Gustav Preßler

Gustav Pressler ( born October 13, 1912 in Hamburg, † 9 October 1985 in Lippstadt ) was a " Stuka " pilot of the German air force in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Early career

Gustav Preßler was initially early 30s official of the police before 1934 the German Air Sports Association ( the predecessor of the Air Force ) joined. Here he was trained as a fighter pilot and puts on 1 April 1939 as a squadron commander for the 4th season of Stuka Squadron 77.

World War II

This season he took part in the Polish campaign and the Western Campaign in 1941 and added to the squadron staff. After participating in the Balkan campaign, the squadron was transferred to the Eastern Front in June 1941, Pressler joined the Corps Commander to III. Group of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 " Immelmann ". During the defensive battles of the Wehrmacht in the winter 1941/42, he led his group so successful that he was awarded on February 4, 1942, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. In December of the same year he was first added to Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 and then appointed on 1 April 1943, Commodore of the squadron. After more than 500 sorties and now promoted to Major Preßler received on 26 January 1943, the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. On April 30, 1944, he gave the command of the squadron to Major Peter Gassmann and was himself the rank of lieutenant colonel added as training director for the Air Force mission to Sofia. On 15 December, he finally took up the war, the leadership of the Battle Squadron 104th

Bundeswehr

1956 Pressler joined the German Army and ended his career there in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939 ) II and I. Class
• Frontflugspange for combat and fighter pilot in gold with pendant
• German Cross in Gold on January 13, 1942
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on February 4, 1942
• Oak leaves on January 26, 1943 ( 188th ceremony )