Joachim Schlichting

Major Joachim Schlichting (1 February 1914 – 7 July 1982) was a German Spanish Civil War and World War II Luftwaffe Ace and 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.

Career
Joachim Schlichting joined the pre-war Luftwaffe, and as a Oberleutnant was Staffelkapitän of ''2. Staffel'', Jagdgruppe 88 of the Condor Legion from 6 September 1937 to 28 May 1938, while on his tour of duty in Spain. During that time he scored 5 victories (all over I-16 fighters) and was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds upon his return on 6 June 1938. Promoted to Hauptmann, on 1 July he was appointed Staffelkapitän of the specialist 2(leJ)/LehrGeschwader Greifswald (the single-engine fighter squadron of the air-force testing unit). Renamed 2(J)/Lehrgeschwader 2 in November 1938, he led the unit in the Polish campaign when war started in September 1939.

On 1 November 1939 he was transferred as Geschwader Adjutant of the newly formed Jagdgeschwader 27 under Geschwaderkommodore Max Ibel. He was promoted again on 1 February 1940, to lead I./Jagdgeschwader 1 as Gruppenkommandeur. In the campaign against France he shot down a Bristol Blenheim on 12 May and a LeO 45 on 6 June. At the end of the campaign (on 5 July) the unit was redesignated III./JG 27. In the Battle of Britain he claimed his 8th victory (a Spitfire of 152 Squadron ; S/L P. Devitt returned to base, damaged) over Portland on 25 July 1940.

Schlichting was shot down flying Bf 109E (Werknummer 1380 &mdash; factory number) by Flight Lieutenant Witold Urbanowicz of No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron off the coast of Shoeburyness, Essex on 6 September 1940. Although badly burned, Schlichting escaped by parachute and was held as prisoner of war for the duration of the war.

The presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) was made over a year later on 31 October 1941 in British captivity. It recognised his outstanding commitment as a leader to his duties as fighter escort to the bombers, at the expense of personal success in air combat. Schlichting was promoted from Hauptmann to Major on 1 November 1941, while in captivity in England.

His 8 victories came in over 100 combat missions. After World war II he joined the Bundeswehr of the Federal Republic of Germany and served as the Chief of Staff of the 5. Luftwaffendivision (5th Air Division of the Bundeswehr) in 1963.

Awards

 * Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds (6 June 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 December 1940 Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./JG 27