Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 26, 2026

Emil Lang

Emil Lang, nicknamed "Bully", was a Luftwaffe flying ace during World War II. Lang was credited with 173 aerial victories—144 on the Eastern Front, 29 on the Western Front—and one Soviet MTB sunk in 403 combat missions.

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Emil Lang
The black and white photo of a man, shown from the front. He wears a military uniform with an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his shirt collar.
Lang as an officer
Nickname"Bully"
Born(1909-01-14)14 January 1909
Thalheim, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire
Died3 September 1944(1944-09-03) (aged 35)
near Overhespen, German-occupied Belgium
Cause of death
Killed in action
Buried
Lommel, Belgium
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Branch
 Luftwaffe
Service years
1938–1944
Rank
Hauptmann (captain)
UnitKG 51, JG 54, JG 26
Commands5./JG 54, 9./JG 54, II./JG 26
Conflicts
See battles

World War II

AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Emil Lang (14 January 1909 – 3 September 1944), nicknamed "Bully", was a Luftwaffe flying ace during World War II. Lang was credited with 173 aerial victories—144 on the Eastern Front, 29 on the Western Front—and one Soviet MTB sunk in 403 combat missions.1

Posted to a fighter wing on the Eastern Front, Lang claimed his first aerial victories in March 1943. He was credited with 72 victories in a three-week period, among them an unsurpassed total of 18 on 3 November 1943. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 November 1943 for his 119 victories to that time. By March 1944, his claims totaled 144, for which he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 11 April 1944. Transferred to the Western Front, he claimed his 150th victim during the Normandy Invasion on 14 June 1944. He scored his last three victories on 26 August 1944; on 3 September 1944, he was killed in action over Belgium.

Early life and career

Lang was born on 14 January 1909 at Thalheim, now part of Fraunberg in the Isar region near Freising in Bavaria, Germany. He was a well-known track-and-field athlete who ran the middle distances. Prior to World War II, he qualified as a civil pilot and flew with Deutsche Luft Hansa.21 Lang earned the nickname "Bully" from his 'bulldog-like' looks, characterized by his barrel-chested physique.3 He joined the Luftwaffe as a member of the military reserve force on 4 January 1938. From 8 May to 3 June 1939, he served with 8. Staffel (8th squadron) of Kampfgeschwader 51 (KG 51—51st Bomber Wing). On 26 August 1939, he was put on active duty.4

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Following the outbreak of war, Lang served as a transport pilot with the Fliegerhorst Kompanie (Airfield Company) at Gablingen, flying missions to Norway, France, Crete and North Africa. On 1 November 1941, he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant).4

Lang was 33 years old when he was accepted for fighter pilot training in 1942. He undertook courses at the Jagdflieger Vorschule 1 (1st Fighter Pilot Preparation School) (3 July 1942 – 14 August 1942) and Jagdfliegerschule 5 (5th Fighter Pilot School) (15 August 1942 – 5 January 1943).5 He was then assigned to Jagdgruppe Ost (Fighter Group East) on 6 January 1943 and then to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front on 11 February 1943.56Note 1 Serving with 1./JG 54 (1st Squadron of the 54th Fighter Wing), Leutnant Lang was 34 and considered exceptionally old for a novice fighter pilot. His first three aerial victories were claimed in March 1943, and within a month he was transferred to 5./JG 54 (5th Squadron of the 54th Fighter Wing) of which he became Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader) on 20 August 1943.1 Lang had already briefly served as acting Staffelkapitän of 5. Staffel from July to early August before he officially succeeded Oberleutnant Max Stotz in this function after Stotz was reported missing in action on 19 August 1943.7

Before the year's end, Lang's kill tally stood at over 100 victories, with a remarkable 72 scored around Kiev in just three weeks during October and November 1943. He was the 58th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.8 This series of multiple victories included ten on 13 October 1943 and 12 (victories 61–72) in three combat missions on 21 October 1943, which earned Lang his first of two references in the Wehrmachtbericht, a bulletin issued by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, the Wehrmacht High Command.9 During the Battle of Kiev, Lang set an all-time world record of 18 aerial victories claimed from four combat missions in one day on 3 November 1943, making him aviation history's leading ace-in-a-day.61011 This achievement led to him appearing on the cover of the 13 January 1944 Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung (Berlin's Illustrated Magazine).12 Lang was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) after 119 aerial victories on 22 November 1943, followed three days later by the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold).1 He received the Knight's Cross together with fellow JG 54 pilot Oberleutnant Albin Wolf.13

On 9 April 1944, Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Lang was appointed Staffelkapitän of the 9./JG 54 (9th Squadron of the 54th Fighter Wing) engaged in Defence of the Reich on the Western Front. He replaced Leutnant Alfred Kromer who was killed on 8 March. Kromer had only led the Staffel for two days after its former commander, Oberleutnant Gerhard Loos, had been killed on 6 March.14 The Staffel was subordinated to III. Gruppe led by Major Werner Schröer.14 Command of 5. Staffel was then transferred to Oberleutnant Wilhelm Schilling.15

He became the 448th recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 11 April 1944 after 144 aerial victories, all claimed on the Eastern Front.1 The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler at the Berghof, Hitler's residence in the Obersalzberg of the Bavarian Alps, on 5 May 1944.16 Also present at the ceremony were Anton Hafner, Otto Kittel, Günther Schack, Alfred Grislawski, Erich Rudorffer, Martin Möbus, Wilhelm Herget, Hans-Karl Stepp, Rudolf Schoenert, Günther Radusch, Otto Pollmann and Fritz Breithaupt, who all received the Oak Leaves on this date.17

Western Front

When Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe on 6 June, III. Gruppe was immediately ordered to relocate to Villacoublay Airfield. That day, the Gruppe reached Nancy, arriving in Villacoublay the following day where it was subordinated to II. Fliegerkorps (2nd Air Corps). Its primary objective was to fly fighter-bomber missions in support of the German ground forces. The Gruppe flew its first missions on 7 June to the combat area east of Caen and the Orne estuary.18

In June, Lang claimed 15 aerial victories, including his 150th—a United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) P-47 Thunderbolt on 14 June 1944—and four P-51 Mustang fighters shot down in four minutes on 20 June 1944, plus another four P-51s on 24 June.2 Hauptmann (Captain) Lang was then made Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) of the II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—2nd Group of the 26th Fighter Wing) on 28 June 1944.2 He replaced Hauptmann Johannes Naumann who had been injured in aerial combat on 23 June.19 On 9 July, he claimed three Royal Air Force (RAF) Supermarine Spitfires (victories 160–162)—no Spitfires were shot down this day: American historian Donald Caldwell noted that his claims were exaggerated but asserted Lang's ebullience, energy and drive made him an effective combat leader.20 On 15 August 1944 two P-47s, and on 25 August 1944 three P-38 Lightning fighters in five minutes. The hard-hit 428th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group lost 8 P-38s, its worst combat performance. The 429th also lost three P-38s. Not a single Fw 190 was lost. The Bf 109-equipped III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 76 (Fighter Wing 76) were also involved and claimed six P-38s. During the day it lost 21 Bf 109s, three pilots killed and 18 missing.21

He claimed three Spitfires in two missions for his final victories (victories 171–173) on 26 August.21 His victims most likely belonged to 421 and 341 Squadron RAF.22 Between 24 May and 28 August 1944, Lang had claimed 29 aerial victories on the Western Front, including nine P-51 Mustangs.23 On 6 June 1944, his group was the first to reach 100 aerial victories over Normandy, earning him and his group a second and final reference in the Wehrmachtbericht on 30 August.24

Death

On 3 September 1944, Emil Lang was killed in action when his Fw 190 A-8 (Werknummer 171 240—factory number) "Green 1" hit the ground and exploded in a field at Overhespen. He had experienced mechanical trouble on the runway when he and the other aircraft of his flight took off at Melsbroek at 1.20 pm. Ten minutes later, Lang was still having difficulties raising his landing gear. Flying at an altitude of 200 metres (660 ft), his wingman, Unteroffizier Hans-Joachim Borreck, called out P-47 Thunderbolts to their rear. Lang broke upward, to the left. Leutnant Alfred Groß saw Lang's Fw 190 diving in flames, its gear extended, but he lost sight of Lang when his own craft was hit and he had to bail out. Examination of both German and American records suggests that Borreck and Groß misidentified their opponents. The P-51 Mustangs of the 55th Fighter Group's 338th Squadron intercepted a flight of three to six Focke-Wulfs. Lieutenant Darrell Cramer took a high deflection shot at the Focke-Wulf on the left, which fell upside down in a steep dive and crashed hard into the ground; this undoubtedly was Emil Lang.25Note 2

On 28 September 1944, Lang's commanding officer, Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) Josef Priller, submitted a request for posthumous promotion to Major. In describing Lang's character, Priller said:24

Captain Lang is a fully matured character, serious and calm in his demeanor, yet definite and energetic when strength was needed. Very good attitude as an officer. Demands of himself first. He understands how to reach the men under his command correctly. Captain Lang possesses an exemplary concept of service, has initiative and talent for improvisation to a large degree, well rooted in the National Socialist ideas.24

The commander of the II. Jagdkorps (2nd Fighter Corps), Generalleutnant (Major General) Alfred Bülowius, concurred with the assessment. Despite these recommendations, Emil Lang did not receive a posthumous promotion to Major.24 Lang was succeeded by Hauptmann Georg-Peter Eder as commander of II. Gruppe of JG 26.27

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Lang was credited with 173 aerial victories.28 Spick also lists him with 173 aerial victories claimed in 403 combat missions.29 Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 172 aerial victory claims. This number includes 141 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 31 on the Western Front, including one four-engined bomber.30

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 36 Ost 00333". The Luftwaffe grid map (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 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.31

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Lang an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Lang did not receive credit.
  This and the ! (exclamation mark) indicates those aerial victories listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.
  This and the # (hash mark) indicates those aerial victories listed by Mathews and Foreman.
  This and the * (asterisk) indicates those aerial victories listed by Caldwell, Prien, Balke, Stemmer and Bock.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Balke, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –32
1 1 23 March 1943 11:10 MiG-3 PQ 36 Ost 0033333
vicinity of Pushkin 		12 12 30 July 1943 08:50 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 1019434
east of Mga
2 2 30 May 1943 20:19 P-40 PQ 36 Ost 1015135
southeast of Schlüsselburg 		13 13 1 August 1943 05:20 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 1014434
south of Schlüsselburg
3 3 30 May 1943 20:26 P-40 PQ 36 Ost 1024335
25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Schlüsselburg 		14 14 1 August 1943 05:28 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 1016334
southeast of Schlüsselburg
4 4 13 July 1943 09:05 Il-2 m.H.Note 3 PQ 35 Ost 6323136
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Belyov 		15 15 1 August 1943 12:34 P-39 PQ 36 Ost 1014234
south of Schlüsselburg
5 5 13 July 1943 09:08 Il-2 m.H.?Note 4 PQ 35 Ost 6325236
40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Oryol 		16 16 1 August 1943 12:39 P-40 PQ 36 Ost 1017234
vicinity of Mga
6 6 13 July 1943 19:05 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 6476336 17 17 13 September 1943 12:48 Pe-2?Note 5 PQ 35 Ost 2652138
40 km (25 mi) north of Moschna
7 7 17 July 1943 13:42 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 6489439
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Mtsensk 		18 18 14 September 1943 16:40 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 2569338
25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Shatalovo
8 8 17 July 1943 13:44 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 6322139
40 km (25 mi) east of Oryol 		19 19 15 September 1943 09:10 P-39 PQ 35 Ost 2549438
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Yelnya
9 9 20 July 1943 19:05 P-39 PQ 35 Ost 6458439
20 km (12 mi) west of Mtsensk 		20 20 15 September 1943 09:15 Il-2 m.H.Note 3 PQ 35 Ost 2549238
15 km (9.3 mi) west of Yelnya
10 10 20 July 1943 19:07 P-39 PQ 35 Ost 6459439
10 km (6.2 mi) west of Mtsensk 		21 21 15 September 1943 10:45 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 2563338
25 km (16 mi) southwest of Yelnya
11 11 28 July 1943 11:10 La-5 PQ 36 Ost 1031434
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Mga
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, II. Gruppe records do not list any victory claims between 18 September and 3 October 1943 although at least 26 aerial victories had been claimed. Among these missing records are Lang's aerial victories 22 to 25, including one claim on 27 September 1943.40
26 22 4 October 1943 16:07 LaGG-3 northeast of Chernobyl40 87♠ 83 23 October 1943 15:35 La-5 east of Khodoriv41
27 23 5 October 1943 16:05 Yak-9 south of Gorostaipol33 88 84♠ 24 October 1943 14:46 Yak-7 northeast of Khodoriv41
28♠ 24 7 October 1943 11:17 La-5 northeast of Gorostaipol40 89 85♠ 24 October 1943 14:48 Yak-7 northwest of Khodoriv41
29♠ 25 7 October 1943 11:28 La-5 east-northeast of Stracholessje40 90 86♠ 24 October 1943 14:49 Yak-7 east of Iwankow41
30♠ 26 7 October 1943 11:31 La-5 northeast of Stracholessje40 91 87♠ 24 October 1943 14:51 La-5 east of Khodoriv41
east of Iwankow
31♠ 27 7 October 1943 14:03 La-5 northeast of Stracholessje40 88♠ 24 October 1943 14:56 Yak-7 east of Khodoriv
32♠ 28 7 October 1943 14:10 La-5 east of Gubin40 92 89 25 October 1943 14:46 La-5 north-northeast of Balnowka41
33 29 8 October 1943 06:08 LaGG-3 northeast of Khodoriv40 93 90 25 October 1943 14:47 La-5 northeast of Gussenzow41[Gussenzy]
34 30 8 October 1943 06:10 La-5 north of Khodoriv40 94♠ 91 2 November 1943 15:05 Yak-7 west of Voropayevo41
35 31 8 October 1943 06:13 La-5 northeast of Gussenoye40 95♠ 92 2 November 1943 15:06 Yak-7 west of Voropayevo41
36 32 9 October 1943 12:30 La-5 south of Gruschevo40 96♠ 93 2 November 1943 15:07 Yak-9 east of Lyutezh41
37 33 9 October 1943 16:08 La-5 north of Gruschevo40 97♠ 94 2 November 1943 15:10 Yak-9 north of Novosselk41
38 34 9 October 1943 16:10 La-5 Schtschutschunka40 98♠ 95 2 November 1943 15:15 Yak-9 northeast of Lyutezh41
39 35 9 October 1943 16:15 LaGG-3 south of Yashnyky40Note 6 99♠ 96 2 November 1943 15:17 Yak-9 east-southeast of Lyutezh42
40 36 10 October 1943 06:34 LaGG-3 east-northeast of Yashnyky40 100♠ 97 2 November 1943 15:18 Yak-9 east-southeast of Lyutezh42
41 37 10 October 1943 06:38 LaGG-3 northeast of Yashnyky40 101♠ 98 2 November 1943 15:19 Yak-9 west of Saimje42
42 38 10 October 1943 16:12 La-5 east of Ljutesh40 102♠ 99 3 November 1943 09:31 Il-2 northeast of Lyutezh42
43 39 11 October 1943 06:10 P-40 east of Stracholessje40 103♠ 100 3 November 1943 09:32 Il-2 north-northeast of Lyutezh42
44 40 11 October 1943 16:01 La-5 west of Yashnyky43 104♠ 101 3 November 1943 09:33 Il-2 northeast of Kastarowitschi42
45 41 11 October 1943 16:02 La-5 west of Yashnyky43 105♠ 102 3 November 1943 09:35 Yak-7 northeast of Kastarowitschi42
46 42 11 October 1943 16:03 La-5 west of Yashnyky43 106♠ 103 3 November 1943 09:36 Il-2 northwest of Glebovka42
47 43 12 October 1943 09:02 Pe-2 north of Gorostaipol43 107♠ 104 3 November 1943 09:40 Yak-7 east-northeast of Glebovka42
48 44 12 October 1943 10:47 Il-2 east of Gruschewo43 108♠ 105 3 November 1943 09:42 Yak-7 east-northeast of Glebovka42
49 45 12 October 1943 10:50 La-5 west of Grigorovka43 109♠ 106 3 November 1943 13:00 La-5 east-northeast of Blistawizd42
50 46 12 October 1943 10:52 La-5 Dnieper River43 110♠ 107 3 November 1943 14:15 Il-2 east of Moschtschum42
51♠ 47 13 October 1943 05:50 La-5 northwest of Tschozki43 111♠ 108 3 November 1943 14:16 Il-2 north of Moschtschum42
52♠ 48 13 October 1943 05:52 La-5 south of Sarubenzojezy43 112♠ 3 November 1943 14:17 Il-2 north of Vyshgorod42
53♠ 49 13 October 1943 05:58 La-5 south of Grigorovka43 113♠ 109 3 November 1943 14:20 La-5 northwest of Vyshgorod42
54♠ 50 13 October 1943 06:03 La-5 southwest of Sarubenzy43 114♠ 110 3 November 1943 14:22 La-5 north of Kiev42
55♠ 51 13 October 1943 06:05 Yak-7 north of Trachhtemirow43 115♠ 111 3 November 1943 14:23 Il-2 west of Valki42
56♠ 52 13 October 1943 06:08 Yak-7 north-northwest of Grigorovka43 116♠ 112 3 November 1943 14:45 Yak-9 east of Gostomel42
57♠ 53 13 October 1943 09:31 La-5 west of Trachhtemirow43 117♠ 113 3 November 1943 14:46 Yak-9 west of Vyshgorod42
58♠ 54 13 October 1943 09:35 La-5 southeast of Grigorovka43 118♠ 114 3 November 1943 14:48 Il-2 east of Gostomel42
59♠ 55 13 October 1943 09:40 Yak-7 south of Grigorovka43 119♠ 115 3 November 1943 14:49 Il-2 north of Mostischtsche42
60♠ 56 13 October 1943 15:55 Yak-7 north of Yashnyky43 116 4 November 1943 14:17 Il-2 north of Vyshgorod
61♠ 57 21 October 1943 09:32 La-5 southwest of Grigorovka43 120 117 28 November 1943 12:26 Il-2 east of Kotscherewo44
62♠ 58 21 October 1943 09:34 La-5 northwest of Grigorovka43 121 118 29 November 1943 07:29 La-5 west of Mestetschko44
63♠ 59 21 October 1943 09:37 Yak-7 southeast of Yashnyky43 122 119 29 November 1943 10:32 Yak-9 south of Wnysokoye44
64♠ 60 21 October 1943 09:38 Yak-7 south-southeast of Yashnyky43 123 120 29 November 1943 10:34 Il-2 northwest of Wnysokoye44
65♠ 61 21 October 1943 09:41 Il-2 northwest of Rshischtschew43 124 121 30 November 1943 11:48 Il-2 north of Nebryliza44
66♠ 62 21 October 1943 12:10 Yak-9 south of Tschernischewa43 125 122 30 November 1943 11:49 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 9156244
20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Zelenogorst
67♠ 63 21 October 1943 12:11 Yak-9 south of Grigorovka43 126 123 13 December 1943 11:25 La-5 Nebryliza44
68♠ 64 21 October 1943 12:13 Yak-7 south of Trachtemirow43 127 124 15 January 1944 11:55 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 9911445
15 km (9.3 mi) east of Lake Samara
69♠ 65 21 October 1943 12:13 Yak-7 north of Gruschewo43 128 125 15 January 1944 11:56 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 9912345
25 km (16 mi) east of Lake Samara
70♠ 66 21 October 1943 14:46 Yak-7 southwest of Lassurzow43 129 126 25 March 1944 08:04 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 7845146
40 km (25 mi) west of Selo
71♠ 67 21 October 1943 14:48 Yak-7 southeast of Tschernishow43 130 127 25 March 1944 08:05 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 7842346
40 km (25 mi) west-northwest of Selo
72♠ 68 21 October 1943 14:49 Yak-9 southwest of Dobriza43 128 25 March 1944 08:12 Yak-9 Lake Peipus, 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Pskov
73♠ 69 22 October 1943 06:20 La-5 south of Yashnyky43 131 129 26 March 1944 10:20 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 7066346
10 km (6.2 mi) west-southwest of Hungerburg
74♠ 70 22 October 1943 06:22 La-5 southwest of Yashnyky43 132 130 26 March 1944 13:40 P-40 PQ 26 Ost 7069246
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Narva
75♠ 71 22 October 1943 06:27 La-5 east of Gruschewo43 133 131 26 March 1944 13:41 P-40 PQ 26 Ost 7069246
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Narva
76♠ 72 22 October 1943 06:30 La-5 east of Jeu41 134 132 1 April 1944 14:20 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 8832446
10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pskov
77♠ 73 22 October 1943 06:34 La-5 south of Tschernischew41 135 133 2 April 1944 11:15 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 8835146
vicinity of Selo
78♠ 74 22 October 1943 12:10 Yak-9 north of Yashnyky41 136 134 2 April 1944 13:40?Note 7 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 8855146
east of Ostrov
79♠ 75 22 October 1943 12:11 Yak-9 east of Yashnyky41 137 135 2 April 1944 13:45?Note 8 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 8852346
15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Ostrov
80♠ 76 22 October 1943 12:16 Yak-7 south-southeast of Yashnyky41 138 136 3 April 1944 11:17?Note 9 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 8836248
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo
81♠ 77 22 October 1943 12:18 La-5 west-southwest of Yashnyky41 139 137 4 April 1944 11:42 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 8835948
vicinity of Selo
82♠ 78 23 October 1943 15:12 Yak-9 south of Grigorovka41 140 138 4 April 1944 11:43 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 8835648
vicinity of Selo
83♠ 79 23 October 1943 15:14 Yak-9 east of Gruschewo41 141 139 4 April 1944 16:04?Note 10 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 8835248
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo
84♠ 80 23 October 1943 15:15 Yak-9 north-northeast of Yashnyky41 142 140 4 April 1944 16:08 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 8835948
vicinity of Selo
85♠ 81 23 October 1943 15:20 Yak-7 village edge of Romaschki41 143 141 6 April 1944 07:15 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 8835548
vicinity of Selo
86♠ 82 23 October 1943 15:22 La-5 east of Rshitschtschew41
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –49
144 142 24 May 1944 11:42 B-17 PQ 15 Ost EG 6-950
Oranienburg 		153 151 20 June 1944 16:20 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-450
west of Saint-André-de-l'Eure
145 143 28 May 1944 14:23 P-38 PQ 15 Ost FD 950
Tangermünde 		154 152 20 June 1944 16:21 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AB-651
north of Breuteuil
146 144 8 June 1944 16:49 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UB-450
5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Bernay 		155 153 24 June 1944 07:18 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/851
Évreux
147 145 11 June 1944 10:53 Lysander northeast of Caen 154 24 June 1944 07:19 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/851
Évreux
148 146 14 June 1944 07:29 P-47 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-350
Pacy-sur-Eure/Évreux 		157 155 24 June 1944 07:21 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/851
Évreux
149 147 14 June 1944 07:31 P-47 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-650
east of Saint-André-de-l'Eure 		158 156 24 June 1944 07:22 P-51 PQ 05 Ost S/UC-7/851
Évreux
150 148 14 June 1944 07:32 P-47 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-450
Ivry-la-Bataille/Dreux 		159 157 26 June 1944 11:03 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost S/UB-9/251
southeast of Bernay
151 149 20 June 1944 16:17 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-550
Saint-André-de-l'Eure 		158 30 June 1944 06:50 unknown
152 150 20 June 1944 16:18 P-51 PQ 04 Ost N/AC-450
Saint-André-de-l'Eure
Claim* Claim# Date Time Type Location Claim* Claim# Date Time Type Location
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 –47
160 159 9 July 1944 13:19 Spitfire PQ 15 West UU/PQ 05 Ost UA52
Caen20 		167 166 23 August 1944 13:40 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost UE53
north of Paris54
161 160 9 July 1944 13:21 Spitfire PQ 15 West UU/PQ 05 Ost UA52
Caen20 		168 167 25 August 1944 13:43 P-38 PQ 05 Ost TD53
west of Beauvais55
162 161 9 July 1944 13:24 Spitfire PQ 15 West UU/PQ 05 Ost UA52
Caen20 		169 168 25 August 1944 13:45 P-38 PQ 05 Ost UD53
east of Vernon55
163 162 15 August 1944 12:31 P-47 Rambouillet56 170 169 25 August 1944 13:48 P-38 PQ 05 Ost TD53
west of Beauvais55
164 163 15 August 1944 12:32 P-47 Rambouillet56 171 170 26 August 1944 09:17 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost SD-753
east of Neufchâtel-en-Bray22
165 164 19 August 1944 10:24 P-47 east of Vernon57 172 171 26 August 1944 09:19 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost TC-353
Rouen22
166 165 23 August 1944 13:38 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost UE/UF53
northeast of Paris54 		173 172 26 August 1944 14:28 Spitfire PQ 05 Ost TD-153
east of Rouen22

Awards

Dates of rank

1 November 1941: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)4
1 November 1943: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant)4
1 May 1944: Hauptmann (Captain)4
posthumously: Major (Major), effective as of 1 September 19444
Notes

Notes

  1. For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  2. According to Andrew Thomas, however, Emil Lang was shot down by Flight Lieutenant Terry Spencer of No. 41 Squadron RAF flying a Spitfire XII from Lympne.26
  3. The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  4. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Il-7.37
  5. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as an Ilyushin Il-2.37
  6. Yashnyky is approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Lokhvytsia.
  7. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:45.47
  8. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:46.47
  9. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:07.47
  10. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:06.47
References

References

Citations

  1. Obermaier 1989, p. 64.
  2. MacLean 2007, p. 203.
  3. Toliver & Constable 1998, pp. 295–296.
  4. Stockert 2007, p. 104.
  5. MacLean 2007, p. 205.
  6. Toliver & Constable 1996, p. 247.
  7. Prien et al. 2012, p. 264.
  8. Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  9. Weal 2001, pp. 103–104.
  10. Prien et al. 2012, p. 252.
  11. Bergström 2008, pp. 29–30.
  12. Weal 1998, p. 72.
  13. Weal 2001, pp. 106, 119.
  14. Prien et al. 2019, p. 446.
  15. Prien et al. 2022, p. 471.
  16. Stockert 2007, p. 107.
  17. Stockert 2007, pp. 107, 109, 134.
  18. Prien et al. 2019, p. 439.
  19. Prien et al. 2019, pp. 186, 199.
  20. Caldwell 1998, p. 300.
  21. Caldwell 1998, p. 334.
  22. Caldwell 1998, p. 336.
  23. Bowman 2007, p. 75.
  24. MacLean 2007, p. 204.
  25. Caldwell 1998, pp. 343, 344.
  26. Thomas & Davey 2008, p. 28.
  27. Prien et al. 2019, p. 186.
  28. Zabecki 2019, p. 329.
  29. Spick 1996, p. 228.
  30. Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 714–717.
  31. Planquadrat.
  32. Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 714–716.
  33. Prien et al. 2012, p. 270.
  34. Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
  35. Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
  36. Prien et al. 2012, p. 272.
  37. Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 714.
  38. Prien et al. 2012, p. 277.
  39. Prien et al. 2012, p. 273.
  40. Prien et al. 2012, p. 278.
  41. Prien et al. 2012, p. 280.
  42. Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
  43. Prien et al. 2012, p. 279.
  44. Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
  45. Prien et al. 2022, p. 476.
  46. Prien et al. 2022, p. 477.
  47. Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 716.
  48. Prien et al. 2022, p. 478.
  49. Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 717.
  50. Prien et al. 2019, p. 451.
  51. Prien et al. 2019, p. 452.
  52. Prien et al. 2019, p. 192.
  53. Prien et al. 2019, p. 193.
  54. Caldwell 1998, p. 332.
  55. Caldwell 1998, p. 335.
  56. Caldwell 1998, p. 324.
  57. Caldwell 1998, p. 331.
  58. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 267.
  59. Thomas 1998, p. 4.
  60. Scherzer 2007, p. 491.
  61. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 283.
  62. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 81.

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