Bernhard Vechtel

Leutnant Bernhard Vechtel (31 July 1920 – 21 August 1975) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Vechtel was credited with 108 aerial victories claimed in some 860 combat missions, all on the Eastern Front.

Career
He served all his career with the Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) as a member of with 10, 11 & 14./JG 51. He was awarded the Ehrenpokal on 3 January 1944, the German Cross in Gold on 28 January 1944, and later received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 27 July 1944, for 93 aerial-victories. He claimed Jagdgeschwader 51s 8000th aerial victory of the war on 1 May 1944.

From 11 December 1944 onwards he led 14./JG 51 as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader).

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (3 April 1944)
 * German Cross in Gold on 28 January 1944 as Feldwebel in the 10./JG 51
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as pilot and Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel in the 10./JG 51 "Mölders"