Wikipedia

Walter Adolph

Walter Adolph(11 June 1913 – 18 September 1941) was a GermanLuftwaffemilitary aviatorin theSpanish Civil Warand afighter aceduringWorld War II.He is credited with 25 aerial victories, including one in Spain, achieved in 79 combat missions. All his World War II victories were claimed over theWestern Front.

Walter Adolph
Adolph as aHauptmann
Born(1913-06-11)11 June 1913
Fântânele,Kingdom of Romania
Died18 September 1941(1941-09-18)(aged 28)
North Sea,offOstend,German-occupied Belgium
Cause of deathKilled in action
Buried
Lommel,Belgium
(Block 38-grave 459)
AllegianceNazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross)Luftwaffe
Years of service193?–41
RankHauptmann(captain)
UnitJ/88,JG 26
Commands heldII./JG 26
Battles/wars
See battles

Spanish Civil War

World War II

AwardsSpanish Crossin Gold with Swords
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Born inFântânele,Romania,Adolph served in theCondor Legionduring the Spanish Civil War, where he claimed his first aerial victory on 30 December 1937. He was madeStaffelkapitän(squadron leader) of 2.Staffel(2nd squadron) ofJagdgeschwader1(JG 1–1st Fighter Wing), a squadron which was later redesignated 8.StaffelofJagdgeschwader27(JG 27–27th Fighter Wing). In October 1940, he was appointedGruppenkommandeur(group commander) of II.GruppeofJagdgeschwader26"Schlageter" (JG 26–26th Fighter Wing) and received theKnight's Cross of the Iron Crosson 13 November 1940. On 16 September 1941, he waskilled in actionwithSupermarine Spitfirefighters fromNo. 41 Squadron.

Early life and career

edit

Adolph was born on 11 June 1913 atFântânele,Bacău County,Romania.After the fall of theAustro-Hungarian Empirein 1918, he moved with his family to Germany.[1]From late 1937 until spring 1938, he served with 1.Staffel(1st squadron) ofJagdgruppe88(J/88–88th Fighter Group) of theCondor Legionduring theSpanish Civil War.[2][Note 1]Adolph arrived in Spain at the time J/88 received a complement of 14 newMesserschmitt Bf 109B-2 fighters.[3]He claimed one victory,[4]aRepublicanPolikarpov I-15fighter, on 30 December 1937. He was awarded theSpanish Crossin Gold with Swords (Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern), for his service in the Spanish Civil War.[5]

On 1 January 1939, Adolph was appointedStaffelkapitän(squadron leader) of 2.StaffelofJagdgeschwader130(JG 130–130th Fighter Wing), a squadron of I.Gruppe(1st group) of JG 130 under the command ofHauptmannBernhard Woldenga.This unit was renamed on 1 May 1939 and was then referred to 2.StaffelofJagdgeschwader1(JG 1–1st Fighter Wing) from then on.[6]In mid-August 1939, 2.Staffelwas ordered to move from Jesau, near present-dayBagrationovsk,toHeiligenbeil,present-day Mamonovo, in preparation for the GermanInvasion of Poland.[7][8]

World War II

edit

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. On 6 September, I.Gruppe(1st group) of JG 1 was withdrawn and ordered toLübeck-Blankenseeand then on 15 September toVördenwhere the unit stayed until January 1940. There, theGruppeflew fighter protection during the "Phoney War"on the German border to the Netherlands.[9][10]Adolph claimed his first aerial victory in World War II on 1 October 1939 overOsnabrück.His opponent was aRoyal Air Force(RAF)Bristol BlenheimN6281ofNo. 139 Squadronflown by F/O AC MacLachlan.[11][12][13]

In mid-January 1940, I.Gruppewas ordered to an airfield at Gymnich, today part ofErftstadt,where the unit was tasked with patrolling Germany's western border. There, theGruppecontinuously conducted various flight exercises. In late April, the unit received the first Bf 109 E-4 variant, replacing the Bf 109 E-3s.[14]

Battle of France and Britain

edit

TheWehrmachtlaunched the invasion of France and the Low Countries on 10 May 1940. During this campaign, I.Gruppeof JG 1 was subordinated to theStab(headquarters unit) ofJagdgeschwader27(JG 27–27th Fighter Wing) which was under the control ofVIII.Fliegerkorps(8th Air Corps) under the command ofGeneraloberstWolfram Freiherr von Richthofen.That day, I.Gruppeflewcombat air patrolsin the area ofVenlo–Tirlemont–Liègeand later that day toMaastricht.[15]On 12 May, German forces began crossing the bridges overMeuseandAlbert Canal.Atfirst light,nineBristol Blenheimsbelonging toNo. 139 Squadron RAFtook off fromPlivotto bomb the bridgeheads. They ran into Bf 109s from Stab./JG 51,and 2. and 3./JG 27.[16]In defense of these bridges, I.Gruppeclaimed ten bombers shot down, including three Blenheim bombers from No. 139 Squadron by Adolph.[17][18]No. 139 Squadron lost seven of the unescorted bombers.[16]On 16 May, I.Gruppewas moved to an airfield atCharleville.[17]On 6 June, Adolph was credited with two aerial victories over FrenchLioré et Olivier LeO 451bombers in the vicinity ofMontdidier,his fifth and last during the French campaign.[19]

I.Gruppemoved to an airfield atPlumetoton 30 June 1940 for combat against the RAF. On 5 July, the Luftwaffe began reorganizing its fighter units. In consequence, I.Gruppeof JG 1 was officially integrated into JG 27 as its III.Gruppe,with 2.Staffelof JG 1 then becoming the 8.Staffelof JG 27.[20]On 19 July, III.Gruppeescorted a number ofJunkers Ju 87dive bomberson aKanalkampfmission to theIsle of Wightwhere they encountered a number ofHawker Hurricanefighters. TheGruppeclaimed five Hurricans shot down, including one by Adolph.[21]The RAF attacked theQuerqueville Airfieldon the afternoon of 1 August. In defense of this attack, I.Gruppeclaimed three aerial victories, including a Blenheim bomber shot down by Adolph nearCherbourg.[22]On 7 September, the Luftwaffe launched Operation Loge, a 65-dayair offensiveagainst London. That day, Adolph claimed aSupermarine Spitfiredestroyed south ofStanford.[23]

Group commander and death

edit

Adolph was appointedGruppenkommandeur(group commander) of II.GruppeofJagdgeschwader26"Schlageter" (JG 26–26th Fighter Wing) on 4 October 1940.[24]JG 26 was named afterAlbert Leo Schlageter,amartyrcultivated by theNazi Party.[25]On 11 October, Adolph claimed his tenth and eleventh aerial victory over two Spitfire fighters. Both Spitfires came fromNo. 41 Squadronand were shot down off the coast ofKentnearMaidstone.Four days later, he claimed a Hurricane destroyed near London. The Hurricane either belonged toNo. 46 SquadronorNo. 501 Squadron.[26]His 13th victory, aNo. 603 SquadronSpitfire, was claimed on 25 October in aerial combat near Maidstone.[27]Adolph's victim,Pilot OfficerLudwig Martel, flyingP7350,lost consciousness and when he came around found he was flying upside down with a dead engine and promptly parachuted to safety.[28]

His next victory was claimed on 1 November over aNo. 74 SquadronSpitfire, also shot down near Maidstone.[29]On 8 November, Adolph was credited with his 15th aerial victory, a Spitfire claimed nearTonbridge.That day, II. Gruppe had claimed four Spitfires shot down while British records show that two Hurricanes were lost while further two had to make aforced landing.[30]On 13 November 1940, Adolph was awarded theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) in parts for increasing the combat performance of II.Gruppe.[31]

Lommel German war cemetery– Walter Adolph

On 17 June, the RAF flew"Circus"No. 13 targeting theEtabs Kuhlmann Chemical Worksand power station atChocques.In total,No. 2 Groupsent 24 Blenheim bombers, escorted by fighters fromNorth WealdandBiggin Hill.JG 26 claimed 15 aerial victories including a Hurricane by Adolph.[32][Note 2]The RAF flew "Circus" No. 24 on 26 June with the objective to bomb the electrical power station atComineswith 28 bombers. Adolph claimed his 18th aerial victory that day, shooting down a Spitfire.[34]On 1 July, II.Gruppebegan relocating toMoorsele Airfieldwhere the unit was closer to the RAF "Circus" routes. The infrastructure at Moorsele was ideal for the planned transition to the then newFocke-Wulf Fw 190fighter aircraft which began arriving in July.[35][36]On 6 July, the RAF flew another "Circus". No. 35 targeted Lille and theFives-Lilleengineering company. In defense of this attack, Adolph shot down a Spitfire from No. 74 Squadron.[37]On 23 July, JG 26 claimed four Blenheim bombers shot down fromNo. 21 Squadronoff theScheldt EstuaryandOstend,including Adolph's 21st aerial victory.[38]On 16 August, Adolph claimed aerial victories numbering 23 and 24 of World War II while defending against "Circus" No. 75. That day, he shot down aNo. 602 SquadronSpitfire 20 kilometres (12 miles) northwest ofBoulogneand a No. 602 Squadron 8 km (5.0 mi) north ofMarquise.[39]

On 18 September 1941, elements of JG 26 escorted a German tanker through the English Channel. The tanker came under attack by three Blenheim bombers just off the coast near Blankenberge. The bombers were escorted by Spitfire fighters from No. 41 Squadron and Hurricane fighters fromNo. 615 Squadron.Adolph headed a flight of eight Fw 190 from II.Gruppein defense of the tanker. Following the attack on the tanker, one Blenheim bomber was claimed shot down by a German pilot.[40]Adolph, while observing the crashed bomber, was shot down and killed in his Fw 190 A-1 (Werknummer0028—factory number) 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Ostend.[41][42][43]The British flying ace F/O Cyril Babbage of No. 41 Squadron is believed to have shot down Adolph.[44][45]Adolph's Fw 190 was the first of its kind to be lost in aerial combat.[2][46]Adolph's successor asGruppenkommandeurwasHauptmannJoachim Münchebergwho took command of II.Gruppeon 19 September.[47]On 12 October 1941, his body was washed ashore nearKnokke,Belgium and was interred at theLommel German war cemetery.[48]

Summary of career

edit

Aerial victory claims

edit

Author Spick lists him with 28 aerial victories, claimed in 79 combat missions.[49]That are three victories more than authors Obermaier,[2]Caldwell,[39]Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock attribute him with.[50]Mathews and Foreman, authors ofLuftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims,researched theGerman Federal Archivesand found records for more than 21 aerial victory claims, plus four further unconfirmed claims. This number includes one claim during the Spanish Civil War and 20 on the Western Front of World War II.[5]

Chronicle of aerial victories
This and the? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
Spanish Civil War
– 1.StaffelofJagdgruppe88 –[5]
Spanish Civil War — January 1937 – January 1938
1 30 December 1937
—
 I-15
World War II
– 2.StaffelofJagdgeschwader1 –[5]
"Phoney War" — 1 September 1939 – 9 May 1940
1 1 October 1939 14:10 Blenheim Bad Driburg[51]
– 2.StaffelofJagdgeschwader1 –[5]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
2 12 May 1940 06:00 Blenheim vicinity ofMaastricht[52] 5?[Note 3] 6 June 1940
—
 LeO 451 Montdidier[53]
3 12 May 1940 06:07 Blenheim vicinity of Maastricht[52] 6?[Note 3] 6 June 1940
—
 LeO 451 Montdidier[53]
4 12 May 1940 10:37 Blenheim vicinity ofLiège[52]
– 8.StaffelofJagdgeschwader27 –[5]
Action at the Channel and over England — 26 June – 30 September 1940
7 19 July 1940 18:25 Hurricane off theIsle of Wight[54] 9 7 September 1940 18:25 Spitfire south ofStanford[54]
8 1 August 1940 16:45 Blenheim vicinity ofCherbourg[54]
–StabII.GruppeofJagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" –[5]
Action at the Channel and over England — 3 October – 21 June 1941
10 11 October 1940 17:38 Spitfire Maidstone[55] 14 1 November 1940 12:50 Spitfire Maidstone[55]
11 11 October 1940 17:38 Spitfire Maidstone[55] 15 8 November 1940 14:50 Spitfire Tonbridge[55]
12 15 October 1940 14:10 Hurricane London[55] 16 17 June 1941 19:50 Hurricane Boulogne[56]
13 25 October 1940 11:04 Spitfire Maidstone[55]
–StabII.GruppeofJagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" –[5]
Action at the Channel and over England — 22 June – 18 September 1941
17 22 June 1941 16:00 Spitfire Gravelines[57] 21 23 July 1941 14:20 Blenheim Ostend[57]
18 26 June 1941 11:55 Spitfire Mardyck[57] 22 24 July 1941 14:55?[Note 4] Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Gravelines[57]
19 6 July 1941 14:45?[Note 5] Spitfire Wormhout[57]
vicinity ofCalais 		23?[Note 3] 16 August 1941 09:30?[Note 6] Spitfire 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Boulogne[50]
20 8 July 1941 15:30 Spitfire Gravelines[57] 24?[Note 3] 16 August 1941 19:30?[Note 7] Spitfire 8 km (5.0 mi) north ofMarquise[50]

Awards

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations seeOrganization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  2. ^According to Caldwell, this was "Circus" No. 14.[33]
  3. ^abcdAccording to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[5]
  4. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:56.[5]
  5. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:15.[5]
  6. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:35.[5]
  7. ^According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 19:45.[5]

References

edit

Citations

edit
  1. ^Dixon 2023,p. 52.
  2. ^abcdeObermaier 1989,p. 81.
  3. ^Braatz 2005,p. 164.
  4. ^Forsyth 2017,p. 7.
  5. ^abcdefghijklmMathews & Foreman 2014,p. 8.
  6. ^Prien et al. 2000a,p. 94.
  7. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,p. 2.
  8. ^Prien et al. 2000a,p. 89.
  9. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,p. 25.
  10. ^Prien et al. 2001,p. 33.
  11. ^Shores, Foreman & Ehrengardt 1992,p. 81.
  12. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,p. 31.
  13. ^Weal 2003,p. 13.
  14. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,pp. 31, 33.
  15. ^Prien et al. 2001,p. 70.
  16. ^abCull, Lander & Weiss 1999,pp. 81–82.
  17. ^abPrien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,p. 54.
  18. ^Forsyth 2017,p. 12.
  19. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,pp. 54, 339.
  20. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,p. 70.
  21. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,pp. 70, 72, 339.
  22. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,pp. 72, 339.
  23. ^Prien, Rodeike & Stemmer 1995,pp. 73, 340.
  24. ^Caldwell 1996,p. 80.
  25. ^Caldwell 1996,p. 3.
  26. ^Caldwell 1996,pp. 81–83.
  27. ^Caldwell 1996,pp. 83–84.
  28. ^Bergström 2015,p. 261.
  29. ^Caldwell 1996,pp. 85–86.
  30. ^Caldwell 1996,pp. 86–88.
  31. ^Caldwell 1996,p. 87.
  32. ^Franks 2016,pp. 46, 49.
  33. ^Caldwell 1996,p. 136.
  34. ^Franks 2016,p. 68.
  35. ^Caldwell 1996,p. 143.
  36. ^Hooton 1999,p. 112.
  37. ^Franks 2016,pp. 91, 94.
  38. ^Franks 2016,p. 125.
  39. ^abCaldwell 1996,p. 166.
  40. ^Caldwell 1996,pp. 176–177.
  41. ^Caldwell 1996,p. 181.
  42. ^Prien et al. 2003,pp. 524, 536.
  43. ^Price 1977,p. 32.
  44. ^Foreman 2005,p. 103.
  45. ^Goss 2018,p. 174.
  46. ^Thomas 2016,p. 45.
  47. ^Prien et al. 2003,p. 528.
  48. ^Goss 2018,p. 175.
  49. ^Spick 1999,p. 104.
  50. ^abcPrien et al. 2003,p. 533.
  51. ^Prien et al. 2001,p. 43.
  52. ^abcPrien et al. 2000b,p. 77.
  53. ^abPrien et al. 2000b,p. 79.
  54. ^abcPrien et al. 2002,p. 420.
  55. ^abcdefPrien et al. 2002,p. 312.
  56. ^Prien et al. 2002,p. 313.
  57. ^abcdefPrien et al. 2003,p. 531.
  58. ^Goss 2018,p. 173.
  59. ^Fellgiebel 2000,p. 114.
  60. ^Scherzer 2007,p. 188.

Bibliography

edit
  • Bergström, Christer[in Swedish](2015).The Battle of Britain: An Epic Conflict Revisited.Oxford, UK: Casemate.ISBN978-1612-00347-4.
  • Braatz, Kurt[in German](2005).Gott oder ein Flugzeug – Leben und Sterben des Jagdfliegers Günther Lützow[God or an Airplane – Life and Death of Fighter Pilot Günther Lützow] (in German). Moosburg, Germany: NeunundzwanzigSechs Verlag.ISBN978-3-9807935-6-8.
  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1996).The JG 26 War Diary: Volume One 1939–1942.London, UK: Grubstreet.ISBN978-1-898697-52-7.
  • Cull, Brian; Lander, Bruce; Weiss, Heinrich (1999).Twelve Days in May.London: Grub Street Publishing.ISBN978-1-902304-12-0.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023).Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942.Pen and Sword Books.ISBN978-1-52677-864-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer[in German](2000) [1986].Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile[The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas.ISBN978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Foreman, John (2005).RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims, Part Two.Walton-on-Thames: Red Kite.ISBN978-0-9546201-5-8.
  • Forsyth, Robert (2017).Jagdgeschwader 1 'Oesau' Aces 1939–45.Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 134. New York, NY:Bloomsbury Publishing.ISBN978-1-4728-2291-8.
  • Franks, Norman(2016).Fighter Command's Air War 1941: RAF Circus Operations and Fighter Sweeps Against the Luftwaffe.Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Books.ISBN978-1-47384-723-1.
  • Franks, Norman(2008) [1997].Royal Air Force Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War: Volume 1, Operational Losses Aircraft and Crews 1939–1941.Midland Publishing.ISBN978-1-85780-286-3.
  • Goss, Chris (2018).Knights of the Battle of Britain — Luftwaffe Aircrew Awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940.Yorkshire, UK:Pen and Sword Books.ISBN978-1-52672-651-3.
  • Hooton, E. R. (1999).Eagle in Flames: The Fall of the Luftwaffe.Brockhampton Press.ISBN978-1-86019-995-0.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014).Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F.Walton on Thames: Red Kite.ISBN978-1-906592-18-9.
  • Mason, Francis (1969).Battle Over Britain.London, UK: McWhirter Twins.ISBN978-0-901928-00-9.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989).Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945[The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann.ISBN978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Price, Alfred(1977).Focke Wulf 190 At War.New York:Scribner.ISBN978-0-684-15323-0.LCCN77-78704.
  • Prien, Jochen; Rodeike, Peter; Stemmer, Gerhard (1995).Messerschmitt Bf 109 im Einsatz bei der III. und IV./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1938 – 1945[Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Action with the III. and IV./Jagdgeschwader 27, 1938 – 1945] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN978-3-923457-30-4.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000a).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 1—Vorkriegszeit und Einsatz über Polen—1934 bis 1939[The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 1—Pre-War Period and Action over Poland—1934 to 1939] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN978-3-923457-54-0.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 2—Der "Sitzkrieg" —1.9.1939 bis 9.5.1941[The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 2—The "Phoney War" —1 September 1939 to 9 May 1940] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN978-3-923457-59-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000b).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940[Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck.ISBN978-3-923457-61-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/I—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941[The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/I—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN978-3-923457-63-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003).Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942[The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck.ISBN978-3-923457-68-7.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007).Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives[The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag.ISBN978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Shores, Christopher; Foreman, John; Ehrengardt, Chris (1992).Fledgling Eagles.London: Grub Street.ISBN978-0-948817-42-7.
  • Spick, Mike (1999).The Complete Fighter Ace - All the World's Fighter Aces, 1914–2000.London: Greenhill Books.ISBN978-1-85367-374-0.
  • Thomas, Andrew (2016).Spitfire Aces of the Channel Front 1941–43.Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 131. Oxford, UK:Osprey Publishing.ISBN978-147281-258-2.
  • Weal, John (1996).Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Western Front.Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 9. Oxford, UK:Osprey Publishing.ISBN978-1-85532-595-1.
  • Weal, John (2003).Jagdgeschwader 27 "Afrika".Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 12. London, UK:Osprey Publishing.ISBN978-1-84176-538-9.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_Adolph&oldid=1210979201"