Albin Wolf Explained

Albin Wolf
Birth Date:28 October 1920
Birth Place:Naila
Death Place:south of Pskov
Child:yes
Death Cause:Killed in action
Serviceyears:1940–44
Rank:Oberleutnant (posthumous)
Commands:6./JG 54
Unit:JG 1, JG 54
Battles:World War II
Awards:Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (posthumous)

Albin Wolf (28 October 1920 – 2 April 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 144 enemy aircraft shot down. All of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front.

Born in Neuhaus, Wolf grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he joined the Luftwaffe in 1940. In May 1942, Wolf was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) and claimed his first aerial victory on 6 August 1942. Following his 117th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 November 1943. Promoted to an officer's rank, he was appointed squadron leader of 6. Staffel (6th squadron) of JG 54 and claimed his 144th and last aerial victory on 2 April 1944. That day, he was shot down. He was posthumously bestowed with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Early life and career

Wolf was born on 28 October 1920 in Neuhaus, present-day part of Selbitz in the district Hof, at the time in the district of Naila, Bavaria. He was the son of a wage labourer. After graduation from school, Wolf joined the Luftwaffe in 1940. Following flight training, he was posted to the 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing) based in Jever in the fall of 1941.[1] Holding the rank of Unteroffizier (non-commissioned officer), he flew with this unit in Defense of the Reich until May 1942.

World War II

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. On 22 June 1941, Germany had launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, which initiated the Eastern Front. In May 1942, Wolf was transferred to the 6. Staffel (6th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing), operating on the northern sector of the Eastern Front. At the time, he was made a wingman of Hans Beißwenger. II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 54, to which 6. Staffel was subordinated, was one of the Luftwaffe units fighting in support of Army Group Centre, engaging in the Kholm Pocket and Demyansk Pocket.

Wolf claimed his first aerial victory over an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft, shot down on 6 August 1942 in the vicinity of Zubtsov during the Battles of Rzhev. Following his fourth claim, filed on 30 September, he was awarded Iron Cross 2nd Class (German: Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse) the next day. On 23 March 1943, his number of aerial victories had increased to 18 following combat in the vicinity of Leningrad. This resulted in the presentation of the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (German: Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 30 April 1943. On 12 July, during the Battle of Kursk, Soviet forces launched its counteroffensive named Operation Kutuzov. The next day, General Paul Deichmann dispatched the equivalent of eight Jagdgruppen to defend against the Soviet 15th Air Army. That morning, Wolf claimed a Soviet fighter aircraft shot down. He achieved his aerial victories 37–40 on 2 August 1943. By 4 September 1943, he had accumulated 78 victories. In November 1943, Wolf was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 59th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. Wolf received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 117 victories on 22 November 1943.

On 24 December 1943, following the German retreat during the Battle of the Dnieper (26 August – 23 December 1943), Soviet forces initiated the Zhitomir–Berdichev Offensive as part of the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive. The Soviet advance threatened the German airfield at Bila Tserkva and II. Gruppe of JG 54 was ordered to relocate to Tarnopol on 27 December. The transfer was attempted under adverse weather conditions. On 29 December, 24 aircraft took off but only one made it directly to Tarnopol. Many aircraft were lost that day, among them Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 531087—factory number) flown by Wolf who crash landed the aircraft and was severely wounded. On 18 January 1944, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 6. Staffel, succeeding Oberleutnant Horst Ademeit who was transferred.

Wolf's 135th aerial victory claimed on 23 March 1944 was also JG 54's 7000th of the war. Wolf was killed in action 20abbr=offNaNabbr=off south-east of Pskov on 2 April 1944 at 09:30. During aerial combat at low altitude with a Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter, his Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 551142—factory number) took a direct hit from an anti-aircraft shell. He was posthumously promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 27 April 1944. He was the 464th member of the German armed forces to be so honored. Stockert indicated that the Oak Leaves presentation date 27 April 1944 may be incorrect. Based on a list published by the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (High Command of the Air Force), the Oak Leaves were awarded on 25 April 1944. Wolf was succeeded by Leutnant Heinrich Sterr as commander of 6. Staffel.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Wolf was credited with 144 aerial victories. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 142 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 18234". The Luftwaffe grid map (German: Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360sqmi. These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3x in size.

Chronicle of aerial victories
ClaimDateTimeTypeLocationClaimDateTimeTypeLocation
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –
Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943
16 August 194215:50Il-2northwest of Kamischtchewo629 December 1942 12:55P-39PQ 18234
30km (20miles) east-southeast of Staraya Russa
223 August 1942 12:07Yak-1PQ 54244
25km (16miles) south-southeast of Sukhinichi
730 December 1942 11:54LaGG-3PQ 28144
40km (30miles) northwest of Demyansk
35 September 1942 11:10Pe-2PQ 28464
25km (16miles) east of Demyansk
830 December 1942 13:44Il-2PQ 28145
30km (20miles) northwest of Demyansk
430 September 1942 08:46Il-2PQ 29751
45km (28miles) north-northwest of Demyansk
914 January 1943 12:35Il-2PQ 10162
southeast of Shlisselburg
54 December 1942 10:15Il-2PQ 098541026 January 1943 11:25Il-2PQ 10113
vicinity of Shlisselburg
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –
Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943
1111 February 1943 10:30La-5PQ 36 Ost 20514
45km (28miles) east-northeast of Lyuban
6728 August 194306:14La-5PQ 35 Ost 43873
15km (09miles) south-southeast of Sevsk
1223 February 1943 15:53LaGG-3PQ 35 Ost 19761
15km (09miles) north-northeast of Staraya Russa
6828 August 194311:52Yak-4?PQ 35 Ost 43822
15km (09miles) east-northeast of Sevsk
1327 February 1943 15:40LaGG-3PQ 35 Ost 18453
40km (30miles) west of Demyansk
6930 August 194314:23La-5PQ 35 Ost 35641
25km (16miles) west of Spas-Demensk
145 March 194307:30Il-2PQ 35 Ost 18423
40km (30miles) southeast of Staraya Russa
7030 August 194317:53Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 45523
15km (09miles) northeast of Spas-Demensk
155 March 194313:55Il-2PQ 35 Ost 18212
20km (10miles) east-southeast of Staraya Russa
7130 August 194318:01La-5PQ 35 Ost 35491
20km (10miles) north-northwest of Spas-Demensk
165 March 194316:18La-5PQ 35 Ost 18391
45km (28miles) northeast of Kholm
7231 August 194306:48Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 35632
10km (10miles) northwest of Spas-Demensk
177 March 194309:15La-5PQ 35 Ost 18391
45km (28miles) northeast of Kholm
7331 August 194315:31Pe-2PQ 35 Ost 35554
20km (10miles) south of Yelnya
1823 March 194317:20P-40PQ 36 Ost 00243
20km (10miles) southeast of Leningrad
7431 August 194315:34Pe-2PQ 35 Ost 35643
25km (16miles) west of Spas-Demensk
1918 June 194312:20LaGG-3PQ 36 Ost 20113
west of Volkhov
751 September 1943 18:08Il-2PQ 35 Ost 25453
25km (16miles) west-northwest of Yelnya
2024 June 194307:10LaGG-3PQ 36 Ost 21871
20km (10miles) northeast of Volkhov
761 September 194318:10Il-2PQ 35 Ost 25433
20km (10miles) northwest of Yelnya
2113 July 194306:57Yak-7PQ 35 Ost 63894
25km (16miles) southeast of Mtsensk
774 September 194316:36Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26632
40km (30miles) south of Bogolyubovo
2213 July 194311:54Pe-2PQ 35 Ost 63222
40km (30miles) east of Oryol
784 September 194317:04Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 25484
25km (16miles) west of Yelnya
2313 July 194314:15Il-2PQ 35 Ost 63412
35km (22miles) north of Maloarkhangelsk
795 September 194311:24Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 25493
15km (09miles) west of Yelnya
2414 July 194314:21LaGG-3PQ 35 Ost 54333
45km (28miles) east-southeast of Zhizdra
805 September 194317:50?La-5PQ 35 Ost 35374
5km (03miles) southwest of Yelnya
2515 July 194317:02LaGG-3PQ 35 Ost 64883
25km (16miles) southeast of Mtsensk
81♠7 September 194308:06Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26824
20km (10miles) north of Yartsevo
2616 July 194318:57La-582♠7 September 194308:23Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26823
20km (10miles) north of Yartsevo
2717 July 194306:43La-5PQ 35 Ost 54614
25km (16miles) west of Bolkhov
83♠7 September 194311:09Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26673
25km (16miles) northeast of Moschna
2817 July 194306:58?La-5PQ 35 Ost 54183
10km (10miles) east of Belyov
84♠7 September 194311:17Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26861
15km (09miles) east-northeast of Yartsevo
2919 July 194311:47Yak-7PQ 35 Ost 54442
30km (20miles) northwest of Bolkhov
85♠7 September 194316:45Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26491
45km (28miles) southwest of Bogolyubovo
3020 July 194308:29LaGG-3PQ 35 Ost 64871
25km (16miles) south of Mtsensk
869 September 194317:04Yak-9?PQ 35 Ost 26242
10km (10miles) northwest of Yartsevo
3122 July 194315:18Yak-7PQ 35 Ost 64799
25km (16miles) east-northeast of Oryol
8710 September 194309:57Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26841
10km (10miles) northwest of Yartsevo
3223 July 194318:27La-5PQ 35 Ost 63161
20km (10miles) south-eastsouth of Oryol
8811 September 194316:01?Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 35852
3325 July 194312:40La-5PQ 35 Ost 53291
20km (10miles) south-southwest of Oryol
8915 September 194308:51Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 26812, northeast of Dukhovshchina
20km (10miles) north-northwest of Yartsevo
3430 July 194305:24La-5PQ 36 Ost 00224
20km (10miles) west of Shlisselburg
90?15 September 194310:29Il-225km (16miles) northwest of Yelnya
3530 July 194316:54Il-2PQ 36 Ost 10153
southeast of Shlisselburg
9115 September 194311:01La-5PQ 35 Ost 35341
20km (10miles) south of Smolensk
361 August 194306:13?La-5PQ 36 Ost 00263
10km (10miles) southwest of Shlisselburg
9215 September 194313:14Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 35541
20km (10miles) south-southwest of Yelnya
372 August 194308:52Yak-7PQ 36 Ost 10191
east of Mga
9315 September 194317:25La-5PQ 35 Ost 35374
5km (03miles) southwest of Yelnya
382 August 194308:57Yak-7PQ 36 Ost 10411
25km (16miles) east-southeast of Mga
9417 September 194311:23Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 35383
15km (09miles) south of Yelnya
392 August 194309:10Yak-7PQ 36 Ost 10414
25km (16miles) east-southeast of Mga
9523 October 194313:19La-5PQ 35 Ost 10112
vicinity of Shlisselburg
402 August 194312:54Il-2PQ 36 Ost 10352
20km (10miles) southeast of Mga
9623 October 194315:17Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 10161
southeast of Shlisselburg
417 August 194313:55Yak-9?PQ 35 Ost 54631
10km (10miles) west of Bolkhov
9723 October 194315:23La-5PQ 35 Ost 10114
vicinity of Shlisselburg
428 August 194319:00La-5PQ 35 Ost 54672
30km (20miles) southwest of Bolkhov
9824 October 194310:00La-5PQ 35 Ost 01454
Lake Ladoga
439 August 194318:31La-5PQ 35 Ost 54843
40km (30miles) east of Karachev
9925 October 194312:14La-5PQ 35 Ost 11371
Lake Ladoga
4413 August 194316:20La-5PQ 35 Ost 54743
5km (03miles) east of Karachev
10025 October 194315:35Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 11794
Lake Ladoga
4513 August 194316:30Il-2PQ 35 Ost 53213
30km (20miles) west of Oryol
10126 October 194310:40La-5PQ 35 Ost 10131
east of Shlisselburg
4614 August 194305:01Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 45721
15km (09miles) north-northwest of Kirov
10226 October 194310:55La-5PQ 35 Ost 11733
Lake Ladoga
4714 August 194305:08Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 45734
15km (09miles) north-northeast of Kirov
10328 October 194312:06La-5PQ 35 Ost 01394
60km (40miles) northeast of Zelenogorsk
4814 August 194305:14Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 45744, northwest of Kirov
15km (09miles) west of Kirov
10428 October 194312:09Pe-2PQ 35 Ost 01391
60km (40miles) northeast of Zelenogorsk
4914 August 194308:46Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 45763
5km (03miles) northeast of Kirov
1051 November 194309:27Il-2PQ 35 Ost 10121
east of Shlisselburg
5016 August 194313:26Il-2PQ 35 Ost 45733
vicinity of Spas-Demensk
1062 November 194313:25La-5PQ 35 Ost 10122
east of Shlisselburg
5116 August 194313:35Il-2PQ 35 Ost 35861
25km (16miles) west of Kirov
1072 November 194315:06Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 01361
65km (40miles) northeast of Zelenogorsk
5217 August 194308:53Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 44842
20km (10miles) southeast of Bryansk
1083 November 194313:55Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 01394
60km (40miles) northeast of Zelenogorsk
5319 August 194305:47?Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 43864
25km (16miles) east-southeast of Sevsk
1093 November 194314:29Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 01333
70km (40miles) northeast of Zelenogorsk
5419 August 194316:23 Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 45751
5km (03miles) northwest of Kirov
110♠6 November 194307:17La-5PQ 35 Ost 01592
45km (28miles) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk
5520 August 194306:29P-39PQ 35 Ost 43851
15km (09miles) southeast of Sevsk
111♠6 November 194307:21La-5PQ 35 Ost 01594
45km (28miles) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk
5621 August 194313:20?Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 35624
20km (10miles) west-northwest of Spas-Demensk
112♠6 November 194307:25La-5PQ 35 Ost 01672
40km (30miles) north-northeast of Leningrad
5721 August 194316:20La-5PQ 35 Ost 43861
25km (16miles) east-southeast of Sevsk
113♠6 November 194315:19Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 01564
45km (28miles) northeast of Zelenogorsk
5822 August 194306:23P-39PQ 35 Ost 43832
25km (16miles) east-southeast of Sevsk
114♠6 November 194315:24Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 01643
55km (34miles) north-northeast of Leningrad
5922 August 194306:26La-5PQ 35 Ost 43863
25km (16miles) east-southeast of Sevsk
11522 November 1943 14:16Il-2PQ 25 Ost 91564
20km (10miles) north-northwest of Zelenogorsk
6022 August 194313:07Yak-9PQ 35 Ost 43454
25km (16miles) west-northwest of Dmitrowsk
116 29 November 1943 10:40Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 91651
20km (10miles) north-northeast of Zelenogorsk
6122 August 194316:22La-5PQ 35 Ost 43852
15km (09miles) southeast of Sevsk
11729 November 1943 10:43Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 91642
20km (10miles) north of Zelenogorsk
6223 August 194310:07P-39PQ 35 Ost 4222411810 December 1943 08:47La-5PQ 35 Ost 00133
10km (10miles) east of Leningrad
6324 August 194306:58DB-3PQ 35 Ost 44553
20km (10miles) north-northwest of Bryansk
11911 December 194308:11Il-2PQ 35 Ost 00121
vicinity of Leningrad
6424 August 194307:00DB-3PQ 35 Ost 44374
20km (10miles) west-southwest of Datkovo
12012 December 194313:35La-5PQ 35 Ost 00112
10km (10miles) west of Leningrad
6524 August 194307:03DB-3PQ 35 Ost 44383
10km (10miles) southwest of Datkovo
12114 December 194309:37La-5PQ 35 Ost 01772
15km (09miles) northwest of Leningrad
6624 August 194315:09Il-2PQ 35 Ost 44483
25km (16miles) south of Zhizdra
12217 December 194308:02La-5PQ 35 Ost 01722
15km (09miles) northwest of Leningrad
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –
Eastern Front — 1 January 1944 – 2 April 1944
12315 January 194412:17La-5PQ 26 Ost 80862
50km (30miles) southeast of Narva
13319 March 194411:19Yak-9?PQ 25 Ost 99711
50km (30miles) northwest of Porchov
12415 January 194412:19Il-2PQ 26 Ost 90713
40km (30miles) southwest of Lissino
13422 March 194411:34La-5?PQ 25 Ost 97564
30km (20miles) east-northeast of Idriza
12515 January 194412:31La-5PQ 26 Ost 90574
35km (22miles) southwest of Lissino
13523 March 194416:47?Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 97641
30km (20miles) east-northeast of Idriza
12622 January 194414:46La-5PQ 26 Ost 80663
40km (30miles) east of Narva
13626 March 194409:40Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 88862
45km (28miles) southeast of Ostrov
12724 January 194410:34Yak-9PQ 26 Ost 80683
35km (22miles) northeast of Narva
13726 March 194412:57Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 78284
40km (30miles) west of Pskov
12828 January 194414:43La-5PQ 26 Ost 90572
35km (22miles) southwest of Lissino
13827 March 194406:20Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 78254, east-northeast of Petseri
12928 January 194415:09La-5PQ 26 Ost 80632
35km (22miles) northeast of Narva
13927 March 194406:25Il-2PQ 25 Ost 78261
13011 February 194413:24La-5PQ 36 Ost 00683
25km (16miles) south-southwest of Tosno
14027 March 194406:37Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 89772
25km (16miles) northwest of Pskov
13119 March 194410:32Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 89451
35km (22miles) northeast of Pskov
14131 March 194414:47Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 89341
15km (09miles) southeast of Gdov
13219 March 194411:04Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 88112
Lake Peipus, 20km (10miles) northwest of Pskov
1422 April 194409:27Yak-9PQ 25 Ost 88442
25km (16miles) southeast of Pskov

Awards

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.