Gustav Frielinghaus

Gustav Frielinghaus (5 March 1912 – 11 September 1963) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories during World War II.

Military career

In May 1942, II. ''Gruppe'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) was stationed at Plzeň for rest and refit before it was relocated to the Eastern Front on 18 May 1942. Too late to participate in the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula, it was located on the left wing of Army Group South, assigned to an airfield at Chuguyev in the Kharkov area where they arrived on 19 May.

As part of the Luftwaffe plan to expand its fighter force, a fourth ''Gruppe'' was to be added to every ''Geschwader''. This was achieved by transferring some of the other ''Gruppen''s personnel and equipment. This created the nucleus of a newly formed ''Gruppe''. IV. ''Gruppe'' of JG 3 was officially created on 1 June 1943 at Neubiberg Airfield and placed under command of ''Major'' Franz Beyer while Frielinghaus was given command of 11. ''Staffel''. The ''Gruppe'' was initially equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, some carrying a pair of 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons installed in conformal gun pods under the wings. In mid-June, the ''Gruppe'' was ordered to Italy to fight in the Mediterranean theater.

On 11 July, IV. ''Gruppe'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) was ordered to an airfield at Ramacca, Sicily. There, the ''Gruppe'' supported German forces defending against the Allied invasion of Sicily. Due to the advancing Allied forces, the airfield had to be abandoned on 15 July, forcing the ''Gruppe'' to retreat to Leverano. The next day, Frielinghaus claimed two Supermarine Spitfire fighters shot down in the combat area south and south-southwest of Licata. On 13 July, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down southwest of Caltanissetta. On 20 August, Frielinghaus claimed a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter shot down east of Gaeta.

On 1 May 1944, Frielinghaus was appointed ''Gruppenkommandeur'' (group commander) of II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 3. He succeeded ''Leutnant'' Leopold Münster who temporarily had led the ''Gruppe'' after its former commander ''Hauptmann'' Hermann Freiherr von Kap-herr was killed in action. Frielinghaus took command at Gardelegen Airfield. Since Frielinghaus was still convalescing from injuries sustained in December 1943, Frielinghaus led the ''Gruppe'' from the ground while Münster continued to lead in the air.

Later life

Frielinghaus died on 11 September 1963 at the age of in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Summary of career

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Frielinghaus was credited with 74 aerial victories. Spick also lists him with 74 aerial victories claimed in approximately 500 combat missions.

Awards

* Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
* Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (7 September 1942)
* German Cross in Gold on 24 September 1942 as ''Leutnant'' in the Stab II./''Jagdgeschwader'' 3
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 February 1944 as ''Hauptmann'' and ''Gruppenkommandeur'' of the IV./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Frielinghaus, Gustav
1912 births
1963 deaths
People from Osnabrück
Luftwaffe pilots
German World War II flying aces
Recipients of the Iron Cross
Recipients of the Gold German Cross
Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
German military personnel of World War II