This document group belonging to a Luftwaffe aircraft mechanic offers a fascinating insight into the history of Jagdgeschwader 51 and its subsequent redesignations during World War II. The collection documents the military career of technical personnel who served in various units from 1939 to 1945, receiving several significant decorations.
The Soldbuch (pay book), issued on August 30, 1939, in Fürstenfeldbruck, just days before the outbreak of war, marks the beginning of a six-year period of service. Fürstenfeldbruck was an important Luftwaffe base and training location. The unit assignments show a typical path of technical personnel through various fighter wing formations during the war.
Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51) was one of the most distinguished fighter wings of the Luftwaffe. Originally established as JG 71, it was later renamed JG 51. The wing received its greatest honor on July 27, 1941, when it was renamed Jagdgeschwader Mölders after the fallen fighter ace Werner Mölders. Mölders was already a legend of the Luftwaffe with over 100 aerial victories and one of the first recipients of the Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross. After his accidental death in November 1941, the honorary name remained until the end of the war.
The Commemorative Band “Mölders” was a special distinction for members of the wing. This tradition of commemorative bands was maintained by individual Wehrmacht units to document membership in particularly distinguished formations. The right to wear this band was an honor that expressed special connection to the wing's tradition.
Of particular significance is the award certificate for the Honor Plaque of Air Fleet 2, issued on October 28, 1941, by Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring. Air Fleet 2 played a central role in the campaign against the Soviet Union, and this award recognized the mechanic's “outstanding technical merit.” The importance of technical personnel was often underestimated, yet without the aircraft mechanics, not a single mission would have been possible. Kesselring, one of the most capable German Luftwaffe commanders, personally awarded this decoration for exceptional performance.
The award certificate for the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords dated April 20, 1942, bears the signature of General der Flieger Robert Ritter von Greim, at that time Commanding General of Luftwaffe Command East. Von Greim was himself a highly decorated officer who was later appointed the last Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. The War Merit Cross with Swords was awarded for military services not directly rendered in combat – typical for technical personnel who maintained and kept aircraft operational.
The Eastern Front Medal (Ostmedaille) dated August 4, 1942, documents participation in the first winter campaign of 1941/42 on the Eastern Front. This award, popularly known as the “Frozen Meat Medal,” was awarded to all soldiers deployed on the Eastern Front between November 15, 1941, and April 15, 1942. The award of this medal underscores the extreme conditions under which personnel had to work – in temperatures that often fell below minus 30 degrees Celsius.
Promotion to Flugzeugmechaniker (aircraft mechanic) shows professional development within the Luftwaffe's technical hierarchy. These specialists were responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of fighter aircraft, particularly the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and later the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, which JG 51 primarily operated.
Service with the Fliegerhorstkompanie Aibling (Aibling Air Base Company) toward the end of the war indicates a transfer back to Reich territory. Bad Aibling in Bavaria was the location of an air base and was used as a collection point for various units in the final months of the war.
The discharge on April 28, 1945, just days before the unconditional surrender, marks the end of this military career. At this time, the Luftwaffe was practically no longer operational, with fuel shortages having largely brought flight operations to a halt.
This document group is thus not only testimony to an individual military career but also a reflection of the history of one of the most famous fighter wings of the Luftwaffe and the development of aerial warfare from 1939 to 1945. It documents the importance of technical personnel, without whose dedication and expertise no aircraft could have taken to the skies.
