{"product_id":"1-72-witty-wings-wtw72-003-messerschmitt-bf109g-6-double-cevron-5-chistl-flown-by-gerhard-barkhorn-jg52-ww2-dritte-reich-luftwaffe-limited-edition","title":"1\/72 Witty Wings (WTW72-003-01) Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 (Double Cevron 5) \"Chistl\" flown by Gerhard Barkhorn, JG52,  WWII, Drittes Reich Luftwaffe (Limited Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1\/72 Witty Wings (WTW72-003-01) Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 (Double Cevron 5) \"Chistl\" flown by Gerhard Barkhorn, JG52,  WWII, Drittes Reich Luftwaffe (Limited Edition)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"clsLayout\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr valign=\"top\"\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eWitty Wings (WTW72-003-01)\u003cbr\u003eMesserschmitt Bf109G-6 \"Chistl\"\u003cbr\u003eflown by Gerhard Barkhorn  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eJG 52, WWII, Drittes Reich Luftwaffe \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e \u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e1:72 Scale\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eLength\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eWidth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMesserschmitt Bf 109G\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe world became aware of the Messerschmitt Bf109 during the Battle of Britain, and it is to this day, Germany's best known aircraft. Its success lay in its maneuverability and its accurate and stable handling. Throghout World War II, new models were developed; the Bf109G-6 \"Gustav\" was among the best. The first G-6s were delivered to fighter units in 1942 and saw extensive service on the Eastern Front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/powersearch\/?Search=CAT_TYP_PRP_FTR_BF109\"\u003eMesserschmitt Bf 109G\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned to meet a Luftwaffe need for a single-seat fighter\/interceptor, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was first flown on May 28th, 1935. Its all-metal construction, closed canopy and retractable gear made the Bf 109 one of the first true modern fighters of WWII. This versatile aircraft served in many roles and was the most produced aircraft of the war and the backbone of the Luftwaffe, and was flown by Germany's top three aces, who claimed a total of 928 victories between them. Armed with two cannons and two machine guns, the Bf 109's design underwent constant revisions, which allowed it to remain competitive until the end of the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"clsCopyright\"\u003e© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"bodyContent\" class=\"vector-body ve-init-mw-desktopArticleTarget-targetContainer\" aria-labelledby=\"firstHeading\" data-mw-ve-target-container=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"mw-content-text\" class=\"mw-body-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100.024%; height: 350.835px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 36.4773px;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 98.0226%; height: 36.4773px;\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cheader class=\"mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar no-font-mode-scale\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"firstHeading mw-first-heading\" id=\"firstHeading\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-page-title-main\"\u003eGerhard Barkhorn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c\/header\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"vector-page-toolbar vector-feature-custom-font-size-clientpref--excluded\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"vector-page-toolbar-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"left-navigation\"\u003e\u003cnav aria-label=\"Namespaces\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"vector-menu vector-menu-tabs mw-portlet mw-portlet-associated-pages\" id=\"p-associated-pages\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"vector-menu-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"vector-menu-content-list\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/nav\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mw-ve-target-container=\"\" aria-labelledby=\"firstHeading\" class=\"vector-body ve-init-mw-desktopArticleTarget-targetContainer\" id=\"bodyContent\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"contentSub\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"mw-content-subtitle\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-body-content\" id=\"mw-content-text\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\" class=\"mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"infobox vcard\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-above\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-image\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:5-Luftwaffe-pilot-Major-Gerhard-Barkhorn-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"450\" data-file-width=\"309\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/8\/82\/5-Luftwaffe-pilot-Major-Gerhard-Barkhorn-01.jpg 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"328\" width=\"225\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/82\/5-Luftwaffe-pilot-Major-Gerhard-Barkhorn-01.jpg\/250px-5-Luftwaffe-pilot-Major-Gerhard-Barkhorn-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"infobox-caption\"\u003eBarkhorn as a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eNickname\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data nickname\"\u003eGerd\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eBorn\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e20 March 1919\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"birthplace\"\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Königsberg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/K%C3%B6nigsberg\"\u003eKönigsberg\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Free State of Prussia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Free_State_of_Prussia\"\u003ePrussia\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Weimar Republic\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Weimar_Republic\"\u003eGermany\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eDied\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e11 January 1983\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(aged 63)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"deathplace\"\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Frechen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frechen\"\u003eFrechen\u003c\/a\u003e\/\u003ca title=\"Cologne\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cologne\"\u003eCologne\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"West Germany\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/West_Germany\"\u003eWest Germany\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eBuried\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"label\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Tegernsee\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tegernsee\"\u003eTegernsee\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eAllegiance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"plainlist\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"flagicon nowrap\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-image-border\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"600\" data-file-width=\"1000\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/77\/Flag_of_Germany_%281935%E2%80%931945%29.svg\/60px-Flag_of_Germany_%281935%E2%80%931945%29.svg.png 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"14\" width=\"23\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/77\/Flag_of_Germany_%281935%E2%80%931945%29.svg\/40px-Flag_of_Germany_%281935%E2%80%931945%29.svg.png\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Nazi Germany\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nazi_Germany\"\u003eNazi Germany\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"flagicon nowrap\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-image-border\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"600\" data-file-width=\"1000\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Flag_of_Germany.svg\/60px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"14\" width=\"23\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Flag_of_Germany.svg\/40px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"West Germany\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/West_Germany\"\u003eWest Germany\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eBranch\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"plainlist\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"flagicon\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-image-border\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"600\" data-file-width=\"1000\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/11\/War_ensign_of_Germany_%281938%E2%80%931945%29.svg\/60px-War_ensign_of_Germany_%281938%E2%80%931945%29.svg.png 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"14\" width=\"23\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/11\/War_ensign_of_Germany_%281938%E2%80%931945%29.svg\/40px-War_ensign_of_Germany_%281938%E2%80%931945%29.svg.png\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Luftwaffe\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Luftwaffe\"\u003eLuftwaffe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Wehrmacht\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wehrmacht\"\u003eWehrmacht\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"flagicon\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-image-border\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"600\" data-file-width=\"1000\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Flag_of_Germany_%28state%29.svg\/60px-Flag_of_Germany_%28state%29.svg.png 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"14\" width=\"23\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Flag_of_Germany_%28state%29.svg\/40px-Flag_of_Germany_%28state%29.svg.png\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"German Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/German_Air_Force\"\u003eGerman Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Bundeswehr\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bundeswehr\"\u003eBundeswehr\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eService years\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"plainlist\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1937–1945\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1956–1975\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eRank\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"plainlist\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Major (Germany)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Major_(Germany)\"\u003eMajor\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Wehrmacht\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wehrmacht\"\u003eWehrmacht\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Generalmajor\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Generalmajor\"\u003eGeneralmajor\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Bundeswehr\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bundeswehr\"\u003eBundeswehr\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eUnit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"JG 2\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/JG_2\"\u003eJG 2\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"JG 52\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/JG_52\"\u003eJG 52\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"JG 6\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/JG_6\"\u003eJG 6\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"JV 44\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/JV_44\"\u003eJV 44\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eCommands\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e4.\/JG 52, I.\/JG 52, II.\/JG 52, JG 6,\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdbombergeschwader 31\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdbombergeschwader_31\"\u003eJaboG 31\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBoelcke\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eConflicts\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hidden-begin mw-collapsible mw-collapsed mw-made-collapsible\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hidden-title skin-nightmode-reset-color\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSee battles\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv hidden=\"until-found\" class=\"hidden-content mw-collapsible-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Battle of Britain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Britain\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Eastern Front (World War 2)\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eastern_Front_(World_War_2)\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Operation Barbarossa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Barbarossa\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Operation Blue\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Blue\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Operation Citadel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Citadel\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Crimean Offensive (1944)\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Crimean_Offensive_(1944)\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Operation Bagration\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Bagration\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Defense of the Reich\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Defense_of_the_Reich\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"\u003eAwards\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight%27s_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross_with_Oak_Leaves_and_Swords\"\u003eKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGerhard\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eGerd\u003c\/b\u003e\"\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eBarkhorn\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(20 March 1919 – 11 January 1983) was a German military aviator who was a renowned\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wing commander (rank)\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wing_commander_(rank)\"\u003ewing commander\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Luftwaffe\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Luftwaffe\"\u003eLuftwaffe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eduring\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"World War II\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/World_War_II\"\u003eWorld War II\u003c\/a\u003e. As a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fighter ace\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fighter_ace\"\u003efighter ace\u003c\/a\u003e, he was the second most successful fighter pilot of all time after fellow German\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Erich Hartmann\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Erich_Hartmann\"\u003eErich Hartmann\u003c\/a\u003e. Other than Hartmann, Barkhorn is the only fighter ace to ever exceed 300 claimed victories.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki201419,_479_1-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki201419,_479-1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e1\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFollowing World War II, he became a high-ranking officer in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"German Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/German_Air_Force\"\u003eGerman Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the Federal Republic of Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn in the Weimar Republic in 1919, Barkhorn joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 and completed his training in 1939. Barkhorn flew his first combat missions during the \"\u003ca title=\"Phoney War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phoney_War\"\u003ePhoney War\u003c\/a\u003e\" and then the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Battle of Britain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Britain\"\u003eBattle of Britain\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewithout shooting down any aircraft. Flying with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 52\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_52\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e52\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing), he claimed his first victory in July 1941 and his total rose steadily against the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Soviet Air Forces\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Soviet_Air_Forces\"\u003eSoviet Air Forces\u003c\/a\u003e. In March 1942, Barkhorn was appointed squadron leader of 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Organization_of_the_Luftwaffe_(1933%E2%80%931945)#Staffel\"\u003eStaffel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(4th squadron) of JG 52 and was awarded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight%27s_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross\"\u003eKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein August 1942. He was given command of II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Organization_of_the_Luftwaffe_(1933%E2%80%931945)#Gruppe\"\u003eGruppe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(2nd group) of JG 52 in September 1943. Barkhorn was awarded the second highest decoration in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wehrmacht\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wehrmacht\"\u003eWehrmacht\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhen he received the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight%27s_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross_with_Oak_Leaves_and_Swords\"\u003eKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor 250 aerial victories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarkhorn flew 1,104 combat sorties and was credited with 301 victories on the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Eastern Front (World War II)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eastern_Front_(World_War_II)\"\u003eEastern Front\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epiloting the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Messerschmitt Bf 109\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Messerschmitt_Bf_109\"\u003eMesserschmitt Bf 109\u003c\/a\u003e. In January 1945, he left JG 52 on the Eastern Front and joined\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 6\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_6\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e6\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JG 6—6th Fighter Wing) as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Geschwaderkommodore\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Geschwaderkommodore\"\u003eGeschwaderkommodore\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(wing commander), defending Germany from\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Allies of World War II\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Allies_of_World_War_II\"\u003eWestern Allied\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eair attack. In April 1945, he joined Galland's\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdverband 44\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdverband_44\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdverband\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e44\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JV 44—44th Fighter Detachment) and surrendered to the Western Allies in May 1945 and was released later that year. After the war, Barkhorn joined the German Air Force of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bundeswehr\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bundeswehr\"\u003eBundeswehr\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, serving until 1975. On 6 January 1983, Barkhorn was involved in a car crash with his wife Christl. She died instantly and Barkhorn died five days later on 11 January.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"Early_life_and_career\"\u003eEarly life and career\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarkhorn was born on 20 March 1919 in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Königsberg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/K%C3%B6nigsberg\"\u003eKönigsberg\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Free State of Prussia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Free_State_of_Prussia\"\u003eFree State of Prussia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Weimar Republic\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Weimar_Republic\"\u003eWeimar Republic\u003c\/a\u003e. Today it is\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kaliningrad\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kaliningrad\"\u003eKaliningrad\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kaliningrad Oblast\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kaliningrad_Oblast\"\u003eKaliningrad Oblast\u003c\/a\u003e, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Russia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Russia\"\u003eRussian\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Enclave and exclave\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Enclave_and_exclave\"\u003eexclave\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebetween\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Poland\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Poland\"\u003ePoland\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lithuania\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lithuania\"\u003eLithuania\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Baltic Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Baltic_Sea\"\u003eBaltic Sea\u003c\/a\u003e. He was the third of four children of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStadtbauoberinspektor Tiefbautechniker im Straßenbau\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Inspector\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Inspector\"\u003einspector\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor road construction) Wilhelm and his wife Therese. Barkhorn had two brothers, Helmut and Dieter, and a sister Meta.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146_2-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146-2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e2\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockert2012302,_306_3-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockert2012302,_306-3\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e3\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-7\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-7\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003eNote 1\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe four children were all members of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bündische Jugend\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/B%C3%BCndische_Jugend\"\u003eBündische Jugend\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, a German youth movement. From 1925 to 1929, Barkhorn attended the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Volksschule\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Volksschule\"\u003eVolksschule\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(primary school) in Königsberg and then the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wilhelmsgymnasium (Königsberg)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wilhelmsgymnasium_(K%C3%B6nigsberg)\"\u003eWilhelms-Gymnasium\u003c\/a\u003e, a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Secondary school\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Secondary_school\"\u003esecondary school\u003c\/a\u003e, where he graduated with his\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Abitur\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Abitur\"\u003eAbitur\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(diploma) in early 1937.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146_2-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146-2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e2\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-left\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:ID003745_B177_KglWilhelmGymnasium.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"682\" data-file-width=\"1024\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7e\/ID003745_B177_KglWilhelmGymnasium.jpg\/500px-ID003745_B177_KglWilhelmGymnasium.jpg 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"167\" width=\"250\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7e\/ID003745_B177_KglWilhelmGymnasium.jpg\/250px-ID003745_B177_KglWilhelmGymnasium.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eBarkhorn attended the Wilhelms-Gymnasium in Königsberg.\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 1 April 1937, Barkhorn started his compulsory\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Reichsarbeitsdienst\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reichsarbeitsdienst\"\u003eReichsarbeitsdienst\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(Reich Labour Service) with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eArbeitsdienstabteilung\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e6\/12, a labor service department, in Mehlkehmen, present-day Kalinino in Kaliningrad Oblast. His\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eReichsarbeitsdienst\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eended on 30 September. A month later, on 1 November, Barkhorn joined the military service in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Nazi Germany\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nazi_Germany\"\u003eNazi German\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLuftwaffe as a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fahnenjunker\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fahnenjunker\"\u003eFahnenjunker\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(cadet) at the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Air War School Klotzsche\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air_War_School_Klotzsche\"\u003eAir War School Klotzsche\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Dresden\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dresden\"\u003eDresden\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146_2-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146-2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e2\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHe started his flight training in March 1938 at the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"RAF Gatow\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/RAF_Gatow\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLuftkriegsschule\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Gatow\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gatow\"\u003eGatow\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockert2012302_4-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockert2012302-4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e4\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-9\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-9\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003eNote 2\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHis classmates at Gatow included\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Julius Meimberg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Julius_Meimberg\"\u003eJulius Meimberg\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Egon Mayer\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Egon_Mayer\"\u003eEgon Mayer\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMeimberg200228_10-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMeimberg200228-10\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e8\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 4 March, he made his maiden flight on a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Heinkel He 72\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heinkel_He_72\"\u003eHeinkel He 72\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebiplane trainer. Until 25 March, accompanied by his flight instructor, he flew up to nine times daily, flights of up to 60 minutes. His first solo flight, his 68th in total, was flown on 29 March. In April and May, he learned to fly the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Focke-Wulf Fw 44\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Focke-Wulf_Fw_44\"\u003eFocke-Wulf Fw 44\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bücker Bü 131\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/B%C3%BCcker_B%C3%BC_131\"\u003eBücker Bü 131\u003c\/a\u003e. On 1 June, he began learning\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Aerobatics\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aerobatics\"\u003eaerobatics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Gotha Go 145\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gotha_Go_145\"\u003eGotha Go 145\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20148_11-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20148-11\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e9\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOne of his flight instructors at the time was\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Franz Stigler\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Franz_Stigler\"\u003eFranz Stigler\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewho initially thought that Barkhorn was a bad pilot but later graduated him with good ratings.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMakosAlexander201232–33_12-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMakosAlexander201232%E2%80%9333-12\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e10\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn December 1938, Barkhorn and the other flight students transferred from Dresden to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Heringsdorf Airport\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heringsdorf_Airport\"\u003eairfield\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Garz (Usedom)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Garz_(Usedom)\"\u003eGarz\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon the island of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Usedom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Usedom\"\u003eUsedom\u003c\/a\u003e. On 6 December, Barkhorn made a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Crash landing\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Crash_landing\"\u003ecrash landing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Heinkel He 51\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heinkel_He_51\"\u003eHeinkel He 51\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebiplane fighter and sustained minor injuries. The pilots for the first time flew a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mock combat\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mock_combat\"\u003emock combat\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eagainst one of the other pilots in January 1939. In February, the students returned to Dresden where theoretical training was emphasized. Prior to completing his training, Barkhorn was given home leave in the summer.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20148–9_13-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20148%E2%80%939-13\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e11\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEffective as of 1 August 1939, Barkhorn was promoted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Oberfähnrich\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oberf%C3%A4hnrich\"\u003eOberfähnrich\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(rank equivalent to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Master sergeant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Master_sergeant\"\u003emaster sergeant\u003c\/a\u003e) and at the same time to the officer rank of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Leutnant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Leutnant\"\u003eLeutnant\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Second lieutenant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_lieutenant\"\u003esecond lieutenant\u003c\/a\u003e) on 27 August. His training in Dresden ended that day.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146_2-3\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146-2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e2\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorld War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Invasion of Poland\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Invasion_of_Poland\"\u003einvaded Poland\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand Barkhorn was selected for specialized fighter pilot training. That day, Barkhorn was posted to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdfliegerschule\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdfliegerschule#Jagdfliegerschule_Schlei%C3%9Fheim_or_Jagdfliegerschule_2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdfliegerschule\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSchleißheim\u003c\/a\u003e, the fighter pilot school at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Flugplatz Schleißheim\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flugplatz_Schlei%C3%9Fheim\"\u003eSchleißheim\u003c\/a\u003e. Training began on the He 51, on 10 October, training progressed to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Messerschmitt_Bf_108_Taifun\"\u003eMesserschmitt Bf 108 Taifun\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esingle-engine sport and touring aircraft. Barkhorn first flew the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Messerschmitt Bf 109\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Messerschmitt_Bf_109\"\u003eMesserschmitt Bf 109\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon the morning of 21 October. His first\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Aerial gunnery\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aerial_gunnery\"\u003eaerial gunnery\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etraining was flown on the He 51 on 7 November, scoring 20 out of 100 hits, a relatively poor performance. His next attempt, flown on 16 November was even worse, scoring only 10 out 100 hits on the target. Training in Schleißheim ended on 23 November with an aerial gunnery training on the Bf 109 and a navigation flight on the He 51. On 1 December, he was posted to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eErgänzungs-Jagdgruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMerseburg, a supplementary training unit based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Merseburg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Merseburg\"\u003eMerseburg\u003c\/a\u003e. There, he received further training, particularly in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Formation flying\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formation_flying\"\u003eformation flying\u003c\/a\u003e. He made his last two flights in Merseburg on 7 January 1940, both aerial gunnery training on a Bf 109 B. His last flight was his 615th in total.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20149_14-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20149-14\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e12\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"World_War_II\"\u003eWorld War II\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon completion of his training, he was posted to 3.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Organization_of_the_Luftwaffe_(1933%E2%80%931945)#Staffel\"\u003eStaffel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(3rd squadron) in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 2\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\"Richthofen\" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), named after the World War I fighter pilot\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Manfred von Richthofen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Manfred_von_Richthofen\"\u003eManfred von Richthofen\u003c\/a\u003e, on 10 January 1940.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201410_16-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201410-16\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e14\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAt the time, the squadron was based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Base Y-75 Frankfurt\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Base_Y-75_Frankfurt\"\u003eFrankfurt-Rebstock Airfield\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand commanded by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHenning Strümpell. The squadron was subordinated to I.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Organization_of_the_Luftwaffe_(1933%E2%80%931945)#Gruppe\"\u003eGruppe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(1st group) of JG 2 headed by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eJürgen Roth.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-17\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-17\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003eNote 3\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas equipped with the Bf 109 E and flew combat air patrols along Germany's western border during the \"\u003ca title=\"Phoney War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phoney_War\"\u003ePhoney War\u003c\/a\u003e\" period of World War II.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock200156–57_18-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock200156%E2%80%9357-18\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e15\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn total, Barkhorn flew on 22 such missions with JG 2.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201410_16-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201410-16\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e14\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-right\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:JG52-Emblem.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"201\" data-file-width=\"154\" class=\"mw-file-element mw-file-upright\" height=\"196\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/2\/22\/JG52-Emblem.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eJG 52 Emblem\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom 1 April until 30 June, Barkhorn was posted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eFliegerausbildungs-Regiment\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e10 (10th Aviators Training Regiment) based in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Pardubice\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pardubice\"\u003ePardubitz\u003c\/a\u003e, present-day Pardubice in the Czech Republic, as a company commander. In June 1940, Barkhorn fell ill and was diagnosed with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Scarlet fever\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Scarlet_fever\"\u003escarlet fever\u003c\/a\u003e. He was sent to a hospital in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ústí nad Orlicí\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%C3%9Ast%C3%AD_nad_Orlic%C3%AD\"\u003eWildenschwert\u003c\/a\u003e, present-day Ústí nad Orlicí in the Czech Republic. By July, he had fully recovered and on 1 July was posted to the 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 52\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_52\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e52\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing), a squadron of II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201410,_14_19-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201410,_14-19\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e16\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThis squadron was commanded by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Johannes Steinhoff\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Johannes_Steinhoff\"\u003eJohannes Steinhoff\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhile the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas led by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHorst-Günther von Kornatzki.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002151_20-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002151-20\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e17\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn conducted many training flights with 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Nordholz\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nordholz\"\u003eNordholz\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Stade\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stade\"\u003eStade\u003c\/a\u003e. Shortly after 18 August, he was transferred to 6.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201414_21-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201414-21\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e18\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHis new\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Staffelkapitän\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Staffelkapit%C3%A4n\"\u003eStaffelkapitän\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(squadron leader) was\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWerner Lederer. Lederer commanded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003euntil 6 October when he was transferred and replaced by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Rudolf Resch\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rudolf_Resch\"\u003eRudolf Resch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002151_20-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002151-20\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e17\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFlying from\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Peuplingues\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Peuplingues\"\u003ePeuplingues\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 27 September, Barkhorn for the first time had enemy contact on a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Combat air patrol\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Combat_air_patrol\"\u003ecombat air patrol\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eacross the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"English Channel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/English_Channel\"\u003eEnglish Channel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eduring the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Battle of Britain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Britain\"\u003eBattle of Britain\u003c\/a\u003e. Near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Maidstone\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maidstone\"\u003eMaidstone\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Chatham, Kent\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chatham,_Kent\"\u003eChatham\u003c\/a\u003e, the flight encountered\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Royal Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Royal_Air_Force\"\u003eRoyal Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(RAF) fighters. He flew many\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fighter escort\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fighter_escort\"\u003efighter escort\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emissions to England, including a long-range mission on 29 September for bombers from II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lehrgeschwader 2\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lehrgeschwader_2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLehrgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(LG 2—2nd Demonstration Wing) targeting\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"London\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/London\"\u003eLondon\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201414_21-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201414-21\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e18\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 4 October, he helped escort bombers from I.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof LG 2, and again on the following day. Barkhorn flew two further missions in support of I.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof LG 2 on 5 October and three days later, he escorted II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof LG 2 and fighter bombers to London. On 10 October, he flew a courier mission, taking documents to Rouen, Beaumont and Cherbourg, before returning to Peuplingues. On 11 and 12 October, Barkhorn flew two further missions to London.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201417_22-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201417-22\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e19\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 23 October 1940, for his service he was awarded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Iron Cross\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iron_Cross\"\u003eIron Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2nd Class (\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eEisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 27 October, Barkhorn flew a further mission, escorting bombers of LG 2 to England. Two days later, on his 38th combat mission, Barkhorn encountered\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Supermarine Spitfire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Supermarine_Spitfire\"\u003eSupermarine Spitfires\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eover the English Channel. His Bf 109 E-7 (\u003ci\u003eWerknummer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e5922—factory number) took numerous hits, forcing him to make an\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Emergency landing\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Emergency_landing\"\u003eemergency landing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein the English Channel.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201417_22-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201417-22\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e19\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002161_24-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002161-24\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e21\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWeal200435_25-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWeal200435-25\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e22\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFloating in a small inflatable\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Dinghy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dinghy\"\u003edinghy\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor two hours, he was rescued by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Seenotdienst\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Seenotdienst\"\u003eSeenotdienst\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, the German\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Air-sea rescue\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air-sea_rescue\"\u003eair-sea rescue\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eservice. Barkhorn flew again on 2 November. This was also the last day of operations for II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebefore it returned to Germany.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201419_26-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201419-26\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e23\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThat day, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehad also lost its commanding officer,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWilhelm Ensslen, who had led the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esince 26 August and was\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Killed in action\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Killed_in_action\"\u003ekilled in action\u003c\/a\u003e. Ensslen was replaced by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Erich Woitke\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Erich_Woitke\"\u003eErich Woitke\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002151_20-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002151-20\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e17\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 5 November, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mönchengladbach\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/M%C3%B6nchengladbach\"\u003eMünchen Gladbach\u003c\/a\u003e, present-day Mönchengladbach, for a period of rest and replenishment.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002147_27-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002147-27\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e24\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 3 December 1940, Barkhorn was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class (\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eEisernes Kreuz erster Klasse\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 22 December, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas ordered to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Leeuwarden Air Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Leeuwarden_Air_Base\"\u003eLeeuwarden Airfield\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhere they were tasked with flying fighter patrols along the Dutch\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"North Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/North_Sea\"\u003eNorth Sea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecoast. On 15 January 1941, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ypenburg Airport\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ypenburg_Airport\"\u003eYpenburg Airfield\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhere they stayed until 10 February.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149_28-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149-28\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e25\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn's 6.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ealso used a forward airfield at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Haamstede\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Haamstede\"\u003eHaamstede\u003c\/a\u003e. From this airfield, Barkhorn flew many escort missions for German shipping.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420_29-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420-29\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e26\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 10 February, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Berck-sur-Mer\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Berck-sur-Mer\"\u003eBerck-sur-Mer\u003c\/a\u003e. From this airfield, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eagain patrolled the English Channel and missions to England.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149_28-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149-28\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e25\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn flew two more patrols on 12 February. Three days later, he participated on a mission to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Dover\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dover\"\u003eDover\u003c\/a\u003e-\u003ca title=\"Dungeness\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dungeness\"\u003eDungeness\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420_29-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420-29\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e26\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 6 March, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas ordered to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Maldegem\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maldegem\"\u003eMaldegem\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149_28-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149-28\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e25\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhere they were joined by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Walter Krupinski\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Walter_Krupinski\"\u003eWalter Krupinski\u003c\/a\u003e, someone Barkhorn had befriended during training, having completed his training with the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eErgänzungsgruppe\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz201040_30-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz201040-30\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e27\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eUntil 24 March, Barkhorn flew further combat air patrols, mostly in the area of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ostend\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ostend\"\u003eOstend\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Calais\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Calais\"\u003eCalais\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efollowed by a shipping escort mission on 27 March.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420_29-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420-29\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e26\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 15 April, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved again, this time to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Raversijde\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Raversijde\"\u003eRaversijde\u003c\/a\u003e. On 27 April, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas ordered to an airfield near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Katwijk aan Zee\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Katwijk_aan_Zee\"\u003eKatwijk aan Zee\u003c\/a\u003e, west-northwest of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Leiden\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Leiden\"\u003eLeiden\u003c\/a\u003e, where they received the new Bf 109 F variant. On 24 May, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ereturned again to Raversijde.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149_28-3\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149-28\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e25\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDuring this time, Barkhorn flew many training and patrol missions on the Bf 109 F-2 until 20 April when he received the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Front_Flying_Clasp_of_the_Luftwaffe\"\u003eFront Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Silver (\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eFrontflugspange in Silber\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420,_203_31-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201420,_203-31\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e28\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eII.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas withdrawn from the Channel on 9 June and headed east.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149_28-4\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2002149-28\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e25\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"Operation_Barbarossa\"\u003eOperation Barbarossa\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hatnote navigation-not-searchable\" role=\"note\"\u003eMain article:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Operation Barbarossa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Barbarossa\"\u003eOperation Barbarossa\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-left\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Operation_Barbarossa_corrected_border.png\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"558\" data-file-width=\"443\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/3\/36\/Operation_Barbarossa_corrected_border.png 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"315\" width=\"250\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/36\/Operation_Barbarossa_corrected_border.png\/250px-Operation_Barbarossa_corrected_border.png\" alt=\"A map of Eastern Europe depicting the movement of military units and formations.\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eMap indicating Operation Barbarossa's attack plan\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn preparation of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Operation Barbarossa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Barbarossa\"\u003eOperation Barbarossa\u003c\/a\u003e, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52, without a period of replenishment in Germany, was ordered to airfields close to the German-Soviet\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Demarcation line\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Demarcation_line\"\u003edemarcation line\u003c\/a\u003e. While the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Stab (Luftwaffe designation)\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stab_(Luftwaffe_designation)\"\u003eGruppenstab\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(group headquarters unit) and 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewere based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Suwałki\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Suwa%C5%82ki\"\u003eSuwałki\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein northeastern Poland, 5. and 6.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewere transferred to a forward airfield at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Sobolewo, Białystok County\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sobolewo,_Bia%C5%82ystok_County\"\u003eSobolewo\u003c\/a\u003e. For the invasion, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52 was subordinated to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeschwaderstab\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(headquarters unit) of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 27\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_27\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e27\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JG 27—27th Fighter Wing). The\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas part of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"8th Air Corps (Germany)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/8th_Air_Corps_(Germany)\"\u003eVIII.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eFliegerkorps\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecommanded by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Generaloberst\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Generaloberst\"\u003eGeneraloberst\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wolfram_Freiherr_von_Richthofen\"\u003eWolfram Freiherr von Richthofen\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhich supported the northern wing of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Army Group Centre\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Army_Group_Centre\"\u003eArmy Group Centre\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b26_32-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b26-32\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e29\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 22 June, the German forces launched the attack on the Soviet Union which opened the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Eastern Front (World War II)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eastern_Front_(World_War_II)\"\u003eEastern Front\u003c\/a\u003e. That day, Barkhorn flew five combat missions in support of the invasion. On his third mission, he was credited with a ground victory over a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Polikarpov I-15\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polikarpov_I-15\"\u003ePolikarpov I-15\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighter aircraft during a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Strafing\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Strafing\"\u003estrafing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eattack on a Soviet airfield.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201428_33-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201428-33\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e30\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn claimed his first aerial victory by shooting down a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Red Air Force\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Red_Air_Force\"\u003eRed Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ilyushin DB-3\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ilyushin_DB-3\"\u003eIlyushin DB-3\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebomber on 2 July, flying his 120th combat sortie.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWeal200125_34-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWeal200125-34\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e31\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThat day, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eclaimed 19 aerial victories in combat near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Barysaw\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barysaw\"\u003eBarysaw\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201428_33-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201428-33\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e30\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe next day, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved further east to an airfield at Sloboda, east of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Minsk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Minsk\"\u003eMinsk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhere they stayed for two days. The\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethen moved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lyepyel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lyepyel\"\u003eLyepyel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhere they supported\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"2nd Panzer Army\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2nd_Panzer_Army\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePanzergruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"3rd Panzer Army\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/3rd_Panzer_Army\"\u003e3\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein their advance to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Vitebsk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vitebsk\"\u003eVitebsk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Polotsk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polotsk\"\u003ePolotsk\u003c\/a\u003e. On 12 July, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved to Kamary, an airfield in the western parts of Vitebsk.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b27–28_35-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b27%E2%80%9328-35\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e32\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn flew many combat missions during this period without claiming a further aerial victory. On 16 July, he was tasked with shuttling a Bf 109 back to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Werneuchen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Werneuchen\"\u003eWerneuchen\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Germany for repairs, a task normally given to junior pilots. Ten days later, he returned to the Eastern Front. By this time, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehad advanced to Andrejewka airfield near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Smolensk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Smolensk\"\u003eSmolensk\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201429–30_36-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201429%E2%80%9330-36\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e33\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 28 July, Barkhorn claimed his second aerial victory over a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Polikarpov I-16\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polikarpov_I-16\"\u003ePolikarpov I-16\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighter. The following day, he was credited with the destruction of a DB-3 bomber, his third aerial victory.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201430_37-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201430-37\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e34\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 5 August, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas ordered to relocate to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Soltsy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Soltsy\"\u003eSoltsy\u003c\/a\u003e, west of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lake Ilmen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lake_Ilmen\"\u003eLake Ilmen\u003c\/a\u003e, in support of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"16th Army (Wehrmacht)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/16th_Army_(Wehrmacht)\"\u003e16th Army\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Army Group North\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Army_Group_North\"\u003eArmy Group North\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b28_38-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b28-38\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e35\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn the following days, Barkhorn flew many\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ground support\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ground_support\"\u003eground support\u003c\/a\u003e, combat air patrols and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Junkers Ju 87\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Junkers_Ju_87\"\u003eJunkers Ju 87\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003edive bomber escort missions to the combat area near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Shimsk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shimsk\"\u003eShimsk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Veliky Novgorod\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Veliky_Novgorod\"\u003eVeliky Novgorod\u003c\/a\u003e. He claimed the destruction of an I-18 fighter, an early German designation for a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-1\"\u003eMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighter,\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003a11_39-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003a11-39\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e36\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 19 August.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201430_37-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201430-37\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e34\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe next day, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas ordered to an airfield at Spasskaya Polist, south of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Chudovo, Chudovsky District, Novgorod Oblast\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chudovo,_Chudovsky_District,_Novgorod_Oblast\"\u003eChudovo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand north of Lake Ilmen.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b29_40-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b29-40\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e37\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTwo days later, Barkhorn escorted a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Focke-Wulf Fw 189\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Focke-Wulf_Fw_189\"\u003eFocke-Wulf Fw 189\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Aerial reconnaissance\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aerial_reconnaissance\"\u003eaerial reconnaissance\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eaircraft to Chudovo on his first mission of the day. On his second mission that day, he claimed a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Vultee V-11\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vultee_V-11\"\u003eVultee V-11\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eattack aircraft, but the victim was actually an\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ilyushin Il-2\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ilyushin_Il-2\"\u003eIlyushin Il-2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eattack aircraft. On 25 August, Barkhorn was credited with two aerial victories, a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Polikarpov I-153\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polikarpov_I-153\"\u003ePolikarpov I-153\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighter on his first mission of the day and later an I-18 fighter. On 27 August, Barkhorn's Front Flying Clasp was upgraded to Gold (\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eFrontflugspange in Gold\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201432,_203_41-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201432,_203-41\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e38\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 2 September, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lyuban (town), Leningrad Oblast\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lyuban_(town),_Leningrad_Oblast\"\u003eLyuban\u003c\/a\u003e, staying there until the end of September. From there, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eflew missions against\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Shlisselburg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shlisselburg\"\u003eShlisselburg\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mga\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mga\"\u003eMga\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Leningrad\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Leningrad\"\u003eLeningrad\u003c\/a\u003e. II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"nowrap\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003es subordination to JG 27 ended on 20 October and they came under the command of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStab\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b31,_33_42-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003b31,_33-42\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e39\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn was promoted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Oberleutnant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oberleutnant\"\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(first lieutenant) on 1 November 1941.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201436_43-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201436-43\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e40\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHe claimed his tenth and last aerial victory in 1941 on a meteorological reconnaissance mission (\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"de:Wetterflug\" class=\"extiw\" href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wetterflug\"\u003eWetterflug\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e) over an I-61, an early German designation for a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-3\"\u003eMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighter,\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003a11_39-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2003a11-39\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e36\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 30 November.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201438_44-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201438-44\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e41\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 24 January 1942, having been withdrawn from the Eastern Front, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003earrived in Jesau near Königsberg, present-day Kaliningrad in Russia, for a period of recuperation and replenishment. In Jesau, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ereceived many factory new Bf 109 F-4 aircraft. On 14 April, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ereceived orders to move to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Plzeň\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Plze%C5%88\"\u003ePilsen\u003c\/a\u003e, present-day Plzeň in the Czech Republic, for relocation to the Eastern Front.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006446–447_45-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006446%E2%80%93447-45\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e42\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"Squadron_leader\"\u003eSquadron leader\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas based at Jesau, Barkhorn was appointed\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffelkapitän\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52 on 1 March 1942. He succeeded Steinhoff in this capacity who had been given command of II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006475_46-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006475-46\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e43\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe unit then moved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Vienna International Airport\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vienna_International_Airport\"\u003eWien-Schwechat\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 24 April before flying to Zürichtal, present-day Solote Pole, a village near the urban settlement of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kirovske, Crimea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kirovske,_Crimea\"\u003eKirovske\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Crimea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Crimea\"\u003eCrimea\u003c\/a\u003e. There, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eparticipated in Operation\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eTrappenjagd\u003c\/i\u003e, a German counterattack during the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Battle of the Kerch Peninsula\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_the_Kerch_Peninsula\"\u003eBattle of the Kerch Peninsula\u003c\/a\u003e, launched on 8 May.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006447_47-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006447-47\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e44\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 16 May, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003erelocated to Artyomovsk, present-day\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bakhmut\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bakhmut\"\u003eBakhmut\u003c\/a\u003e, where JG 52 supported the German forces fighting in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Second Battle of Kharkov\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_Battle_of_Kharkov\"\u003eSecond Battle of Kharkov\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2005103_48-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2005103-48\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e45\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTESchreier199075–76_49-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTESchreier199075%E2%80%9376-49\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e46\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 22 June, German forces launched Operation Fridericus II, the attack on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kupiansk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kupiansk\"\u003eKupiansk\u003c\/a\u003e, a preliminary operation to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Case Blue\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Case_Blue\"\u003eCase Blue\u003c\/a\u003e, the strategic summer offensive in southern Russia.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006452_50-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006452-50\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e47\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThat day, Barkhorn for the first time became \"\u003ca title=\"Aviators who became ace in a day\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aviators_who_became_ace_in_a_day\"\u003eace-in-a-day\u003c\/a\u003e\", claiming five\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov_LaGG-3\"\u003eLavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighters shot down, taking his total to 26 aerial victories.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201449_51-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201449-51\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e48\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn again became an \"ace-in-a-day\" on 19 July, flying four missions that day, he shot down six Soviet fighters taking his total to 51 aerial victories. His claims that day include two\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hawker Hurricane\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hawker_Hurricane\"\u003eHawker Hurricanes\u003c\/a\u003e, three LaGG-3s and an I-16 shot down. The following day, he increased his total number of aerial victories to 56, again an \"ace-in-a-day\" achievement. With\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eLeutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Waldemar Semelka\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Waldemar_Semelka\"\u003eWaldemar Semelka\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas his wingman, Barkhorn shot down five LaGG-3 fighters.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201450_52-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201450-52\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e49\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 22 July, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emoved to an airfield named Nowy Cholan, approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) northeast of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Rostov-on-Don\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rostov-on-Don\"\u003eRostov-on-Don\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006456_53-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006456-53\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e50\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 24 July, Barkhorn transferred to an airfield named Nikolajewskaja, approximately 15 minutes flying time closer to front lines. During this day, Barkhorn claimed three further aerial victories, increasing his total to 64. The following day, he flew on an escort mission for a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fieseler Fi 156 Storch\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fieseler_Fi_156_Storch\"\u003eFieseler Fi 156 Storch\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eheading for the front lines.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201450_52-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201450-52\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e49\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHis Bf 109 F-4\/R1 (\u003ci\u003eWerknummer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e13388—factory number) took a hit from\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Anti-aircraft warfare\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anti-aircraft_warfare\"\u003eanti-aircraft artillery\u003c\/a\u003e, resulting in a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Forced landing\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Forced_landing\"\u003eforced landing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enear Morosow.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006503_54-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006503-54\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e51\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDespite the aircraft sustaining only minor damage, Barkhorn suffered a severe injury to his lower leg and had to be evacuated by air. He was taken to a makeshift hospital installed at the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Olympiapark Berlin\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Olympiapark_Berlin\"\u003eOlympiapark Berlin\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201452_55-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201452-55\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e52\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDuring his convalescence, Barkhorn was temporarily replaced by Semelka who was killed in action on 21 August. Command was then given to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eLeutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOtto Leicher who was also killed in action. In consequence, Krupinski was transferred from 6.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e, taking command of 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 10 September.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006475_46-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006475-46\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e43\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn July 1942, Barkhorn had destroyed 30 Soviet aircraft.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström200855_56-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m200855-56\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e53\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWhile hospitalized, on 21 August 1942, he was awarded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"German Cross\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/German_Cross\"\u003eGerman Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Gold (\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eDeutsches Kreuz in Gold\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e) and two days later the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight%27s_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross\"\u003eKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201452_55-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201452-55\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e52\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWeal200159_57-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWeal200159-57\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e54\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMathewsForeman201440_58-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMathewsForeman201440-58\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e55\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn late September, following his convalescence, Barkhorn returned to his 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201455_59-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201455-59\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e56\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBy this time II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e, having made several relocations, had been based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Maykop\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maykop\"\u003eMaykop\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esince 21 September.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006462_60-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2006462-60\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e57\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 2 October, he logged his first brief maintenance flight after returning to the front. On 7 October, Barkhorn, with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eUnteroffizier\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Werner Quast\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Werner_Quast\"\u003eWerner Quast\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas his wingman, claimed a LaGG-3 fighter shot down north of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Tuapse\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tuapse\"\u003eTuapse\u003c\/a\u003e. Later that day, he claimed three further LaGG-3 fighters destroyed.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201455–56_61-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201455%E2%80%9356-61\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e58\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 19 December 1942, Barkhorn had raised his score to 101 victories.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström2007102–103_62-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m2007102%E2%80%93103-62\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e59\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThat day, he became the 32nd Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEObermaier1989243_63-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEObermaier1989243-63\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e60\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn came to respect the Soviet pilots. On one occasion he was involved in a forty-minute dogfight with a LaGG-3. \"Sweat was pouring off me just as though I had stepped out of the shower\", he recalled: despite having a faster aircraft he was simply unable to get a bead on the Russian pilot.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHarvey201825_64-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarvey201825-64\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e61\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 9 January 1943, Barkhorn claimed his 105th aerial victory. His victims included Lieutenant Vasiliyev, and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hero of the Soviet Union\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hero_of_the_Soviet_Union\"\u003eHero of the Soviet Union\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ePodpolkovnik\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lev Shestakov\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lev_Shestakov\"\u003eLev Shestakov\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the 236 IAP (Istrebitelny Aviatsionny Polk—\u003cspan title=\"Russian-language text\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"ru\"\u003eИстребительный Авиационный Полк\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eor Fighter Aviation Regiment) Barkhorn hit their\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Yakovlev Yak-1\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yakovlev_Yak-1\"\u003eYakovlev Yak-1\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighters until they caught fire. Both pilots survived.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström2007110–111_65-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m2007110%E2%80%93111-65\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e62\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 11 January 1943, Barkhorn was awarded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight%27s_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross_with_Oak_Leaves\"\u003eKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn claimed his 120th aerial victory on 27 February, four days later he went on home leave. During his vacation, he was presented the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross and married his fiancé, Christine Tischer, also known as Christl, in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Tegernsee\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tegernsee\"\u003eTegernsee\u003c\/a\u003e. The marriage produced three daughters, Ursula born 1943, Eva born 1945 and Dorothea born 1954.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146,_83_66-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146,_83-66\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e63\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDuring his leave, Barkhorn was promoted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hauptmann\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hauptmann\"\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(captain) on 1 April.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockert2012303_5-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockert2012303-5\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e5\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarkhorn returned to his unit on 23 April.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201484_67-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201484-67\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e64\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAt the time, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Anapa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anapa\"\u003eAnapa\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003elocated on the northern coast of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Black Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Black_Sea\"\u003eBlack Sea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enear the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Sea of Azov\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sea_of_Azov\"\u003eSea of Azov\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand was fighting in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Battle of the Caucasus\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_the_Caucasus\"\u003eBattle of the Caucasus\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012375_68-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012375-68\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e65\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDuring his absence, Steinhoff as commander of II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehad been replaced by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHelmut Kühle.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012374_69-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012374-69\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e66\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 28 April, Barkhorn claimed his 121st aerial victory, a LaGG-3 fighter.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas201484_67-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas201484-67\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e64\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn's 157 aerial victory, claimed on 23 August, was also II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"nowrap\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003es 2,000th aerial victory in total.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012395_70-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012395-70\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e67\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFrom 4 to 30 August, Barkhorn temporarily led I.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52. The acting commander of I.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Johannes Wiese\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Johannes_Wiese\"\u003eJohannes Wiese\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehad fallen ill on 1 August and needed to be replaced during his recovery.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012249,_278_71-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012249,_278-71\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e68\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"Group_commander\"\u003eGroup commander\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-right\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bf109_G_Barkhorn.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"2111\" data-file-width=\"6425\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Bf109_G_Barkhorn.jpg\/960px-Bf109_G_Barkhorn.jpg 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element mw-file-upright\" height=\"125\" width=\"380\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Bf109_G_Barkhorn.jpg\/500px-Bf109_G_Barkhorn.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eBarkhorn's Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 of Stab II.\/JG 52, November 1943\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarkhorn was appointed\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Gruppenkommandeur\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gruppenkommandeur\"\u003eGruppenkommandeur\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(group commander) of II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52 on 1 September 1943. He replaced Kühle who was transferred. Command of 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas passed on to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eLeutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Heinrich Sturm\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heinrich_Sturm\"\u003eHeinrich Sturm\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012374_69-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012374-69\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e66\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 5 September, he shot down Hero of the Soviet Union and Soviet fighter pilot Nikolay Klepikov, an ace with 10 personal and 32 shared victories. These two\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lavochkin La-5\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lavochkin_La-5\"\u003eLavochkin La-5s\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eshot down by Barkhorn were his 165th and 166th aerial victories. This was offset by the loss of II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"nowrap\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003es 173-victory ace\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Heinz Schmidt (pilot)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heinz_Schmidt_(pilot)\"\u003eHeinz Schmidt\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström200827_72-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m200827-72\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e69\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn reached the 200 mark on 30 November 1943.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWeal200172_73-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWeal200172-73\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e70\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThis achievement earned him a named reference in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wehrmachtbericht\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wehrmachtbericht\"\u003eWehrmachtbericht\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 2 December.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014141_74-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014141-74\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e71\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThat day, he also became an \"ace-in-a-day\" for the fourth time in combat near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Tuzla Island\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tuzla_Island\"\u003eTuzla Island\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012393_75-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012393-75\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e72\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 28 December, he yet again became an \"ace-in-a-day\", taking his total number of aerial victories to 222.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012394_76-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012394-76\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e73\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe following day, he claimed II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"nowrap\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003es 2,500th aerial victory in total.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012395_70-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerRodeikeBock2012395-70\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e67\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 23 January 1944, Barkhorn became the first German pilot to fly 1,000 combat missions.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-3\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAt the time, Barkhorn's regular\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wingman\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wingman\"\u003ewingman\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Heinz Ewald\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heinz_Ewald\"\u003eHeinz Ewald\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHeatonLewisOldsSchulze201127_77-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHeatonLewisOldsSchulze201127-77\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e74\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main German fighter unit covering the Crimea and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kuban\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kuban\"\u003eKuban\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas his II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGroup\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 52 and in the three months between December 1943 and 13 February 1944 the unit claimed 350 victories, of which 50 were claimed by Barkhorn personally.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström200845–46_78-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m200845%E2%80%9346-78\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e75\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 13 February 1944, he reached 250 aerial victories.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWeal200173_79-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWeal200173-79\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e76\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-250th_date_81-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-250th_date-81\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003eNote 4\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn was the third pilot to reach this total,\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-4\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eearning him a second named reference in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eWehrmachtbericht\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 14 February.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014160_82-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014160-82\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e78\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFor several days, Barkhorn was grounded and did not fly any further combat missions. He claimed his next aerial victory on 25 February over a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Petlyakov Pe-2\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Petlyakov_Pe-2\"\u003ePetlyakov Pe-2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebomber.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014160,_206_83-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014160,_206-83\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e79\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-left\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-649-5355-02,_Jagdflugzeug_Messerschmitt_Me_109_auf_Feldflugplatz.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"503\" data-file-width=\"794\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/98\/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-649-5355-02%2C_Jagdflugzeug_Messerschmitt_Me_109_auf_Feldflugplatz.jpg\/500px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-649-5355-02%2C_Jagdflugzeug_Messerschmitt_Me_109_auf_Feldflugplatz.jpg 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"158\" width=\"250\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/98\/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-649-5355-02%2C_Jagdflugzeug_Messerschmitt_Me_109_auf_Feldflugplatz.jpg\/250px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-649-5355-02%2C_Jagdflugzeug_Messerschmitt_Me_109_auf_Feldflugplatz.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eBarkhorn in the cockpit of a Bf 109, at Anapa, autumn 1943.\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 2 March 1944, he was awarded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight%27s_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross_with_Oak_Leaves_and_Swords\"\u003eKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e). The presentation of the Swords was made at the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Führer Headquarters\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/F%C3%BChrer_Headquarters\"\u003eFührerhauptquartier\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(Führer Headquarter) on 24 March. Barkhorn took an overnight train to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eFührerhauptquartier\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efrom the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Anhalter Bahnhof\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anhalter_Bahnhof\"\u003eAnhalter Bahnhof\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Berlin. On the train he met fellow JG 52 pilots Krupinski, Wiese and Hartmann, who were to receive the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. At the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eFührerhauptquartier\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethey joined\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kurt Bühligen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kurt_B%C3%BChligen\"\u003eKurt Bühligen\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Horst Ademeit\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Horst_Ademeit\"\u003eHorst Ademeit\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Reinhard Seiler\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reinhard_Seiler\"\u003eReinhard Seiler\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hans-Joachim Jabs\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hans-Joachim_Jabs\"\u003eHans-Joachim Jabs\u003c\/a\u003e, Dr.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Maximilian Otte\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maximilian_Otte\"\u003eMaximilian Otte\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bernhard Jope\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bernhard_Jope\"\u003eBernhard Jope\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hansgeorg Bätcher\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hansgeorg_B%C3%A4tcher\"\u003eHansgeorg Bätcher\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efrom the bomber force, and the Flak officer\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fritz Petersen\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fritz_Petersen\"\u003eFritz Petersen\u003c\/a\u003e, all destined to receive the Oak Leaves. The travelers assumed that they were heading for the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wolf's Lair\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wolf%27s_Lair\"\u003eWolf's Lair\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein East Prussia but the train was heading for the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Berghof (Hitler)\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Berghof_(Hitler)\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBerghof\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Berchtesgaden\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Berchtesgaden\"\u003eBerchtesgaden\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010118_84-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010118-84\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e80\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn the train, all of them got drunk on cognac and champagne. Supporting each other and unable to stand, they arrived at Berchtesgaden.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eMajor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Nicolaus von Below\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nicolaus_von_Below\"\u003eNicolaus von Below\u003c\/a\u003e, Hitler's Luftwaffe adjutant, was shocked. After some sobering up, they were still intoxicated. Hartmann took a German officer's hat from a stand and put it on, but it was too large. Von Below became upset, told Hartmann it was Hitler's and ordered him to put it back.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010119_85-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010119-85\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e81\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn was sent on a propaganda tour in Germany, visited\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 11\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_11\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e11\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JG 11—11th Fighter Wing) at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wunstorf Air Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wunstorf_Air_Base\"\u003eWunstorf Airfield\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand was promoted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Major (Germany)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Major_(Germany)\"\u003eMajor\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(major) on 1 April 1944. He returned to his II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein late April, which was then based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Chersonesus\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chersonesus\"\u003eChersonesus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Sevastopol\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sevastopol\"\u003eSevastopol\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014163,_203_86-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014163,_203-86\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e82\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarkhorn was credited with shooting down three\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Yakovlev Yak-7\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yakovlev_Yak-7\"\u003eYakovlev Yak-7\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighters on 26 April, a further Yak-7 the following day, and again three Yak-7 fighters on 28 April. Barkhorn thus surpassed\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Walter Nowotny\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Walter_Nowotny\"\u003eWalter Nowotny\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewho at the time was credited with 256 aerial victories.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström200850–51_87-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m200850%E2%80%9351-87\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e83\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 25 May, Barkhorn was ordered to transfer one\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto the west in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Defense of the Reich\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Defense_of_the_Reich\"\u003eDefense of the Reich\u003c\/a\u003e. Barkhorn selected\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eLeutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hans Waldmann (fighter pilot)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hans_Waldmann_(fighter_pilot)\"\u003eHans Waldmann\u003c\/a\u003e's 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhich was officially assigned to the II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 3\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_3\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e3\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\"Udet\" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing), at the time under the command of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hans-Ekkehard Bob\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hans-Ekkehard_Bob\"\u003eHans-Ekkehard Bob\u003c\/a\u003e, and later by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Herbert Kutscha\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Herbert_Kutscha\"\u003eHerbert Kutscha\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmer2003328_88-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmer2003328-88\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e84\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2005160_89-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2005160-89\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e85\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTwo days later, II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas moved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Huși\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hu%C8%99i\"\u003eHuși\u003c\/a\u003e. On 30 May, Barkhorn was credited with shooting down two\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bell P-39 Airacobra\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bell_P-39_Airacobra\"\u003eBell P-39 Airacobra\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighters.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014168_90-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014168-90\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e86\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe following day, he claimed his 273rd aerial victory and was shot down by Soviet fighters and hospitalized for four months.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-5\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn that day, Barkhorn was escorting Ju 87 dive bombers from III.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Schlachtgeschwader 2\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Schlachtgeschwader_2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchlachtgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(SG 2—2nd Ground Attack Wing) headed by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eMajor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hans-Ulrich Rudel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel\"\u003eHans-Ulrich Rudel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon a ground support mission to the combat area at the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Prut\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Prut\"\u003ePrut\u003c\/a\u003e. Barkhorn claimed two P-39 fighters, an Il-2 ground attack aircraft and a Yak-9 fighter. He was then shot down in his Bf 109 G-6 (\u003ci\u003eWerknummer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e163195) by a P-39 fighter. Severely wounded in his right arm and leg, he made a forced landing near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Iași\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ia%C8%99i\"\u003eIași\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014168_90-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014168-90\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e86\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIt had been his sixth mission of the day and he was attacking Soviet bombers when he was attacked from behind.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström200856_91-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m200856-91\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e87\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFollowing immediate treatment at a field hospital in Huși, he was evacuated to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bad Wiessee\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bad_Wiessee\"\u003eBad Wiessee\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor convalescence.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014171_92-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014171-92\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e88\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWith Barkhorn sidelined, Hartmann surpassed his total, taking his total to 301 aerial victories.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-6\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFollowing this achievement, Hartmann was sent on home leave and married at Bad Wiessee on 10 September. Barkhorn, who was still recovering in Bad Wiessee at the time, attended the wedding and became Hartmann's best man.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014171_92-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014171-92\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e88\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring his convalescence, Barkhorn had temporarily been replaced by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Helmut Lipfert\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Helmut_Lipfert\"\u003eHelmut Lipfert\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003euntil September, and by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHeinrich Sturm until Barkhorn's return to II.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGruppe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein October.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerBalkeBock2022187_93-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPrienStemmerBalkeBock2022187-93\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e89\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eReturning to his unit, the psychological damage and combat stress on Barkhorn became apparent; sitting in his cockpit he became overcome with anxiety, and even when flying with friendly aircraft behind him he felt intense fear. It took several weeks for him to overcome this condition.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström200856_91-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m200856-91\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e87\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn claimed his 275th victory on 14 November. Over the next few weeks Barkhorn added another 26 victories, scoring his 301st and final aerial victory on 5 January 1945.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBergström200886_94-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBergstr%C3%B6m200886-94\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e90\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"Defense_of_the_Reich\"\u003eDefense of the Reich\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 1 January 1945, the Luftwaffe launched\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Operation Bodenplatte\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Bodenplatte\"\u003eOperation Bodenplatte\u003c\/a\u003e, a failed attempt to gain\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Air superiority\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air_superiority\"\u003eair superiority\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eduring the stagnant stage of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Battle of the Bulge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_the_Bulge\"\u003eBattle of the Bulge\u003c\/a\u003e. In this attack,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdgeschwader 6\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdgeschwader_6\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e6\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JG 6—6th Fighter Wing) lost its\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Geschwaderkommodore\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Geschwaderkommodore\"\u003eGeschwaderkommodore\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(wing commander),\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberstleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eJohann Kogler, who was taken\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Prisoner of war\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Prisoner_of_war\"\u003eprisoner of war\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEManrhoPütz2004224_95-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEManrhoP%C3%BCtz2004224-95\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e91\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFollowing Operation Bodenplatte, JG 6 relocated from the Western Front to the Eastern Front where it was based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Częstochowa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cz%C4%99stochowa\"\u003eTschenstochau\u003c\/a\u003e, present-day Częstochowa in southern Poland. On or near 23 January, Barkhorn took command of JG 6, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeschwaderstab\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehad just moved from\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Środa Wielkopolska\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%C5%9Aroda_Wielkopolska\"\u003eSchroda\u003c\/a\u003e, present-day Środa Wielkopolska, to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Żary\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%C5%BBary\"\u003eSorau\u003c\/a\u003e, present-day Żary. At the time, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeschwaderstab\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas equipped with the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Focke-Wulf Fw 190\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Focke-Wulf_Fw_190\"\u003eFocke-Wulf Fw 190\u003c\/a\u003e A-8 and A-9. While the three groups of JG 6 were equipped with the Bf 109 G-14 and the Fw 190 A, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeschwaderstab\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas equipped with Fw 190 D-9 in February.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014190_96-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014190-96\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e92\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarkhorn led this unit until the end-March 1945. During his ten weeks tenure as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeschwaderkommodore\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JG 6, he did not claim any aerial victories.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWeal199880_97-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWeal199880-97\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e93\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHe had difficulties adjusting to the Fw 190 D-9. He later stated that he would have needed 50 more flights to master the aircraft. It is unclear whether Barkhorn flew the Fw 190 D-9 in combat. Nevertheless, on 11 February, he was presented the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant \"1,100\" (\u003cspan title=\"German-language text\"\u003e\u003ci lang=\"de\"\u003eFrontflugspange in Gold mit Anhänger \"1,100\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e). Shortly after 23 March, Barkhorn was relieved of command. His wingman later stated that Barkhorn was forced to leave for medical reasons. At the time he was suffering from severe physical and mental strain after four years of combat.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014190_96-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014190-96\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e92\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the dismissal of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeneralleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Adolf Galland\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Adolf_Galland\"\u003eAdolf Galland\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Inspector of Fighters\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Inspector_of_Fighters\"\u003eGeneral der Jagdflieger\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(Inspector of Fighters), Galland was given the opportunity by Hitler to prove his ideas about the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Messerschmitt Me 262\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Messerschmitt_Me_262\"\u003eMesserschmitt Me 262\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ejet fighter. He had hoped that the Me 262 would compensate for the numerical superiority of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Allies of World War II\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Allies_of_World_War_II\"\u003eAllies\u003c\/a\u003e. In consequence, Galland formed\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jagdverband 44\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jagdverband_44\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdverband\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e44\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JV 44—44th Fighter Detachment) at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Brandenburg an der Havel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brandenburg_an_der_Havel\"\u003eBrandenburg-Briest\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 24 February 1945. Galland was also given carte blanche with respect to staffing and began recruiting his pilots.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010159_98-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010159-98\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e94\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 31 March, JV 44 had relocated to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Munich-Riem airport\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Munich-Riem_airport\"\u003eMunich-Riem\u003c\/a\u003e. Galland and Steinhoff, who had also joined JV 44, drove to Bad Wiessee where Barkhorn and Krupinski were recovering. Both pilots accepted Galland's offer and joined JV 44.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010160_99-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010160-99\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e95\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn found flying the Me 262 over the western front difficult and he did not score any victories in it.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWeal2006_100-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWeal2006-100\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e96\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 21 April 1945, he flew his 1,104th and last mission. One of the engines of his aircraft flamed out as he was approaching an enemy bomber formation and he was forced to make an emergency landing. As he approached the airfield, his jet was attacked by several prowling\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"North American P-51 Mustang\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/North_American_P-51_Mustang\"\u003eNorth American P-51 Mustang\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efighters. Barkhorn managed to land his burning plane though he received a slight wound as a result of this action when the cockpit canopy – which on the Me 262 A, flipped open to starboard, like a Bf 109's did – prior to crash landing, slammed shut on his neck.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEForsyth200871_101-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEForsyth200871-101\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e97\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 4 May, JV 44 surrendered to U.S. forces at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Salzburg Airport\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Salzburg_Airport\"\u003eMaxglan\u003c\/a\u003e, near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Salzburg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Salzburg\"\u003eSalzburg\u003c\/a\u003e. Barkhorn and other pilots were taken to a makeshift prisoner of war camp near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bad Aibling\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bad_Aibling\"\u003eBad Aibling\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEForsyth2008118–120_102-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEForsyth2008118%E2%80%93120-102\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e98\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFive days later, a U.S. officer was looking for JV 44 pilots and Barkhorn, Krupinski,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Karl-Heinz Schnell\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Karl-Heinz_Schnell\"\u003eKarl-Heinz Schnell\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Erich Hohagen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Erich_Hohagen\"\u003eErich Hohagen\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Waldemar Wübke\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Waldemar_W%C3%BCbke\"\u003eWaldemar Wübke\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003estepped up.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010168_103-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010168-103\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e99\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe men were then taken to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Heidelberg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heidelberg\"\u003eHeidelberg\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wiesbaden-Erbenheim\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wiesbaden-Erbenheim\"\u003eWiesbaden-Erbenheim\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand flown to England for interrogation near London. In June, Barkhorn was taken to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Southampton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Southampton\"\u003eSouthampton\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand then with a ship to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cherbourg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cherbourg\"\u003eCherbourg\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhere he was interned in a prisoner of war camp near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Foucarville\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Foucarville\"\u003eFoucarville\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014195_104-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014195-104\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e100\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"Later_life_and_service\"\u003eLater life and service\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarkhorn was released as a prisoner of war on 3 September 1945. He then returned to Tegernsee to be reunited with his family. There, he was also joined by his mother who had managed to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Evacuation of East Prussia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Evacuation_of_East_Prussia\"\u003eescape from Königsberg\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146,_195_105-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas20146,_195-105\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e101\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn October, Barkhorn's first employment as an auxiliary worker was with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Linhof\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Linhof\"\u003eLinhof\u003c\/a\u003e, a manufacturer of cameras, based in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Munich\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Munich\"\u003eMunich\u003c\/a\u003e. A year later, he found employment in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Grünwald, Bavaria\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gr%C3%BCnwald,_Bavaria\"\u003eGrünwald\u003c\/a\u003e. His employment there ended in 1949. Following a brief period of unemployment, he took a course at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Volkswagen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Volkswagen\"\u003eVolkswagen\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein November 1949. In December, he was hired by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAuto Junk\u003c\/i\u003e, a Volkswagen dealership in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Trier\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trier\"\u003eTrier\u003c\/a\u003e, at first as head of technical field services. Four years later, Barkhorn was promoted to head of facility and service management.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014195_104-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014195-104\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e100\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"With_the_German_Air_Force\"\u003eWith the German Air Force\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the decision of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cabinet of Germany\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cabinet_of_Germany\"\u003eCabinet of Germany\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto rearm the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Federal Republic of Germany\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Federal_Republic_of_Germany\"\u003eFederal Republic of Germany\u003c\/a\u003e, Barkhorn was approached by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Federal_Ministry_of_Defence_(Germany)\"\u003eFederal Ministry of Defense\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein late 1955. He accepted the offer, and on 2 January 1956 joined the newly created\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"German Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/German_Air_Force\"\u003eGerman Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e, at the time referred to as the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e. On 19 June 1956, Barkhorn was again promoted to the rank of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eMajor\u003c\/i\u003e, then followed by his\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Oath of allegiance\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oath_of_allegiance\"\u003eoath of allegiance\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014195–196_106-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014195%E2%80%93196-106\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e102\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe first three\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epilots to receive jet aircraft training were Steinhoff, Barkhorn's former squadron commander during World War II,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Dietrich Hrabak\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dietrich_Hrabak\"\u003eDietrich Hrabak\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kurt Kuhlmey\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kurt_Kuhlmey\"\u003eKurt Kuhlmey\u003c\/a\u003e. All three of them were trained by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"United States Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Air_Force\"\u003eUnited States Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(USAF) in the USA. Barkhorn, along with Krupinski and Herbert Wehnelt, belonged to the second batch of pilots which were sent to England and were trained by the RAF. At first,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ralph von Rettberg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ralph_von_Rettberg\"\u003eRalph von Rettberg\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehad been considered for training in England. Von Rettberg reconsidered and Krupinski then suggested to give the now vacant training position to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Günther Rall\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/G%C3%BCnther_Rall\"\u003eGünther Rall\u003c\/a\u003e. Rall however was already scheduled for a training in the U.S.. In consequence, the vacant training position was given to Barkhorn.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010194_107-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010194-107\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e103\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-right\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:TaktLwG_31.svg\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"867\" data-file-width=\"639\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f6\/TaktLwG_31.svg\/330px-TaktLwG_31.svg.png 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element mw-file-upright\" height=\"204\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f6\/TaktLwG_31.svg\/250px-TaktLwG_31.svg.png\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eJaboG 31 Emblem\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three pilots were welcomed by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Embassy of Germany, London\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Embassy_of_Germany,_London\"\u003eGerman ambassador\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein the UK,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hans von Herwarth\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hans_von_Herwarth\"\u003eHans von Herwarth\u003c\/a\u003e. Training began at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"RAF Feltwell\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/RAF_Feltwell\"\u003eRAF Feltwell\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 19 January 1956 on the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Percival Provost\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Percival_Provost\"\u003ePercival Provost\u003c\/a\u003e, a propeller driven\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Trainer aircraft\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trainer_aircraft\"\u003etrainer aircraft\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010195_108-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010195-108\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e104\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe pilots completed their refresher training on 23 March. Barkhorn then advanced to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"De Havilland Vampire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/De_Havilland_Vampire\"\u003ede Havilland Vampire\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ejet aircraft.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014196_109-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014196-109\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e105\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarkhorn, Krupinski and Wehnelt completed this training in May 1956. In June, the pilots trained on the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hawker Hunter\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hawker_Hunter\"\u003eHawker Hunter\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor ten weeks. On 18 June 1956, Barkhorn, Krupinski and Wehnelt received the RAF\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Aircrew brevet\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aircrew_brevet\"\u003eaircrew brevet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efrom\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Air Vice-Marshal\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air_Vice-Marshal\"\u003eAir Vice-Marshal\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"George Philip Chamberlain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_Philip_Chamberlain\"\u003eGeorge Philip Chamberlain\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Stanford Park\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stanford_Park\"\u003eStanford Park\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197_110-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197-110\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e106\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010199_111-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010199-111\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e107\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFollowing his return to Germany, Barkhorn was appointed squadron leader of 1.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eWaffenschule der Luftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e30 (WaSLw 30—Air Force Weapons School 30). Based at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/F%C3%BCrstenfeldbruck_Air_Base\"\u003eFürstenfeldbruck Air Base\u003c\/a\u003e, the training unit was commanded by Krupinski and later became the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Taktisches_Luftwaffengeschwader_33\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdbombergeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e33\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(JaboG 33—Fighter-Bomber Wing 33). On 1 July 1957, Barkhorn succeeded Krupinski as commander of the weapons school which was then moved to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Büchel Air Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/B%C3%BCchel_Air_Base\"\u003eBüchel Air Base\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197_110-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197-110\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e106\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFrom 1 April 1957 to 31 December 1962, he commanded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Taktisches_Luftwaffengeschwader_31\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eJagdbombergeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e31\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\"Boelcke\" (JaboG 31—Fighter-Bomber Wing 31), initially equipped with the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Republic F-84F Thunderstreak\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Republic_F-84F_Thunderstreak\"\u003eRepublic F-84F Thunderstreak\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockert2012306_6-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockert2012306-6\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e6\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDuring this timeframe, Barkhorn was promoted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Oberstleutnant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oberstleutnant\"\u003eOberstleutnant\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(lieutenant colonel) on 28 April 1958, effective as of 12 May 1958. Because Barkhorn had been separated from his family for more than two years, he requested to be transferred to a position located in southern Germany on 13 October 1958. This request was denied. On 28 September 1960, Barkhorn was promoted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Oberst\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oberst\"\u003eOberst\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(colonel).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197,_203_112-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197,_203-112\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e108\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn May and June 1961, Barkhorn attended the 4.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eWaffenschule der Luftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e10 (WaSLw 10—Air Force Weapons School 10) at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Oldenburg Air Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oldenburg_Air_Base\"\u003eOldenburg Air Base\u003c\/a\u003e. There, he was trained to fly the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Lockheed F-104 Starfighter\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lockheed_F-104_Starfighter\"\u003eLockheed F-104 Starfighter\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197_110-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197-110\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e106\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn 1962, JaboG 31, under the command of Barkhorn, was the first unit to complete transition to the fighter bomber F-104 G. This event was to be celebrated at the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Nörvenich Air Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/N%C3%B6rvenich_Air_Base\"\u003eNörvenich Air Base\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 20 June 1962. The day before, the aerobatics team of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e, led by their flight instructor\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Captain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Captain\"\u003eCaptain\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eJon Speer from the USAF, practiced the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Diamond formation\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Diamond_formation\"\u003ediamond formation\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor the celebration. Flying too fast and too low, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"de:Flugunfall einer Starfighter-Formation der Luftwaffe der Bundeswehr 1962\" class=\"extiw\" href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flugunfall_einer_Starfighter-Formation_der_Luftwaffe_der_Bundeswehr_1962\"\u003efour F-104 F Starfighters crashed\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enear Balkhausen, present-day part of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kerpen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kerpen\"\u003eKerpen\u003c\/a\u003e. The pilots Speer, Bernd Kuebart (brother of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jörg Kuebart\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/J%C3%B6rg_Kuebart\"\u003eJörg Kuebart\u003c\/a\u003e), Wolf von Stürmer and Hein Frye were all killed in the accident.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTERall2007283–284_113-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTERall2007283%E2%80%93284-113\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e109\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDer_Spiegel_Volume_26\/1962_114-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEDer_Spiegel_Volume_26\/1962-114\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e110\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe diamond formation was forbidden after the accident. Despite the order, Barkhorn had found out that other pilots of JaboG 31 had also practiced this formation flying their F-104 G fighter bombers.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDer_Spiegel_Volume_36\/1962_115-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEDer_Spiegel_Volume_36\/1962-115\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e111\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOn 1 January 1963, Barkhorn was transferred to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eFührungsstab der Luftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(German Air Staff), a department of the Federal Ministry of Defense.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197_110-3\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014197-110\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e106\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-left\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"mw-file-description\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Hawker_Siddeley_XV-6A_Kestrel_USAF.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg data-file-height=\"1198\" data-file-width=\"1800\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Hawker_Siddeley_XV-6A_Kestrel_USAF.jpg\/500px-Hawker_Siddeley_XV-6A_Kestrel_USAF.jpg 2x\" class=\"mw-file-element\" height=\"166\" width=\"250\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Hawker_Siddeley_XV-6A_Kestrel_USAF.jpg\/250px-Hawker_Siddeley_XV-6A_Kestrel_USAF.jpg\" alt=\"An aircraft landed on a runway\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eHawker Siddeley XV-6A Kestrel in USAF livery\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1964, Barkhorn was posted to the staff of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eLuftwaffen-Erprobungskommando\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(Air Force Test Command).\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockert2012306_6-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockert2012306-6\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e6\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFrom October 1964 until November 1965, Barkhorn headed the six-man\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003econtingent of the Tripartite Kestrel Evaluation Squadron at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"RAF West Raynham\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/RAF_West_Raynham\"\u003eRAF West Raynham\u003c\/a\u003e, Norfolk, England. The squadron's mission was to evaluate the military capabilities of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"V\/STOL\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/V\/STOL\"\u003eV\/STOL\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eKestrel FGA.1, the development version of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hawker Siddeley P.1127\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hawker_Siddeley_P.1127\"\u003eHawker Siddeley P.1127\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand forerunner of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hawker Siddeley Harrier\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hawker_Siddeley_Harrier\"\u003eHawker Siddeley Harrier\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eV\/STOL aircraft. The squadron consisted of military test pilots and ground staff from three nations: Britain, USA and West Germany. In addition to being one of the squadron pilots, Barkhorn also served as one of the squadron's two deputy commanders. During one mission on 13 October 1963, he crash-landed a Kestrel FGA.1 (\u003ca title=\"United Kingdom military aircraft registration number\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_Kingdom_military_aircraft_registration_number\"\u003eserial\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eXS689)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat RAF West Raynham, when he apparently cut thrust one meter above ground, wiping out the undercarriage. A Luftwaffe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eExperte\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewith 301 aerial victories, he is said to have commented, \"\u003ci\u003eDrei hundert und zwei\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e[302]!\" as he was helped from the jet. At the conclusion of the evaluation, Barkhorn then accompanied the American contingent to the U.S., where he assisted in that nation's continuing trials of six of the Kestrels (the West German and US aircraft) that had been shipped to the U.S. and designated the XV-6A for tri-service evaluation.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTECarlin2017xvi,_8,_36,_48,_73–74,_87,_88,_99–100,_102_116-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTECarlin2017xvi,_8,_36,_48,_73%E2%80%9374,_87,_88,_99%E2%80%93100,_102-116\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e112\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn April 1968, Barkhorn became a member of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Armed Forces Staff (Germany)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Armed_Forces_Staff_(Germany)\"\u003eAir Force Staff\u003c\/a\u003e. He was then transferred to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fourth_Allied_Tactical_Air_Force\"\u003eFourth Allied Tactical Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(4 ATAF) and the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Allied Forces Baltic Approaches\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Allied_Forces_Baltic_Approaches\"\u003eAllied Forces Baltic Approaches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(AIRBALTAP) at the headquarters in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Karup Municipality\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Karup_Municipality\"\u003eKarup\u003c\/a\u003e, Denmark. On 10 September 1969, with the permission of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"President of Germany\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/President_of_Germany\"\u003ePresident of Germany\u003c\/a\u003e, he was given the temporary rank of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Brigadegeneral\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brigadegeneral#Germany\"\u003eBrigadegeneral\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Brigadier general\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brigadier_general\"\u003ebrigadier general\u003c\/a\u003e), the official promotion followed on 14 May 1970, effective as of 1 April.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014199,_203_117-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014199,_203-117\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e113\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn February 1972, Barkhorn was informed that his assignment to AIRBALTAP would have to be extended until 1 October 1973 because there were no vacant positions for a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBrigadegeneral\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Germany at the time.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014199_118-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014199-118\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e114\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAs of 1970, the first generation senior\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eofficers started going into retirement. Steinhoff, who had advanced in career to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Inspector of the Air Force (Germany)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Inspector_of_the_Air_Force_(Germany)\"\u003eInspector of the Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e, had defined a small group of second generation leaders, among them Krupinski, Rall,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Gerhard Limberg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Limberg\"\u003eGerhard Limberg\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Friedrich Obleser\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Friedrich_Obleser\"\u003eFriedrich Obleser\u003c\/a\u003e. At first, Barkhorn was also a member of this inner circle. However, Rall, who succeeded Steinhoff as Inspector of the Air Force in 1971, attested that Barkhorn lacked the toughness and ability to work under pressure required for a higher command position in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010273–274_119-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBraatz2010273%E2%80%93274-119\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e115\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn early 1973, Rall had promised Barkhorn command of the 1st Luftwaffe Division, an offer that was later withdrawn. Following his assignment to AIRBALTAP, Barkhorn was promoted to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Generalmajor\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Generalmajor\"\u003eGeneralmajor\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\u003ca title=\"Major general\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Major_general\"\u003emajor general\u003c\/a\u003e) on 1 October 1973. Barkhorn, whose aspiration for a higher command position in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas unfulfilled, asked to be released from active service in early 1974. This request was initially refused until in February 1975 his retirement process was initiated. On 16 April 1975, he requested that the authorities spare him from a personal handout of his retirement papers.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014201_120-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014201-120\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e116\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHis last position was\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Chief of Staff\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chief_of_Staff\"\u003eChief of Staff\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Second Allied Tactical Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_Allied_Tactical_Air_Force\"\u003eSecond Allied Tactical Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(2 ATAF), a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"NATO\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NATO\"\u003eNATO\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emilitary formation under\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Allied Air Forces Central Europe\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Allied_Air_Forces_Central_Europe\"\u003eAllied Air Forces Central Europe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebased in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Ramstein Air Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ramstein_Air_Base\"\u003eRamstein Air Base\u003c\/a\u003e. He retired from active service on 30 September 1975.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockert2012306_6-3\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockert2012306-6\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e6\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"Accident_and_death\"\u003eAccident and death\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 6 January 1983, Barkhorn was driving his wife Christl and their friend\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Reichsfreiherr\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reichsfreiherr\"\u003eReichsfreiherr\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWalter von Loë on a wintry highway close to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Interchange (road)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Interchange_(road)\"\u003einterchange\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Frechen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frechen\"\u003eFrechen\u003c\/a\u003e, near\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cologne\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cologne\"\u003eCologne\u003c\/a\u003e, when they were involved in a serious car accident which was not Barkhorn's fault. Christl was thrown from the vehicle and killed instantly, while Barkhorn and von Loë were taken to a nearby hospital. Although Barkhorn had sustained severe internal injuries, he was still conscious when he arrived at the hospital. He asked the doctor about his wife, and learned that she had not survived the accident. Shortly afterwards, he fell into a coma. Von Loë died two days later. Barkhorn died on 11 January without regaining consciousness.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014202_121-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014202-121\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e117\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202_122-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202-122\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e118\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 14 January, Barkhorn and his wife were buried in Tegernsee.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockert2012307_123-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockert2012307-123\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e119\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHe was given a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Military funeral\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Military_funeral\"\u003emilitary funeral\u003c\/a\u003e, with many senior officers of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBundesluftwaffe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein attendance.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberst\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGert Overhoff, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeschwaderkommodore\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof JaBoG 31 \"Boelcke\", carried his military decorations pillow.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGeneralleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eObleser, the Inspector of the Air Force, and Steinhoff gave a eulogy.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014202_121-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014202-121\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e117\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"Summary_of_career\"\u003eSummary of career\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"Aerial_victory_claims\"\u003eAerial victory claims\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hatnote navigation-not-searchable\" role=\"note\"\u003eMain article:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"List of aerial victories claimed by Gerhard Barkhorn\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_aerial_victories_claimed_by_Gerhard_Barkhorn\"\u003eList of aerial victories claimed by Gerhard Barkhorn\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to US historian\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"David T. Zabecki\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/David_T._Zabecki\"\u003eDavid T. Zabecki\u003c\/a\u003e, Barkhorn claimed 301 victories in 1,100 combat missions. He was shot down nine times, bailed out once and was wounded twice.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117_15-7\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEZabecki2014117-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAuthor Spick states his total number of combat missions was 1,104 and a mission-to-claim ratio of 3.67.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTESpick1996227_124-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTESpick1996227-124\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e120\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMathews and Foreman, authors of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eLuftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims\u003c\/i\u003e, researched the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"German Federal Archives\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/German_Federal_Archives\"\u003eGerman Federal Archives\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand found records for 300 aerial victory claims, plus one further unconfirmed claim. All of his aerial victories were claimed on the Eastern Front.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMathewsForeman201440–46_125-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMathewsForeman201440%E2%80%9346-125\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e121\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe authors Daniel and Gabor Horvath compared Soviet enemy loss reports to Barkhorn's claims over Hungary. In the timeframe 26 October 1944 to 5 January 1945, Barkhorn claimed 28 aerial victories, his 273rd to 300th aerial victory. In this timeframe, the authors found 22 matching Soviet losses, a corroboration of 79%.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHorvathHorvath202256–70_126-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHorvathHorvath202256%E2%80%9370-126\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e122\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading3\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"Awards\"\u003eAwards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Pilotenabzeichen\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pilotenabzeichen\"\u003ePilot's Badge\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(3 May 1939)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Iron Cross\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iron_Cross\"\u003eIron Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(1939)\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2nd class (23 October 1940)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMacLean2007223_127-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMacLean2007223-127\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e123\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThomas199722_128-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEThomas199722-128\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e124\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1st class (3 December 1940)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMacLean2007223_127-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMacLean2007223-127\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e123\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThomas199722_128-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEThomas199722-128\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e124\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Front_Flying_Clasp_of_the_Luftwaffe\"\u003eFront Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Gold with Pennant \"1,100\"\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBerger199920_129-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBerger199920-129\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e125\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ein Silver (20 April 1941)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-3\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ein Gold (27 August 1941)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-4\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ein Gold with Pennant (6 October 1942)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-5\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ein Gold with Pennant \"1,100\" (11 February 1945)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-6\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Combined Pilots-Observation Badge\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Combined_Pilots-Observation_Badge\"\u003eCombined Pilots-Observation Badge\u003c\/a\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBerger199920_129-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBerger199920-129\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e125\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Honor_Goblet_of_the_Luftwaffe\"\u003eHonor Goblet of the Luftwaffe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon 20 July 1942 as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Oberleutnant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oberleutnant\"\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Staffelkapitän\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Staffelkapit%C3%A4n\"\u003eStaffelkapitän\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPatzwall200845_130-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPatzwall200845-130\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e126\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEObermaier198935_131-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEObermaier198935-131\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e127\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Wound Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wound_Badge\"\u003eWound Badge\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Black (25 July 1942)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBerger199920_129-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBerger199920-129\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e125\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"German Cross\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/German_Cross\"\u003eGerman Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Gold on 21 August 1942 as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein the 4.\/\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e52\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPatzwallScherzer200124_132-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPatzwallScherzer200124-132\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e128\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Eastern Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eastern_Medal\"\u003eEastern Medal\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(31 August 1942)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-7\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Crimea Shield\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Crimea_Shield\"\u003eCrimea Shield\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(15 March 1943)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-8\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlovak Medal of Valor in Silver 2nd Class (17 August 1943)\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203_23-9\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBarbas2014203-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\" class=\"mw-redirect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight%27s_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross_with_Oak_Leaves_and_Swords\"\u003eKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnight's Cross on 23 August 1942 as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffelkapitän\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the 4.\/\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e52\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202_122-1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202-122\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e118\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFellgiebel2000122_133-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFellgiebel2000122-133\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e129\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e175th Oak Leaves on 11 January 1943 as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaffelkapitän\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the 4.\/\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e52\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202_122-2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202-122\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e118\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFellgiebel200065_134-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFellgiebel200065-134\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e130\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e52nd Swords on 2 March 1944 as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Hauptmann\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hauptmann\"\u003eHauptmann\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca title=\"Gruppenkommandeur\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gruppenkommandeur\"\u003eGruppenkommandeur\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the II.\/\u003ci\u003eJagdgeschwader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e52\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202_122-3\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEScherzer2007202-122\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e118\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFellgiebel200042_135-0\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gerhard_Barkhorn#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFellgiebel200042-135\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e131\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith an unknown date of presentation, Barkhorn was also awarded the Hungarian Cross of Valor, the Croatian Medal of Valor in Silver, and the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Wehrmacht Long Service Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wehrmacht_Long_Service_Award\"\u003eWehrmacht Long Service Award\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor four\u003cspan\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eyears of service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 65.4801px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 65.4801px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 65.4801px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 28.4801px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 28.4801px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 28.4801px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 98.0226%; height: 24.4886px;\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.2773%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 63.7453%; height: 24.4886px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"airdrop militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49125646106883,"sku":"WTW72-003-01","price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/1031\/8595\/files\/E229EAF0-1C35-4CCE-ACAE-44040A92D377.jpg?v=1783020218","url":"https:\/\/airdropmilitaria.com\/products\/1-72-witty-wings-wtw72-003-messerschmitt-bf109g-6-double-cevron-5-chistl-flown-by-gerhard-barkhorn-jg52-ww2-dritte-reich-luftwaffe-limited-edition","provider":"airdrop militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}