(Claim No.1)
25 September 1939 : 1 claim
1x Curtiss Hawk (12h30) in the Weisserberg/Lauterburg area
(While flying Bf.109E- ‘’White’’ 13)
Sometime between the end of 1939 and the Spring of 1940, he is promoted to the rank of Feldwebel.
(No.2)
21 May 1940 (??17May1940): 1 Claim
1x Spitfire (16h20) Samer
(This was probably a Dewoitine D.520)
(No.3)
23 May 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane (11h10) Bethune
(This was probably a Dewoitine D.520)
On 1 August 1940, he is promoted to the rank of Leutnant 1940.
(No.4)
18 August 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane (19h45)
(No.5)
20 August 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Spitfire (16h20)
(No.6)
24 August 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane (16h20)
(No.7)
29 August 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane (19h45)
(No.8)
2 September 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane (09h15)
During the combat his aircraft is damaged, so he has to jump over the Channel. He would be picked up some time later and returns to his unit.
Because of this incident, on a later date, he was called by Hermann Göring to report about this combat. Upon being asked by Göring about what he was thinking about while in the water, he immediately replied, "Your speech, Herr Reichsmarschall, in which you said that England is no longer an island!".[1]
(No.9)
8 September 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Spitfire ( )
(No.10)
9 September 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane ( )
(No.11)
15 September 1940 : 1 Claim
1x Spitfire ( )
(No.12,13)
8 November 1940 : 2 Claims
1x Hurricane ( )
1x Hurricane ( )
On 7 December 1940 he moves with his unit to Krefeld, and on the following day to Mannheim-Sandhofen, where they rest and later on start converting into the new Bf.109F.
On 9 February 1941, his unit moves back into France, being stationed in Abbeville-Drucat.
(No.14)
16 April 1941 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane (18h25)
(No.15)
21 April 1941 : 1 Claim
1x Hurricane (20h07)
(No.16)
6 May 1941 : 1 Claim
1x Spitfire (14h10)
(No.17)
11 May 1941 : 1 Claim
1x Spitfire (21h40)
On 25 May 1941, he moves with the unit to Krefeld, and then in June, they move to Starawies, Poland, in preparation for Operation ‘’Barbarossa’’.
At the start of Operation ‘’Barbarossa’’, I/JG 51 was part of Fliegerkorps II, operating in the central sector.
(No.19, 20)
22 June 1941 : 2 claims (more?)
1x SB (morning)
1x SB (morning)
He and his wingman, Ofw Heinrich Höfemeier, were escorting a crippled He.111, when they run into a group of 18 Tupolev SB bombers [39 SBAP (Skorostnoy Bombardirovohchnyy Aviatsionny Polk—high speed bomber aviation regiment) and 10 SAD (Smeshannaya Aviatsionnaya Diviziya—composite aviation regiment)]. Apart from his 2 claims, Höfemeier claims 4x SBs.
Afterwards, another group of Bf.109s from JG 51 appears on the scene claiming another 6.
Eventually, none of the bombers would return.[8]
(No.23-27)
30 June 1941 : 5 claims
On this day JG 51 would claim an incredible 113 victories during 24 separate combats in 14 hour span, losing 5 aircraft. Among his opponents were Ilyushin DB-3 bombers from the 42nd and 52nd DBA (Dal'me-Bombardirovochnaya Aviatsiya—long rang aviation bomber regiment) and five Tupolev TB-3s from the 3rd TBAP would also claimed.[8][10]
On 2 July 1941 he receives the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knights Cross) , for achieving 27 victories.
(No. ??)
21 July 1941 : 5 claims
Cannot find these claims on Tony Woods list.
(No. ??)
22 July 1941 :
a) On TW list: 2 (1+1) claims
1x I-15 (10h50)
1x I-15 (15h03)
b) On other publications: 5 claims
(No. ??)
23 July 1941 :
a) On TW list: 3 (3) claims
1x Pe-2 (12h57)
1x Pe-2 (13h02)
1x R-3 (13h10)
The Pe-2 belonged to the 411 BAP (Bombardirovochnyy Aviatsionny Polk—bomber aviation regiment) operating under the OSNAZ (Osoboye Naznachenie—Special purpose-unit or task force). German pilots submitted three claims.[8]
b) On other publications: 5 claims
(No. ??)
24 July 1941 :
a) On TW list: 1 claim
1x I-18 (06h20)
b) On other publications: 5 claims
(No. ??)
26 July 1941 : 1 claim
1x R-3 (04h25)
(No.??)
5 August 1941 : at least 1 claim
1x fighter a/c (morning/lunch time)
On this day, either Bär or Mölders, shot down Podpolkovnik(Lieutenant Colonel) Stepan Suprun from the 401 IAP (Istrebitel'nyy Aviatsionyy Polk—fighter aviation regiment), flying in a MiG-3 (tail number 13)[2][8]
(No. 55)
9 August 1941 : 1 claim
1x SB ( )
Out of a formation of 8 aircraft from 57 BAP's 3rd Eskadrilya, 5 were effectively shot down.[8]
On 14 August 1941 he receives the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub (Knights Cross with Oak Leaves) , for achieving 60 victories, and he is promoted to the rank of Oberleutnant.
(No.??)
30 August 1941 : 6 claims [9]
31 August 1941 : Shot down while attacking a Il-2, some 50 km inside Soviet territory, near Novgorod-Seversky. While bailing out e suffers injuries to his back and feet. He hides until the following night to avoiding the patrols that approached the crash site, and then makes his way back to friendly territory. To avoid being recognized he turns his leather jacket inside out and discards his flying boots, so that he cool pass as a local peasant. But he took his Knights Cross with him. Eventually this ordeal would that it’s toll on his injuries and after returning he would spend 2 months in a hospital.
On 1 December 1941 he is promoted to rank of Hauptmann.
In January 1942 he is appointed Staffelkapitän of the 12/JG 51 (or was it from July 1941?? [3]).
On 12 February 1942 his mentioned, for the first time, in the daily Wehrmachtbericht bulletin, for claiming 90 victories.
16 February 1942 he receives the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern (Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords) , for achieving 90 victories.
On 11 May 1942, he is appointed Gruppenkommandeur of the I/JG 77, in the South-Eastern Front.
(No.92, 93)
16 May 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x LaGG-3 (1035)
1x LaGG-3 (1040)
(No.94-96)
17 May 1942 : 3 (3) claims
1x Il-2 (1305)
1x I-16 (1335)
1x I-15 (1340)
(No.97, 98)
18 May 1942 : 2 (1+1) claims
1x LaGG-3 (12h10)
1x LaGG-3 (16h05)
(No.99-103)
19 May 1942 : 5 (1+4) claims
1x R-5 (09h42)
1x I-16 (16h42)
1x I-16 (16h45)
1x I-16 (16h46)
1x I-16 (16h50)
He was the 9th pilot to claim 100 victories.
In May 1942 his mentioned, for the second time, in the daily Wehrmachtbericht bulletin, for claiming 103 victories.
(No.104)
5 June 1942 : 1 claim
1x DB-3 ( )
(No.105)
13 June 1942 : 1 claim
1x I-16 (12h35)
(No.106, 107)
14 June 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x I-16 (18h58)
1x I-16 (19h00)
(No.108)
17 June 1942 : 1 claim
1x MBR-2 (17h35)
(No.109)
19 June 1942 : 1 claim
1x I-16 (04h17)
(No.110, 111)
21 June 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x I-16 (18h35)
1x I-16 (18h41)
(No.112, 113)
27 June 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x I-16 (06h35)
1x I-16 (06h43)
On 28 June 1942, he leads his unit out of the Eastern Front and into the Mediterranean Front, arriving in Comiso, Sicily on 1 July 1942. From here they will operate over Malta.
(-)
11 October 1942 : 1 unconfirmed claim
1nc Spitfire V ( )
(No.114, 115)
13 October 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x Spitfire V (07h58)
1x Spitfire V (08h14)
Spitfires from No.185 and No.1345 Sqns.[11]
(No.116)
14 October 1942 : 1 claim
1x Spitfire (17h59)
(No.117)
17 October 1942 : 1 claim
1x Spitfire V ( )
On 27 October 1942, he leads his unit to North Africa, where they were constantly on the move until settling in Tunisia.
(No.118)
2 November 1942 : 1 claim
1x Spitfire (14h50)
(No.119-123)
3 November 1942 : 5 (2+3) claims
1x P-40 (12h08)
1x P-40 (12h10)
1x P-40 (15h55)
1x P-40 (15h58)
1x P-40 (16h12)
(No.124, 125)
5 November 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40 (13h40)
1x Spitfire Vc (13h50)
(No.126)
9 November 1942 : 1 claim
1x P-40 (14h50)
(No.127, 128)
10 November 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40 (14h34)
1x P-40 (14h38)
(No.129, 130)
11 November 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40 (09h30)
1x P-40 (09h38)
(No.131, 132)
7 December 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x Spitfire (14h50)
1x Spitfire (14h52)
(No.133, 134)
8 December 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40 (10h40)
1x P-40 (10h40)
(No.135, 136)
10 December 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40 (15h10)
1x P-40 (15h15)
(No.137)
11 December 1942 : 1 claim
1x P-40 (15h35)
(No.138, 139)
14 December 1942 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40 (11h20)
1x P-40 (11h21)
(Nc)
1 January 1943 : 1nc claim
1x P-40 ( )
He submits 1 of the claims made in a combat against 12 P-40s of the 3 Sqn RAAF. Flying Officer Ritchie and Sergeant Roediger were indeed lost. [12]
(No.140-144)
14 January 1943 : 5 (3+2) claims
1x P-40E (10h39)
1x Mitchell (10h43)
1x Mitchell (10h44)
1x Spitfire (14h32)
1x Spitfire (14h37)
Apparently none of these claims were credited.[1] (But in TW`s list they were counted as valid.)
(Nc) [1][12]
18 January 1943 : 2 nc claims
1nc P-40 ( )
1nc P-40 ( )
(No.145, 146)
21 January 1943 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-38 (15h15)
1x P-38 (15h15)
(No.147)
23 January 1943 : 1 claim
1x P-40E (11h40)
(No.148, 149)
25 January 1943 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40E (12h35)
1x P-40E (12h38)
Combat against 239 Wing RAF (112 Sqn, 450 Sqn and 21 Sqn SAAF) and USAAF’s 65FS and 66FS also make contact with the Germans.
450 Sqn – 1 loss, 112 Sqn – 1 loss, 65FS – 3 losses, 66FS – 2 losses.
Germans make 10 claims.[1][12]
Around this time, General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim submitted him for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), but Hermann Göring. The reason for this remains uncertain, but it is believed that Göring disliked Bär for his insubordinate character and strong Saxon dialect, which Göring was known to detest.
(No.150-152)
27 January 1943 : 3 (3) claims
1x P-40E (14h48)
1x P-40E (15h01)
1x P-40E (15h05)
He was the 7th pilot to claim 150 victories.
Combat against most probably P-40s and P-39s of 33FG and 81FG.[1][12]
(No.153, 154)
4 February 1943 : 2 (2) claims
1x Fortress II (14h20)
1x Fortress II (14h25)
Combat against B-17s from the 97 BG and 301 BG and P-38s from 1 FG.[1][12]
(No.155, 156)
15 February 1943 : 2 (2) claims
1x Spitfire (07h45)
1x Spitfire (07h46)
Combat against Spitfires of the 31 FG. They lost Lieutenants Joe Reed and H. E Huntingdon.[1][12]
(Nc)
24 February 1943 : 1 nc claim
1nc P-40 ( )
(No.157-161)
26 February 1943 : 5 (1+2+2) claims
1x Spitfire (10h55)
1x P-40E (14h05)
1x P-40E (14h15)
1x P-40E (17h03)
1x P-40E (17h08)
Throughout the day, the Germans made 13 claims against 14 (possibly 15) actual losses and several more damaged. 7 of the British pilots were unhurt.[1][12]
(No.162)
27 February 1943 : 2 (1nc+1) claims
1nc Beaufighter (10h50)
1x P-40 (14h00)
Combat against 11 P-40s of the 4 Sqn SAAF. He may have claimed 3 but was only given credit for one.[1][12]
(No.163)
1 March 1943 : 2 (1nc+1) claims
1nc Spitfire (08h45)
1x Spitfire (14h50)
In the evening, Adolph Galland makes a surprise visit to I/JG 77. He is met by JG 77’s Kommodore Joachim Müncheberg (his former protégé of the JG 26 days). He introduces Bär to Galland. And thus started a comradeship that would outlast the war.
On this day he is also promoted to the rank of Major.
(No.164, 165)
3 March 1943 : 2 (??) claims
1x Spitfire ( )
1x Spitfire ( )
(No.166, 167)
5 March 1943 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40 (07h40)
1x P-40 (07h45)
(No.168, 169)
6 March 1943 : 2 (1+1) claims
1x Spitfire (07h58)
1x Spitfire (13h23)
Combats against 92 Sqn, 601 Sqn and 1 Sqn SAAF.
Losses: Flight Sergeant Tilston, 601 Sqn, baled out and Flying Officer Mahon, 1 Sqn SAAF, KIA.[1][12]
(No.170)
7 March 1943 : 1 claim
1x Spitfire (13h25) Medenine
(No.?, ?)
10 March 1943 : 2 (?) claims
1x Spitfire (13h28)
1x Kittyhawk ( )
(No.?, ?)
13 March 1943 : 2 (1+1nc) claims
1x P-40E (12h27)
1nc P-40 ( )
(No.?, ?)
23 March 1943 : 3 (1+1/1nc) claims
1x B-25 (10h53)
1x P-40 ( )
1nc P-39 ( )
(No.?, ?)
24 March 1943 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-40E (10h10)
1x P-40E (10h12)
(No.?)
25 March 1943 : 1 claim
1x Boston (12h09)
(No.175)
26 March 1943 : 1 claim
1x P-40 ( )
(No.176)
16 April 1943 : 1 claim
1x Spitfire (15h50)
(Nc)
19 April 1943 : 1 nc claim
1nc Spitfire ( )
(No.177)
29 April 1943 : 1 claim
1x Spitfire (15h25)
On 7 May 1943, he leads his unit to Sicily, due to the eminent fall of the Axis forces in North Africa (12 May 1943).
From 15 May to 8 June 1943, they go back to Germany (Neubiberg), where they rest and re-equip. Then they go back to Sicily, being stationed initially at Sciacca.
On 6 August 1943, after fighting a losing battle for so long, he reaches a point of physical and mental exhaustion and is relieved of his I/JG 77 command.
Accused of cowardice, he would be sent to a flight school, being nominated Gruppenkommandeur of Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Süd, based in Orange-Caritat, in the south of France.
No.(178, 179)
2 December 1943 : 2 (2) claims
1x B-24 (13h06) SE Marie-de-la-Mer (at 5500m)
1x P-38 (13h09) SW Ste Marie-de-la-Mer (at 6000m)
On 28 December 1943, due to his continued outspokenness, he is demoted and nominated Staffelkapitän of the 6/JG 1[4], also because they needed an experienced pilot/leader, because of the heavy losses that the Luftwaffe was suffering.
No.(180, 181)
10 February 1944 : 2 (2) claims
1x B-17 (11h13) FN (at 7000m) [Zwolle-Meppen]
1x P-47 (11h18) FO (at 3000m) [Zwolle-Coevorden]
No.(182-184)
21 February 1944 : 3 (2+1) claims
1x B-17 (13h58) 12-14 km W Hannover (at 6500m)
1x B-17 (14h03) GT-58 [5 km N Stadhagen]
This was the B-17 "Miss Ouachita" from the 91BG
1x B-17 (15h25) NNW Rheine
No.(185, 186)
22 February 1944 : 2 (1+1) claims
1x B-17 (12h51) 05 Ost S/KO [N Bottrop]
1x B-17 (14h18) 05 Ost S/HO-1/4 [N Grevenbroich]
No.(187, 188)
22 February 1944 : 2 (2) claims
1x B-17 (12h30) 05 Ost S/KO [N Bottrop]
1x B-24 (12h34) 05 Ost S/GS-9 [E Osnabrück]
No.(189-191)
25 February 1944 : 3 (2hss/1) claims + 1 damaged
1hss B-17 (13h30) US-UT-AS-AT (at 5500m)
1eV B-17 (13h34) 04 Ost N/AT-8/9 [Stuttgart area]
1hss B-17 (14h45) 05 Ost S/US 1-5 (at 5000m) [Heilbronn]
1x B-24 (14h50) 05 Ost S/UR-2/3 [Germersheim area]
[hss = Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory. It does not mean that the bomber was actually lost, it may have returned to base.]
[e.V. = endgültige Vernichtung (Final destruction) - shooting-down of a straggler previously separated and damaged from its formation as a Herausschuss.]
No.(192)
3 March 1944 : 1 claim
1x P-51 (11h40) 05 Ost S/EU 3-6 (at ground level) [SE Soltau]
No.(193-195)
6 March 1944 : 3 (2+1) claims
1x B-17 (12h00) 05 Ost S/FR-4 (at 6000m) [S Dinklage]
1x B-17 (12h10) FS-45 (at 6000m)[W Diepholz]
1x B-17 (14h45) 05 Ost S/GO/GN [Deventer area]
On 15 March 1944 he is appointed as Gruppenkommandeur of the II/JG 1.
No.(196, 197)
29 March 1944 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-51 (13h25) 15 Ost S/HB-9 [S Solingen]
1x P-51 (13h35) FB-9 (at 500m) [N Oebisfelde]
(No.198)
8 April 1944 : 1 claim
1x B-24 (13h54) 05 Ost S/EB (at 7000m) [SW Salzwedel]
(No.199)
11 April 1944 : 1 claim
1x B-17 (10h59) 15 Ost S/FB-7 [10km NE Fallersleben]
(No.200)
22 April 1944 : 1 claim
1x B-24 (20h08) 05 Ost S/JQ (at 7000m) [Ahlen area]
This was B-24 from the 485BG, that was passing over his airfield (Störmede), already smoking.
(He flew this mission at the controls of Fw.190A-7 ‘’Red’’ 23 + -. This was the usual mount of his wingman Ofw Leo Schuhmacher. This aircraft did not have the outer wing mounted cannons.)[4]
He was the 7th pilot to claim 200 victories.[2][4]
(No.201, 202)
29 April 1944 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-47 (10h56) 05 Ost S/HB [NW Halberstadt]
1x B-24 (10h59) GB (at 6500m) [NE Braunschweig]
From the 12 May 1944, after the death of JG 1’s Kommodore Walter Oesau, he is nominated as interim Geschwaderkommodore of JG 1, a position he held until 20 May 1944.
On 1 June 1944 he is appointed as Geschwaderkommodore of JG3.
(No.203)
7 August 1944 : 1 claim
1x P-47 (14h40) CD-85 (at ground level) [Ymonville, SE Chartres]
(No.204, 205) [1]
1 January 1945 : 2 (2) claims
1x Typhoon ( ) (at ground level)
1x Typhoon ( ) (at ground level)
On this day, the Germans launched Unternehmen Bodenplatte (Operation Bodenplatte). His unit was tasked of raiding Eindhoven airfield (They would eventually shoot down 6 aircraft and destroy many more on the ground). When leading his unit, he spots two aircraft from No. 438 Sqn RCAF, about to take-off and shoots them down.
Historian Norman Franks states that both aircraft, were hit while taxiing. Flight Lieutenant Pete Wilson was wounded and later died from his injuries. The second Typhoon did get airborne. Its pilot, Flight Officer Ross Keller was killed. This version of events is contradicted by a witness, Pilot Officer 'Bill' Harle, who thought both aircraft were airborne.[1][13]
(My own records indicate, without doubt, that Keller had just gotten airborne with his kite crashing on the outskirts of the 'drome. Wilson was still on the ground when he was hit. He pulled off the runway and got out of his kite before being put into a jeep and taken to the field hospital -jf)
On this day Heinz is promoted to the rank of Oberstleutnant.
On 14 February 1945 he is appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III/EJG 2, a unit equipped with the Me.262A and in charge of forming pilots.
Although his unit was a training/convention unit, he was conducting operational sorties with some of the instructors/pilots.
(No.??)[7]
19 March 1945 : 1 claim
1x P-51 ()
(No.??)[7]
21 March 1945 : 1 claim
1x B-24 ( )
(No.??)[7]
24 March 1945 : 2 (2) claims
1x B-24 ( )
1x P-51 ( )
(No.??)
9 April 1945 :
a) [5] 1 claim
1x B-26 ( )
b) [7] 2 claims
1x B-26 ( )
1x B-26 ( )
(No.??)[5]
17 April 1945 : 1 claim
1x B-26 ( )
(No.??)[5][7]
18 April 1945 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-47 ( )
1x P-47 ( )
(No.??)
19 April 1945 :
a) [5] 1 claim
1x B-26 ( )
Possibly an aircraft of the 322BG.
b) [7] 2 claims
1x B-26 ( )
1x B-26 ( )
On 23 April 1945, along with his deputy and his instructors, he flies to München-Riem, JV 44’s base, where they report to Galland and are incorporated into the unit.
On 26 April 1945 he assumes command of JV 44 after Galland was injured in combat and unable to continue in his functions.
(No.??)[6]
27 April 1945 : 2 (2) claims
1x P-47 ( )
1x P-47 ( )
This was possibly his first mission with the unit. According to [6], he only made one claim.
Flew this mission on a prototype Me.262A-1/U5, an aircraft armed with 6x MK108. 30 mm cannons. He was accompanied by Maj Wilhelm Herget and Uffz Franz Köster.
(No.??)[5]
29 April 1945 : 1 claim
1x P-47 ( ) [over Bad Aibling]
On these last days of the war, Galland, from his bed in the hospital, was trying to arrange for his unit to surrender to the advancing American troops. At the same time Air General (General der Flieger) Karl Koller had ordered JV 44 to relocate to Prague to continue the fighting. Because Bär was loyal to Galland, he attempted to ignore the order. On 2 May, Major General (Generalmajor) Dietrich Peltz, commander of IX. Fliegerkorps, and Colonel Hajo Herrmann, commander of 9. Flieger-Division (J), unexpectedly emerged at the control room in Maxglan, to further pressure him to relocate JV 44. A heated and violent dispute erupted between Bär, Peltz and Herrmann, that was witnessed by Walter Krupinski. Later we would recall that Bär responded with "Yes, sir, but we are under the command of Generalleutnant Galland, and I will only follow orders of Generalleutnant Galland!"—a final act of disobedience that Krupinski believed could have led to Bär being shot for insubordination.[6]
In the early morning of 4 May 1945, he briefs his men one last time, they proceed in destroying the last remaining aircraft before surrendering his unit to the US Intelligence officers of the 1st Tactical Air Force's Air Prisoner of War Interrogation Unit, based at Heidelberg.[6]
After the war he did not go back to his home town. Instead he settled in Braunschweig. There he continued his career in aviation. Eventually he would reach a lead position for motor-powered flight with the Deutscher Aero Club. Apart from that, he also worked as a consultant and test pilot in the field of sport aviation, testing aircraft before they went on the market. On 28 April 1957, while conducting a routine check flight in a light aircraft, a LF-1 Zaunkönig, Bär put the aircraft into a flat spin, as it was the final required manoeuvre in the test process. The aircraft spun down to 50 meters (160 ft) but wouldn’t regain control, killing him in the resulting crash at Braunschweig-Waggum.[1]
He is buried in the Sudfriedhof of Frankfurt am Mein, Section B, grave 1481.[15]
During the course of the war he flew over 1000 missions, from the very first the very last day of the war, being credited with at least 220 victories. He was shot down 18 times, bailing out 4 times and making 14 forced landings.
His victories were divided the following way:
• 1 Phoney war
• 2 Battle of France
• 14 Battle of Britain (according with the German perspective)
• 96 Eastern Front
• 65 Mediterranean/North African Front
• 42 Western Front/ Reichsverteidigung (Defence of the Reich)
Of these we have, around 16 that were obtained while flying the Me.262.
Also, of the victories on the Western Front, 21 were US heavy bombers and a Mosquito.
So this would make around 142 victories against British and US aircraft, which makes him second only to Hans-Joachim Marseille.
Notes:
All victory claims were taken from Tony Woods lists, unless otherwise noted.
These lists were made from the information contained in microfilms that registered the daily claims made by the fighter units.
[1] Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Bär#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6mMikhailov200086-11
[2] http://victory.sokolniki.com/eng/History/HeroesOfWar/TwiceHeroes/10313.aspx
[3] Aircraft of the Aces No.37 : Bf.109 Aces of the Eastern Front (pg 45), by John Weal (2001). Osprey Publishing
[4] Defending The Reich: The History of Jagdgeschwader 1 "Oesau" by Eric Mombeek (1992).
[5] Luftwaffe over Germany: Defence of the Reich, by Donald L. Caldwell (2007).
[6] Jagdverband 44 Squadron of Experten, by Robert Forsyth (2008). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publiing
[7] Aircraft of the Aces No.17 : German Jet Aces of world War 2 (pg 45), by Hugh Morgan and John A. Weal (1998). Osprey Publishing
[8] Bergström, Christer (2007). Barbarossa - The Air Battle: July–December 1941. London: Chervron/Ian Allen
[9] Bergström, Christer; Pegg, Martin (2003). Jagdwaffe: The War in Russia: January–October 1942. London: Classic Colours
[10] Bergström, Christer; Mikhailov, Andrey (2000). Black Cross / Red Star Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume I, Operation Barbarossa 1941. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History.
[11] Shores, Christopher F.; Cull, Brian; Malizia, Nicola (1991). Malta: The Spitfire Year. London, UK: Grub Street
[12] Shores, Christopher F.; Ring, Hans; Hess, William N. (1975). Fighters Over Tunisia. London, UK: Neville Spearman
[13] Manrho, John; Pütz, Ron (2004). Bodenplatte: The Luftwaffe's Last Hope-The Attack on Allied Airfields, New Year's Day 1945. Ottringham, UK: Hikoki Publications.
[15] https://ww2gravestone.com/people/bar-oskar-heinz-pritzl/ |
