GERHARD SCHOPFEL - KNIGHTS CROSS - Signed Photo
Gerd Schopfel joined the Luftwaffe in 1936 and was thus a very experienced pilot when war began in 1939. He was already an Oberleutnant and StaKa of 9th Staffel JG26 'Schlageter'. During the Battle of France and then over Dunkirk, he scored four victories. In June 1940 Adolf Galland was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III/JG26 'Schlageter' and his leadership proved immediately effective. Schopfel flew throughout the Battle of Britain - his most famous exploit being on 18th August 1940 when he caught the climbing Hurricanes of 501 Squadron over Canterbury. Schopfel shot down FOUR of the aircraft in less than two minutes!
On the 22nd August 1940 Adolf Galland was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of JG26 which resulted in Schopfel's promotion to Gruppenkommandeur of III/JG26. By the Battles end Schopfel had claimed 18 victories.
Schopfel's Unit continued to battle the RAF well into 1941, dogfights with RAF aircraft were common as the RAF began it's 'Non-Stop' Offensive. In late 1941 III/JG26 began to re-equip with the formidbale new fighter - the Fw190 - and in February 1942 he led his Unit during the famous 'Channel Dash' operation as the great capitol ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prince Eugen successfully passed through the English Channel.
Schopfel had scored 45 victories by 10th January 1943 when Galland decided to post him to a Staff position ('Pip's Priller was appointed Geschwaderkommodor of JG26). In the ensuing year Schopfel held various staff positions, only returning to combat on 15th June 1944 when put in command of the newly formed JG4. Schopfel's career came to a halt in August 1944 when he was shot down with serious injuries by US P-51 Mustang fighters.
Schopfel spent 4 years as a Soviet captive only being released in 1949. He died in 2003.
This is a very nice Signed photo measuring 6 x 4 Inches