10 Facts About Emil Clade

Emil Josef Clade was a Luftwaffe fighter ace in World War II, and figured in German civilian aviation after the war.

Emil Clade is credited with either 26 or 27 aircraft kills, and was shot down himself six times.

Emil Clade commanded the flight that shot down the transport of British Lieutenant General William Gott, the newly appointed Commander of the British 8th Army.

In March 1941, Emil Clade was made an instructor attached to Jagdgeschwader 27 into which 1.

Emil Clade's attack forced the transport to crash land and the subsequent strafing run by fellow JG 27 pilot Bernd Schneider killed Gott and most other British troops inside the wreckage on the ground.

Emil Clade finished the war as with the rank of Hauptmann, and was credited with 27 victories, including two four-engine bombers.

Emil Clade was himself shot down six times, including in aerial combat on 5 October 1943, on 26 November 1944 and on 25 February 1945.

Emil Clade sustained severe injuries in a Resistance attack on 16 February 1944 when he was serving in France near Avignon.

Emil Clade survived in various minor jobs after his release from a prisoner of war camp.

Emil Clade applied to become a civilian pilot with the newly formed Lufthansa in 1956 but was turned down because he exceeded the age limit by two years.