Gerhard Barkhorn, a notable aviator whose wartime exploits inspired both reverence and discussion, was a member of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Despite the contentious nature of his military service, he amassed a remarkable number of aerial victories, securing the position as the second-most successful fighter pilot in history, trailing only his compatriot, Erich Hartmann.
Following the war, Barkhorn pursued an unexpected course, choosing to cooperate with former adversaries in the post-war period.
Gerhard Barkhorn’s early life
Gerhard Barkhorn, born March 20, 1919, in what was then the Free State of Prussia, embarked on his aviation journey after finishing his education. Following his mandatory Reichsarbeitsdienst, a period of compulsory labor for Germany, the 18-year-old opted to enlist in the Luftwaffe.
Barkhorn’s aviation pursuit commenced as a fahnenjunker at an air school in Dresden, where he initiated flight training. Demonstrating steadfast dedication to learning, he frequently conducted up to nine flights per day under the guidance of his flight instructor. His training covered various aircraft, including the Heinkel He 72 Kadett, the Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz, the Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann, and the Gotha Go 145.
Upon completing his training in August 1939, Barkhorn had attained the rank of leutnant.
Beginning of World War II
After the German invasion of Poland, Gerhard Barkhorn trained to become a fighter pilot, despite struggling with marksmanship. His early aerial target practices yielded modest results, with only 20 hits out of 100 attempts on his first try and a mere 10 out of 100 on his second. Along with target practice, he received instruction in formation flying, conducting an impressive 615 flights by the time he graduated in 1940.
Upon entering active duty, Barkhorn flew patrols over Belgium and France, before being transferred to participate in the Battle of Britain. Despite his efforts in escorting bombers to London, he had yet to achieve any aerial victories when he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
Only a few days later, Barkhorn’s aircraft was downed by Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots over the English Channel, prompting an attempted capture by the Royal Navy. Rescued by the Kriegsmarine, he soon returned to the sky, vowing to never bail out of his aircraft again.
Deployed to the Eastern Front
During the initial months of 1941, Gerhard Barkhorn conducted patrols over occupied territories, before being deployed to the Eastern Front to participate in Operation Barbarossa. It was here that he experienced his first taste of success in aerial combat. On July 2, 1941, during his 120th mission with Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52), he secured his first victory against the Soviets.
Following this, Barkhorn swiftly accumulated further victories, reaching his 100th kill on December 9, 1942, and his 200th less than a year later. His exceptional performance earned him the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, the second-highest honor bestowed at that time.
Despite achieving a total of 301 kills and completing 1,104 missions by the war’s conclusion, Barkhorn never received the highest distinction (diamonds added to the medal). Speculations suggest his reluctance to embrace the ideology of the Führer may have played a role. Nevertheless, he ascended through the ranks, assuming leadership roles in 4 Staffel and, later, in 2 Staffel.
Taken as a prisoner of war (POW)
In January 1945, Gerhard Barkhorn assumed the role of Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 6 (JG 6). Four months later, he became a member of the Jagdverband 44 (JV 44) and was actively participating with them when he surrendered to the Allies on May 4, 1945, near Salzburg. Subsequently, he was taken into captivity as a prisoner of war (POW).
Shortly thereafter, Barkhorn and five comrades were dispatched to England for interrogation and remained there until June. After this, they were relocated to a POW camp in Foucarville, France, where they remained until September. Eventually, Barkhorn was reunited with his family and spent the ensuing decade employed in various manufacturing roles.
Service with the Bundesluftwaffe
In 1955, Gerhard Barkhorn received an invitation to join the newly established West German Air Force, the Bundesluftwaffe. Taking his oath as a major on June 19, 1956, the role demanded close collaboration with the air forces he’d once battled during World War II. The pilot underwent jet aircraft training under the guidance of RAF personnel and led a contingent of German aviators as part of the Tripartite Kestrel Evaluation Squadron based in the United Kingdom.
On October 13, 1965, while piloting a Hawker Siddeley Kestrel, Barkhorn experienced a crash landing at RAF West Raynham. Despite the ordeal, he was rescued from the jet and humorously remarked that it was his 302nd Allied aircraft “kill.”
Despite his wartime history, Barkhorn forged an illustrious career. Upon his retirement in 1975, he’d risen to the rank of generalmajor and served as the chief of staff of NATO‘s Second Allied Tactical Air Force.
Gerhard Barkhorn’s later life and death
Despite so many flight hours, it wasn’t an aviation accident that killed Gerhard Barkhorn, but, rather, a car crash. On January 6, 1983, he was driving with his wife and a friend near Cologne when the accident occurred. His partner was killed instantly, while Barkhorn and his friend were severely injured and taken to a local hospital.
Both men died within a week. Supposedly, Barkhorn fell into a coma after finding out his wife had died at the scene. They were buried on January 14, 1983, with Barkhorn receiving a military funeral presided over by many high-ranking Bundesluftwaffe officers.
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Erich Hartmann, the only pilot with more victories, spoke fondly of his former comrade, saying, “He was the fighter commander of whom every fighter pilot dreams – leader, friend, comrade and father – the best I ever met. One of the few commanders whose men thirty, forty, fifty years later, continue to speak of him with respect and affection. Gerd Barkhorn was an unforgettable man.”