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Siegfried Freytag (10 November 1919 – 1 June 2003) was a German World War II fighter ace and a decorated Sergent of the French Foreign Legion ( 1952 - 1970 ). He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ((ドイツ語:Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)) which is awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership as well as recipient of Orders, decorations, and medals of France. == World War II == Freytag was born on 10 November 1919 in Danzig-Langfuhr, then in the German Empire, present-day Wrzeszcz in Poland. He grew up in the Free City of Danzig. During World War II, he served in the Luftwaffe, beginning with 6./Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) in the summer of 1940. His first victory was on 31 October 1940 when he claimed a Lockheed Hudson of Coastal Command. Along with JG 77, he then took part in the invasion of Greece and Crete in March – May 1941. JG 77 next operated over the Eastern Front. By June 1942 ''Oberleutnant'' (First Lieutenant) Freytag had 57 victories to his credit, with some 12 aircraft destroyed on the ground, and he was awarded the prestigious ''Ritterkreuz'' on 3 July 1942.〔Obermaier 1986, p. 114.〕 Freytag was by now ''Staffelkapitän'' (Squadron Leader) of 1./JG 77, and relocated to the Mediterranean theatre, operating against Malta from July until October 1942. Freytag was one of the most successful aces during these operations, claiming 21 victories, and raising his total to 78. He was shot down by Spitfires on 27 July, but was rescued from the sea off Valletta by a Dornier Do 24 flying boat. Operating over North Africa and Tunisia, Freytag scored 16 more victories. On 13 March 1943, Freytag was made ''Gruppenkommandeur'' (Group Commander) of II./JG 77. He flew over Sicily, but was shot down over Gela by P-38 Lightning fighters on 12 July, bailing out wounded from his stricken Bf 109 G-6. Following his recovery, Freytag commanded II./JG 77, on ''Reichsverteidigung'' (Defense of the Reich) duties based in Germany.〔 In December 1944, Freytag was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 96th ''Luftwaffe'' pilot to achieve the century mark.〔Obermaier 1989, p. 243.〕 On 25 December, Freytag was appointed acting ''Geschwaderkommodore'' (Wing Commander) of JG 77, when ''Major'' Johannes Wiese was shot down and wounded. Freytag may have shot down RCAF fighter ace Flt/Lt. Henry Wallace McLeod. Freytag claimed the only Spitfire for his 101st claim on 27 September 1944 in the Duisburg area, which probably was flown by McLeod. He recorded his last (102nd) victory and 2nd Spitfire on 1 January 1945.〔Weal 2012, p. 83.〕 Freytag was again appointed acting ''Geschwaderkommodore'' of JG 77 on 7 March, following the death of ''Major'' Erich Leie. On 4 April 1945, Freytag was transferred to the ''Geschwaderstab'' (headquarters unit) of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 5—5th Fighter Wing), but was soon transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7—7th Fighter Wing), flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, where it was intended he become a ''Gruppenkommandeur''. However, the war ended before he could assume the position. Siegfried Freytag was officially credited with 102 victories of which 49 victories were claimed over the Eastern Front. Among his victories over the Western Front are at least 2 four-engine bombers. Freytag had been nominated for the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, but the war ended before the paperwork had been processed.〔 Captured near Regensburg by U.S. troops, he was initially employed as an interpreter. After discovering all his family and friends had been killed and his family's property had been seized by the Polish authorities when Danzig was annexed by Poland,〔 he worked in the mining industry and a technician initially and rumors have it that he worked as a taxi driver. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Siegfried Freytag」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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