Friedrich Körner
Leutnant
 
Friedrich Körner
 
    Friedrich Körner was born on 24 January 1921 at Schwerte in Ruhrgebiet. Körner enlisted in the Luftwaffe on 15 November 1939 and on completion of fighter pilot training was assigned to 2./JG 27 based in North Africa. He duly arrived on 4 July 1941. His first victory was achieved on 12 October 1941, when he shot down a RAF Tomahawk fighter over Sheferzen. On 19 March 1942, Körner shot down a RAF P-40 fighter over the sea east of Tobruk for his 10th victory and JG 27's 1000th aerial victory. Körner enjoyed his best day of aerial combat over Marsa Martruh where, on 26 June 1942, he shot down three SAAF P-40 fighters and two RAF Spitfire fighters. Körner shot down 20 aircraft during June 1942. He was the 7th highest scoring German ace in North Africa. Körner was able to achieve multiple kills no less than 7 times while deployed in the North African desert. On 4 July 1942, exactly one year to the day after his arrival in the desert, Körner scrambled in Bf 109 F-4trop (W.Nr. 8696) “Red 9” on a mission to intercept a formation of enemy bombers. Before he could reach the bombers he was intercepted by a flight of South African Hurricane IIC fighters. At 1330, Körner was forced to take to his parachute and was promptly captured by enemy ground forces to remain a prisoner of war in Canada until 1947. His victor was South African ace Lieutenant Lawrence Waugh (6 confirmed, 2 probable and 4 damaged victories) of 1 SAAF Squadron. While interned in Canada, Körner was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 6 September 1942 for his achievements in the desert. Following his release from captivity, Körner fulfilled many important roles in the post-war Bundesluftwaffe. Körner retired from military service on 30 June 1979. At the time of his retirement, Körner held the rank of Generalmajor. Körner lived in Paris with his wife in retirement. He passed away on 3 September 1998.
    Friedrich Körner was credited with 36 victories in approximately 250 missions. All his victories were recorded over North Africa.
 
No
Date
Time
A/c Type
Unit
Location
Comments
1
12.10.1941
9:34
 P-40 2./JG 27 SE Sollum Tomahawk of 112 Sqn RAF
2
20.10.1941
9:45
 Blenheim 2./JG 27 100km N Marsa Luccech Blenheim of 55 Sqn, RAF
3
10.12.1941
14:03
 Boston 2./JG 27 15km E Bir Hacheim Boston of 24 Sqn, SAAF
4
28.12.1941
8:55
 Hurricane 2./JG 27 NE El Hasseiat  
5
11.1.1942
12:50
 P-40 2./JG 27 N Marsa-el-Brega Kittyhawk of 3 Sqn, RAAF
6
13.1.1942
14:35
 P-40 2./JG 27 Antelat Kittyhawk of 3 Sqn, RAAF flown by F/O Shaeffer
7
7.2.1942
14:27
 Blenheim 2./JG 27 NE Derna  
8
8.2.1942
14:27
 P-40 2./JG 27 Bomba Bay Kittyhawk of 112 Sqn, RAF
9
9.3.1942
16:50
 Albacore 2./JG 27 SW Sidi Barrani Albacore of 826 Sqn, RN
10
19.3.1942
10:35
 P-40 2./JG 27 N Gambut Kittyhawk of 80 Sqn, RAF JG27’s 1,000th victory
11
20.3.1942
8:08
 P-40 2./JG 27 S Martuba Kittyhawk of 260 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Tregear
12
20.3.1942
8:08
 P-40 2./JG 27 S Ain-el-Gazala Kittyhawk of 260 Sqn, RAF
13
21.3.1942
8:55
 Boston 2./JG 27 SE Bir Hacheim Boston of 24 Sqn, SAAF
14
2.4.1942
14:28
 Hurricane 2./JG 27 N Gambut Hurricane of 238 Sqn, RAF
15
27.5.1942
15:30
 P-40 2./JG 27 S Gambut Kittyhawk of 3 Sqn, RAAF flown by Sgt Thomas
16
29.5.1942
7:52
 P-40 2./JG 27 W Tobruk Kittyhawk of 250 Sqn, RAF
17
13.6.1942
6:40
 P-40 2./JG 27 S Fort Acroma Hurricane of 213 Sqn, RAF
18
13.6.1942
6:50
 Hurricane 2./JG 27 N Wadi Es Sahaae Hurricane of 213 Sqn, RAF
19
13.6.1942
6:53
 P-40 2./JG 27 Tobruk  
20
14.6.1942
11:05
 P-40 2./JG 27 N Gambut Tomahawk of 5 Sqn, SAAF
21
14.6.1942
11:10
 P-40 2./JG 27 N Gambut Tomahawk of 5 Sqn, SAAF
22
14.6.1942
17:05
 Beaufighter 2./JG 27 NNE Derna Beaufighter of 272 Sqn, RAF
23
16.6.1942
15:20
 P-40 2./JG 27 E El Adem  
24
16.6.1942
18:50
 P-40 2./JG 27 SW Gambut Kittyhawk of 250 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O Cable
25
17.6.1942
8:50
 P-40 2./JG 27 E Sidi Rezegh Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF
26
26.6.1942
11:48
 P-40 2./JG 27 W Marsa Matruh  
27
26.6.1942
12:18
 P-40 2./JG 27 W Marsa Matruh  
28
26.6.1942
18:42
 P-40 2./JG 27 S Marsa Matruh  
29
26.6.1942
18:46
 Spitfire 2./JG 27 Marsa Matruh Spitfire V of 145 Sqn RAF
30
26.6.1942
19:05
 Spitfire 2./JG 27 SE Marsa Matruh Spitfire V of 145 Sqn RAF
31
1.7.1942
19:01
 P-40 2./JG 27 W Burg-el-Arab  
32
1.7.1942
19:03
 P-40 2./JG 27 W Burg-el-Arab  
33
1.7.1942
19:11
 P-40 2./JG 27 W Burg-el-Arab  
34
2.7.1942
18:15
 P-40 2./JG 27 El Alamein Kittyhawk of 2 Sqn, SAAF
35
2.7.1942
18:20
 P-40 2./JG 27 Burg-el-Arab Kittyhawk of 2 Sqn, SAAF
36
3.7.1942
15:11
 Hurricane 2./JG 27 SE El Alamein Hurricane of 213 Sqn, RAF
 
Victories : 36
Awards : Ehrenpokal (10 August 1942)
                Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (21 August 1942)
                Ritterkreuz (6 September 1943)
Units : JG 27
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