Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger

Logo with the Front Flying Clasp

The Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger (English: German Fighter Pilots' Association; GdJ) was a German veterans' association founded in 1952 by former Luftwaffe officers. It cultivated the traditions of military aviation, fostered camaraderie, examined historical events, and played a vital role in international understanding by bringing together former adversaries and pilots from other nations, often at international gatherings. With German partial unification in 1990 and the integration of former airmen of the National People's Army (NVA), the association adopted a new name: Gemeinschaft der Flieger deutscher Streitkräfte (Association of Airmen of the German Armed Forces; GdF). Its 21st-century successor organization is now called Gemeinschaft deutscher Militärflieger (Association of German Military Aviation).

History

In 1946, former airmen from German day fighters, night fighters, and fighter squadrons began contacting each other as they searched for friends and comrades from the war years, after returning home from military hospitals and prisoner-of-war camps. The "Heidekrug" inn in Geisenheim and the "Gut Lehmkuhlen" estate in Holstein became popular meeting places. The hardships and problems faced by returning and returning veterans after the end of World War II were immense, making mutual support essential. As early as the years of the currency reform in 1948 and the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, the first fighter pilot associations formed in the larger cities to intensify and organize camaraderie among the veterans. On 20 October 1950, at a meeting of prominent veterans in Munich, it was decided to send out a circular letter outlining the purpose and benefits of such an association. These associations were organized to intensify and organize the camaraderie among the veterans. On 13 January 1951, 36 former fighter pilots met in Frankfurt am Main, elected a working committee, and appointed Johannes Steinhoff, the future Inspector of the Air Force and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, as their spokesperson for West Germany. The aim was to establish contacts for mutual support during times of need, as well as to provide social assistance to comrades. In Munich, a working group was developing a "fighter pilot directory with a trade section." In January 1951, the first issue of "JÄGERBLATT" (Fighters' Journal), printed on flat-pack paper, was published.

Periodic meetings were held in Munich and Frankfurt am Main, and later in Cologne, Hanover, and Hamburg. In 1952, representatives of the regional fighter pilot associations of Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt met in Frankfurt to discuss the first draft of the statutes for a "Gemeinschaft der Jäger e. V." (Association of Fighter Pilots), which included the fighter associations "North" (Hamburg), "West" (Düsseldorf), "Central" (Frankfurt), "South" (Munich), and the Berlin fighter association. During the year, the name was changed to "Gemeinschaft ehemalige Jagdflieger e. V." (Association of Former Fighter Pilots), statutes were drafted, and the association was registered with the Munich Registry Court on 3 July 1952. In November 1952, the first general meeting of the association took place at the "Heidekrug" inn in Geisenheim. Hannes Trautloft was elected chairman, Johannes Steinhoff vice-chairman, and Max Ibel managing director. The Years The years from 1953 to 1957 were characterized by lively activity within the fighter pilot circles, which proved themselves to be reliable organizational pillars of the community in the following years. Squadron alumni reunions were added and attracted considerable interest. When the Bundeswehr was founded in 1955, many members of the community made themselves available to help build the new air force, even though some of them already held positions in business or administration. These men did not merely look back or mourn the past, but were prepared to actively participate in building the air force of a democratic state governed by the rule of law and to contribute their experience.

Finally, in 1956, the name "Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger e.V." (Association of Fighter Pilots) was officially adopted. Two years later, in 1958, after several years of deliberation, the association decided to erect a memorial and simultaneously founded the "Sozialwerk ehemalige Jagdflieger e.V." (Social Welfare Organization of Former Fighter Pilots), which still exists today. Since the death of its then-president (1974), it has been called – The "Werner Andres Social Fund" provides considerable support to those in need through member donations. Up until the 1980s, many comrades, widows, and mothers of fallen airmen living on the other side of the inner-German border received assistance. Since the 1960s, members of the airmen's association have met with an increasing number of former adversaries in aerial combat and members of the air forces of other nations. The association saw, and continues to see, this as its transnational mission. This task of fostering international understanding has been a high priority for all presidents and honorary presidents of the airmen's association and originated with the decisive initiative of Lieutenant General Adolf Galland, one of its honorary chairmen. His worldwide reputation and personal commitment paved the way for friendly relations between former enemies. Even today, members of NATO nations and their partner countries participate in the International Airmen's Meetings, which are generally held at different locations each year.

Memorials

On 22 June 1958, a memorial stone for Walter Nowotny (de), erected with donated funds, was unveiled in Vienna's Central Cemetery. Among the approximately 1,200 people who attended the unveiling were Lieutenant General Theo Osterkamp, ​​Chancellor of the Order of the Pour le Mérite, and Werner Andres, Chairman of the Association of Fighter Pilots, both from West Germany. To the surprise of everyone present, Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel, who had traveled from South America especially for the occasion, was also among the attendees. The Austrian Veterans' Association was represented by an honor guard. Since then, a memorial service with a wreath-laying ceremony has been held annually at Walter Nowotny's grave in early November.

On 17 October 1959, a German memorial to "all fallen fighter pilots" (Jagdfliegerehrenmal Geisenheim) was inaugurated in Gneisenheim near Rüdesheim. This took place in a ceremony attended by over 2,000 guests. Fighter and fighter-bomber units of the German Air Force of the Bundeswehr crowned the ceremony with a flyover of honor formations. The then chairman of the "Association of Fighter Pilots," Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Werner Andres, stated the following at the ceremony:

"There are values ​​that are inalienable, and no one violates them with impunity. These include: Reverence for the dead, and above all for those who give their lives for their neighbors, and the simple manly virtue of standing up for one's family and the willingness to make sacrifices for the sphere of life into which everyone is placed."

Leadership

Chairmen

• Hannes Trautloft, 22 November 1952 – 12 October 1957
• Werner Andres, 12 October 1957 – 2 December 1974
• Herbert Wehnelt, in commission until 18 October 1975
• Wolfgang Falck, 18 October 1975 – 8 October 1977
• Herbert Wehnelt, 8 October 1977 – 18 October 1980
• Anton Weiler, 18 October 1980 – 29 September 2000

Honorary Chairmen

• Adolf Galland, 28 October 1956 – 9 February 1996
• Hannes Trautloft, 13 October 1957 – 12 January 1995
• Theo Osterkamp, 1 October 1960 – 2 January 1975
• Werner Junck, 1 October 1960 – 6 August 1976
• Wolfgang Falck, 6 October 1996 – 13 March 2007

Further reading

• Oliver Mathias: Die Geschichte des Jagdfliegerehrenmals, 2011

External links

• Gemeinschaft der Flieger deutscher Streitkräfte