Träger des Ritterkreuz des Eiserne Kreuze Hauptmann Johannes Pfeiffer (Stuka Flugzeugführer)

Hauptmann Johannes Pfeiffer
Träger des Ritterkreuz des Eiserne Kreuze

Courtesy of Peter Rfeiffer

Johannes Pfeiffer was born on 08.12.1916 in Babst (Wismar) in Mecklenburg. As the commander of the IV. (Stuka) Squadron, Lehrgeschwader 1 (Training Squadron 1), Pfeiffer participated in the campaign against Poland and France. In August 1940, Pfeiffer became the commander of the 12. (Stuka) Squadron, Lehrgeschwader 1. As of 2 Sep 1940, Pfeiffer was the commander of the Experimental Group 210 and flew missions in the Battle of Britain. From 28 Nov 1940 - Jan 1942, Pfeiffer returned to the 12. (Stuka) Squadron, Lehrgeschwader 1 as Squadron Captain (Staffelkapitän) that was re-designated the Dive Bomber Squadron 5. In this capacity, Pfeiffer was decorated, on 10 Oct 1941, for his successes along the northern front with the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross.

On 15 Jan 1942, Pfeiffer was assigned as the Communications Officer at AOK Norway. From 16 Nov 1942 - 19 Jan 1943, Pfeiffer was the Group Leader (Gruppenleiter) in the Training Section of the Reich's Aviation Ministry (Reichsluftfahrtministeriums). Subsequently, Pfeiffer was assigned on 30 June 1944 to the Air War Academy in Berlin-Gatow. As of 8 Jul 1944, Pfeiffer worked in the Fighter Command in the Air Fleet Reich. Until war's end, Pfeiffer served as a Hauptman (Captain) in the General Staff as an Sachbearbeiter (Affairs Liaison) I/a-Nacht (Night) in the staff of the 1.Jagd-Division (Fighter-Div.).

During the war, Johannes Pfeiffer flew approx. 200 combat missions. After the war, Pfeiffer served in the new Bundesluftwaffe and retired as Oberst (Colonel). Johannes Pfeiffer died in 1994 in northern Germany.