German WWII Luftwaffe Night Harassment Bomber Pilot – Group of Citations

An impressive and historically significant grouping of original documents relating to Obergefreiter Fritz Bachtle, pilot of the 1st Storkampfstaffel. The collection includes:

• A large A4-sized, twice-folded and lightly stained citation for the Pilots Badge, dated 1st April 1938.

• An A5-sized, once-folded citation for the Pilots Badge to Feldwebel Bachtle, punch-holed for filing, awarded 24th February 1943, signed in pencil by the Generalmajor of the 1st Flieger Division.

• Iron Cross 1st Class citation, folded once, punch-holed for filing, dated 14th July 1943, ink-signed by First World War flyer Generalmajor Ritter von Greim, Chief of Luftflotte 6.

• A5 citation for the Luftwaffe Flying Class for Bombers in Bronze, dated 24th February 1943, ink-signed by Generalmajor Deichmann, Commander of the 1st Flieger Division.

• Large A4 Sudetenland Medal citation, dated 1st October 1938.

• Promotion documents to Oberfeldwebel, punch-holed for filing, and an additional promotion certificate.

• Linen flying license, a single folded piece with identification, punch-holed for filing (no photograph).

This grouping is particularly rare and insightful, reflecting Bachtle’s service in the 1st Storkampfstaffel, a night harassment unit formed in December 1942, modeled on Soviet tactics. These units flew primarily Gotha and Go 145 biplanes in bomber and ground attack roles, making this a remarkable record of an early Luftwaffe night harassment pilot.

Ref; 93366 XAB