Siegfried Freytag
Encyclopedia
Siegfried Freytag was a German
World War II
fighter ace
and member of the French Foreign Legion
. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
, then in the German Empire
, Freytag grew up in the Free City of Danzig
. During World War II
, he served in the Luftwaffe
, beginning with 6./Jagdgeschwader 77
(JG 77) in the summer of 1940. His first victory was on 31 October 1940 when he claimed a Lockheed Hudson
of Coastal Command. Along with JG 77, he then took part in the invasion of Greece and Crete in March – May 1941. JG 77 next operated over the Eastern front. By June 1942 Oberleutnant
Freytag had 57 victories to his credit, with some 12 aircraft destroyed on the ground, and he was awarded the prestigious Ritterkreuz on 3 July 1942.
Freytag was by now Staffelkapitän
of 1./JG 77, and relocated to the Mediterranean theatre, operating against Malta
from July until October 1942. Freytag was one of the most successful aces during these operations, claiming 21 victories, and raising his total to 78. He was shot down by Spitfires on 27 July, but was rescued from the sea off Valetta by a Dornier Do 24
flying boat.
Operating over North Africa and Tunisia, Freytag scored 16 more victories. On 13 March 1943, Freytag was made Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 77. He flew over Sicily, but was shot down over Gela
by P-38 Lightning
fighters on 12 July, bailing out wounded from his stricken Bf 109 G-6. Following his recovery, Freytag commanded II./JG 77, on Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich
) duties based in Germany.
On 25 December, Freytag was appointed acting Geschwaderkommodore
of JG 77, when Major
Johannes Wiese
was shot down and wounded.
Freytag may have shot down RCAF fighter ace Flt/Lt. Henry Wallace McLeod
. Freytag claimed the only Spitfire for his 101st claim on 27 September 1944 in the Duisberg area, which probably was flown by McLeod. He recorded his last (102nd) victory on 1 January 1945. Freytag was again appointed acting Kommodore of JG 77 on 7 March, following the death of Major Erich Leie
.
On 4 April 1945, Freytag was transferred to the Geschwaderstab of Jagdgeschwader 51
(JG 5), but was soon transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7
(JG 7), flying the Messerschmitt Me 262
jet fighter, where it was intended he become a Gruppenkommandeur
. However, the war ended before he could assume the position.
Siegfried Freytag was officially credited with 102 victories. He claimed about 50 victories over the Eastern front
. Among his victories over the Western front
are at least 3 four-engine bombers. Freytag had been nominated for the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
, but the war ended before the paperwork had been processed.
by U.S. troops, he was initially employed as an interpreter. After discovering all his family and friends had died and his family's property had been seized by the Polish authorities when Danzig was annexed by Poland
, he worked for a time as a taxi driver before joining the French Foreign Legion
in 1952 as an infantry soldier. Assigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment after his basic training at Sidi Bel Abbes, he served for 12 years with the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion. He fought in Indochina
as an private and also served in Algeria
and Djibouti
. He was promoted to Sergent Chef in 1962.
After his retirement in 1970, he resided in the French Foreign Legion retirement home in Puyloubier
, where he died in 2003 at the age of 83.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
and member of the French Foreign Legion
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
World War II
Born in in Danzig-LangfuhrWrzeszcz
Wrzeszcz is one of the boroughs of the Northern Polish city of Gdańsk. With a population of more than 65,000 in an area of 9.9 km² , Wrzeszcz is the most populous part of Gdańsk.- History :...
, then in the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
, Freytag grew up in the Free City of Danzig
Free City of Danzig
The Free City of Danzig was a semi-autonomous city-state that existed between 1920 and 1939, consisting of the Baltic Sea port of Danzig and surrounding areas....
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
, beginning with 6./Jagdgeschwader 77
Jagdgeschwader 77
Jagdgeschwader 77 Herz As was a Luftwaffe fighter Geschwader during World War II. It served in all the German theaters of war, from Western Europe to the Eastern Front, and from the high north in Norway to the Mediterranean.All three gruppen within the Geschwader operated variants of the...
(JG 77) in the summer of 1940. His first victory was on 31 October 1940 when he claimed a Lockheed Hudson
Lockheed Hudson
The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
of Coastal Command. Along with JG 77, he then took part in the invasion of Greece and Crete in March – May 1941. JG 77 next operated over the Eastern front. By June 1942 Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
Freytag had 57 victories to his credit, with some 12 aircraft destroyed on the ground, and he was awarded the prestigious Ritterkreuz on 3 July 1942.
Freytag was by now Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
of 1./JG 77, and relocated to the Mediterranean theatre, operating against Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
from July until October 1942. Freytag was one of the most successful aces during these operations, claiming 21 victories, and raising his total to 78. He was shot down by Spitfires on 27 July, but was rescued from the sea off Valetta by a Dornier Do 24
Dornier Do 24
-See also:-References:* -External links:* * * * * * * * *...
flying boat.
Operating over North Africa and Tunisia, Freytag scored 16 more victories. On 13 March 1943, Freytag was made Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 77. He flew over Sicily, but was shot down over Gela
Gela
Gela is a town and comune in the province of Caltanissetta in the south of Sicily, Italy. The city is at about 84 kilometers distance from the city of Caltanissetta, on the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a larger population than the provincial capital, and ranks second in land area.Gela is an...
by P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
fighters on 12 July, bailing out wounded from his stricken Bf 109 G-6. Following his recovery, Freytag commanded II./JG 77, on Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich
Defense of the Reich
The Defence of the Reich is the name given to the strategic defensive aerial campaign fought by the Luftwaffe over German occupied Europe and Germany itself during World War II. Its aim was to prevent the destruction of German military and civil industries by the Western Allies...
) duties based in Germany.
On 25 December, Freytag was appointed acting Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
of JG 77, when Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Johannes Wiese
Johannes Wiese
Johannes Wiese was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1935 until the end of World War II on 8 May 1945. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
was shot down and wounded.
Freytag may have shot down RCAF fighter ace Flt/Lt. Henry Wallace McLeod
Henry Wallace McLeod
Flight Lieutenant "Wally" Henry Wallace McLeod DSO, DFC and Bar RCAF was a Canadian who flew for the RCAF as a fighter pilot during the Second World War. He achieved a total of 21 enemy aircraft destroyed, three probably destroyed, and 11 damaged, and one shared damaged...
. Freytag claimed the only Spitfire for his 101st claim on 27 September 1944 in the Duisberg area, which probably was flown by McLeod. He recorded his last (102nd) victory on 1 January 1945. Freytag was again appointed acting Kommodore of JG 77 on 7 March, following the death of Major Erich Leie
Erich Leie
Erich Leie was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe until his death on 7 March 1945...
.
On 4 April 1945, Freytag was transferred to the Geschwaderstab of Jagdgeschwader 51
Jagdgeschwader 51
Jagdgeschwader 51 Mölders was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II, named after the fighter ace Werner Mölders in 1942. JG 51's pilots won more Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes than any other Jagdgeschwader, and flew combat from 1939 in all major theatres of war. Flying Bf 109s and then...
(JG 5), but was soon transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7
Jagdgeschwader 7
Jagdgeschwader 7 Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing of World War II and the first operational jet fighter wing in the world.It was created late in 1944 and served until the end of the war in May 1945, and it operated the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter exclusively.JG 7 was formed under the...
(JG 7), flying the Messerschmitt Me 262
Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944...
jet fighter, where it was intended he become a Gruppenkommandeur
Gruppenkommandeur
Gruppenkommandeur is a Luftwaffe position , that is the equivalent of a commander of a group or wing in other air forces. Gruppenkommandeur usually has the rank of Hauptmann or Major, and commands a Gruppe, which is a sub-division of a Geschwader. A Gruppe usually consists of three or four...
. However, the war ended before he could assume the position.
Siegfried Freytag was officially credited with 102 victories. He claimed about 50 victories over the Eastern front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
. Among his victories over the Western front
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
are at least 3 four-engine bombers. Freytag had been nominated for the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
, but the war ended before the paperwork had been processed.
After the war
Captured near RegensburgRegensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
by U.S. troops, he was initially employed as an interpreter. After discovering all his family and friends had died and his family's property had been seized by the Polish authorities when Danzig was annexed by Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, he worked for a time as a taxi driver before joining the French Foreign Legion
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
in 1952 as an infantry soldier. Assigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment after his basic training at Sidi Bel Abbes, he served for 12 years with the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion. He fought in Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
as an private and also served in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
and Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
. He was promoted to Sergent Chef in 1962.
After his retirement in 1970, he resided in the French Foreign Legion retirement home in Puyloubier
Puyloubier
Puyloubier is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France.In Puyloubier can be found the Institution des Invalides de la Legion Etrangere.-Population:-References:*...
, where he died in 2003 at the age of 83.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der LuftwaffeEhrenpokal der LuftwaffeThe Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe was a Luftwaffe award established on February 27, 1940 by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe. It was officially known as the Ehrenpokal "für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg", or Honor Goblet "For...
(18 May 1942) - German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold (25 January 1943) - Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1939) 2nd and 1st class - Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
on 3 July 1942 as OberleutnantOberleutnantOberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
and pilot in the I./JG 77