Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert

Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert

Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert (2 February 1919 – 5 September 2007) was a highly decorated German Luftwaffe fighter pilot and flying ace during World War II. He is credited with 174 enemy aircraft shot down in over 700 combat missions. Most of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with 28 claimed over the Western Front, including six heavy bombers. Reinert flew a variety of aircraft during his career, but he is most noted for his time piloting the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 190.

Early Life and Career

Born in Schneidemühl, Province of Posen (now Piła, Poland), Reinert joined the Luftwaffe in 1939. After completing his training, he was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77), a fighter wing of the Luftwaffe.

World War II

Reinert's combat career began with the invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa, in June 1941. He quickly proved himself as a skilled pilot, claiming his first aerial victory in July of the same year. As the war progressed, Reinert's tally of confirmed kills grew, marking him as one of the Luftwaffe's most successful aces.

In 1943, Reinert was transferred to the Western Front, where he continued to demonstrate his prowess by downing several Allied aircraft. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, one of Nazi Germany's highest military honors, for his achievements.

After the war, Reinert was taken prisoner by British forces and was released in 1947. The post-war period saw him moving to Argentina, where he worked as a pilot and later returned to Germany to continue his career in aviation.

Legacy

Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert is remembered as one of the Luftwaffe's most effective fighter aces. His combat record stands as a testament to his skill and bravery as a pilot. Despite the controversial nature of the regime he served, his achievements in aerial combat are studied by military historians and aviation enthusiasts alike.

See Also

• List of World War II aces from Germany
• Military history of Germany
• Aerial warfare

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