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Photo of Major Erich Putzka.
ca. summer 44
Born:
31 August 1912 in Osterrode (Ost preussen)
Units:
01.12.36-31.08.43 3. (F) Aufklärungsgruppe 121
01.09.43-14.04.44 Kommodore d. Erg. Aukl. Gruppen
15.04.44-01.07.44 Fernaufklärungsgruppe 4
02.07.44-06.09.44 Ergänzungszerstörerstaffel 26
07.09.44-13.10.44 Jagdgruppe Nord, 2 staffel
14.10.44-04.11.44 Jagdgruppe Nord, 1 staffel
05.11.44-00.11.44 Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 1, 1 staffel
00.11.44-23.12.44 III./ Jagdgeschwader 1, 9 staffel
Rank:
00.00.00 Leutnant
01.04.39 Oberleutnant
01.08.41 Hauptmann
00.11.41 Staffelkäpitan 3. (F) Aufklärungsgruppe 121
01.06.44 Major
Awards:
22.10.36 Dienstauszeichnung IV. Klasse (Long Service Award 4th Class)
03.05.37 Flugzeugführerabzeichen (Pilots Badge)
28.10.38 Beobachterabzeichen (Observer's Badge)
15.12.38 Gemeinsames Flugzeugführerabzeichen und Beobachterabzeichen (Combined Pilot's and Observer's Badge)
18.09.39 Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class)
26.09.39 Medaille Zur Erinnerung An Den 1. Oktober 1938 (Commemerative Medal of 1.10.38)
11.06.40 Eiserne Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st Class)
19.03.41 Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Bronze (Operational flying clasp in Bronze for reconnaisance)
23.05.41 Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Silber (Operational flying clasp in Silver for reconnaisance)
25.07.41 Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Gold (Operational flying clasp in Gold for reconnaisance)
06.08.41 Ehrenpokal fur besondere Leistung im Luftkreig (Honor Goblet)
24.11.41 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (German Cross in Gold)
08.12.41 Ehrenliste der Luftwaffe (Honor list of the Luftwaffe)
03.09.42 Medaille "Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42" (Winter War Medal 1941/42)
15.09.42 Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Gold mit Anhänger (Operational flying clasp in Gold with pendant for reconnaisance)
09.12.42 Ritterskreuz des Eisernes Kreuz (Knights Cross of the Iron Cross)
20.03.43 Krimschild (Crimea campaign schield)
Foreign awards:
29.03.43 Rumänische Auszeichnung Virtutea Aeronautica "Klasse" Goldenkreuz (Rumanian AeroNautical Virtue Order, Michael, Golden Cross)
30.04.43 Rumänische Medaille "Krues gegen den Kommunisim" (Rumanian Anti-Communist Medal)
Under Construction
History:
1936
1937
1938
28 October 38
Leutnant Putzka's Beobachterschein issued
by (F)/Aufkl. Gruppe 22, 28 October 38.
8 December 38
1939
19 July 39
Oberleutnant Putzka's Wehrmacht Führerschein issued by Luftgaukommando III, 19 July 39.
1940
1941
19 March 41
After completing over 45 long-range reconnaissance sorties Oberleutnant Erich Putzka is awarded the Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Bronze (Operational flying clasp in Bronze for reconnaisance)
23 May 41
After completing over 60 long-range reconnaissance sorties Oberleutnant Erich Putzka is awarded the Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Silber (Operational flying clasp in Silver for reconnaisance)
25 July 41
After completing over 110 long-range reconnaissance sorties Oberleutnant Erich Putzka is awarded the Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Gold (Operational flying clasp in Gold for reconnaisance)
1 August 41
Oberleutnant Putzka is promoted to the rank of Hauptmann.
6 August 41
Putzka is awarded the Ehrenpokal fur besondere Leistung im Luftkreig (Honor Goblet)
24 November 41
Putzka is awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (German Cross in Gold)
1942
15 September 42
After completing over ??? long-range reconnaissance sorties Hauptmann Erich Putzka is awarded the Frontflug-Spange für Auklärer in Gold mit Anhänger (Operational flying clasp in Gold with pendant for reconnaisance).
9 December 42
After completing over 200 long-range reconnaissance sorties Hauptmann Erich Putzka is awarded the Ritterskreuz des Eisernes Kreuz (Knights Cross of the Iron Cross). Putzka becomes the 2nd recipient from Aufklärungsgruppe 121to receive this high honor (Aufklärungsgruppe 121 had only 11 total for the entire war) and one of only 126 members of the reconnaissance branch of the Luftwaffe to receive the Knights Cross.
Photo of Hauptmann Putzka. late 42-early 43.
1943
March 43
Staffelkäpitan Putzka (far right) with officers of 3. (F) Aufklärungsgruppe 121 while stationed in Stalino March 1943.
In the background (center) is RKT Hans Baasner.
20 March 43
For his service during the air war in the Crimean peninsula Hauptmann Putzka receives the Krimschild (Crimea campaign schield).
1944
7 September 44
Major Putzka is transferred to the 2nd staffel of Jagdgruppe Nord, then based in Sagan-Küpper to undergo training on single seat fighters. The Jagdgruppe Nord was equipped with Bf 109G's and Fw 190A's.
14 October 44
Putzka transfer to the 1st staffel of Jagdgruppe Nord also based in Sagan-Küpper.
4 November 44
Jagdgruppe Nord is redesignated Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 1 with the 1st staffel Jagdgruppe Nord becoming. 1./EJG1
late November 44
Major Putzka is assigned to the III Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 1, 9th staffel based in Hustedt and part of 2. Jagddivision. At some point between his posting to 9 staffel JG 11 and his death Putzka appears to have been assigned to the Gruppenstab which was no doubt due to his lengthy combat experience. During this time frame the unit flew Fw 190A's.
17 December 44
The III Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 moves to bases in Gross-Ostheim and serves under the command of Jafü Mittelrhein. During this time frame the unit flew Fw 190A's.
23 December 44
Sometime in the afternoon of the 23rd, the Fw 190's of III Gruppe JG 11 encountered and were engaged by Allied aircraft in the area of the High Eifel in the triangle St. Vith-Prüm-Stadtkyll. It is presumed that Major Erich Putzka was shot down in his Fw 190A-8 in this area of difficult terrain; his remains were never found. Putzka's aircraft was Fw 190 A-8 (WNr 960 666) coded white 1+I .
Major Erich Putzka's Fw 190 White 1 + I. Dec. 44
Lost:
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