RESCHKE Willi Willi Reschke Oberfeldwebel Knights Cross : 20. April 1945 As: Oberfeldwebel Stab JG 301 Postwar signed photo measuring 4” x 6” Willi Reschke was born on 3 February 1922 at Mühlow in the Crossen region of Mark Brandenburg. He joined the Luftwaffe in February 1941 and began military training with the Flieger-Ausbildung-Regiment at Königsberg-Neumark. Initially, he trained as a technician but finally began flying training in late spring 1942 on gliders before progressing to powered aircraft at Flugzeugführerschule 51 at Elbing and later at Flugzeugführerschule A/B 9 at Grottkau and Niesse. On 27 June 1943, Reschke was transferred to Jagdgruppe 102, based at Zerbst to undergo his operational training. He then underwent an instrument flying course at Blindflugschule 110 at Altenburg from 21 March 1944. On completion of his training, Reschke was posted to JG 302, based at Götzendorf near Wien, on 20 June 1944. Unteroffizier Reschke was assigned to 1./JG 302. On 2 July, he achieved his first successes when he shot down two USAAF B-24 four-engine bombers over Budapest. Reschke rammed the next B-24 he downed on 7 July at 11:55 near Malacky in Slovakia when his guns malfunctioned. He successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft. On 24 August, Reschke claimed a further B-24 near Jindrichuv Hradec at 12:40, but shortly after, during an attack on a second, his aircraft was hit by return fire. Reschke wanted to force-land with a dead engine, but USAAF P-51 fighters began pouring fire into his Bf 109 G-6 and he had to use his parachute. On 29 August, he shot down a USAAF B-17 four-engine bomber south of Zlin at 10:50. During the attack another Bf 109 fired on his Bf 109 G-6 and Reschke had to force-land near Uherske Hradiste. By the end of August 1944, he had 14 victories to his credit. After re-equipping with the Focke-Wulf 190 A-8, I./JG 302 was redesignated III./JG 301 on 30 September 1944. In October, the unit transfered to Stendal near Berlin. On 1 January 1945, Feldwebel Reschke downed a B-17 for his 22nd victory but was again hit by return fire and baled out of his Fw 190 A-8 east of Gardelegen. On 13 March, he was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold. In March 1945, Reschke transferred to the Geschwaderstab of JG 301. On 14 April, he flew a Ta 152 and claimed a RAF Tempest fighter shot down. On 20 April, Oberfeldwebel Reschke received the Ritterkreuz. He claimed his last two victories of the war on 24 April, when he shot down two Russian Yak-9 fighters near Berlin. Willi Reschke flew about 70 missions in achieving 27 victories.He recorded 25 victories over the Western front, including 20 four-engine bombers. He was shot down 8 times, baling out 4 times, and was wounded once. Price: $18.00 Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability and shipping costs. Buy now with your credit card other ways to buy