Fritz Gromotka
German World War II fighter pilot (1915–1979)

Fritz Gromotka
Born2 June 1915
Kronschkow
Died2 November 1979(1979-11-02) (aged 64)
Remscheid
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branchLuftwaffe
Years of service?–1945
RankLeutnant
UnitJG 27
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Fritz Gromotka (2 June 1915 – 2 November 1979) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Fritz Gromotka was credited with 29 aerial victories, 27 on the Western Front and 2 on the Eastern Front.

Career

Gromotka was born on 2 June 1915 in Kronschkow, present-day Krążkowy, in the Prussian Province of Posen within the German Empire.[1] In November 1940, he was posted to 6./JG 27, and during the Balkans Campaign of March–April 1941 claimed three victories over Greece, including two RAF Bristol Blenheim bombers of No. 211 Squadron on 13 April 1941. His first claim was Blenheim L8604 piloted by Flying Officer E. V. Thompson. His second claim was Blenheim L4819 piloted by flown by Flying Officer R. V. Herbert, in which Wing Commander Patrick Coote was flying. In both instances, all crew members died.[2]

Unteroffizier Gromotka participated in the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, claiming two DB-3 twin-engine bombers shot down on 25 June 1941 near Wilna. While returning from this mission, he ran out of fuel and forced-landed his Bf 109 E-8 near Minsk. He returned to his unit on 28 June.

Gromotka was posted to North Africa with II./JG 27 in September 1941. He was shot down in combat on 21 May 1942, but was unhurt after crash-landing. By June 1942 he had claimed a further four victories over the Desert Air Force. In July 1942 Gromotka served as instructor at Jagdfliegerschule 4.

He returned to JG 27 in December 1942, with 9. Staffel based in the Mediterranean theatre. From September to December 1943, Gromotka claimed another nine victories. He claimed a USAAF four-engine B-24 bomber on 5 October near Eratini.

In March 1944, III./JG 27 departed the Mediterranean for Reichsverteidigung duties and deployment in June to the Normandy Invasion front. On 2 July, Gromotka was shot down and wounded in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 during aerial combat.[3] Gromotka was commissioned to Leutnant and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes) on 28 January 1945 for 29 victories.

On 1 February 1945, Gromotka was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9. Staffel of JG 27, succeeding Oberleutnant Kurt Heidenreich in this function. He held this position until the end of the war.[4]

Later life

Gromotka died on 2 November 1979 at the age of 64 in Remscheid, West Germany.[5]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to Obermaier, Gromotka was credited with 29 aerial victories claimed in 438 missions, and included 10 four-engined heavy bombers.[1] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 22 aerial victories, plus seven further unconfirmed claims, achieved in 438 combat missions. This figure includes two aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 20 over the Western Allies, including eight four-engined bombers.[6]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 23 Ost 2951". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[7]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
ClaimDateTimeTypeLocationClaimDateTimeTypeLocation
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[6]
During the Balkan Campaign — 6 November 1940 – 11 May 1941
113 April 194116:06Blenheimsouthwest of Bitolj-Kenali[8]3?[Note 1]14 April 1941
—
Gladiator[8]
213 April 194116:09Blenheimsouthwest of Bitolj-Kenali[8]
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[6]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 19 July 1941
425 June 194110:45DB-3northeast of Vilnius[9]525 June 194112:45DB-3west-southwest of Vilnius[9]
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[6]
In North Africa — 22 September 1941 – 6 December 1942
629 November 194114:32Hurricanesouthwest of El Adem[10]8?[Note 1]18 March 194208:30P-40southeast of Tobruk[11]
723 February 194213:15Blenheimwest of Sidi Barrani[11]9?[Note 1]10 June 194207:40HurricaneSidi Rezegh[12]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[6]
Mediterranean theater — September – 31 December 1943
1027 September 194311:20Spitfire1 km (0.62 mi) north of Kos airfield[13]1510 November 194313:40Beaufighterwest-southwest of Karpathos[14]
1127 September 194315:17Spitfirenorthwest of Kos airfield[13]164 December 194308:32Baltimoreeast of Kea[15]
1227 September 194316:15Spitfirenorth of the Galli island[13]176 December 194311:40B-24northwest of Eleusis[15]
135 October 194312:53B-24PQ 23 Ost 2951, west of Erateini[14]18?[Note 1]6 December 1943
—
B-24west of Milos[15]
148 October 194313:53B-246 km (3.7 mi) north-northwest of Cape Pappas[14]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[6]
Defense of the Reich — 1 March – 6 June 1944
1919 March 194413:50B-2425 km (16 mi) southeast of Marburg[16]?[Note 2]12 May 194412:38B-1730 km (19 mi) northeast of Hanau
2012 April 194412:15B-17northwest of Wiener Neustadt[16]22?[Note 1]12 May 194412:38?[Note 3]B-17*30 km (19 mi) northeast of Hanau[16]
2112 May 194412:30B-1730 km (19 mi) north-northeast of Hanau[16]2328 May 194414:30B-17Wittenberg[17]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[6]
In defense of the Normandy Invasion — 6 June – 15 October 1944
2412 June 194414:05P-47Paris[17]2619 August 194408:53P-47PQ 05 Ost S/UD 8-9, northwest of Paris[18]
2517 August 194414:48TyphoonPQ 04 Ost N/AC 1-2, vicinity of Dreux[17]
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 27 –[6]
Defense of the Reich — November – 31 December 1944
27?[Note 1]26 November 194411:15P-51north of Osnabrück[18]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f According to Mathews and Foreman this claim was unconfirmed.[6]
  2. ^ Mathews and Foreman list three claims over Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers on 12 May 1944, two confirmed (12:30 and 12:38) and one unconfirmed (~12:50).[6] Prien, Balke, Stemmer and Bock only list two confirmed claims on 12 May 1944.[16]
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at approximately 12:50.[6]
  4. ^ According to Obermaier on 19 January 1944.[1]
  5. ^ According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves.[23]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 122.
  2. ^ Shores & Cull 2008, p. 243.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 328.
  4. ^ Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995, p. 313.
  5. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 196.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 431.
  7. ^ Planquadrat.
  8. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003a, p. 202.
  9. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003b, p. 168.
  10. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 260.
  11. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 262.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 266.
  13. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2010, p. 261.
  14. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2010, p. 262.
  15. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2010, p. 264.
  16. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2019, p. 323.
  17. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2019, p. 324.
  18. ^ a b Prien et al. 2019, p. 325.
  19. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 195.
  20. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 89.
  21. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 149.
  22. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 170.
  23. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 350.

Bibliography

  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-39903-073-1.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Rodeike, Peter; Stemmer, Gerhard (1995). Messerschmitt Bf 109 im Einsatz bei der III. und IV./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1938 – 1945 [Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Action with the III. and IV./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1938 – 1945] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-30-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/I—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/I—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-69-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 8/I—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—November 1941 bis December 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 8/I—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—November 1941 to December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-74-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 11/I—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 11/I—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-95-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Balke, Ulf; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2019). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/V—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/V—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-21-5.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Shores, Christopher F.; Cull, Brian (2008). Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece, and Crete, 1940–41. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-07-6.
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