothecockpitofafighter.Hislackofdisciplinegainedhimthereputationofarebelwhileinschool:apracticaljokerwitharemarkableintellect,butplaguedbylaziness.

Aftermanyteachersfiledcomplaintsabouthisgrades,hewasgivenasternlecturebyhisheadmaster,ProfessorDr.Poetzold.Marseillefinallycorrectedhisapproachtoacademics,graduatingnearthetopofhisclass,whilestillnevertakinglifeseriously.Also,

despitehisslightbuildhewasadeterminedathlete.Perhapsthelectureregardinghisacademicshortcomingandthephysicaltrainingheenduredonhisowninfluencedthecompetitivecreaturethathebecame.

MarseillewaspartoftheReichLaborService,acompulsorydutyforallyoungmen,fromMarchtoAugust1938.HethencontinuedontobasicinfantrytrainingthatOctoberatQuedlinburg.Marseilleslazinesswasaconstantproblem;hewasalwayslookingfortheeasywayout.Infantrytrainingcorrectedthis,andwhilehisformaldisciplinedidnotimprove,hismilitaryappreciationwasenhanced.Hefailedtotrulygrasptheconceptofteamwork,preferringtogoitalonetoaccomplishhistasks,askingfornohelp,andoftengivingnoneinreturn.ThischaracteristicwouldplaguehimearlyinhisLuftwaffecareer.

ThroughouthislifeMarseillehadadifficultrelationshipwithhisfather,whoseaffairwithanotherwomanheblamedforthedissolutionofthemarriage,andherefusedtovisithiminHamburgformanyyearsafterthedivorce.Justbeforeheenteredinfantrytraining,hisfather,inanerrantattemptatreconciliation,introducedhimtothenightlifethatwastolaterhamperandpossiblyevendamagehismilitarycareerintheLuftwaffe.However,despitethecarefreeatmosphereofwomenandalcohol,therelationshipwasntstrengthened,andhedidnotseehisfatherveryfrequentlyagain.

Marseillehadalifelonginterestinmusic.HismotherapparentlyhadhopesofherlittleJochenbecomingaprominentconcertpianist,sincehehadbeenclassicallytrainedandwassomethingofamusicalprodigy.HisfascinationforAmericanbluesandjazzwasmanifestedinanextensiverecordcollection,whichhebeganasaboy,maintainedwhilestationedinFrance,andcontinuedtoamassuntilhisdeath,eventhoughhisfavoritegenres,swingandjazz,werebannedbytheNazis.OneofhispassionsduringthewarwaslisteningtoAlliedradiostations,whichwasforbiddenunderGermanlaw;Marseilledidnotcare.

MarseillehadalwaysbeenenthralledwiththestoriesoftheGreatWaraviators;hissenseofhighadventurewasthemainreasonhewaslabeledadreamerinschoolandnottakenasaseriousstudent.Whenaskedwhathewantedtodo,theyoungJochentoldhisfatherthathewantedtobecomeamilitarypilot.Unlikemanyfathersoftheday,whobalkedatsuchanambition,Marseillesfathernotonlysupportedhisson,hewroteletterstoinfluentialfriends,securinghimanexaminationandlateranappointmenttothegroundschool.ThisiswhereHans-JoachimMarseillewastostandout.Hetransformedfromrebelliousjuveniletodedicatedpilot,althoughhislighthearteddevil-may-careattitudetowardhissuperiorswouldendearhimtosomeandenragemanyothers.OnNovember7,1938,Marseillewasacceptedforflighttraining,justdaysbeforethehorrificeventsofKristallnacht,aseriesofattacksonJewsacrossGermanyandAustria.

DespitehistraditionalandrigidmilitaristicPrussianupbringing,andhisearlyyearsofintenseNationalSocialistindoctrination,Marseilledefiedallconventions.Hisin-depthperceptionswereaboutwhatGermanywasenduringundertheNazisduringhisyoutharenotwellknown.However,givenhisdemeanorlaterinlife,commentsfromthosewhoknewhim,andhispenchantforflagrantlyviolatingtheraciallawsandopenlysnubbingtheupperechelonsoftheNazihierarchy,onemayassumethathefeltthatitwasaninjustice.HeneverboughtintothepropagandaofDr.JosefGbbelsortherantingsofAdolfHitler.Hewascompletelyapolitical,tothepointofuncaring,asweremostofthe

professionalofficercorps,especiallywithintheLuftwaffe.MarseillerefusedtojointheNSDAP(NaziParty)whenaskedandbecameevenmoredisaffectedwithhisnationalleadershipashediscoveredthetruthbehindtheracialpolicy.

LaterinhiscareerquestionswouldbegintoariseregardingaJewishconnectiononMarseillesmothersside,possiblythathismaternalgrandmotherwasJewishwhilemarriedtoaProtestant.TherewasevenarumorthatshewasdistantlyrelatedtotheprominentRothschildsofEurope,althoughthereisnothingtosupportthisassertion.

OneofthekeyfactorsaboutMarseillescharacterthatemergedfromtheinterviewswashisdeeplyingrainedsenseofrightandwrong.Marseillewasanidealist,playboy,andprecociousyoungman,buthewasdefinitelybraveenoughtostanduptowhathefeltwaswronginhisnation.Thisbookprovidesmanyfirst-personaccountsofMarseillesblatantdisregardforNazipolicyandthefeelingsofdiscontent,whichapparentlyplaguedhim.Itmakesperfectsensethattheonlyplacehefeltsafe,secure,andaboveallofthepolemicwasintheair.

Chivalry,personalhonor,livingbyacodeofethics,andtreatingallpeopleasequalwerehismantra,andheneverhidthis.Hewasdefinitelyamanlivinginthewrongtimeandplace.Hishonorableconducttowardhisenemiesinbattleprovedit,asdidhisprotectivenessofhisbestfriend,ablackArmyconscriptfromtheTransvaal,Cpl.MathewLetulu,betterknowntothemenofJG-27asMathias.MarseillemetMathiasinLibya,aftertheSouthAfricanhadbeencapturedatthebattleofTobruk.TheThirdReichwasnottheplacetobearogueidealist,andMarseillewasperhapsthemostopenlyanti-NaziwarriorintheThirdReich.Mathiaswashisbestfriend,raciallawsbedamned.

Duringanafter-awards-ceremonyfestivityinBerlininJune1942,whenHitlerpersonallydecoratedhimwiththeOakLeavesandSwordstohisKnightsCross,MarseilleoverheardthetruthaboutthefateoftheJews.ThiswasconfirmedbySS-ObergruppenfhrerKarlFriedrichOttoWolff,lastcommanderoftheSSinItalyin1945andanearlymemberoftheNaziParty,whowasoneoftheearlyinstigatorsoftheHolocaust.

Marseillewastheoppositeofaracistinasocietywhereracialsuperioritymeanteverything.Hewasanontraditionaljuniorofficer,anonconformistrogueinapowerful,professionalmilitarywheresuchactivitycould,andoftendid,costamanhisrank,hisfreedom,andevenhislife.Hewasanintelligent,gifted,sensitive,gentlemanwarrior,ayoungknightborninthewrongcentury,ahumanitarianlivinginthewrongsocietyyetaboveallelse,Hans-JoachimMarseillewasareluctant,butconsummate,practitionerofthedeadlyartofwar.

MarseillewastheultimateantithesistotheimageoftheGermanofficerascommonlyperceivedinthepostwarrhetoric,althoughhewasnotcompletelyuniquewithintheLuftwaffe.Regardlessoftheirbranchofservice,themajorityofprofessionalsoldierswerenotsadists;infact,mostoftheGermanveteranstheauthorinterviewedhatedthewar.However,fighterpilots,aswellasU-Boatcommanders(perhapsaboveallothers)inheritedthevirtuesofchivalryfromtheirWorldWarIpredecessors,andtheymaintainedthatstandarduntilthelastdaysofthewar.

Marseillewasloathtokillapilotinadisabledplaneunnecessarily,andafterarather

fiercefightoverGazala,hepersonallyescortedoneenemyaircrafttosafety,asWernerSchroerrecalled.WehadtangledwiththeseTomahawks,alotofthem,andwewerequitehappy.Wehadscored,Ithink,sixorsevenvictoriesintotal.Oneofmymencalledoutanenemyfighter,andthenhesaid:Oh,noproblem,a109hashim.IlookedoverandIsawtheYellow14pullingalongsidethisBritishfighter.ItwasMarseille,andIradioedtohim,askingwhattheproblemwas.Hisresponsewas:Heswounded;Iamtryingtogethimdown.

IwasnotsurethatIheardhimcorrectly,soIaskedhimtorepeatthattransmission.Iamguidinghimdown,sohewillnotdie.Icantellyouthatthiswasafirstforme,soIpulledmorepowerandwasfollowedbytherestofmyStaffel.Wewatched,asMarseillegesturedtotheman,whowasflyingaP-40thatIcouldnotbelievewasstillintheair.Wecrossedourlinesandtheenemypilotdroppedhislandinggear,butonlyonewheeldropped,soheretracted,andbelliedin.Itwasagoodlanding,inaveryflatareathatlefttheaircraftintact.

Weflewtherestofthesevenminutestoourbase.JochenthenjumpedintohiscarOttoandIjumpedinwithhim.Icalledforthemedictojoinus,andthepoormedic,whowasundressed,quicklytookhistrousersandmedicalbagandalsojoinedus.Hehadtojumpinaswepassedbyhim,andhelandedheadfirstinthebackseat.Wereachedthepilotafteralmostanhour.Hewasstillsittinginthecockpit.Therewasnosmokeorfire,buthehadbeenshotthroughtheshoulder,andabullethadopenedhisskull.Hewasstillconscious,butwesawthathehadabrokenleftlegfromthelanding,probably.

Jochenjumpedonthewing,andIwentovertotherightside.Weslowlyliftedthemanout,andMarseillespoketohiminEnglish.Ididnotunderstandallthattheyweresaying,butIheardJochensay:Iamgladyouarealive,Iwasworriedabityouknow?Wecarefullyplacedasplintonthemanslegandusedtherudderasabackboardstretchertocarryhim.Welaidhimacrossthebackofthecarspanningthewidthofthebackseat.ThemedickepthimtalkingandconsciouswhileJochendrove.WewenttothefieldandNeumannhadalreadypreparedafieldambulanceforhim.JochenrodewiththemanallthewaytoDerna,Ithink,andhecamebackthenextday.Themanlived,butwhathappenedtohimafterwardIdonotknow.

ThatwasJochen.Neumannandtheotherscongratulatedhimonsavingthemanslifewhenhecameback.Hehadaphototakenwiththepilot,whichhetendedtodosometimes.Marseillewasagreatfighterpilot,buthewasnokiller.Hewasreallytoosensitiveforsomethinglikeinfantryfighting.Ithinkthecleanlinessofcombatintheairsuitedhispersonality.Oncewhenhesawadeadenemyairman,whosebodywasmangled,hethrewup,andcouldnoteat.2

MarseillestartedpartofhislegendafterheshotdownaHurricaneIIofNo.451Squadron,flownbyLt.PatByers,RoyalAustralianAirForce.Hethenflewovertheunitairfieldofhisdownedenemytopassondetails,aseyewitnessedbyByerssgoodfriendandfellowHurricanepilot,thelateWingCommanderGeoffreyMorley-Mower.

PatByerstookoffatabout6:20p.m.forasortiethatshouldhavetakenhalfanhouratthemost.3Thecolumnwaslessthanfortymilesfromourlandingground.RayHudsontookoffinpursuitaquarterofanhourlater.By7:30p.m.neitherhadreturned,and

Wizardcametoaskmetoflyabackupsortie.Thearmycommanderwasadamantthathemustknowthedirectionofthecolumnatnightfall.WhenIswungdownfromthecockpit,HughDavies,thearmyliaisonofficer,wastherewithhisstaffcar.Gladtoseeyoumadeit,heshouted.Isitstillheadedwest?

Yes.ItiscrossingthewiresouthofCapuzzo,Ireplied.DidPatgetback?

No,Daviessaid.RayHudsoncouldntfindhim.Hegotbackanhourago.

Twodayslater,beforethesunhadrisen,IwasawakenedbythesharpbarkofaBoforsanti-aircraftgunsituatedahundredyardsfrommybivouac.Itwassoonjoinedbytherestoftheairfielddefenses.IcouldheartherattleofmachinegunsfromtheAustralianmachine-gunoutfitacrossthestripandthewhineofshellsstreakingacrossthedarksky.IscrambledoutofmytenttoseetwoMesserschmittsmotoringintoourfieldasiftomakealanding.Theywerebelow500feetandflyingslowly.Me-109scouldnotbemistakenforfriendlyaircraft.Theyweresmallerthananyplaneweflewandtypicallyscreamedacrosstheskywithahighpitchedenginenoisethatwasquitedistinctive.

Onthisoccasiontheirnoisewasmuted,andtheylostaltitudesteadily.GunfirepeteredoutwhentheyweretoolowtobeattackedwithoutriskingdamagetoourparkedHurricanes.Halfwayupthestrip,adarkobjectflutteredtotheground.ThentheMe-109sopeneduptheirenginesandsnarledoff,weavingviolently,followedbyapatternofBoforsshellswhosewhitepuffscurtainedthedarksky.

Youwontbelievethis,gents,Wizardsaid.IfeellikeMisterbloodyChamberlainbringingpeaceinourtime!Illreaditouttoyou.ItissignedbytheGermanflightcommander.WhenWizardbegantoreadoutthemessage,however,hisfacebecamegraveandhisvoice,moreWelshthanever,tookonthecadenceofachapelpreacher.

WearesorrytoreportthatLt.ByerswasshotdownonSept.14byaircraftofthissquadron.Hewasbadlyburnedwhileescapingthecockpit.HeisnowinDernaHospitaltorecover.WewishtoexpresstheregretsoftheLuftwaffe.Acheerwentup.

Twoweekslater,theMe-109smadeareturnvisit,asdawnwasbreaking.TheBoforsgunsandtheAustralianmachinegunnersmadeanotherseriousattempttoshootthemdown.Anothermessageflutteredtothedesertfloor.ThistimeittoldusthatByershaddiedofhiswoundsandagainofferedtheregretsoftheLuftwaffe.4

TherecordconfirmsthatMarseilleflewthemissiontoreportByersssituation.

Inanotheractofchivalry,Marseillepersonallyescortedawoundedpilottoamilitaryhospitaltomakesurehewouldnotperishinthedesert.ThemanhadsafelyparachuteddespiteseriousinjuriesafterMarseillehadshothimdown.Marseillecarriedthepilotsdocumentsandpersonalfamilyphotographsonhisownpersonforsafekeepinguntilthemanwassafelyinhishospitalbed.HeevenfilledoutthepilotsGenevaConventionPrisonerofWarDataCardforhim.

AccordingtoEduardNeumann,Marseillehadaphototakenwiththepilot,whichhekeptamonghispossessions.Unfortunatelythatphotographhasbeenlosttohistory.ThemansconditionwouldlaterpromptanotherofMarseillesunauthorizedflightstoanenemypilotsairfield.

OneofJG-27saces,OberleutnantFranzStigler,sawmanysidestoMarseille:WhenIfirstmetSchroerhewarnedmeaboutMarseille.Hesaidthatnavigationwascriticalinthedesert,whereyoudidnotalwayshavedefinedlandmarks,andinstrumentflyingwasveryimportant.Thenhesaid:IfyoufollowMarseille,alwayswatchhisback,andmakesureyoualsowatchyours,becausehewillwatchnoones.Hejustshootsthingsdown.

Marseillewassomeonewhoeveryoneseemedtoknow,butnoonereallyknewwell.IguessthatWerner[Schroer]perhapsknewhimbest.IwaswellawareoftheseflightstotheBritishbases;itwasgreatlydiscussedintheunit.Everyoneadmiredhisabilityasapilot,buttheyreallyrespectedhissenseofchivalry.MostofusIthinkweremuchthesameinthatregard.Weneversawaneedtokillanalreadybeatenorwoundedopponent.5

Marseillesunparalleledprowessasafighterpilotturnedhimintoanationalhero,aniconinthepubliceye.Hishumanitydidnotsethimapartfromhiscomrades;itsimplydemonstratedhowGermanairmenfelttowardtheirenemies.Thestoriesofhisexploitsbecametheequivalentofmodern-daytabloidheadlines,andhehadagreatfollowingbackinGermany.Inonemonthalonehereceivedoversixhundredpoundsoffanmail.Yet,despitehisbeingheraldedasaperfectexampleoftheNationalSocialisthero,featuredinnewsreelsandmagazines,Marseillemaintainedhisroguementality.Hisconductanddressinprivatelife,andeveninthepresenceofhissuperiorofficers,wasinmanywaysopposedtoeverythingforwhichtheThirdReichstood.

Amonghisfellowsoldiers,Marseillewasmorelikelytospendtimewithenlistedmen,whowerenearerhisage,thanotherofficersofequalorseniorrank,allmucholderthanhe.Aborniconoclastwithanintensesenseofloyalty,hebelievedintheworthoftheindividualman,notinracialorpoliticaltheories.HesharedhisquarterswithMathias,hisblackpersonalservant,confidant,andclosestfriend,whomhedefendedindefianceofallNazipolicyandgotawaywithit.Hisownpolicywassimpleandabsolute:WhereIgo,Mathiasgoes.

Hans-JoachimMarseillewasalegendinhisownlifetime,ahouseholdnameacrossEurope;BenitoMussolinicalledhimtheStarofAfrica,andassuchhewouldforeverbeknown.Evenhisenemiesreadabouthim,perhapshopingtobehisvictor,andpossiblyhopingtheywouldnevercrosspaths.Howeverindeath,hehasearnedtheeternaladmirationandrespectofeveryone,evenhisenemies,whoconsideredhimaworthyadversaryandhonorablewarrior.

Thisishisstoryastoldbythosewhoknewhim.

CHAPTER2

MarseilletheManHelookedlikehewastwelveyearsold,andheoftenactedlikeit.

WernerSchroer

MARSEILLESFLYINGCAREERSTARTEDin1938attheageofeighteen.Heexcelledathisacademicworkingroundschoolandwasfirstinhisclassinaerobatics.HereceivedhisordersonMarch13,andafterashortleaveandpromotiontoFahnen-junkerhereportedtotheLuftkriegschuleatFrstenfeldbruck,wherehemetandtrainedwithsomeofthemenwithwhomhewouldlaterserveincombat.Hisproblemswithauthoritybeganhere,andhisreprimandsforviolationsofthestrictrulesofflyingseemedtogoinoneearandouttheother.Marseillemanagedtoavoidbeingdismissedfrombasicflightschoolonlythroughtheinterventionofhisfather,andeveryoneknewit.Thisalsocreatedalotofresentmenttowardhim.

MarseillewasstilloneortwopaygradesbehindthemenhehadstartedflighttrainingwithwhenhereportedtotheJagdfliegerschule5atSchwechat,thefighterschoolnearVienna,onNovember1,1939.Schwechatproducedbeyondalldoubtthegreatestfighterpilots,manyofwhomdemonstratedtheirfuturepotentialduringtraining.Despitehisirreverentdemeanorandunmilitarybearing,Marseillewasnoexception.Heexcelledatgunneryandaerobatics,masteringtheshorttakeoff,split-S,chandelle,andothermaneuversthatmanypilotsfounddifficult.Itwaslogicalthathewouldbeassignedtofighters.

Yet,despitehisnewfoundpassionforaviationandhisextremeaptitudeasapilot,thestrictnessofhisPrussianupbringingandindoctrination,andhisfathershighrank,Marseillecontinuedtodefyallconvention.Hewasinconstanttroubleeveninflightschool.Hisescapadesearnedhimmanynicknames,suchastheSpecialOne,theUntouchable,andtheBohemianBandit.

Once,duringatightformationflightinbasicflightschool,Marseilleseparatedfromtherestofthegroupwithoutordersand,withoutnotifyinganyoneelseintheformationofhisintentions,beganperforminghisownaerobatics.Hisfellowstudentswatchedinamazementashebeganhisownprivatedogfight.Uponlandinghewasseverelyreprimandedbyhiscommandingofficer,HauptmannMueller-Rohrmoser,restrictedfromflying,andhispromotiontoGefreiterrevokedforincompetence.Hispersonnelfolderwasgettingthickerbytheweek,andnotbecauseofhisgreatsuccessinfollowingordersorstellarcombatheroics.

Marseilleslistofviolationsgrewalmostasfastashislistofcasualgirlfriends,andhislonewolfmentalitymeantthathehadatoughtimemakingfriends,whodidnotwanttobeguiltybyassociation.WernerSchroer,whoflewwithhiminErgnzjagdgruppeatMerseburg,protectingtheLeunachemicalcomplex,andalsolaterinNorthAfricawithJG-27,wasinadvancedflightschoolwithhim.[Marseille]wasnotthemilitarytype.Healwaysseemedasomewhatshadycharactertousall.Whenhewasnoticed,itwasalwaysinanegativeway.Hewasthereforeoftenpeggedfordutyofficerontheweekendsandmadetostayonpost.ThenIwouldfindascrapofpaper:Wentout!Wouldyoumind

pullingdutyforme?1

Marseillewasalsorestrictedtoquartersmanytimes,andonalmosteveryoccasionheviolatedthat,oftenmanagingtogetbackintothebarrackswithoutbeingdiscovered.Healwaysreturnedexhaustedfromentertainingsomeyounglady,usuallywithalcoholonhisbreath.Drinkingbeforeflyinginschoolwasadismissaloffense.Marseillecouldnothavecaredless.AccordingtoSchroer:Thisguywasintroublesooften,andrestricted,thatitwasanoteworthyoccasionwhenhewasnotonrestriction.Oversixmonths,Icanthinkofperhapsahalfdozentimeshewasnotrestrictedtoquarters.WewereinthemesshallhavinglunchonedayandIaskedhim,Whydoyoudoit?Doyounotcarethattheywillthrowyouintotheinfantry?Hesaidthatbeforethathappened,hewouldcommandaU-Boat.Thisguywasincredible.2

Aspartofhistraining,Marseilleembarkeduponhissecondtimedcross-countrysoloflightfromMagdeburgtoBraunschweig.DuringtheflightMarseilleneededtorelievehimself,so,seeingnotraffic,helandedontheautobahn.Landinginanyunauthorizedlocation,unlesscausedbyanin-airemergency,wasacourt-martialviolation.AsMarseilleheadedforthetrees,somefarmersrantoseeifheneededassistance.Bythetimetheyarrived,Marseillehadjumpedbackinandstartedhistakeoffroll.Hewavedasheliftedoff.Thiswasnotasecretforlong,andanotherpunishmentandnegativeentrywentintohisservicerecord.3

Sure,weallheardaboutit,Schroerrecalled.Apparentlytherewerenottoomanyairplanesintheaironthatroute,andapolicemanreportedthatafarmerreportedalandingontheautobahn.Hedescribedtheplane,andgavethemarkings.ItwasalloverforMarseille,andwethoughtthathewasheadedfortheinfantry,ifnotprisonrightafterwards.Well,wewerewrong.4ApparentlytheanticsdidnotstopwhenSchroerandMarseillewerestationedtogetheratMerseburg,hencetheyoungBerlinerwastransferredtothecombatfrontontheChannelCoastjusttogetridofhim.

OneofGermanysgreatestfighterpilots,OberstleutnantKurtBhligen,whoscored112victoriesandreceivedtheSwords(andendedthewarinSovietcaptivityuntil1950),attendedfighterschoolwiththefutureStarofAfrica.

Infighterschool,wehadverystrictrules.Menwerethrownoutandsenttotheinfantryforevenbeinglatetoaformationorfailinganexamination.Therewasverylittleroomforerror.

Onedaywewereupbeforedawn,whichwasusual.Wealwayshadtherollcallandthenbreakfast.IheardthenameMarseilleafewtimesandtherewasnoresponse.Finally,thisguystaggersin,andthiswasthefirsttimeIreallyeversawhim.[H]ewasobviouslydrunk,buthecouldstandandrespond.Oursectionleaderaskedhimwherehehadbeen,andhesaidsomethingthatIdidnothear.Later,wefoundthathehadslippedawayduringthenightandmetagirl.Hemanagedtogetbackjustaswejoinedmorningformation.Wewereallpuzzledhowhegotawaywiththis,andotherthings,andthenwelearnedthathisfatherwasahigh-rankingofficer.Iremembersaying,Thatexplainsit.5

Marseilleexcelledateverythingthatflightschoolhadtothrowathim.Hehadaphotographicmemory,anuncannysenseofbearinginthecockpit,andasituational

awarenessthatwastrulyascriticalasflyingskillforacombatpilot.Heseemedtoknowwhereeveryaircraftwasatanygiventime,enemyorfriendly,andwasabletocarveavictoryoutofthemostentangledmelee.However,hewasaslowlearner.

FollowinghispostingtoadvancedflightschoolonNovember1,1939,Marseillescommandingofficerwasano-nonsenseWorldWarIfighterhero,aPourleMriterecipientwiththirty-twokills.OberstEduardRittervonSchleich,thefamousBlackKnight,commandedJagdfliegerschule5withanirondiscipline.VonSchleich,whowaslessthanenthusiasticabouttheyoungBerlinersattitudebutsawhispotential,warnedhimthathewasonthinice.Marseillesmusthaveheededtheadvice,sincehegraduatedwithhonorsforgunneryandaerobaticsonJuly18,1940.

OnAugust10,1940,thewarwithGreatBritainwaslessthanayearold,andMarseillejoinedhisnewunitatCalais-MarckontheFrenchcoast.Poland,France,Denmark,Norway,Belgium,andHollandhadfallen,andtheWesternAllieswerequiet,apartfromafewnightbombingraidsThewaralmostseemedtobeover.Onthisday,justbeforetheendoftheBattleofBritain,MarseillewasassignedtoI(Jagd)Lehrgeschwader(LG)2.ThiswastheoriginalcombatcompositeunitformedbeforethewarbaseduponthematrixperfectedduringtheSpanishCivilWar.

Stab/LG-1wasformedinJuly1936andwasaprimarytransitionunitforthepilotsjoiningtheLegionCondor.OnApril1,1937,theStabGruppewasofficiallycreated,alongwiththreeGruppen:I.(leichteJagd)withMe-109Dfighters,II.(schwereJagd)withMe-110twinengineheavyfighters,III.(Kampf)withHe-111andafewJu-88mediumbombers,andIV.(Stuka)withtheJu-87divebomber.Marseillewasassignedtothelightfighters,andhewouldseehisfirstaction,stationedatLeeuwarden,Holland,wherehisunitperformedbomberescortdutiesoverEngland.Withhisrecordonthegroundstillquestionable,Marseillehadtodistinguishhimselfintheair.

MarseilleengagedinhisfirstdogfightagainsttheenemyonAugust24,1940,overKent,England.Hehadabandonedhiswingmantochaseanenemyfighter,andthebattlelastedalongfourminutes.Afterseveraltwisting,turningmaneuvers,theHawkerHurricaneMkIfinallyfelltohisguns.Thefighterbegantofallapart,burn,anddiveintotheNorthSea.Marseillehadscoredhisfirstkill,butviolatedfourcardinalrulesofaerialcombat.

Marseillewasnowintrouble.HisStaffelkapitn,Oberleutnant(laterOberst)HerbertIhlefeld,whowouldendthewarwith132victoriesandtheKnightsCrosswithOakLeavesandSwords,waslessthanamused:WhenIlandedItoldmyexecutiveofficertohavethatdumbbastardsenttomyoffice.Itoldhimtogivemetwentyminutes.Ihadtocooldown.MarseillehadpeeledawayfromtheSchwarm,neverradioedhisintentionshell,heneverevencalledoutanenemyaircraft!NextthingIhearis,Hesdoneitagainovertheheadset.IthendecidedthatIwouldnotdresshimdown;justremindhimofhisduties.Hedid,afterall,getthevictory,andbroughthisownaircraftback.

WhenhewalkedinIwasstillangry.Heviolatedmyspecificordersyetagain,buthehadthissmileonhisface,holdinguponefinger.IreallytriedtohidethelaughterIwasfeeling.Hewaslikeayoungboywhohadjustcaughthisfirstfish.Isathimdown,brokeoutabottleofcognac,andpouredoneforbothofus.

Itoldhimthekillwasvisuallyconfirmed,andIwouldcredithimwithit.Ithentoldhimthatifheeverbrokeformationinmyunitagain,ifIcouldnotshoothimdownmyself,Iwouldshoothimwhenhereturned,andIsmiledasIsaidit.Thenhissmiledisappeared.Ithenstartedtolaugh,andtoldhimIwasjoking,andafterIstoppedlaughing,ItoldhimthatIwouldthrowhimintotheinfantry.Hesmiledagainafterthat,andpromisedhewouldnotdothatagain.Andhekepthisword.Hejustfoundnewwaystoviolatemyorders,neverrepeatingthesameviolationtwice.6DespiteMarseillesuniquesolomentality,Ihlefelddidgivehimhighmarksforairmanshipandproficiency.ItwashisdisciplinethatconcernedtheSpanishCivilWarveteran.

Thisfirstvictorywouldalsoestablishhisattitudetowardkilling.AschronicledbyRobertTate,Marseillewrotehismotherregardingthisevent:

TodayIshotdownmyfirstopponent.Itdoesnotsetwellwithme.Ikeepthinkingabouthowthemotherofthisyoungmanmustfeelwhenshegetsthenewsofhersonsdeath.AndIamtoblameforhisdeath.Iamsad,insteadofbeinghappyaboutthefirstvictory.IalwaysseethefaceoftheEnglishmaninfrontofmeandthinkabouthiscryingmother.7

AstheeveningprogressedMarseillewastakenintotheStaffelbar,wherehewastoastedforgettinghisfirstkill.Heapparentlydisplayedsomeregretatkillingaman.Marseillewasatacrossroads,onethatmanyfighterpilots,orindeedanywarrior,wouldfindhimselfin.Couldhekillandlivewithhimself?ThefollowingmorningMarseilleawakened,andrememberingtheconversationsthepreviousnightwithhiscomrades,hedecidedthathecould.Hethenwrotehismotherandsisteraletter,partofwhichstated:NowIamafighterpilot.AharshwindblowshereontheChannel,butIwillsurvive.YourJochen8

Onanothermissionheagainlefthiswingmanandattackedwithoutsupport,chasedanenemywithoutreportinghisintention,failedtoachievealtitudefollowingthevictory,andmostimportant,failedtoseeifhisvictimhadawingmanhimself.ThesecondHurricanedroppedfromaltitude,butluckilyMarseillesawthefighteratthelastsecond.Hethrewhisthrottlefullopenandslammedthejoystickforward,headingfortheocean.TheHurricaneclosedin,butfiredfromextremelylongrange;Marseillesrapidcorrectiveactiontoaverybaddecisionsavedhislife,ashisfasterfighterhoppedoverthewavesandescaped.

OnSeptember2,Marseilleputasecond,evenlarger,featherinhiscap,whenhescoredhissecondvictoryoveraSupermarineSpitfireMkI,againoverKent.Hereceivedsomeminordamage,butranoutoffuelandcrash-landed,gearup,onthebeachatCalais,flyingMe-109E-7W.Nr.3579.Theaircraftwasrepairedandflewagain.HealsoreceivedtheIronCrossSecondClassandanotherreprimand.Ihlefeldrecalled,Ipinnedthemedalonhim,hesaluted,sortof,andIsaidcongratulationsonmakingitback.Headmittedthathehadlostfocusonhisfuelgauge,asthedamagetohisfighterfromcombatwasminimal.Iwrotehimupfordereliction,andthenpraisedhimforthevictory.9

OnSeptember11,hescoredhisthirdkillovertheFrenchCoastaswingmantoHauptfeldwebelHelmutGoedert,aHurricaneat17:05whileflyingMe-109E-7W.Nr.5597,buthetooksomeheavydamagewhenhebrokefromhisflightleadertoengage

alone.TheMe-109was75percentdamagedinhiscrashlandingatWissantandwaswrittenoff.September15sawMarseilleoversoutheastLondon,wherehebouncedaHurricaneovertheRiverThamesforhisfourthkill,withtwoHurricanesbeingclaimedbyLG-2.BothHurricaneswerefromNo.310SquadronRAF,oneflownbyPilotOfficerA.HessinR4085andtheotherbySgt.J.HubacekinR4087.Bothpilotssurvived.ItisunknownwhichpilotmayhavebeenMarseillesvictim.

UponlandinghehadtoreporttoIhlefeld.IwasjustonthephonetomyfriendMackySteinhoffoveratJG-52,Ihlefeldrecalled.Itwashisbirthdayonthefifteenth,andIhadsenthimabottleofFrenchchampagnetocelebrateit.HecongratulatedmefortheKnightsCross,andIthankedhim.ThenMarseilleknockedonthedoor,andImotionedhimin.TherehadbeenbadbloodbetweenMarseilleandafewoftheotherpilots,whofeltunsafeflyingwithhimduetohisindependentnature,Icouldsay.ItoldMackythatIwouldcallhimback,hungupthephone,andthenitdawnedonme.

Steinhoffwasshortafewpilots,andIhadarealproblemstandingrightinfrontofme.IaskedMarseillewhyhehadfailedtoreportfordutyasthedutyofficerthenightbefore.Hesaidhedidnotknowaboutit,butIremindedhimthatthedaysrosterswerepostedintheoperationsroomeverymorning.Itwashisresponsibilitytocheck.Heapologized,andsaidhewouldbesuretocheckeverymorningtoseewhattheassignmentswere.

Ithenaskedhimaboutthemissionhehadjustreturnedfrom,andwhathadhappened.HehadbecomeseparatedfromtheSchwarm,andevenhiswingmanlostsightofhimintheclouds.Theonesavinggracewasthatheradioedin,andthenconfirmedhisflightleaderspositionandrejoinedthem.Ittookacoupleofdaystoconfirmhisclaim,butthekillwasconfirmedbyabombercrewthatwewereescortingpartway.Irestrictedhimtobaseforthenightandthenextthreedays,andhewastopulldutyallthreenightsuntil2100hoursafteroperations.Thatmeantnodrinking,justsitbythetelephone.Well,hesatbythephone,butsomehowhehadalcoholandsmelledofitwhenhisshiftwasover,soIgroundedhimagain.10

InalmosteverymissioninwhichMarseilleengagedtheenemyhebroughtbackanaircraftthateitherwasacompletewriteoffandcannibalizedforpartsorrequiredextensiverepair.Duringonebomberescortwherenoenemywasengagedhisenginedied.Heradioedthathewasgoingin,andthreehourslaterAirSeaRescuepickedhimupinanHe-59floatplaneandbroughthimback,sufferingfromhypothermia.

Marseillewasnottheonlypilottosufferthisfatewithoutbeingshotdown,Ihlefeldrecalled.Wehadbeeninvestigatingpossiblesabotageofourengineoilandfuel.Thefuelwaseasyenoughtocheck,buttheoilwasadifferentmatter.Lateritwasdeterminedthattherewasinfactsomeoftheoilhadbeenalowergradethanwerequired,butitwasnotsabotage.Welearnedahardlesson,becauseevensomeoftheplanesthatmadeitbackhadruinedengines,andmanyenginefiresweretheresult.Inmostcasestheyjustseizedup,andstalled.Thatwasreallybadifyouwereengagedwiththeenemy.11

VictorynumberfivewasaSpitfireoverDoveronSeptember18,1940,andonceagainMarseillebroughtbackabatteredanddamagedaircraft.OnSeptember27heshotdownaHurricaneoverLondon,althoughhelosthisleader,StaffelkapitnOberleutnantAdolf

Buhl,whenhebrokeofftoattackalone,leavingBuhlunprotected.

Itoldhimtosithisassdown,Ihlefeldsaid.Istoodoverhim,andIusedwordsthatIhadneverusedbefore.Ihadjustwrittenanevaluationforhim,onhissuperiorgunneryandairmanship,andIpickeditup,alongwithapromotionconsideration,andItorethemupinfrontofhim.Iaskedhimwhatinthehellhethoughthewasdoing?Apilotnever,andImeannever,leaveshisleader,atanytime,unlessthatleaderisshotdown.Novictoryisworthlosingafellowpilotandcomrade.Iwantedtochokehim.Ihadmyhandout,butsomethingtoldmeno.

ThenIlookedathim.Hewasactuallycrying,andapologized.Icouldtellthathefeltreallyterribleaboutwhathadhappened,andthenIfeltsorryforhim.Itoldhim,Marseille,youmustpullyourheadoutofyourass.Youarenotalone;thisisnottheHansMarseilleshow.Youwilloneday,perhaps,bealeaderyourself.Youmustlearnthatyourfellowpilotsarethemostimportantthing.Whatifsomeoneleftyouallaloneandyouwereshotdownbecausesomeonefailedyou?Iwouldsuggestyouthinkaboutthat,andwhatyouplanondoingwithyourcareerasapilot.Icantellyouthis,onedayyourluckwillrunoutifyoukeepthisattitude.Youaregoodtonoonedead.Iknewthenthatifhedidnotcomearound,giventhedissentfromtheotherpilotsthatIwouldhavetofirehim.Thatactuallyturnedouttobethecaselater.12

Thefollowingday,MarseillewaswingmantotheactingStaffelkapitn,whowasprobablythesquadronexecutiveofficerunderIhlefeld.TheeighteenMe-109EswereinterceptedbyaroundfortySpitfiresandHurricanes.Theleader,seeingthattheywereoutnumberedatleasttwotoone,orderedtheunittoturnback,probablyfeelingthatitwasnotworthengagingsuchnumbersoverthesea.Marseille,alwayslookingforafight,wasapparentlyupsetattheorder,butthenhesawaSpitfiredivinginandgaininggroundonhisleader.Asawingman,itwasMarseillesdutytoprotecthisflightleader,andhewastednotimerollingoverintoaturntointercepttheenemyfighter.HisseventhkillfellinflamesintotheEnglishChannel.Hehadnothadtimetoradiothewarningtohisleader.Hewasshotupandonceagaincrashlandedonthebeach.Thesewerehisfirstsevenvictories,atthecostoffourofhisownfighters,withfouradditionalclaimsmadewithoutwitnesses:notexactlyagreatrecord.Hisinabilitytofolloworderswasunchanged,andthisstillcausedhimproblems.HisdaysinLG-2werenumbered.

Uponreturningtobase,theOberleutnantincommandduringthatmission,probablyembarrassed,orperhapsfeelingguiltyforrunninginthefaceoftheenemy,reportedtoIhlefeldthatMarseillehaddefiedorderstojointhesquadronandtakeevasiveaction.Marseillewasapparentlystunnedattheeventsthatunfolded.HereceivedcreditandcongratulationsforthekillandthenreceivedareprimandfromIhlefeldandthreedaysconfinementfordisobeyingorders.

NotlongafterthisMarseillewasaskedtoperformanaerobaticdisplayforavisitingLuftwaffegeneral,andhedidafantasticjob.However,indoinghisrolls,stalls,famousshorttakeoffandlowapproach,heviolatedthestandingLuftwaffeorderthatlowpassesoveranairfieldmustbemadeatorabovethefive-metermark,orabouteighteenfeet.Thiswastoensurethatnooneonthegroundwasinjuredintheprocessandthatnoaircraftorvehiclesweredamaged.Cominginlowandslow,Marseilledippedhisleftwingand,withitstip,caughtawhitehandkerchieftiedtoaone-meterpole,whichalsoactedashiswind

sock.

Marseillelanded,apparentlypleasedwithhimself,andwasimmediatelygroundedforfivedaysbyIhlefeld.Marseillehaddoneawonderfuljobofimpressingthevisitors,andespeciallyso,giventhathewasnotanoldveteranwithhundredsofflyinghours,likemanyofusfromSpain,orevenfrom1939.Hewasanaturallygiftedpilot,thebestataerobaticsintheunitinmyopinion,hencemychoosinghimforthisevent.TheGeneraldeFliegersaide,anOberst,wasthepersonwhoremarkedthatmycommandmustbeveryloosewiththeregulations,giventhehighnumbersofdamagedandlostaircraftforlittlegain.Nowweseewhy,orsomethinglikethat.ThenGeneralderFlieger[Hans]Jeschonnekagreedthatwehadtomakeanexample.Thepunishmentwasminimal.Inmostcasesamancouldloserank,orberemovedfromflyingaltogetherforasimilaroffense,butIcouldnotseethatasbeingappropriate.13

TheGeschwaderkommodoreduringthistimeofMarseillesparticipationwasGeneralmajorAlfredBlowius,whoreceivedthereportsonallofthepilots,andMarseillesoonbecameapointofgreatinterest.BlowiuswasanoldfriendofMarseillesfather,anditwasperhapsthisfamiliaritythatsavedtheyoungBerlinerfromcarryingarifleorsufferingamuchworsefate.Thereportswrittenabouthimbyhissquadronleader,Ihlefeld,weretakenseriously.ItwasapparentlyathisdiscretionthatMarseillebegrounded,asopposedtoanymoreseriouspunishment.However,thesensitiveMarseilledidnotseeitthatway.

ImustsaythatMarseillewasthegreatestheadacheIhad,Ihlefeldrecalled.Healienatedmanyoftheotherpilots.Hewassomewhatarrogant,unapologetic,andalwaysdraggingothersintohismischief.Hewasabadinfluenceonthejuniornoncommissionedofficers.Hewaslessthancompletelyrespectfultohissuperiors,andsalutingwasalwaysanoptionwithhim.

Ihadtomakeachoice.KeepMarseilleandtrytohandlethediscordinmyunit,orsendhimelsewhereandpassontheproblem,givinghimtoaunitthathadthetimetodealwithhim.IimmediatelythoughtofMacky[Steinhoff],andsinceIlostmoneytohiminacardgame,Ifeltthiswasmywayofgettingeven.So,IcuttheordersandsentMarseillepacking.ThreedayslaterIhadaphonecall.ItwasMacky,andIhadsomeexplainingtodo.14

GeneralleutnantJohannesSteinhoff,thenanOberleutnant,wasMarseillesnewcommandingofficer.Iwascommanding4./JG-52,andwewerewaitingonreplacementpilots,whichusuallycamefromSchwechat,withacoupleofhundredhoursbehindthem.WhenIwastoldthatIwasgettingthisguywithsevenvictoriesandalotofflighttime,Iwasexcited.Inormallyneverreceivedexperiencedpilots.But,asIalwayssaid,ifyoulookagifthorseinthemouth,itwasveryoftenmissingteeth,andsoIlearnedwithMarseille.

Ihadrequestedhisservicerecordbook,andIwasverysurprisedtoseethatwithhistimeintheservice,andhisexperience,thathehadnotbeenpromoted.ThenIreceivedhisrecord,andIcouldnotbelieveit.Ithoughtweprobablyhadareal,unassuminghero.Butthesewerenotcommendationsandawards;thesewerereprimands,punishments,proficiencyreports.Younameitanditwasinthere.Ialsosawthatheonlyneededtolose

onemoreGermanfightertobeanAlliedace.15

Afterreadingthosereports,Steinhoffhadquestions.IcalledmyoldfriendandaskedhimaboutMarseille.Hetoldme:SorryMacky,butIhadtosendhimsomewhere;Ididnotmeantodothattoyou.Goodluck,youwillneedit.WhenIaskedhimwhatthehellhehaddonetome,hehungup.Heshowedupatmybaselaterthatweek,landedontheairfield,andwehadagoodchat,orperhapsnotsogood.ThatwaswhenIdiscoveredhowbadlyIhadbeenscrewedover.16Ihlefeldlateradmittedthatheknewfullwellwhathewasdoingtohisoldfriend.Hejustdidnotwanttowarnhiminadvance!

MarseillefinallyreportedtoSteinhoffssquadroninFranceunannouncedandlateandwasorderedtoseehisnewC.O.(commandingofficer)immediately.SteinhoffwasholdingMarseillespersonnelrecordwhentheyoungBerlinerwalkedin.

Steinhoffasked,Whatthehellisthis?Itsalmostasthickasatelephonedirectory!Letstakealook.Steinhoffwentthroughit,linebyline,pagebypage,notebynote,recitingeveryentry.Thistookoveranhour.Whatdoyouhavetosaytothis?Steinhoffasked.IntypicalMarseillefashion,hereplied:Ineverwreckedanairplane,HerrOberleutnant!

Steinhoffexplainedfurther:Marseille[had]walkedinascasuallyasenteringapilstube[abar],butonceIsnappedathim,hewaslockedupatrigidattention.Imadehimstandthere,notbecausehisfolderwasthickenoughwithviolationsforanentireGeschwader,butbecausehewasadaylatereportingforduty.Youknowwhyhewaslate?Hewaswithagirlinahotel,afterbeinghomeforafewdays,justbeforeChristmas,andlosttrackoftime.Headmittedthis.Marseillewasmanythings,adrunkard,playboy,rebel,occasionalidiot,buthewasneveraliar.Healwaysadmittedhismistakes.Icouldnevertellhimthis,butevenwhenIwasatmyangriestwithhim,IhadtowaituntilheleftbeforeIoftenlaughedsilentlytomyself.Itwasjustveryhardtohatetheguy.ButthemomentImethim,Iknewhewastrouble.

OnceMarseillehadleft,Steinhoffgotonthetelephoneagain.IcalledHerbert,andIaskedhimwhatinthehellhadhesentme?Hisresponsewasthathewasoverstaffedonpilots,andnotenoughfightersforthepilots.Itoldhimthatwasbecausethemanhehadsentmehadcrashedallofthem.Thenhesaid,Macky,youareagreatfatherfigure,youknowhowtoworkthesemen,youareaverygoodleader.Iknowmyshortcomings,andIhopethatyoucanhelpthisguy.Hedoeshavepromise.Well,IhadthattelephoneinmyearandlookedatthethickfolderonMarseille,andjustsaid,Allright,IwilldowhatIcan.IhadabadfeelingthatIwasmakingahugemistake.Ihadnoideajustwhatabaddecisionthatwasuntillater,butsoonenoughcametoregretmydecision.

Mostofusbythistimewhoweresquadronleadersorhigherhadacoupleofyearsofflyingcombat.Weknewourbusiness,butthebestofusknewthatwedidnotknoweverything.Everymission,everyencounterwiththeenemyprovidedanothervaluablelesson,allofwhichagoodpilotlearned,andquickly.Failuretodothiswouldmeandeath,andthereweremanywaysforapilottodie:outnumbered,enginefailure,badweather,andbadluck.Butdyingduetobeinganidiotwasunacceptable.

Marseillehadanaturalflyingtalent,Iguessyoucouldcallitagift.Hewouldpullstuntsovertheairfield,doingamazingthings.Hewasgood.Thatwasnottheproblem.

Hisproblemwasthatheknewhewasgood,andhisegoalwaysgotthebetterofhim.Duringonemissionwewereflying,andIthinkthiswasthefirstmissionIflewwithhimastheStaffelkapitn,weencounteredHurricanesovertheEnglishcoast,andweflewtheSchwarmformation,orfingerfourasitwascalledbytheBritish.Eachpilothadawingman,andthatwingmanhadonlyonejob;keephisRottenfliegeralive,clearinghistailifnecessary.

Oncetheenemyhadbeencalledout,Marseilledisappeared.Helefthisflightleaderallalone.Nooneknewwherehewas!SuddenlyovertheradioweheargothimanditwasMarseille[Authorsnote:Marseilleclaimedadamaged,butdidnotconfirmthisoranyvictorywhilewithJG-52].Thenweheard,Ohshit,hegotmeanditwasalsoMarseille.Hehadflownintoasimpletrap,luredinbyalonefighterandjumpedbythreeothers.Onlyhisawarenessandreflexespreventedhimfrombeingkilled,orhavingtobailoutoverEngland.

Weshotdownthreefightersonthatsortie,andescortedMarseilleback,ashisfighterwasleakingglycolandslightlysmoking.Hefinallycalledouthisfuelwarning.HehadtoslidethefighterdownonthebeachatCalais,whichwasnothisfirstcrashlanding.Hewasfine,andthefighterwaslatercannibalizedforspareparts,buthewasonmyshitlist.Hebrokethemostcardinalruleofcombat.Helefttheformationwithoutorders,andevenworse,withouttellinganyone.Igroundedhimforaweek,toteachhimalesson.

Forthatweekheworkedwiththegroundcrews,pulledsentryduty,thosekindsofthings.Itneveroccurredtometorestricthimtoquarters,andthatwasmyfault.Hestolemycar,wentintotownandcamebackdrunk,withtwogirlsinvaryingdegreesofundress,alsodrunk,andonewasdrivingthecar.Iwasbeyondangry.Irestrictedhimtothebaseforamonth,andafteraweekhewasallowedtofly,andtheonlywayoutofhisquartersfortherestofthatmonthwastoflyamission.Oncewereturnedhewasbackunderguard.

Thatturnedouttobeanotherfailureonmypart.Ididnotnailthebackwindowsshut.Hemanagedtoclimbout.Astheguardwaspostedatthefrontdoor,andtherewasnotabackdoor,Ididnotknowanythingwasamiss.Infact,earlythatmorningIshavedandwalkedoutside,andIthoughtIsawthatmycarhadbeenmoved.Iaskedtheofficerofthewatchifanyonehaddrivenmycar.Hesaid:Yessir,Marseilleleftlatelastnight.Hejustcamebackaboutanhourago.Iwaslivid,andcouldnotunderstandhowhedidthat.

IaskedtheFeldwebelonguarddutyifMarseillehadleft,ashewasnotallowedtogoanywhere.Hetoldmethatheneverleftthebuilding.IwalkedinandMarseillewassoundasleep.Icouldsmellthebeeronhim.Ikickedhisbedandhetumbledoutofit.Itoldhimtogetup,andjustasIdid,theordertoformupwasgiven.Hejumpedup,didnotgotoattention,anddidnotsalute.Hejustfelloverdrunk.Ijustlookedathimandtoldhimtopackhisbags.IsaidthatIwouldtellhimwhatIhaddecidedtodowithhimafterweflewourreconnaissancemission.

Ihadhimforoveramonth,whenIfinallydecidedthatIhadtogetridofhimaroundlaterinJanuary,earlyFebruary.Thisguyhadnoconceptofmilitarybearing.Heeitherrespectedyouasaman,ornot;yourrankreallymeantnothing.Thedayhereportedforduty,hisonlyquestionhadnothingtodowithoperations.Hewantedtoknowwhichtownhadtheprettiestgirls.

OncewhenafterareconnaissancemissionIwaspaidavisitbyaGestapoMajor,anoldPartytype,BloodOrder,GreatWarIronCrossFirstClass,theworks.Thisguywaslookingforapilot,nameunknown,buthedescribedMarseilleperfectly.Ithoughtquickly,andaskedhimwhathadthispilotdone?Hetoldmeitwasapersonalmatter,andhewasvisitingallthelocalairbasestryingtofindthisguy.Hesimplysaidhewouldkeeplooking,andIofferedhimadrink.Wespokeandhesaidthatthemanhewaslookingforhadtakenadvantageofhisdaughter,whowasvisitinghimfromuniversity.Thatwaswheneverythingclickedinmyhead.

Oncewhenhereturned,againwithapartiallydressedwoman,Ihadtoreprimandhim.ThenIhadtocoverhim,sinceshewasapparentlythedaughterofthesamelocalGestapoofficer.IfeltasifIweremoreofatruantofficer,oraprobationofficerasopposedtohiscommandingofficer.ItwasataboutthistimeIhadtogethimthehelloutoftheunitwithoutmakingcleartherealreason.Hecouldhavegonetoprison.

OnceMarseilleswaslateforapre-flightbriefing.AsIwasfinishingthemeeting,Iheardacarpullupoutside.Iopenedthedoor,andsawhimclimboutofacar,andkissthegirldrivingit.Thenanothergirlclimbedfromthebackseatandsatinthefront.Hewasstillgettingdressedintohisuniformashewalkedinthedoorway.

IaskedhimifhehadagoodexplanationforbeinglatebeforeIgroundedhim.Youwouldnotbelievehisanswer:Yessir,Iwastoodrunktogetoutofbed,andwhenIdid,IrealizedIwastoolateforthebriefing.Sorrysir,Iwilltrytonotletthathappenagain.

Well,itdidhappenagain,soIdismissedhim,andsenthimpackingtoNeumanninLibya.Quiteironicinaway,ifyouthinkaboutit.HeleftFranceindisgraceandthenbecamealivinglegend.IftherehadbeengirlsinAfrica,Idonotthinkhewouldhavehadsuchsuccess.Althoughhewasachronicproblem,Iactuallylikedtheguyverymuch,butIthinkthatinsendinghimawayIactuallysavedhim.Icuthisordersthenextday,andwithinaweekhewasgone.17

Marseillescavalierattitudetowardlife,thewar,hissuperiors,andevenhisownpersonalsafetyendangeredthemenaroundhim.AccordingtoSteinhoff,manyofthemenquietlyrequestedthathenotbeassignedtotheirSchwarm,whichonlyechoedthereportswhilehewasunderIhlefeldscommand.Hetendedtobealonewolf,neverateamplayer,lookingforpersonalgloryasopposedtoworkingasaunittoachievethegreaterobjective.Thisexplainedwhyhehadfourclaimswhilein4./JG-52butwithoutanywitnessestoverifythekills,despitehisammunitiondepletionprovinghefiredattheenemy,andthefactthathelostsixaircraftintotalwhileinFranceandHolland.Hadguncamerasbeenavailableatthattime,hewouldhavehadvideoconfirmationofhismissingclaims,butwithoutthem,theycouldnotbeenteredontohisrecord.

Marseillewasalsoamarkedmanbythelocalmilitarydoctor,whotreatedhimsixtimes,duringhisbailoutsorcrashlandings.Hewaslistedasarecklesssortinhismedicalrecords,labeledashirkerinhisduties,unprofessionalinhismilitarybearingandattitude,noncompliantanddisrespectfulofhissuperiorsinviolatinghisorderswhengroundedandconfinedtoquarters.Marseillewasheadedforpersonalandprofessionaldisaster.

Themomentthatmendonotwanttoflywithafellowpilot,whentheydonttrusttheir

comradetocoverthem,thenacommandingofficerhasadecisiontomake.SteinhoffdidnothavetimetochangeMarseillesattitudeandnurturetheman.Hehadawartofightagainstthebestpilotsintheworld,andSteinhoffmadetherightcall.ThisopinionwassharedbyAdolfGalland.EvenEduardNeumannagreedthat,hadJG-27beenbasedinFrance,withallofitstemptations,hewouldhaveprobablypassedMarseilleoffdowntheline.

Marseilletheinsubordinateclownwaswellknown.ItwastimeforMarseillethelegendtoemerge.

CHAPTER3

NorthAfricaandGloryIcouldnotbelievethisclown,hislackofbearingandaudacitystunnedme.

JohannesSteinhoff

FORANEAR-COMPARISONTOMarseillesbehavior,imagineaWorldWarIIAmericanMedalofHonorrecipientwhoopenlydismissedthewartimeandpoliticalpoliciesmadeatthePentagon,outlinedthestupidityoftheraciallysegregatedU.S.military,challengedtheauthorityandcompetenceofhissuperiors,andrefusedtocomplywithnationalormilitarylaws,customs,andcourtesies.ThegreatdifferenceinthesituationsofthishypotheticalAmericanheroandMarseilleisthatsuchtalkinNaziGermanycouldgetamanshot,andoftendid,ofwhichhewaswellaware.

OberstandpostwarBrigadegeneralGustavRdel(ninety-eightkills,KnightsCross,OakLeaves)aSpanishCivilWarveteranwithGallandandNeumann,hadcommandedII./JG-27andalsoflewwithMarseilleandSchroerunderNeumann.Marseillewasarealbastardtoflywith,assometimesmyII./JG-27workedwiththefirstGruppe,andIandotherswrotehimupmanytimesfordisobeyingdirectorderspriorto,andevenwhilein,combat.Hejustdidnotlisten.Hewaslikeanexciteddog,abandoningalllogiconcehesawtheenemy,breakingformationwithoutsupport.[Gerhard]Homuthwashisflightleaderafewtimes,andheandIhadbeengreatfriends.HeconstantlybitchedaboutMarseille,giftedornot.

Butthen,oncehewasengagedwiththeenemy,usuallyoutnumberedheavily,itwaslikewatchingawell-orchestratedballet.Healmostdancedwiththeaircraft,andyoureallyhadtobetheretoseehimatwork.Iactuallytriedafewofhisstallmaneuverswhennotincombat,justforpractice,suchasloweringtheflaps,choppingthethrottle,kickingtherudder,rollingthestick,everything.Ipracticedat10,000feet,andwasneverabletocompletethemaneuvers.Ilosthalfmyaltitudejustrecoveringfromthestall.Marseilleneverstalled;hemanagedtoshootdownmultipleaircraftthisway,sometimesjustafewhundredfeetoffthedeck.Ireallyhavenoideahowhemanagedthisfeat,tobequitehonest.Hedidthisallthetime.1

WernerSchroer,whoscoredsixty-onevictoriesinNorthAfricaand114totalvictoriesduringthewar,calledMarseillethemostamazingandingeniouscombatpilotIeversaw.Hewasalsoveryluckyonmanyoccasions.Hethoughtnothingofjumpingintoafightoutnumberedtentoone,oftenalone,withustryingtocatchuptohim.Heviolatedeverycardinalruleoffightercombat.Highspeed,attackfromaltitude,climbtoescape,andattackagainconvertingthealtitudeintospeed,alwayswithawingmanforprotection,weredoctrine.Heabandonedalltherules.

HewouldflyintoaformationcalledaLufbery,whichwasalargecircleofenemyplanes.Thesewouldformalargewheelforprotection.Thetheorywasthateachplanecouldprotecttheplaneinfrontoftheother.Then,ifanenemyfighterattackedone,thepilotbehindcouldshootdowntheattacker.Unfortunately,thatdidnotworkwithHans.Hewouldflyin,lowerhisairspeedbycuttingthethrottle,loweringhisflapstoalmost

stallingspeed,slipintotheformation,shootdownaplane,andthenskidoutofthelineoffirefromtheenemybehindhim.Thatenemywouldusuallyovershoot,givinghimthekillshot,thenMarseillewouldthenincreasethrottle,lineupathirdkill,takeitdown,andthengoforanotherifhehadammunition,whichheusuallydid.Hewasafantasticifnotfoolhardypilot,butheachievedtheresults.

WhenImetthenewguys,Iwoulddiscusstheirflyingtraining,experience,andsimplytalkaboutwhattheycouldexpect.TheBritishweredamnedgoodpilots,butwehadbetterfighters,andbettertactics.TheonethingIalwaystoldthemwas,DonotstartactinglikeMarseille,oryouwillgetkilled.Almostallofthenewguyshadheardofhim,hadheardofmeandotherswithkills,butalmostallofthemwouldask,DoyouthinkIwillmeethim?Suchwashisreputation.2

JG-27hadservedontheChannelCoastduring1940andparticipatedintheBattlesofFranceandBritain.Oneoftheearliestmembersoftheunitwasalsoitsmostfamousson,thefutureGeneraloftheFighters,AdolfGalland.FollowingtheproblemsMussolinisforceswerehavingintheBalkans,theunitwassenttooperateandsecuretheairspaceoverYugoslaviaandGreece.Thefirstyearandahalfofwarhadproducedhighlyskilledandcompetentfighterpilots.ThesewerethemenwhoarrivedinBucharest,Romania,onFebruary2,1941,andoncethegroundpersonnelgathered,theyrelocatedtoBulgaria.

ThefirstweekofAprilsawtheunitflyingovertheancientlandofGreece,patrollingforBritishfightersthatweresupportingthegroundforcesoftheGreekandCommonwealthforces,astheywerebeingpushedeverfarthersouthtowardthesea.FollowingthecollapseofGreeceandYugoslavia,aswellasthecostlycaptureofCretethatMay,theGeschwaderwassenttotheEasternFront,brieflyjoiningthebulkoftheGermanfighterforcesforOperationBarbarossa,theJune22invasionoftheSovietUnion.FromtheretheGeschwaderwenttoAfrica.

JG-27hadstartedarrivinginfragmentsinNorthAfricafromGreeceaboardthefreighterReichenfelsafterservingintheBalkans.TheirrelocationcameattheurgentandrepetitiousrequestsofGeneralmajor(laterGeneralderFlieger)StefanFrlich,commandingtheairassetsoftheLuftwaffeinAfrica.ThefirstarrivalsattheportinTripoliwerethegroundcrewandmanyofthepilotswhilethoseremaininginGreececontinuedflyingoperationswhileawaitingorders.

ThefirstaircontingentwereledbyOberstleutnantKarl-HeinzRedlichcommanding1StaffelonApril18,1941,2StaffelunderHauptmannErichGerlitz(threekills),followedby3StaffelunderthecommandofOberleutnantGerhardHomuth(withfourteenkillsontheChannelCoast).OneoftheoutstandingofficersinthatunitwasLegionCondorveteranOberleutnantEduardNeumannwhohadsixvictories,ofwhichtwowerescoredinSpain.HewouldbecometheGruppenkommandeurofI./JG-27onApril18,1941,withabelatedpromotiontoHauptmannsoonafterward.

TheinitialairbaseswereestablishedinandaroundBenghazi,untiltheDeutschesAfrikaKorpsunderGeneralmajorErwinRommelachievedtheirobjectiveandcompletedtheencirclementofTobruk,pushingfurthereastpastAin-el-GazalaandthenDernabyApril11,1941.OnApril15,I./JG-27wasestablishedatGazalabyanadvancepartyofprimarilygroundsupportpersonnel.Theywerewidelyspreadout,remaininginand

aroundBombaBayuntilNovemberthatyear.The1StaffelunderRedlicharrivedatthenewfieldatAin-el-Gazalawithalreadyoutdatedandbattle-wornMe-109EfightersonApril18,andthenextdaytheytookoffontheirfirstcombatmissionoftheAfricancampaign.

TheairwarwasintensifyingastheBritishincreasedthenumbersoftheirfighterstoprotecttheirbombers,andtheItaliansjoinedtheGermansinincreasingtheirpresenceaswell.OnthatfirstmissionHauptmannEduardNeumannarrivedatGazalawith2./JG-27,whileHomuthsgroupdetouredandlandedattheairbaseof7./JG-27atGela,Sicily.ThiswascommandedbyOberleutnantJoachimMncheberg,andwasawaitingitsowntransferorders,whileflyingaircoverfortheGermantransportsshippingtroopsandmaterieltoLibya.HomuthsgroupthenrefueledandtookofftojointheothersinLibya.

UponarrivingatCastelBenito,thedesignatedrefuelingpoint,theentireareaseemedabandoned,althoughfromtheairitseemedanactivebase.HomuthssevenMe-109Esof3Staffellanded,anduponconfirmingthelackofanypersonnel,hechoseanewpilot,anill-adjustedOberfhnrichnamedHans-JoachimMarseille,toflyontoSirtetofindoutwhathadhappened.AssignedYellow13,Marseilletookoff,althoughhenevermadeitandhadtolandonadirtroadwithengineproblems.3

ThenextdaythegroupmovedbacktoEnNofilia,andHomuthsentOberfeldwebelKowalskitoSirteafternothearingfromMarseille.Kowalskialsohadtolandshortofhisdestinationafterheranoutoffuel.LaterthatdayanaircraftflewoverHomuthsencampmentanddroppedamessage,informingtheofficerthatneitherKowalskinorMarseillehadlandedinSirte.4

ThiswasMarseillesseventhdamagedfighterwrittenoffwithnothingtoshowforit,notcountingthefightershebroughtbackslightlydamagedortheonebailoutwhereheactuallymanagedtoscorekills.HedidmanagetohitcharidewithanItaliantruckdriverandarriveatSirte,thusstatinghisunitsconditionandlocationattheScorpionAirfield.Justbeforethefueltruckdeparted,KowalskialsoarrivedundersimilarcircumstancesandupdatedMarseilleandtheItaliansofthemovetoEnNofilia,sothetrucksweredirectedthere.

BeforesundownMarseillearrivedatEnNofiliainatruckwithasupplyoffoodandwaterandletthemknowthatafueltruckwasarrivingjustbehindthemcontainingKowalski.Thefighterswererefueled,althoughHomuthtoldMarseillethatsincehedamagedhisfighter,hewouldhavetofindhisownwaytothefront.ItappearsthatKowalskimayhavereturnedtoSirtewiththefueltruckandthengoneontoGazalafromthere,whileMarseillecaughtaridewithanItalianconvoy,whereheendedupinViaBalbia.

Afterseveralconversationswithvariousranks,hepledhiscasetoaGeneralHellman,statingtheurgencyofhismissionandtheneedtobewithhisunitinGazalabythenextday.TheonlypriceforallowingMarseilletohaveacaranddriverwasthathehadtodinewiththeseniorofficerandtellhimofhisexploitsovertheChannel.HealsotoldMarseilletoscorefiftymorekillstopaybackthedebt.

MarseilleandthedriverarrivedatBenghaziintheearlymorningofApril22,andbynoontheyreachedDerna,wheretheyrefueledthecarattheairfield.WhilethereMarseille

alsocollectedhisbackpayfromthedutypayclerk.HearrivedatGazalaatapproximately17:00,justtwohoursbehindtheentireStaffel,impressingHomuth.ThatcompletedthearrivalofallthreeStaffeln,whichwerenowpreparedforactionfromtheirnewbase.

Meanwhile,asNeumannwasorganizinghisgroup,theairwarwasongoing.RedlichshotdowntwoHurricanes,whileHansSippelandSchroeralsoscoredakilleach,withSippelshootingdownaVickersWellingtononApril20,thefirsttwin-enginebomberkillfortheunitinAfrica.

Wewereoutnumbered,aswehadeightfightersintheair,Schroerrecalled.Wesawthesedotsjustaheadandslightlybelowus,soRedlichgavetheorderforoneSchwarmtoattack,andtheother,beingminetostaytopcover.WehadanotherSchwarmfollowingbehindalsoataltitude,asareserveforce,catchinganyenemiesthatbrokethrough.TherewasalsoanItalianRegioAeronauticafighterunitoperatingaswell.

Thefirstfouraircraftattackedbyturninghardrightanddiving.ThefirstpasssawthreeHurricanessmoking,andasIbankedIsawonegoingdown.ThenextfewHurricanespulleduptoengageusandescapeourfighterscompletingthepulloutofthecurvingdive.ThatwaswhenInosedoverandhitoneofthemheadon.Sippelwasbehindme,andhegotoffagoodshotalso,coveringmytail.Ihadalsotaken20mmroundsfromaHurricaneintomyengine.Hewentdown,andsodidmine.ThenIfelthits,andknewthatIwashit,myvictimactuallyhitme.

IhitasecondHurricane,butnothingtotalkabout,andmywingmanscoredthevictory,butIhadtoputdown.Iwastoolowtobailout,andthedesertterraindidnotallowforalandinggearapproach.Theroundshitmy109underneath,andtheenginestartedwindingdown.Theoilcoolerwasshotout,andthetemperaturestartedtorise.Iwasatabouttwothousandmetersandheadedbacktoourlines,whichwerenotfar,justafewminutes.TheenginestartedsmokingsoIshutitdownandwentintoashallowglide.Ifeltapaininmyarmandleftleg.Asmallpieceofshrapnelhadhitme,butitwasaminorwound.

Asthegroundcameup,IsawasmallhillthatIdidnotwanttohit,despitebeingwheelsup.Ipulledbackonthestick,andmyairspeedwasaboutonehundredkilometersperhour,maybealittlemore.Iliftedupandoverandthensetthefighterdown.Ijustmanagedtodriftintoashallowdescentandeasedintoacontrolledcrash.Imanagedtogetoutandlookatmyfighter.NoneoftheenemyshellshadhitanythingnearwhereIwas,soIwaslucky.Itwasagoodlanding.Ididnotburnorblowup.Thepropbladeshadbeenstationaryforafewminutes,soonlyonebladewasbentundertheaircraft.Theaircraftwassalvageable.However,bestofallsowasI.5

Theunitaddedfurtherlaurels,yetalsosufferedlossonApril21whenSippelwaskilled,andinthesamedogfightSchroerwasshotdownandmadeacrashlanding,butemergedjustslightlywounded.6OberleutnantAlbertEspenlaubshotdownaHurricane,apparentlyflownbyaSergeantCastelnauofNo.73SquadronRAF.

Thisperiodofinitialorganizationdidnotgosmoothly.AccordingtoLudwigFranzisket:WemoreresembledaGypsytribemullingaroundthanawellorganizedanddisciplinedGermanunit.Itwasquitecomical.Neumannevenhadhismedicineshowwagonbroughtover,whichbecamehiscommandpost.Allweneededwereafewexotic

animalsandwecouldhavechargedadmission.Wealreadyhadtheclowns.7

TheStaffeladjutantwasOberleutnantLudwigFranzisket,alreadycreditedwithfourteenkills,andOberleutnantGustavRdel,withtenEuropeankills,wouldarrivelater.Thefirstorderofbusinesswasestablishingwater,fuel,oil,latrines,andammunitionsupplydepots,andprotectingthemfromattack.Thebleaklandscapedidnotprovidemuchinthewayofassistance,sobunkershadtobedugintothesandandcoveredbytents.Camouflagingthesewasalsoapriority,sothattheycouldnotbeseenfromtheair.

Sanitationinthedesertwas,asinanyfieldenvironment,amajorconcern.Thestandardmethodwastodigaholeapproximatelyfourfeetdeep,withanouthousecoveringthehole.Onceperweektheouthousewouldberelocatedtoanewholefaraway,andgasolinewouldbepouredintothefoulmixtureandburned.Diseasewasanenemythatwashardtocombatonceitappeared,andNeumanntookgreatcaretoensurethathismendidnotsuccumbtothemanypossiblemaladiesthatcoulderuptandgroundaunit.Libyaseemedasfarfromhomeasanyplaceonearth.

LudwigFranzisketdescribedtheworldtheyentered:Flyingovertheseaandseeingthebeachandclearbluewaterwaslikeavacation.Landingandseeingthebarrenlandscapewasasalienasthemoontous.Ithoughttomyselfthatthiscouldbeaverygoodplacetofightthewarandprobablysurvive,giventhatunlikeinFrancesay,orCreteperhaps,severalengagementsperweek,evenperdaywiththeenemywasalwaysthecase.Youtendtogetverywearyofwatchingfriendsdie.Yougetexhausted.

Ithoughtitwasparadiseatfirst.Thenastimesettled,Irealizedthatwehadenteredhell,ahotonetoo!8

Thewildlifewasalsohellish,andMarseillesfrequentpranksdidntmakethingsanyeasier.Franzisketexplained:Ialwayshadthisgreatfearofsnakes.Wehadthemthere:asps,andeventheoccasionalcobra.Scorpionswerearealproblem,andwehadtocheckourshoeseverytime.Itiedmyshoestothetenttoptokeepthemofftheground.Iwasasleep,andIfeltthismovementundermyblanket.Itwascoldatnightinthedesert.

Ithoughtsomeonewasshakingmeawake,untilIfeltthisthingslidingacrossthebackofmyneck.Ifroze,eyeswideopen.ThenIcouldtakenomoreandIjumpedupscreaming,andtorerightthroughthesideofthetent,runningasfastasIcould.Mytentmateswerelaughinglikehell,andIstoppedandsawMarseille.Hehadtakenabrokenfanbeltfromavehicle,andhadrubbeditagainstme,asifitwereasnake.Iwantedtokillthatguy,soIchasedhimaroundthecompound,butIcouldnotcatchhim.Hewastoofast.

AfterafewdaysIcalmeddown.Then,onemorningwhileatbreakfast,whichIhated,Marseillewassittingacrossthefartable,andsaidloudenoughformetohear:Toobadsomepeopledontlikefanbelts,reallyashame.Ilookedrightathim,andwithallseriousness,Itoldhimthathisprankswouldlandhiminbigtroubleoneday.9

GustavRdelrecalledhisfirstimpressionofAfrica:ThebeacheswerenotthatunlikeGreeceorpartsofItaly,evensouthernSpain,buttheheatwastherealproblem.Theconstantdirtanddustgotintoeverything.Youcouldbecompletelydrenchedinsweatafteramission,buttenminutesstandingoutsideyouwerecompletelydry.Wefriedeggsonthetruckbonnets[hoods],andheatedwaterforshavingbyjustleavingitinthesun.

Butthatwasnoteventheworstofit.Theflieswereincredible,fleasandevenscorpions,andtheoccasionalsnake.

Sometimesatnightitwassodamnedcold,youcouldalmostseeyourbreath,butthatwasraregiventhelackofhumidity.Itwasadryheatinsummerandduringmostdays,andadrycold,unlikebackhome,whichmadeitmoretolerableatnight.Itwasamiserableplacetobe,nothinglikethepostcardpicturesyouwouldsendhomeonholiday.Andofcoursetherewastheenemy,makingthingsdifficult.Sandstormswerenottoocommon,butwhenyouhadone,sandgotintoeverything,eveninsidethecockpitswhenthecanopywasclosed.Themechanicsspenthalftheirentirelifecleaningsandoutoftheengines.10

WhenMarseillehadfirstarrivedatGazala,hewasmetbyhisbestfriendsatthetimeandhisfutureconstantRottenfliegernFifiStahlschmidtandReinerPttgen.Theywantedtoshowhimsomething.Astheywalkedovertothereadyline,Marseillewasintroducedtohisbrandnewfighter,bearingthenumberYellow14.

SchroerexplainedwhyMarseillesnumberhadbeenchanged:Marseillewaslikeeveryotherpilot.Weareallsuperstitiouscreaturestosomedegree,andafterallofhismishapsflyinga13itwasdecidedthathewouldflya14instead.Thiswasasmuchasamoraleboostforhimasitwasawaytoshowthathewasvalued.IthinkitwasGustavs[Rdel]idea,butIcannotremember.

Marseillewalkedoverastheunitemblemwasbeingpainted,andhesaidIwillmakeitfamous,andofcoursewewerethinkingSure,buthediddothat.Thenhesaid:Buttherudderlooksalittlebare.Iwillhavetofixthatintime,meaningthathewouldhavetoscoremorevictoriestoaddtothepaintedvictorybars.Welaughed.11

FewrealizedjusthowpropheticMarseilleswordswereorhowhissuccesswouldimpactothers,asRdelrecalled.OnedayafterMarseillehadshotdownoveronehundredaircraft,Neumannsaidtomeasajoke,thatsincehe[Marseille]flewYellow14,andIwasthenflyingYellow4(laterWhite4),andtheBritishknewhimbynameandnumber,thatIshouldperhapsbeevenmorevigilantastheremaybeafewenemypilotswhowantedtotakethatscalp,andIcouldgetconfusedwithhim.12

TheirearlyMe-109EswereequaltoorbetterthanmostoftheirBritishcounterpartstheyfacedontheChannelCoastthepreviousyearduringtheBattleofBritainandintheBalkans,suchastheHurricanes,Spitfires,andCurtissP-40s.However,onceinAfricatheGermansfoundtheirfighterswererelegatedtosecond-classstatusagainstthenewerSpitfiresbeingusedbytheBritishandCommonwealthforces.Alsoproblematicwastheconstantsandanddustthataccumulatedintheengineintakes,necessitatingtheintroductionofthetropicalfiltrationsystem.

TheGermansinJG-27wereacombat-hardenedunit,withgiftedpilotswhohadacertainconfidentswaggeraboutthem,butnothingresemblingarrogance.Theyweretooexperiencedtobelievetheirownpropaganda.AsGustavRdelnoted:Thefastestwaytodieincombatwastothinkyourenemywasstupidornotworthyofyourattention.Treatyouropponentasanexpert,andthatwillkeepyousharp.Graveyardsarefullofyoungpilotswhofailedtoheedthatlesson.ThatwaswhatItoldmynewpilotswithoutanycombatexperience.13

ThenewerMe-109FsfromtheMesserschmittplantinAugsburgwerealreadybeingintroducedtotheLuftwaffebutthesehadgonefirsttothefighterunitsontheWesternFront,thensetasidefortheunitspreparingforOperationBarbarossaontheEasternFront.OntheWesternFronttheunits(primarilyJGs-2and-26)receivedfirstchoice;AfricawasconsideredathirdfrontandabackwateroperationinHitlersplans.

ThepilotswhoflewtheMesserschmittfightersinWorldWarIIallhadtheiropinionsofthevariousmodels.WhentheMe-109Ewasthemainstayfighter,nearlyallthepilotswereveryimpressedwiththefirepoweroffourmachineguns(twowingmountedandtwocowlmounted)andthesingle20mmcannonfiringthroughthepropellerhub.Thesethreecentrallymountedweaponsrequirelittlecorrectionforlong-rangedeflectionshooting.TheMe-109Fabandonedthewingmountedmachineguns,butkeptthetwotopcowling-mountedmachinegunsandthecentrallymountedcannon,whichcameinboth15mmand20mmvarieties.

MostMe-109pilotslovedtheF,whichwasknownasboththeFranzandFriedrich(theEmodelwascalledtheEmilandthelaterGmodeltheGustav),withtheFregardedasthepurestformofthedesign.Withouttheaddedweightanddragofthewingmountedguns,theFmodelwasatighter,leaner,andmoreagilefighter.Suchqualitieswerelifeinsuranceinadogfight,anditwasthismodelthatMarseilleexploitedtothefullest.

ThelaterGmodelsawthereturnofthewing-mountedweapons,aswellaskeepingthetwomachinegunsandcannonupfront.AlthoughitcamewithamorepowerfulDaimler-Benzengineandincreasedspeedandfirepower,itwasnotasagileastheFmodelhadbeen.

PostwarGeneralleutnantGntherRall,275victoryaceandKnightsCross,OakLeavesandSwordsrecipient,reallylovedthe109:ItwastheaircraftthatIwasmostcomfortablewith;itfeltcomfortable.The109Ewasthebestfighterintheworldatthattime,onlymatchedbytheSpitfire,whichwasmoremaneuverable,butwehadthefirepowerandspeed.Buttheirfighterscaughtup,withbetterspeedsandplacingcannononthem.Wecouldnotout-turntheSpitfireintheearlydays,andevenlaterwithbetter109sthatwasadangerousthingtotrytodo.

TheEmodelwasgreat,andwhenitwasreplacedbytheF,thatwasevenbetter.Ithadabetterrollrate,couldturntighter,andlatermodelsoftheFandtheGwerebuiltwithbettercontrolsurfaces,agoodleadingedgethatallowedyoutomaintaincontrolintightturningfight.WhatIlikedthebestabouttheFwasthefactthatitdidnothavethewingguns.

WhenyouwereinahighGtwistingfight,sometimestheammunitionfeedbelttotheseoutsidegunsbroke,asitwasfedbyachain.Ifthatchainbroke,youonlyhadcentralmountedweapons,andtheextradragofthewinggunsdidnothingforyou.OnmyfighterswhenIlaterflewtheG,Ijusttookthewinggunsout.Attheveryleast,unlinkingtheammunitionchainwasagoodidea.Ifthatbroke,noneofthegunswouldwork.Thatwasreallybadinaseriousfight.Besides,agoodfighterpilotdoesnotreallyneedabatteryofweapons.Heshouldbeabletoshootdownaircraftwithaminimumofammunition,andtwogunsandacannoninthefrontwereplenty.Perhapsagroundattack

pilotmightneedallthatrubbish,butnotafighterpilot.

IfoundthatwiththewinggunsremovedIwasreallyflyingamorepowerfulFmodel.Ihadbetterroll,maneuverability,betterclimb,andtheturningradiuswasalittlebetter.Nottomentionthatreducingallofthatextraweightextendedyourrange,savingfuel,asitreduceddrag.TheFwastheperfectfighter.IfIcouldhavehadtheFthroughoutthewar,andhadtheengineofthelaterKmodel,Iwouldhaveprobablybeenabetterpilot.Butyoumustrememberthattheaircraftisonlyasgoodasthemanwhofliesit.14

RemainingEmodelsweresenttoGermanysallies,especiallyFinlandandRomania,andtoGermanunitsinNorthAfrica.TheseolderEmodelsingle-seatfightersofJG-27werethefirstactualdefenseagainsttheBritishbombersthathadoperatedvirtuallyunopposed,withfighterescorts,formonths.TheiroperationshadalmostdestroyedtheItaliansonthegroundandwereconstantlyinterdictingsupplyconvoys,henceHitlersdesiretosupportthecausewithhisnewlycreatedAfrikaKorps.ItdidnottakelongfortheGermansinLibyatoseeaction.

TheprimaryGermantargetwastheBritishgarrisonintheportcityofTobruk,whichmeantthatGeneralmajor(laterGeneralfeldmarschall)ErwinRommelsAfrikaKorpsslinesofsupplyriskedconstantinterdiction.TheRoyalNavyvirtuallycontrolledtheMediterraneanSea,andtheRoyalAirForce,inconjunctionwiththeAustralian,SouthAfrican,andNewZealandCommonwealthunitshadfreereintostrafeandbombAxissupplycolumnsatwill,withtheirbasessecuredbehindthelinesinEgypt,andaccesstosuppliesthroughtheStraitofGibraltaraswellastheSuezCanal.TheGermanswerehard-pressedtoreplenishandresupplyonasimilarscale.Marseillehadarrivedintimetojoininthehunts,althoughhisprimarydutieswereescortingJu-87Stukadivebombers,ajobeveryfighterpilothatedexceptMarseille.

OnApril23,1941,thedayafterhisarrival,MarseilletookoffwithReinerPttgenonaStukaescorttoTobruk.Flyingveryhigh,atalmost15,000feet,theycouldseetheStukasbelowandahead.Schroersschwarmwasflyingaheadatthesamealtitude.TheGermanfighterssawantiaircraftfireburstingaroundthealtitudewheretheStukashadbeen,buttheywerebelowthepresetburstaltitude,divinginontheirbombrun.OncetheStukasreleasedtheirpayloadsandclimbedformorealtitude,thefighterpilotsturnedontheirheadingtoreturntotheirbase.Butthen,asLudwigFranzisketrecalled:Wewerealsogoinghomewhensomeonecalledoutenemyfightersbelowus.Icalledforaconfirmation,andSchroerconfirmeditwasMarseille[whohadspottedthem].IcouldnotseeathingmyselfuntilIlookedtomyelevenoclock.ThatwaswhenIcalledmywingman[LeutnantvonMoller]tojoinme,andwewingedovertoengage.AsweclosedinIsawYellow14andhiswingmanonebehindtheother,justbelowme,attacking.AcoupleofHurricanesaroundmewentdowninflamesandsmoking.

IfiredataHurricanemakingaflashrightpastme,gettinggoodhits,andIhitrightrudderandthrewthesticktobankoverandgetonhistail,andthatwaswhenIsawMarseille,onhisback,goinginforanothervictory.Oncehelockedontoatarget,youknewitwasgoingdown.Itwasarealsight,Icantellyou.15

MarseillehadinvertedtofollowtheHurricaneinitsdive,andpulledthestickbacktoincreasethediveuntilhecouldlineupthetarget.Aquickburstfromthegunsandheshot

downtheHurricaneoverTobruk,bringinghistotalwartimescoretoeight.However,whenMarseilledecidedtoattackhislatestvictimswingman,fourotherHurricanesthenlockedontohistail,andPttgencouldnotdomuchtohelp.Marseillehadagaincommittedacardinalsinwhatwouldbecomeoneofhissignaturemaneuversbreakingcontactrapidlyandleavinghiswingmanbehind.

MarseilleandPttgenmanagedtoconverttheirdivespeedintoenergyandclimbupandawayfromthedanger,escapinganydamage.MarseillehadjustscoredthefirstvictoryfortheStaffelinAfrica.

OnthethirdandfinalmissionofthedaytwentyMe-109sweretoescortalikenumberofStukasforanotherstrikeonTobruk.Theunitagainencounteredtheenemyandhadthealtitudeadvantage.Marseillesawthechanceforanotherkill,andwithoutradioinganyintentionsatallrolledoverintoadivingattack.Thefailuretoinformhiscomradesofhisintent,letalonehiswingman,wastoprovealmostfatal.

Beforehecouldlineuptheshothehadthreeenemyfightersonhim.Hetookroundsintheengineandcanopyandwasalmostdecapitated,theprotectivearmoredheadplatebehindhimabsorbingtheimpactofacanonround,whilemoreroundsshreddedhisfuselage.Astheodorofburningoilandleakingglycolbecamestronger,hepulledawayandheadedforhisairfield.Hemanagedagear-uplandingwithoutfireorexplosion.Overthirtyenemyroundshadhithisfighter.

AccordingtoFranzKurowski,thepilotwhoalmostkilledthefuturelegendwasSous-lieutenantJamesDenis,aFrenchpilotwithNo.73SquadronRAF,whoscored8.5killsduringthewar.16Writingafterthewar,Denisrecalled:Whenwearrivednearthetarget,Idivedquitesteeplyandrealizedmywingmanwasfollowingshyly.Pompei[wingman]wasaverygoodpilotbuthadnevertrainedasafighterpilot.Worriedtoseehowhewasfollowingsofarbehind,IkeptlookingbackandnoticedaMe-109attackinghim.HavingnoradioIcouldnotwarnhim.HewashitandthentheMe-109flewinmydirection.IactedasifIhadntseenhim,butneverstoppedwatching,andwhenhewasinrangeIthrottledbackviolentlyandskiddedtotheleft.

SinceIwasgoingveryfast,myHurricane[No.V7859]reactedviolently.Isawthehailofbulletspassonmyright,andtheMe-109couldnotslowdownandflewinfrontofme.Wethenstartedadogfight,forwhichtheHurricanewasquitegoodduetoitsmaneuverability.Atthatmomentmyplanewasflyingnoseup,hookedtoitspropeller,whenIsawtheMe-109inthesun.Ifiredaburstsoclosethatwealmostcollided.Inoticedmybulletsenteritsfuselage.17

Marseillehadalmostbeenkilled,andthatclosecallawakenedhimtosomedegreeaswell.Hewasinveryfastcompany,andtheflamboyant,carefreedevil-may-carewomanizerhadfinallyfoundhistruecalling.Withoutdistractions,Marseillefoundhimselfmorethanuptothechallengeathand.Thewarwasheatingup,andthroughouttheblazingsummerof1941JG-27gaveagreataccountofthemselves.However,theywerebeingdrained.

TherestofAprilsawconstantcontactwithenemyfighters,especiallywiththeconstantaerialbombardmentofTobruk.OnApril28,MarseilleandPttgencaughtaBristolBlenheimofNo.45SquadronRAFoverTobruk.Pttgeninterceptedthebomber,which,

uponseeinghimapproach,headedouttosea.Marseillewastednotimeandclosedrapidlyandfiredintoitatcloserange,sendingitintotheseakillingallaboard.18

JG-27wasperformingadmirably,alongwithsupportfromtheMe-110unitIII./ZG-76,buttheywereseriouslyoutnumbered,sotheaircontingentwasaugmentedbythetemporaryarrivalofI./JG-53,andaweeklateraStaffelfromJG-77wasdispatchedfortemporarydutytoassistintheairbattles.RatherliketheGypsytribedescribedbyFranzisket,JG-27andallofitsGruppenwouldfindthemselvesmovedaround,almostasifinamindlessgameofmusicalairfields.

OnMay1,Homuthbriefedhispilotsonanewmission.TheyweretoonceagaingrindtheirteethandescortStukas,butFranzisketsaid,[Marseille]likedtheescortmissions,eventhoughwehadtocutpowerandweavetostaywiththem.Iaskedhimwhyhelookedforwardtothese.HesaidverysimplythatStukasweremagnetsforfighters,andthemoretheStukascoulddrawin,themorevictorieshecouldscore.Itsoundedlogicaltome.19

ForthismissionHomuthwouldleadthelowerechelonwhileMarseilleledthehigher-flyinggroup.Notlongintothemissionascoutaircraftwasspotted,andthenMarseillecalledoutfourenemyfighters(ofNo.274SquadronSAAF)attheiraltitude,ninethousandfeet.Homuthgavetheordertoclimbandthenbank.Hewantedhisgrouptoattackoutofthesun,makingitharderfortheenemytoseetheirapproach.TheenemieswerealreadywithinperfectstrikerangeofMarseillesSchwarmsoHomuthtoldthemtoattack.ApparentlyMarseillewasalreadyofthatopinion.

WithPttgenintow,followedbyStahlschmidtandhiswingman,Marseilleknifedintotheenemy.TwoHurricanesinhissightsgavehimtwooptions,sohefiredattheleader,whofellawayinflames.Thentheenemywingmanbankedleft,abandoninghisfallenleader.Marseillefollowedhim,andtocutthedistancehegavefullthrottle,bankedsharperleft,liftedhisnoseaftercuttinginsidetheenemysturn,andwithalong-rangedeflection,hefired.Theshellsstreakedfaraheadofhistarget,seeminglyintoemptyspace,buttheHurricaneflewdirectlyintothepathofthearcingprojectilesandfellawaytothedesertfloor.GerhardHomuthalsoshotdowntwoHurricanesoverTobruk,whichtheGermanscalledtheHappyHuntingGround.

ThenextdayMarseillewaspromotedtoUnteroffizier.Duringthisperiod,inadditiontothepreviouslymentionedunits,7./JG-26wasalsotransferredfromGela,Sicily,andsenttobolstertheGermanairoffensive,althoughitsStaffelkapitnJoachimMnchebergonlyhadsixMe-109Eswithhim.

Mncheberghadforty-threevictoriesatthattime,yethewouldalsoeventuallybecomeoneofthelegendsoftheairwar,becomingKommodoreofJG-77(sharingthatdistinctionwithBernhardWoldengaandJohannesSteinhoff),onlytodieonMarch23,1943,overTunisia,duringthetwilightofHitlersgriponNorthAfricafightingagainstAmericanflownSpitifresandP-38Lightnings.Atthetimeofhisdeathhehadscored135victoriesandearnedtheKnightsCrosswithOakLeavesandSwords.

MncheberghadmetmostoftheJG-27menatsomepoint,evenMarseille,whoduringthefirstmeetingwasstillanup-and-comingpilot,alreadynotoriousforhisdemeanor,infractionsandcheckeredcombatrecord.ApparentlyMncheberghadmadesomecommentsabouttheinsubordinateBerlinerandhislackofmilitarybearingaftermeeting

him.

AccordingtoFranzisket:MnchebergdidnotthinkalotofJochen,notatthefirstmeetinganyway.Iwasthere.Mncheberghadarrivedinhisstaffcartomeetwithusall,andintroducehimself.Hewasalreadywellknown.Hewentdownthelineandshookourhands,speakingwithusaboutAfrica,whatwethought,andtheenemycondition.Hereallywantedtoknowalot,butthatwasgood.

HestepsuptoMarseille,andIwasonlythreeplacestotheright,andaskedhimWhatdoyouthinkaboutLibya?Marseillereplied,andItellyouwithastraightface;Theyshouldreallybringsomegirlshere,sortofboringandallthat,andnotevenapilstubeinthearea.AtleasttheItalianshavetheirs.Mncheberg,apparentlyexpectingsomecommentontheenemypilotsituationandaircraftquality,weather,orsomeotherinnocuousresponse,seemedactuallyquietlyshockedatwhatMarseillehadsaid.

ThenStahlschmidt,standingrightnexttohim,andperhapsinfluencedbybeingaroundJochensooften,said:Thisisquitetruesir,itwouldbegoodtohaveafewdrinksafteraflight.IthinktheItalianfightersquadronnearbyhasarefrigeratedunittoo.Mnchebergsaidtothembothsomethingtotheeffectthatyouareheretofightawar,notexpectthecomfortsofhome.

Marseillethenmentionedthattherearareaofficerslivedquitewellwithouttakinganyoftherisk,andatthattimeMncheberg,whohadalreadygrownannoyedatbothofthem,smiled.Youarecorrect;theydohaveiteasywhilewetakegreatrisks.ThatopinionIagreewith.You,Marseille,stillneedadamnedhaircut.ThatwasourfirstmeetingwithMncheberg.20

Marseillehadthateffectonpeople,Schroerpointedout.Onceyouwalkedawayfromhim,youeitherhatedhimoryoulovedhim,itwasamatterofpersonaltaste.However,nearlyeveryonewhospentanyrealtimewithhimlearnedthathewasjusthimself.Hehatednoone,lovedlife,anddespitehisflamboyantandcavalierattitude,hewasareallygoodfellowtobewith.Thatwasunlessyouwereflyingwithhim,atleastintheearlydays.21

CHAPTER4

LearningtheRopesOnethingyouhadtosayaboutJochen;heneverranfromafight.

FriedrichKrner

THEMENOFJG-27werenotveryactiveduringthefirstweekinMay1941.Flyingreconnaissanceandafewshortescortmissions,theenemyfighterswerefewandfarbetween.Itwasstrangereally,Rdelrecalled.FromthefirstdaysinAprilwewereagainstlargenumbersofenemyfighters,andhadsomesuccess,andwethoughtMaywasgoingtobeagoodone,especiallyafterthefirst.Butitwasratherquiet,almostasifthewarhadbeensuspended.Fromwhatweheardtherewasnotmuchgroundfightinggoingoneither.

MnchebergssmallStaffelwasassignedtousforoperations,althoughtheycouldplanandflytheirownmissionswhennotworkingwithusonalargeroperation.Thatisadreamforafighterleader,tobeabletoplanandflyyourownmissions.Iwouldnotenjoysuchlibertiesuntillaterinthewar.Theydidwellthough,asdidweall.1

Junewastoseethewarincreaseinmomentum.TheSouthAfricanunitshadestablishedtheirpresenceinEgyptinforce,organizinginAlexandriaandthenfarmingoutintothedesertfrontier.TheBritishRAFandAustralianRAAFhadincreasedtheirfighterpresencealso,includingintroducingnewerSpitfiresandtheCurtissP-40s,whichtheycalledTomahawksandKittyhawks,dependinguponthevariant.ThesewereinferiorintheiraerodynamiccapabilitiesandspeedtotheMe-109orSpitfire,butfarsuperiortotheHurricane.

TheP-40alsohadbetterweapons,withsix.50-calibermachinegunsandwell-madearmorplatingprotectingthepilotanddoubleself-sealingfueltanks.OnlytheMe-109EcouldalmostequaltheP-40withitscentrallymounted20mmcannonthatfiredthroughthepropellerhub,supplementedbythetwocowlandtwowing-mounted7.92mmmachineguns.NoteventheMe-109EmodelcouldmatchtheprotectivequalityoftheP-40sarmorplatingandruggedness,butitwasmoremaneuverableandfaster.

JunewastoseetheBritishlaunchseveraloperations,suchasBattleaxeandTigercub,bothsmalloperationswithagreaterobjectiveinmind.ThefirstmajoreffortwasthepushforwardwithaheavyconcentrationoftanksandinfantrythroughtheHalfayaPasstocaptureCapuzzoandMusaid,intheareaofSidiOmar,thusextendingtheAllieslinesofsupplyandcommunication.Iftheyheldthosegains,itwouldallowtheirfightercovertoadvanceclosertotheirforwardelements,thusprovidingmoretimeoverthefronttoassistthegroundforceswithaircoverandstrafingattacks.ThisnewBritishoffensivewoulddrawthemenofJG-27intothefighttheywerewaitingfor.

OnJune12,theSouthAfricanAirForce(SAAF)beganitsfirstmissionsinNorthAfricainsupportofthegroundoffensive.TheGermanswereoutnumberedintanksandmen,buttheBritishsoonlearnedtofeartheirgreatequalizer,thedreadedmultipurpose88mmflakgun.Thesubsequentairbattleswoulddeterminewhocontrolledtheairspaceoverthedesert.TheBritishwouldbeginusingtheirbombersandfightersinevengreater

numbers.Thiscreatedatarget-richenvironmentfortheGermans,andMarseillewouldfindhimselfinhiselement,atleastforawhile.

OntheearlymorningofJune14,thefirstHurricanesattackedinasteepdivingattackontheairfieldatGazala,homeof3Staffel,justafterdawn.TheGermanfighterbasewasaknownlocation,henceaprimetargetforthebombers.IftheycouldhittheairfieldanddestroytheaircraftofIGruppe,andinparticular3Staffel,inconcertwithotherstrikes,thenalargepartoftheiraerialproblemwouldbeneutralized.Aftertheirpassandstrafingrun,afewbombersfollowedthefighters,droppingtheirpayloads,followedbyasecondwaveofafewbombers.ThentwoGermanstookoffinpursuit,asLudwigFranzisketexplained:

InthefewminutesbetweenthefirstandsecondwaveofbombersIjumpedoutofbedand,inmy109,startedofffromthesouthernedgeofthefield.AsIwasabouttoclosethecanopy,mycrewchiefshoutedtome:There,atwinengineHerrOberleutnant!andpointedtotheeasternsky,whereasingleaircraftwasbounddirectlyfortheairfield.

Iclimbedupwardandinaslowturnheadedtowardtheaircraftandcameunderwitheringfirebyourownflakintheprocess.Climbing,Ireachedanaltitudeofapproximately1,500meterswhenIspiedaHurricaneheadingtowardmeataboutthes