Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 10, 2026

Siegfried Engfer

Siegfried Engfer was a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. He was credited with 58 victories, in over 348 missions.

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Siegfried Engfer
Born27 April 1915
Neuhof, Pomerania, German Empire
DiedApril 1946 (age 30–31) (disappeared)
Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Branch
Army (1935–37)
Luftwaffe (1937–45)
Service years
1935–45
Rank
Oberleutnant (first lieutenant)
UnitJG 3
Conflicts
World War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Siegfried Engfer (27 April 1915 – missing April 1946) was a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. He was credited with 58 victories, in over 348 missions.

Career

Engfer was born on 27 April 1915 in Neuhof, present-day Będlino, in the Province of Pomerania within the German Empire.1 On 4 June 1941, Engfer was injured during a takeoff accident in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2 (Werknummer 8247—factory number) at the airfield in Norrent-Fontes.2

Eastern Front

The Wehrmacht launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, on 22 June 1941. III. Gruppe supported Army Group South in its strategic goal towards the heavily populated and agricultural heartland of Ukraine, taking Kiev before continuing eastward over the steppes of southern USSR to the Volga with the aim of controlling the oil-rich Caucasus.3

Both Engfer and Feldwebel Heinz Kemethmüller from 8. Staffel of JG 3 claimed their 50th aerial victories on 18 September 1942.4 Consequently, both pilots were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 2 October 1942.5 On 6 November, III. Gruppe was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and sent to Mannheim-Sandhofen Airfield for a period of rest and replenishment. The first elements of the Gruppe arrived by train in Mannheim on 8 December, the transfer was completed a week later. There, the personnel was sent on home leave. Following the death of Generaloberst Ernst Udet, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring ordered JG 3 to be given the honorary name "Udet" on 1 December.6 The Gruppe received a full complement of 41 Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 aircraft and on 6 January 1942 was ordered to relocated to Sicily. On 13 January, 7. Staffel and elements of 8. and 9. Staffel boarded a train to Bari in southern Italy while the rest of III. Gruppe headed for Sciacca, Sicily. The relocation progressed until 26 January when new orders were received, ordering the Gruppe to return to Germany.7 At Jesau near Königsberg, present-day Kaliningrad in Russia, III. Gruppe began preparations for redeployment to the Eastern Front.8 On 28 May 1943, Engfer was posted to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost (Supplementary Fighter Group, East), a specialized training unit for new fighter pilots destined for the Eastern Front, as an instructor. Shortly after, he fell seriously ill and was infected with Tuberculosis.9

Engfer went missing on a train journey from Vienna to Munich in April 1946.10 Alternatively, according to Mathews and Foreman, he may have been killed in a car accident.11

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Engfer was credited with 58 aerial victories.12 Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 58 aerial victory claims, all of which confirmed and claimed on the Eastern Front.13

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ! (exclamation mark) indicates those aerial victories listed by Mathews and Foreman and by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.
  This and the # (hash mark) indicates those aerial victories listed in the 1996 book by Prien and Stemmer.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 –11
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
1 1 6 July 1941 19:40 V-11 (Il-2)1415
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –11
Eastern Front – 10 February 1942 – 14 April 1942
2 2 12 March 1942 17:50 R-51617
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" –13
Eastern Front – 19 May 1942 – March 1943
3 3 20 May 1942 04:50 Il-218 west of Wesseloje19 33 7 September 1942 16:55 La-5 1 km (0.62 mi) southwest of Vladimirovka20
4 27 May 1942 16:02 unknown21 34 7 September 1942 16:57 Il-2 1 km (0.62 mi) west of Orchisodschi20
4 5 29 May 1942 18:41 R-10 (Seversky)2221 35 30 8 September 1942 06:33 La-5?Note 1 Kotluban railway station20
5 30 June 1942 10:06 MiG-1 southeast of Kshen24 31 8 September 1942 10:20 unknown25
6 6 10 July 1942 04:05 MiG-126 Voronezh27 32 8 September 1942 10:30 unknown25
7 7 16 July 1942 13:10 R-52627 36 8 September 1942 16:48 P-40 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast of Kotluban train station20
8 8 17 July 1942 05:50 MiG-12628 33 8 September 1942 16:55 unknown25
9 9 22 July 1942 14:58 Il-22628 34 9 September 1942 16:45 unknown25
10 10 24 July 1942 08:50 Il-22628 37 35 9 September 1942 16:56 Il-2?Note 1 15 km (9.3 mi) north-northeast of Stalingrad29
11 11 26 July 1942 12:27 Il-230 Kalach31 38 9 September 1942 16:58 Il-2 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Stalingrad29
12 12 26 July 1942 12:34 Il-230 Kalach31 36 10 September 1942 06:18 unknown32
13 13 26 July 1942 18:13 MiG-130 Kalach31 37 10 September 1942 06:21 unknown32
14 14 28 July 1942 09:55 Il-230 northwest of Kalach31 39 10 September 1942 11:18 MiG-1 Stalingrad29
15 9 August 1942 06:01 Su-2 (Seversky) southeast of Kalach33 40 38 10 September 1942 17:10 MiG-1?Note 1 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Stalingrad29
16 9 August 1942 06:03 LaGG-3 northwest of Stalingrad33 41 39 11 September 1942 05:55 Pe-2?Note 1 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Katschalino29
17 9 August 1942 18:05 LaGG-3 southeast of Kalach33 42 11 September 1942 13:56 Il-2 western edge of Stalingrad29
18 11 August 1942 17:05 LaGG-3 southwest of Stalingrad33 43 12 September 1942 09:22 Il-2 20 km (12 mi) north of Stalingrad29
19 17 August 1942 09:35 LaGG-3 north of Pasow33 40 12 September 1942 14:10 unknown32
20 18 August 1942 17:20 LaGG-3 east of Akatow33 44 12 September 1942 15:56 Il-2 east of Stalingrad29
21 19 August 1942 11:35 LaGG-3?Note 2 south of Prudkij33 45 13 September 1942 13:11 Il-2 Olchowatka train station29
22 19 August 1942 11:44 LaGG-3?Note 2 north of Kaschinka33 46 41 13 September 1942 16:07 Il-2?Note 1 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Stalingrad29
15 19 August 1942 17:55 unknown34 47 42 13 September 1942 16:14 Il-2?Note 1 Stalingrad29
16 19 August 1942 17:56 unknown34 43 14 September 1942 16:25 unknown32
23 17 21 August 1942 05:48 Pe-2?Note 1 northeast of Ssoldatskaja35 48 14 September 1942 16:27 Il-2 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of Stalingrad29
24 23 August 1942 12:55 I-180 (Yak-7) Akhtuba35 44 14 September 1942 16:28 unknown32
25 18 24 August 1942 11:55 LaGG-3?Note 1 Stalingrad35 49 14 September 1942 16:29 Il-2 central Stalingrad29
19 24 August 1942 11:56 unknown34 45 15 September 1942 07:10 unknown32
20 27 August 1942 05:25 unknown34 46 16 September 1942 08:10 Il-232
26 27 August 1942 07:40 LaGG-3 northwest of Leninsk35 47 16 September 1942 08:11 Il-232
27 28 August 1942 11:00 LaGG-3 north-northwest of Stalingrad36 48 16 September 1942 16:20 Il-232
21 29 August 1942 06:05 unknown25 50 15 September 1942 16:12?Note 3 Il-2 3 km (1.9 mi) west of Stalingrad29
28 31 August 1942 08:58 Yak-1 Finzuta36 51 49 18 September 1942 05:45 Il-232 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Opotschka38
29 31 August 1942 09:05 Yak-1 southeast of Sarepta36 50 18 September 1942 05:55 Il-232
22 31 August 1942 10:45 unknown25 51 18 September 1942 06:03 Il-232
23 2 September 1942 06:38 unknown25 52 18 September 1942 17:00 Il-2 western edge of Stalingrad38
30 2 September 1942 09:45 Pe-2 3 km (1.9 mi) north of Karpatsch36 52 18 September 1942 05:55 MiG-139
24 2 September 1942 17:10 unknown25 53 20 September 1942 09:15 unknown39
31 3 September 1942 05:25 Il-2 east of Stalingrad20 54 23 September 1942 10:40 unknown39
25 3 September 1942 05:26 unknown25 53 24 September 1942 12:49 Il-2 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Chalshuta38
26 5 September 1942 06:07 unknown25 55 27 September 1942 16:05 unknown39
32 27 6 September 1942 17:03 LaGG-3?Note 1 30 km (19 mi) north-northwest of Stalingrad20 56 12 February 1943
—
 unknown40
28 7 September 1942 16:41 unknown25 57 28 February 1943 11:30 unknown40
29 7 September 1942 16:42 unknown25 58 2 March 1943 10:37 unknown40

Awards

See also

See also

Notes

Notes

  1. According to the 1996 book by Prien and Stemmer claimed as an unknown aircraft type.23
  2. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Lavochkin La-5.11
  3. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:13.37
References

References

Citations

  1. Obermaier 1989, p. 108.
  2. Prien et al. 2002, p. 253.
  3. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 105.
  4. Prien & Stemmer 1996, pp. 491–492.
  5. Weal 2013, p. 43.
  6. Prien & Stemmer 1996, pp. 122–123.
  7. Prien & Stemmer 1996, pp. 150, 152.
  8. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 152.
  9. Dixon 2023, p. 266.
  10. Scherzer 2007, p. 296.
  11. Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 284.
  12. Zabecki 2014, p. 1618.
  13. Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 284–285.
  14. Prien et al. 2003, p. 140.
  15. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 478.
  16. Prien et al. 2005, p. 34.
  17. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 482.
  18. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 484.
  19. Prien et al. 2006, p. 214.
  20. Prien et al. 2006, p. 223.
  21. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 485.
  22. Prien et al. 2006, p. 215.
  23. Prien & Stemmer 1996, pp. 489–491.
  24. Prien et al. 2006, p. 216.
  25. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 490.
  26. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 487.
  27. Prien et al. 2006, p. 217.
  28. Prien et al. 2006, p. 218.
  29. Prien et al. 2006, p. 224.
  30. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 488.
  31. Prien et al. 2006, p. 219.
  32. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 491.
  33. Prien et al. 2006, p. 220.
  34. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 489.
  35. Prien et al. 2006, p. 221.
  36. Prien et al. 2006, p. 222.
  37. Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 285.
  38. Prien et al. 2006, p. 225.
  39. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 492.
  40. Prien & Stemmer 1996, p. 495.
  41. Patzwall 2008, p. 73.
  42. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 173.

Bibliography

  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52677-864-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard (1996). Messerschmitt Bf 109 im Einsatz bei der III./Jagdgeschwader 3 in 1940 – 1945 [Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Action with the III./Jagdgeschwader 3 in 1940 – 1945] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-33-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/I—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/I—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-63-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/I—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/I—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-69-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2005). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6.12.1941 bis 30.4.1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-76-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-77-9.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Weal, John (2007). More Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 76. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-177-9.
  • Weal, John (2013). Aces of Jagdgeschwader 3 'Udet'. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 116. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78096-298-6.
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