Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn

Oberst Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn (20 October 1910 – 24 June 1953) was a German World War II Luftwaffe Flying ace and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) and a winner of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Legally it was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn.

Career
Von Maltzhan was born 20 October 1910 in Wodarg, Pomerania. A member of the German aristocracy, Günther von Maltzhan could use the title of Freiherr (Baron). Von Matzahn entered the cavalry in 1931 although he had already undergone flight training at the commercial flying school in Schleissheim. In mid 1930s, von Maltzahn was joined the Luftwaffe as a flying instructor. In 1937 he was posted to 6./Jagdgeschwader 334 as a Staffelkapitän, the unit later renumbered 6./Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53).

By September 1939, von Maltzahn, as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 53, led his unit through the Polish campaign, the Battle of France and the Low Countries and the Battle of Britain. On 9 October 1940 he was promoted Geschwaderkommodore of JG 53, and on 30 December was awarded the Knight's Cross, for 12 air victories, and also for his work organizing and leading the unit.

In 1941 JG 53 participated in the Invasion of the Soviet Union, achieving high numbers of air victories against the Soviet Air Force. Major Von Maltzahn reached 43 kills and on 24 July 1941 received the Oak Leaves. In September 1941 JG 53 was withdrawn from frontline duties to Holland for rest and refit. The Geschwader was then sent to Sicily in December and participated in the battles over Malta and the Mediterranean.

Von Maltzahn reached 68 victories before leaving JG 53 in October 1943, assuming various staff positions with the Luftwaffenbefehlshabers Mitte (Luftwaffe Command of the Mediterranean), and later Jagdfliegerführer Italien, (Chief of Operations in Italy). In February 1945 he was detached to 9 Fliegerdivision, until the end of the war.

After the war Maltzahn worked in agriculture and then in the new Luftwaffe. He died in 1953 in Düsseldorf at the age of 43, due to illness.

Oberst Gunther Freiherr von Maltzahn flew 497 missions and claimed 68 victories, 33 in Russia. He fought on the Western Front, Eastern Front and the Mediterranean.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (7 October 1939)
 * 1st Class (10 May 1940)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (23 March 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 23 December 1942 as Oberstleutnant in JG 53
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 30 December 1940 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./JG 53
 * 29th Oak Leaves on 24 July 1941 as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of JG 53
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 November 1940