Description
WARTIME KNIGHTS CROSS WINNER PORTRAIT PHOTO & SIGNATURE – HERBERT IHLEFELD
Wartime portrait photo & signature. 9x13cm. One of several portraits requested by a Hitler Jugend boy, and officially sent to him – see image of reverse.
Herbert Ihlefeld (June 1, 1914 – August 8, 1995) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace who served in both the Spanish Civil War and Second World War.
- Credited with 130 aerial victories in over 1,000 combat missions, and survived being shot down eight times.
Early Career & Spanish Civil War:
- Joined the Reichswehr in 1933; transferred from the army to the Luftwaffe in 1935.
- Volunteered for the Condor Legion and flew with Jagdgruppe 88 in Spain.
- Claimed 7–9 victories (some unconfirmed) between February and July 1938.
- Awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords for his service.
World War II Service:
- Served with Lehrgeschwader 2 during the invasions of Poland and France.
- Awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross in September 1940 after 21 victories during the Battle of Britain.
- Appointed group commander of I./JG 77 and fought in the Balkans and during Operation Barbarossa.
- Received the Oak Leaves (1941) and Swords (1942) after surpassing 100 victories.
Later War Roles:
- Took command of JG 52 in June 1942 but was wounded shortly after.
- Later led a fighter pilot school and a specialized Mosquito interception unit (JG 25), which had limited success.
- Served on staff positions before becoming commander of JG 1 “Oesau” in May 1944.
- Participated in Operation Bodenplatte.
Combat Record:
- 67 victories on the Eastern Front
- 56 on the Western Front, including:
- 15 four-engine bombers
- 26 Supermarine Spitfire
