Herbert Lütje
Encyclopedia
Herbert Lütje. He was a highly decorated night fighter
pilot and flying ace
during World War II
. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator
credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft
during aerial combat. Lütje was credited with 50 aerial victories, 47 of which were claimed at night.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
(LG 2—2nd Demonstration Wing) in December 1939.For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organization
In February 1940 he was posted to the 12. Staffel (12th Squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 2
"Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing). Flying with this squadron he participated in the Battle of France
in May 1940 and flew numerous night fighter missions on single engined aircraft in June 1940.
In July Lütje was transferred again this time to the Stab
of III. Gruppe (3rd Group) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
(NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing). Flying his 49th night fighter mission he claimed his first nocturnal aerial victory on the night of 6 September 1941. With four aerial victories to his credit he was appointed Staffelkapitän
(Squadron Leader) of the 8./NJG 1 (8th Squadron of the 1st Night Fighter Wing) on 1 May 1942. By the end of 1942 his number of aerial victories had increased to 15.
Lütje claimed a B-17 Flying Fortress shot down during a day time mission against the United States Army Air Forces
(USAAF) on 4 March 1943. He achieved his 20th aerial victory on the night of 29 March 1943. Lütje was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 1 June 1943 after he had shot down six British bombers (aerial victories 23–28) on the night of 13 May 1943. Among them was a Royal Air Force
(RAF) Avro Lancaster
from No. 57 Squadron
piloted by Pilot Officer
Jan Bernand Marinus Haye on a mission to bomb the Škoda Works
at Plzeň. The bomber was set on fire and the crew bailed out safely. He was appointed Gruppenkommandeur
(Group Commander) of the IV. Gruppe (4th Group) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (6th Night Fighter Wing). IV./NJG 6 was based in Rumania and tasked with the protection of the Romanian oil field
s. In September 1943 he flew a number of combat missions out of the Netherlands
claiming four aerial victories (aerial victories 29–32).
Over Romania he again fought the USAAF during daytime sorties. Fighting the Fifteenth Air Force
he shot down two P-38 Lightning
s—one of them by his radio operator with the MG 81Z
—on 10 June 1944. His Bf 110 G-4
(Werknummer 140018—factory number) was severely damaged. He and his wireless radio operator Oberfeldwebel (Sergeant) Bogumil were wounded and had to make a forced landing. Over Romania Lütje was credited with 6 Vickers Wellington
bombers and one Soviet Ilyushin DB-3
reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea
during nocturnal combat missions. At the end of August 1944 IV./NJG 6 was relocated back to Germany. Lütje was appointed Geschwaderkommodore
(Wing Commander) of NJG 6 on 1 October 1944. Lütje claimed his final eight aerial victories in 1945 and was awarded the 836th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) during World War II after 50 aerial victories on 17 April 1945.
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
pilot and flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator
Military aviation
Military aviation is the use of aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare, including national airlift capacity to provide logistical supply to forces stationed in a theater or along a front. Air power includes the national means of conducting such...
credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
during aerial combat. Lütje was credited with 50 aerial victories, 47 of which were claimed at night.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
Military career
Herbert Lütje joined the Luftwaffe in November 1937 as a Fahnenjunker (Officer Cadet). Lütje was transferred to the night fighter squadron of Lehrgeschwader 2Lehrgeschwader 2
Lehrgeschwader 2 was a Luftwaffe unit during World War II, operating three fighter, night fighter, reconnaissance and ground support Gruppen ....
(LG 2—2nd Demonstration Wing) in December 1939.For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organization
Luftwaffe Organization
Between 1933 and 1945, the organization of the Luftwaffe underwent several changes. Originally, the German military high command decided to use an organizational structure similar to the army and navy, treating the branch as a strategic weapon of war...
In February 1940 he was posted to the 12. Staffel (12th Squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 2
Jagdgeschwader 2
Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" was a World War II Luftwaffe wing. It was named after World War I fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen.-History:...
"Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing). Flying with this squadron he participated in the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
in May 1940 and flew numerous night fighter missions on single engined aircraft in June 1940.
In July Lütje was transferred again this time to the Stab
Stab (Luftwaffe designation)
During World War II, the suffix Stab was used in the German Luftwaffe to designate a headquarters unit. This applied to subordinate units in each Gruppe or Geschwader — the equivalent units to wings and groups in other air forces.These command units used the green colour of their aircraft...
of III. Gruppe (3rd Group) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 was a German Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 1 was formed on 22 June 1940 in Mönchengladbach.By the end of the war it was the most successful night fighter unit and had claimed some 2,311 victories by day and night, for some 676 aircrew killed in...
(NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing). Flying his 49th night fighter mission he claimed his first nocturnal aerial victory on the night of 6 September 1941. With four aerial victories to his credit he was appointed Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
(Squadron Leader) of the 8./NJG 1 (8th Squadron of the 1st Night Fighter Wing) on 1 May 1942. By the end of 1942 his number of aerial victories had increased to 15.
Lütje claimed a B-17 Flying Fortress shot down during a day time mission against the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
(USAAF) on 4 March 1943. He achieved his 20th aerial victory on the night of 29 March 1943. Lütje was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 1 June 1943 after he had shot down six British bombers (aerial victories 23–28) on the night of 13 May 1943. Among them was a Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
from No. 57 Squadron
No. 57 Squadron RAF
-History:57 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 8 June 1916 at Copmanthorpe, Yorkshire. In December 1916 the squadron was posted to France equipped with the FE2d. The squadron re-equipped with Airco DH4s in May 1917 and commenced long range bombing and reconnaissance operations near...
piloted by Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
Jan Bernand Marinus Haye on a mission to bomb the Škoda Works
Škoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
at Plzeň. The bomber was set on fire and the crew bailed out safely. He was appointed Gruppenkommandeur
Gruppenkommandeur
Gruppenkommandeur is a Luftwaffe position , that is the equivalent of a commander of a group or wing in other air forces. Gruppenkommandeur usually has the rank of Hauptmann or Major, and commands a Gruppe, which is a sub-division of a Geschwader. A Gruppe usually consists of three or four...
(Group Commander) of the IV. Gruppe (4th Group) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (6th Night Fighter Wing). IV./NJG 6 was based in Rumania and tasked with the protection of the Romanian oil field
Oil field
An oil field is a region with an abundance of oil wells extracting petroleum from below ground. Because the oil reservoirs typically extend over a large area, possibly several hundred kilometres across, full exploitation entails multiple wells scattered across the area...
s. In September 1943 he flew a number of combat missions out of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
claiming four aerial victories (aerial victories 29–32).
Over Romania he again fought the USAAF during daytime sorties. Fighting the Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
he shot down two P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
s—one of them by his radio operator with the MG 81Z
MG 81 machine gun
The MG 81 was a German belt fed 7.9 mm machine gun, used in flexible installations in World War II Luftwaffe aircraft, replacing the older drum magazine-fed MG 15....
—on 10 June 1944. His Bf 110 G-4
Messerschmitt Bf 110
The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten...
(Werknummer 140018—factory number) was severely damaged. He and his wireless radio operator Oberfeldwebel (Sergeant) Bogumil were wounded and had to make a forced landing. Over Romania Lütje was credited with 6 Vickers Wellington
Vickers Wellington
The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine, long range medium bomber designed in the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, by Vickers-Armstrongs' Chief Designer, R. K. Pierson. It was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, before being displaced as a...
bombers and one Soviet Ilyushin DB-3
Ilyushin DB-3
The Ilyushin DB-3 was a Soviet bomber aircraft of World War II. It was a twin-engined, low-wing monoplane that first flew in 1935. It was the precursor of the Ilyushin Il-4...
reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
during nocturnal combat missions. At the end of August 1944 IV./NJG 6 was relocated back to Germany. Lütje was appointed Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
(Wing Commander) of NJG 6 on 1 October 1944. Lütje claimed his final eight aerial victories in 1945 and was awarded the 836th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) during World War II after 50 aerial victories on 17 April 1945.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (28 September 1942)
- German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold on 28 January 1943 as HauptmannHauptmannHauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
in the 8./NJG 1 - Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1939) 2nd and 1st class - Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
with Oak Leaves- Knight's Cross on 1 June 1943 as Hauptmann and StaffelkapitänStaffelkapitänStaffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
of the 8./NJG 1 - 836th Oak Leaves on 17 April 1945 as MajorMajor (Germany)Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
and GeschwaderkommodoreGeschwaderkommodoreGeschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
of NJG 6
- Knight's Cross on 1 June 1943 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän
- Mentioned in the WehrmachtberichtWehrmachtberichtThe Wehrmachtbericht was a daily radio report on the Großdeutscher Rundfunk of Nazi Germany, published by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht regarding the military situation on all fronts of World War II....
Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 14 May 1943 | Hauptmann Luetje erzielte als Nachtjäger gestern sechs Luftsiege. | Hauptmann Luetje achieved as a night fighter six aerial victories yesterday. |