Ulrich Wernitz

Ulrich Wernitz (21 January 1921 – 23 December 1980) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of 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. Wernitz was credited with 101 aerial victories—that is, 101 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in roughly 240 combat missions. He served in the post World War II German Air Force of the Federal Republic of Germany, retiring with the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel).

Career

Wernitz was born in Schweinitz/Herzberg in the district of Wittenberg, a Province of Saxony, on 21 January 1921. Feldwebel Wernitz, who frequently flew as wingman to Otto Kittel, was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for his 82nd aerial victory, a Petlyakov Pe-2 shot down on 28 August 1944. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was given command of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 54 in Courland in February 1945. On 26 March 1945, Wernitz was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 100th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (17 April 1944)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October 1944 as pilot and Feldwebel in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 54
• German Cross in Gold on 1 January 1945 as Feldwebel in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 54

• Obermaier 1989, p. 223.
• Fellgiebel 2000, p. 443.
• Scherzer 2007, p. 780.
• Von Seemen 1976, p. 357.
• Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 508.