19 Facts About Wolfgang Falck

Wolfgang Falck was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and wing commander and one of the key organisers of the German night fighter defences.

In March 1935, Leutnant Wolfgang Falck became an instructor at the DVS at Schleissheim and in April 1936 promoted to Oberleutnant.

In March 1937, Wolfgang Falck was appointed adjutant to Oberstleutnant Gerd von Massow, the Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 132 "Richthofen".

Wolfgang Falck had claimed two Wellington bombers shot down southwest of Heligoland, but only one was confirmed.

Wolfgang Falck's aircraft was severely damaged, resulting in a forced landing.

In February 1940, Hauptmann Falck was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I Gruppe of Zerstorergeschwader 1, based at Dusseldorf.

Shortly after, Generaloberst Erhard Milch, at the time a state secretary in the RLM and temporary commander of Luftflotte 5, visited Wolfgang Falck and discussed his ideas personally with him.

Wolfgang Falck received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 7 October 1940 in Berlin.

Wolfgang Falck was to command NJG 1 for three years and in partnership with General Kammhuber develop a highly effective night fighter force.

On 1 July 1943, Wolfgang Falck was promoted to Oberst and transferred to the Generalstab as Kammhuber's representative at the Luftwaffenfuhrungsstab.

Wolfgang Falck was then sent to Berlin and appointed within the Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte, as overall responsible for the day and night fighter defence of the Reich.

Wolfgang Falck was then appointed Jagdfliegerfuhrer Balkan based at Pancevo from June 1944.

Wolfgang Falck then became General Flieger-Ausbildung, responsible for all Luftwaffe training schools, shortly after.

Wolfgang Falck attended night school and studied business, which resulted in a job selling playing cards.

Wolfgang Falck continued flying post war, being a member of many flying clubs.

In 1997, Wolfgang Falck appeared in the last episode of the documentary The Nazis: A Warning from History, named Fighting to the end.

Wolfgang Falck was amongst several German war veterans who explained what motivated them to continue fighting late in the war.

Wolfgang Falck himself explained the motivations of the Nachtjagdgeschwader during the Defence of the Reich campaign.

Wolfgang Falck served as president of the German veterans organization Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger from 18 October 1975 to 8 October 1977.