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Heinz Wernicke

{{short description|German fighter ace and Knight's Cross recipient (1920–1944)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}

{{Use American English|date=December 2017}}

{{Infobox military person

|name=Heinz Wernicke

|birth_date={{birth date|1920|10|17|df=y}}

|death_date={{death date and age|1944|12|27|1920|10|17|df=y}}

|birth_place=Berlin, Germany

|death_place=near Dobele, Reichskommissariat Ostland

|image=Heinz Wernicke.jpg

|caption=Heinz Wernicke

|nickname=

|allegiance={{flag|Nazi Germany}}

|branch={{air force|Nazi Germany}}

|serviceyears=

|rank=Leutnant (second lieutenant)

|commands=1./JG 54

|unit=EJGr Ost, JG 54

|battles=World War II

|awards=Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

|laterwork=}}

Heinz Wernicke (17 October 1920 – 27 December 1944) was a Luftwaffe World War II fighter ace and was credited with 117 aerial victories—that is, 117 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. Wernicke was killed in a mid-air collision with his wingman on 27 December 1944.

Career

Wernicke was born on 17 October 1920 in Berlin of the Weimar Republic. He joined the 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in early 1942 as an Unteroffizier (non-commissioned officer).For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II. JG 54 at the time was stationed at the Eastern Front. In the fall of 1942, he was transferred to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost (Supplementary Fighter Group East) and then to 6. Staffel (6th squadron) of JG 54 in early 1943.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=222}} There, he claimed his first aerial victory on 7 March 1943 over an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft in aerial combat south of Lake Ilmen.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|pp=208, 270}} At the time, II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 54 was based at Rjelbitzi, an airfield south of Leningrad.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=265}} On 11 March, II. Gruppe under the command of Hauptmann (Captain) Heinrich Jung, relocated to Gatchina for combat in the Siege of Leningrad and east in the vicinity of the Volkhov River.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|pp=209, 264}} In this combat area, Wernicke claimed a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighter on 19 March, a Yakovlev Yak-4 light bomber one day later, and another LaGG-3 plus a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter on 27 March, taking his total to five aerial victories.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=271}}

Following five further victories in June 1943, Wernicke became a fighter pilot instructor and underwent officer training courses. On 4 July 1943, Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Horst Ademeit, his Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 6. Staffel, assessed Wernicke concluding that at the time Wernicke required further training to become an officer.{{sfn|MacLean|2007|p=476}}

In October 1943, he was back to front line service and claimed his 88th aerial victory on 3 August 1944, and surpassed the century mark—100 aerial victories—in mid-September 1944.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=222}} He was the 91st Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century-mark.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=244}} On 22 February 1944, Wernicke and Oberfeldwebel Fritz Harder suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in their accommodations at the Uman airfield.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=489}} Wernicke was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes}}) on 30 September 1944 after 112 victories.{{sfn|Weal|2001|p=112}} The presentation was made by General Kurt Pflugbeil.{{sfn|Bob|2011|p=297}}

=Squadron leader and death=

On 1 October 1944, Wernicke was appointed Staffelkapitän of the 1. Staffel of JG 54, succeeding Oberleutnant Helmut Wettstein in this capacity.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=375}} On 27 December, he and his wingman Unteroffizier Gerhard Wollien were killed in a mid-air collision during aerial combat with Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters north of Doblen, present-day Dobele.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=398}}{{sfn|Weal|2001|p=114}} Command of 1. Staffel then went to Oberleutnant Josef Heinzeller.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=375}}

Summary of career

=Aerial victory claims=

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Wernicke was credited with 117 aerial victories.{{sfn|Zabecki|2014|p=1613}} Obermaier and Spick also list him with 117 aerial victories, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=222}}{{sfn|Spick|1996|p=229}} Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 118 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=1402–1404}}

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 18382". The Luftwaffe grid map ({{lang|de|Jägermeldenetz}}) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about {{Convert|360|sqmi|sqkm}}. These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area {{Convert|3|x|4|km|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}} in size.{{sfn|Planquadrat}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders collapsible" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; text-align:right; width: 100%;"
colspan="10" | Chronicle of aerial victories
colspan="10" style="text-align: left;" |

{{legend|#fbec5d;|This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Wernicke an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day. |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend|#ffdead|This and the ? (exclamation mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Balke, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

scope="col"| Claim

!scope="col"| Date

!scope="col"| Time

!scope="col" width="100px"| Type

!scope="col"| Location

!scope="col" style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | Claim

!scope="col"| Date

!scope="col"| Time

!scope="col" width="100px"| Type

!scope="col"| Location

colspan="10" | – 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1402}}
1

| 7 March 1943

| 11:47

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 18382{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=270}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Chełm

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 27

| 15 December 1943

| 12:40

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 01794{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Leningrad

2

| 19 March 1943

| 13:30

| LaGG-3

| PQ 36 Ost 00421{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=270}}
Pushkin-Mga

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 28

| 15 December 1943

| 12:45

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 01761{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northeast of Leningrad

3

| 20 March 1943

| 07:30

| Yak-4

| PQ 36 Ost 20363{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=270}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Mga

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 29

| 9 January 1944

| 10:15

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 80161{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=475}}
over the Gulf of Finland, northeast of Hungerburg

4

| 27 May 1943

| 16:43

| LaGG-3

| PQ 36 Ost 00274{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=271}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Pushkin

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 30

| 13 January 1944

| 15:28

| Yak-7

| PQ 26 Ost 80682{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=475}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-southeast of Narva

5

| 27 May 1943

| 19:53

| P-40

| PQ 36 Ost 20211{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=271}}
west of Volkhov

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 31

| 14 January 1944

| 09:30

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 80682{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=475}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-southeast of Narva

6

| 1 June 1943

| 04:57

| LaGG-3

| PQ 36 Ost 20163{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=271}}
south of Volkhov

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 32

| 14 January 1944

| 09:32

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 80654{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=475}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Narva

7

| 8 June 1943

| 15:59

| P-40

| PQ 36 Ost 20152{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=271}}
southwest of Volkhov

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 33

| 15 January 1944

| 12:15

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 90711{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Lissino

8

| 17 June 1943

| 09:23

| LaGG-3

| PQ 36 Ost 10252{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=271}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} west-southwest of Schlüsselburg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 34

| 15 January 1944

| 12:20

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 90583{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Lissino

9

| 18 June 1943

| 05:59

| La-5

| PQ 36 Ost 20213{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=271}}
vicinity of Volkhov

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 35

| 15 January 1944

| 12:24

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 90572{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Lissino

10

| 24 June 1943

| 07:07

| La-5

| PQ 36 Ost 21793{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=272}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Volkhov

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 36

| 22 January 1944

| 11:56

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 80694{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Lissino

11

| 20 October 1943

| 14:10

| Yak-9

| southeast of Glebowka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=279}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 37

| 24 January 1944

| 13:56

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 80664{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Narva

12

| 21 October 1943

| 09:43

| Pe-2

| east of Gussenoje{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=279}}
southeast of Schlüsselburg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 38

| 24 January 1944

| 14:02

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 90523{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} west-northwest of Lissino

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 13♠

| 5 November 1943

| 11:53

| Pe-2

| PQ 35 Ost 01682{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=281}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northwest of Schlüsselburg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 39

| 4 February 1944

| 07:17

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 09112{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 14♠

| 5 November 1943

| 11:59

| Pe-2

| PQ 35 Ost 01684{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=281}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northwest of Schlüsselburg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 40

| 4 February 1944

| 07:20

| La-5

| PQ 36 Ost 00771{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Siverskij

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 15♠

| 5 November 1943

| 14:25

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 01564{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=281}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 41

| 9 February 1944

| 06:32

| Pe-2

| PQ 35 Ost 09211{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 16♠

| 5 November 1943

| 14:28

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 01674{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=281}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northeast of Leningrad

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 42

| 9 February 1944

| 12:25

| R-5

| PQ 36 Ost 00762{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Siverskij

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 17♠

| 5 November 1943

| 14:34

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 01642{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=281}}
{{Convert|55|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northeast of Leningrad

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 43

| 12 February 1944

| 15:25

| Yak-9

| PQ 36 Ost 10552{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
vicinity of Lyuban

18

| 22 November 1943

| 09:00

| Pe-2

| PQ 25 Ost 91591{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 44♠

| 16 February 1944

| 07:11

| U-2

| PQ 36 Ost 00693{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Tosno

19

| 28 November 1943

| 10:45

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 91534{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 45♠

| 16 February 1944

| 07:12

| U-2

| PQ 36 Ost 00693{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Tosno

20

| 28 November 1943

| 10:48

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 91614{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 46♠

| 16 February 1944

| 07:13

| U-2

| PQ 36 Ost 00694{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Tosno

21

| 28 November 1943

| 14:53

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 91591{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 47♠

| 16 February 1944

| 07:15

| U-2

| PQ 36 Ost 10573{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Lyuban

22

| 29 November 1943

| 14:30

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 91534{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 48♠

| 16 February 1944

| 07:18

| U-2

| PQ 36 Ost 10573{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Lyuban

23

| 29 November 1943

| 14:32

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 91614{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 49♠?{{Refn|This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1402}}|group="Note"|name="not listed MF"}}

| 16 February 1944

| 11:20

| La-5

| PQ 36 Ost 00562{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}

24

| 29 November 1943

| 14:33

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 91621{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northeast of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 50♠

| 16 February 1944

| 14:56

| Il-2

| PQ 36 Ost 00691{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Tosno

25

| 12 December 1943

| 13:34

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 00171{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Selo

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 51

| 21 February 1944

| style="background:#ffdead" | 11:10?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:20.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1402}}|group="Note"}}

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 90562{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=476}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Siverskij

26

| 14 December 1943

| 17:05

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 00154{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=282}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Leningrad

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#ffdead" | 52?

| 20 April 1944

| 18:20

| unknown{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=478}}

|

colspan="10" | – 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=1402–1403}}
53

| 17 June 1944

| 17:55

| P-39

| PQ 36 Ost 01384{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=479}}
{{Convert|55|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#ffdead" | ?

| 21 July 1944

| 20:52

| Yak-9

| over the Baltic Sea, near Kunda

54

| 18 June 1944

| 08:28

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 91369{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=479}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 73

| 22 July 1944

| 17:52

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 88597{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Ostrov

55

| 19 June 1944

| 18:45

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 91533{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=479}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 74

| 23 July 1944

| 08:28

| La-5

| PQ 25 Ost 88157{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
vicinity of Pskov

style="background:#ffdead" | ?{{Refn|This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Balke and Bock.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|pp=392, 479}}|group="Note"|name="not listed PSBB"}}

| 20 June 1944

| 15:40

| P-39

| {{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Zelenogorsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 75

| 23 July 1944

| 15:19

| Pe-2

| PQ 25 Ost 78265{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}

56

| 21 June 1944

| 09:20

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 81575{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=479}}
over the Baltic Sea, northeast of Hungerburg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 76

| 23 July 1944

| 15:21

| Pe-2

| PQ 25 Ost 88323{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Pskov

57

| 23 June 1944

| 12:28

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 81426{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=479}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 77

| 24 July 1944

| 16:03

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 70693{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Narva

58

| 26 June 1944

| 13:42

| La-5

| {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Vyborg{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 78

| 26 July 1944

| 16:36

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 70695{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Narva

59

| 26 June 1944

| 13:47

| La-5

| {{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Häämeda{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 79

| 26 July 1944

| 17:02

| Pe-2

| PQ 26 Ost 70695{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
over the Gulf of Finland

60

| 26 June 1944

| 18:45

| Yak-9

| {{Convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vyborg{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 80

| 26 July 1944

| 17:03

| Pe-2

| PQ 26 Ost 70695{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
over the Gulf of Finland

61

| 28 June 1944

| 09:25

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 91315{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 81

| 26 July 1944

| 17:05

| Pe-2

| PQ 26 Ost 70695{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Narva

62

| 28 June 1944

| 20:45

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 81347{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 82

| 27 July 1944

| 11:23

| La-5

| PQ 25 Ost 78648{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Ostrov

63

| 29 June 1944

| 08:05

| DB-3

| PQ 26 Ost 91265{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|65|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-northeast of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 83

| 27 July 1944

| 14:30

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 78562, northwest of Liepna{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Schwanenburg

64

| 30 June 1944

| 09:43

| Boston

| PQ 26 Ost 81413{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 84

| 27 July 1944

| 18:45

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 78523{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Schwanenburg

65

| 30 June 1944

| 20:44

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 81297, north-northwest of Talias{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 85

| 27 July 1944

| 19:02

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 78481{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Selo

66

| 2 July 1944

| 06:51

| P-39

| PQ 26 Ost 91175{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 86

| 2 August 1944

| 13:05

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 70462{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
over the Baltic Sea, north-northwest of Hungerburg

67

| 4 July 1944

| 08:25

| P-39

| PQ 26 Ost 81467{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 87

| 2 August 1944

| 13:09

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 70481{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
over the Baltic Sea, northwest of Hungerburg

68

| 6 July 1944

| 15:40

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 81422{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
vicinity of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 88

| 3 August 1944

| 15:24

| Il-2

| PQ 26 Ost 80572{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
southwest of Narva

69

| 8 July 1944

| 06:30

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 81431{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 89

| 3 August 1944

| 15:31

| La-5

| PQ 26 Ost 80582{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
southeast of Narva

70

| 9 July 1944

| 12:12

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 91418{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 90

| 20 August 1944

| 13:59

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 57252{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=482}}
{{Convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northwest of Kreuzburg

71

| 9 July 1944

| 21:03

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 91199{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 91

| 20 August 1944

| 16:09

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 57429{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=482}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Kreuzburg

72

| 14 July 1944

| 10:32

| Yak-9

| PQ 26 Ost 91415{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=480}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vyborg

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" |

|

|

|

|

colspan="10" | – 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=1403–1404}}
92

| 26 August 1944

| 15:21

| P-39

| PQ KF-5/6{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=387}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 106

| 17 September 1944

| 16:26

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 37382{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Mitau

93

| 26 August 1944

| style="background:#ffdead" | 15:23?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:22.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1403}}|group="Note"}}

| Pe-2

| PQ KG-7/5{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=387}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 107

| 19 September 1944

| 15:57

| La-5

| PQ 25 Ost 37353{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} west-southwest of Mitau

94

| 26 August 1944

| 15:24

| Pe-2

| PQ KG-8/3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=387}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 108

| 19 September 1944

| 15:59

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 37381{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Mitau

95

| 3 September 1944

| 10:18

| Pe-2

| PQ 25 Ost 58893{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=387}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Wenden

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 109

| 20 September 1944

| 14:09

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 47382{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southwest of Riga

96

| 6 September 1944

| 07:35

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 37366{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=387}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} west-southwest of Mitau

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 110

| 20 September 1944

| 14:10

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 47386{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southwest of Riga

97

| 6 September 1944

| 07:45

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 37626{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=387}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Mitau

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 111

| 27 September 1944

| 15:30

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 57146{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Mālpils

98

| 14 September 1944

| 14:52

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 57215{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=388}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-southeast of Mālpils

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 112

| 28 September 1944

| style="background:#ffdead" | 13:57?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:54.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1404}}|group="Note"}}

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 48823{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northwest of Mālpils

99

| 14 September 1944

| 14:53

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 57219{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=388}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-southeast of Mālpils

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 113

| 1 October 1944

| 16:09

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 48725{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
over the Baltic Sea, north-northeast of Riga

100

| 14 September 1944

| 16:50

| P-39

| PQ 25 Ost 47139{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=388}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Riga

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 114

| 7 October 1944

| 15:56

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 48882{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
west of Mālpils

101

| 15 September 1944

| 13:35

| Pe-2

| PQ 25 Ost 47343{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=388}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Mitau

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 115

| 7 October 1944

| 15:57

| Il-2

| PQ 25 Ost 58757{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Valmiera

102

| 15 September 1944

| 18:20

| La-5

| PQ 25 Ost 47378{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=388}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Riga

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 116

| 9 October 1944

| style="background:#ffdead" | 08:56?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:56.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1404}}|group="Note"}}

| Yak-9

| PQ 25 Ost 47191{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=390}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Riga

103

| 16 September 1944

| 09:18

| La-5

| PQ 25 Ost 37496{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=388}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Mitau

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 117

| 12 October 1944

| style="background:#ffdead" | 10:55?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:45.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1404}}|group="Note"}}

| Pe-2

| PQ 25 Ost 48782{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=390}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Riga

104

| 16 September 1944

| 12:44

| La-5

| PQ 25 Ost 47517{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=388}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Pasewalk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#ffdead" | ?

| 27 December 1944

| {{Center|—}}

| Yak-9

| Dobele

105

| 26 June 1944

| 16:24

| P-39

| PQ 25 Ost 37354{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=389}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} west-southwest of Mitau

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" |

|

|

|

|

=Awards=

Notes

{{Reflist|group="Note"}}

References

=Citations=

{{Reflist|25em}}

=Bibliography=

{{Refbegin|30em}}

  • {{Cite web

|last=Bergström

|first=Christer

|author-link=:sv:Christer Bergström

|work=Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat

|title=Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website

|url=http://www.bergstrombooks.elknet.pl/bc-rs/planquadrat.htm

|access-date=16 January 2019

|ref={{sfnRef|Planquadrat}}

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222042030/http://www.bergstrombooks.elknet.pl/bc-rs/planquadrat.htm

|archive-date=22 December 2018

|url-status=dead

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Bob

|first=Hans-Ekkehard

|author-link=Hans-Ekkehard Bob

|year=2011

|title=Jagdgeschwader 54 — Die Piloten mit den grünen Herzen

|trans-title=Jagdgeschwader 54 — The Pilots with the Green Heart

|language=de

|location=Aachen, Germany

|publisher=Helios Verlags- und Buchvertriebsgesellschaft

|isbn=978-3-86933-041-9

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Dixon

|first=Jeremy

|year=2023

|title=Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945

|location=Barnsley

|publisher=Pen and Sword Books

|isbn=978-1-39903-073-1

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Fellgiebel

|first=Walther-Peer

|author-link=:de:Walther-Peer Fellgiebel

|year=2000

|orig-year=1986

|title=Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile

|trans-title=The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches

|language=de

|location=Friedberg, Germany

|publisher=Podzun-Pallas

|isbn=978-3-7909-0284-6

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=MacLean

|first=French L

|year=2007

|title=Luftwaffe Efficiency & Promotion Reports: For the Knight's Cross Winners

|volume=Two

|location=Atglen, Pennsylvania

|publisher=Schiffer Military History

|isbn=978-0-7643-2658-5

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last1=Mathews

|first1=Andrew Johannes

|last2=Foreman

|first2=John

|year=2015

|title=Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z

|location=Walton on Thames

|publisher=Red Kite

|isbn=978-1-906592-21-9

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Obermaier

|first=Ernst

|year=1989

|title=Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945

|trans-title=The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945

|language=de

|location=Mainz, Germany

|publisher=Verlag Dieter Hoffmann

|isbn=978-3-87341-065-7

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last1=Patzwall

|first1=Klaus D.

|last2=Scherzer

|first2=Veit

|year=2001

|title=Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II

|trans-title=The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2

|language=de

|location=Norderstedt, Germany

|publisher=Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall

|isbn=978-3-931533-45-8

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last1=Patzwall

|first1=Klaus D.

|year=2008

|title=Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg

|trans-title=The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War

|language=de

|location=Norderstedt, Germany

|publisher=Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall

|isbn=978-3-931533-08-3

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last1=Prien

|first1=Jochen

|last2=Stemmer

|first2=Gerhard

|last3=Rodeike

|first3=Peter

|last4=Bock

|first4=Winfried

|year=2012

|title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943

|trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943

|language=de

|location=Eutin, Germany

|publisher=Buchverlag Rogge

|isbn=978-3-942943-07-9

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last1=Prien

|first1=Jochen

|last2=Stemmer

|first2=Gerhard

|last3=Balke

|first3=Ulf

|last4=Bock

|first4=Winfried

|year=2022

|title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 15/II—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944

|trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 15/II—Action in the East—1 January to 31 December 1944

|language=de

|location=Eutin, Germany

|publisher=Buchverlag Rogge

|isbn=978-3-942943-28-4

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Scherzer

|first=Veit

|year=2007

|title=Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives

|trans-title=The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives

|language=de

|location=Jena, Germany

|publisher=Scherzers Militaer-Verlag

|isbn=978-3-938845-17-2

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Spick

|first=Mike

|year=1996

|title=Luftwaffe Fighter Aces

|location=New York

|publisher=Ivy Books

|isbn=978-0-8041-1696-1

|url-access=registration

|url=https://archive.org/details/luftwaffefighter00mike

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Weal

|first=John

|year=2001

|title=Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz"

|series=Aviation Elite Units

|volume=6

|location=Oxford, UK

|publisher=Osprey Publishing

|isbn=978-1-84176-286-9

}}

  • {{Cite book

|editor-last=Zabecki

|editor-first=David T.

|editor-link=David T. Zabecki

|title=Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History

|location=Santa Barbara, California

|publisher=ABC-Clio

|year=2014

|isbn=978-1-59884-981-3

}}

{{Refend}}

{{Top German World War II Aces}}

{{Subject bar

| portal1=Aviation

| portal2=Biography

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wernicke, Heinz}}

Category:1920 births

Category:1944 deaths

Category:Military personnel from Berlin

Category:Military personnel from the Province of Brandenburg

Category:German World War II flying aces

Category:Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II

Category:Recipients of the Gold German Cross

Category:Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents

Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1944

Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Latvia