Otto Gaiser

{{Infobox military person

|honorific_prefix =

|name=Otto Gaiser

|birth_date=5 October 1919

|death_date={{death date and age|1944|1|22|1919|10|5|df=y}} {{MIA}}

|image= File:Otto Gaiser.jpeg

|image_size = 150px

|caption=Gaiser as an Oberfeldwebel

|birth_place= Reutlingen

|death_place= disappeared near Berdychiv, Ukraine

|nickname=

|allegiance={{flag|Nazi Germany}}

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

|serviceyears=1942–1944

|rank=Leutnant (Posthumously)

|unit=JG 51

|commands=

|battles= {{plainlist|

World War II
:Eastern Front}}

|awards=Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

|laterwork=

}}

Otto Gaiser (5 October 1919 – 22 January 1944) was a Luftwaffe ace with 66 confirmed kills, and he was the recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

File:Fw 190A-3 JG 2 in Britain 1942.jpg. {{#tag:ref|It is not known how many different aircraft Wagner flew while accumulating his 66 kills, his unit was known for flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109 in 1943. The Luftwaffe used the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 aircraft over the eastern front by 1943. See photo of Gaiser with his Fw 190.{{cite web |title=Fw 190 A white 10 of 10./JG 51 Otto Gaiser Smolensk Febr 1943 |url=https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/germany/aircrafts-2/focke_wulf_fw_190/fw-190-a-white-10-10-jg-51-otto-gaiser-smolensk-febr-1943/ |website=World War Photos |access-date=22 October 2021}} |group="Note"}}]]

In 1942, Gaiser was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) where he served as Rudolf Wagner's wingman. Wagner went on to become a Luftwaffe ace as well.{{sfn|Page|2020|p=45}} Gaiser claimed his first kill on 16 March 1943. That day, he shot down a Soviet Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighter near Vyazma.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=147}} Gaiser served with 10. Staffel of JG 51 which at the time was under the command of Oberleutnant Horst-Günther von Fassong.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=143}} He achieved his 10th victory on 11 July, when he claimed another LaGG-3 shot down. Gaiser claimed 17 victories in August, including five Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft shot down on 14 August, making him an "ace-in-a-day".{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|pp=151–153}}

On 22 January 1944, Gaiser was last seen in combat with Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft near Berdychiv, Ukraine.

He has remained missing to this day.{{sfn|Weal|2001|p=7}} It is thought he became a victim of the Soviet ground defences. Posthumously, Gaiser was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes}}) on 9 June 1944 for 74 aerial victories claimed.{{sfn|Weal|2006|p=123}} He was also promoted to Leutnant.

Summary of career

=Aerial victory claims=

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Gaiser was credited with 66 aerial victories.{{sfn|Zabecki|2014|p=1617}} Obermaier also states that he was credited with 66 victories claimed in 380 combat missions. Spick however lists him with 74 aerial victories claimed in an unknown number of combat missions.{{sfn|Spick|1996|p=237}} Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 66 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=361–362}}

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 36624". 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 Gaiser 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}}
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" \| – 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –{{sfn\|Mathews\|Foreman\|2015\|pp=361–362}} Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943
1 \| 16 March 1943 \| 15:40 \| LaGG-3 \| PQ 35 Ost 36624, {{Convert\|30\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northeast of Vyazma{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=147}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 32 \| 24 August 1943 \| 05:44 \| Pe-2 \| {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Krasnaya Yaruga{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=153}}
2 \| 11 April 1943 \| 05:56 \| Pe-2 \| PQ 35 Ost 16621, {{Convert\|5\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of the Ryta{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=147}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 33 \| 13 September 1943 \| 11:25 \| Boston \| {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Nowo-Troizkoje{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
3 \| 7 May 1943 \| 04:55 \| Il-2 \| PQ 35 Ost 63174, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Shidkowa{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=148}} {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Zmiyekka \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 34 \| 14 September 1943 \| 06:06 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 35 Ost 69684, east of Volhynia{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
4 \| 7 May 1943 \| 05:08 \| Il-2 \| PQ 35 Ost 63191, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Prokowskoje{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=148}} {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Zmiyekka \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 35 \| 19 September 1943 \| 15:13 \| Il-2 m.H.{{refn\|The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner ({{lang\|de\|mit Heckschütze}}).\|group="Note"\|name="Il-2 m.H."}} \| {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southeast of Synelnykove{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
5 \| 14 May 1943 \| 18:27 \| La-5 \| PQ 35 Ost 63344, {{Convert\|12\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Semenkowo{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=148}} {{Convert\|15\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Glazunowka \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 36 \| 20 September 1943 \| 06:38 \| Il-2 m.H. \| {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Dnipropetrovsk{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
6 \| 2 June 1943 \| 07:45 \| LaGG-3 \| PQ 35 Ost 63563, {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=148}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 37 \| 20 September 1943 \| 06:40 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 34 Ost 49534, {{Convert\|4\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Nowosselka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
7 \| 6 July 1943 \| 15:08 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 63583, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Ponyri{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=150}} {{Convert\|20\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" \| 38♠ \| 26 September 1943 \| 08:28 \| Yak-1 \| {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Novoselovka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
8 \| 9 July 1943 \| 08:43 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 63713, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Stanovoye{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=150}} Dmitriyevka-L'govskiy area \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" \| 39♠ \| 26 September 1943 \| 13:32 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 34 Ost 58543, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Orljansk{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}} east of Dnipropetrovsk
9 \| 10 July 1943 \| 12:50 \| LaGG-3 \| PQ 35 Ost 63513, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Nikolskoje{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=150}} {{Convert\|15\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south-southwest of Maloarkhangelsk \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" \| 40♠ \| 26 September 1943 \| 13:38 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 34 Ost 58513, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Majatschka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
10 \| 11 July 1943 \| 18:02 \| Il-2 m.H. \| {{Convert\|7\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=150}} {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" \| 41♠ \| 26 September 1943 \| 16:38 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 34 Ost 58563, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Kalinowka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
11 \| 12 July 1943 \| 07:05 \| La-5 \| PQ 35 Ost 63222, {{Convert\|4\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northeast of Panikowez{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Zalegoshch \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" \| 42♠ \| 26 September 1943 \| 16:39 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 34 Ost 58562, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Krental{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
12 \| 12 July 1943 \| 19:30 \| La-5 \| PQ 35 Ost 63222, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Malinowez{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Zalegoshch \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 43 \| 27 September 1943 \| 06:21 \| La-5 \| PQ 34 Ost 59752, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Aleksejewka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
13 \| 13 July 1943 \| 07:20 \| MiG-3 \| PQ 35 Ost 74753, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Raksino{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} {{Convert\|25\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Lipitsy \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 44 \| 27 September 1943 \| 09:40 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 34 Ost 58684, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Iwanowka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
14 \| 13 July 1943 \| 18:32 \| LaGG-3 \| PQ 35 Ost 64882, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Krassnij{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} {{Convert\|15\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northeast of Zalegoshch \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 45 \| 27 September 1943 \| 16:30 \| P-39 \| PQ 34 Ost 58642, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northwest of Tiefenbrunn{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=154}}
15 \| 17 July 1943 \| 08:13 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 63672, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Kusnetschki{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} {{Convert\|15\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 46 \| 30 September 1943 \| 11:32 \| La-5 \| PQ 34 Ost 49311, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Annewka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
16 \| 2 August 1943 \| 08:33 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 53631, {{Convert\|6\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Shislowo{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} vicinity of Trosna \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 47 \| 1 October 1943 \| 10:40 \| Yak-1 \| {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Jakowlewka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
17 \| 2 August 1943 \| 08:35 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 63633, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Koslowko{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} vicinity of Trosna \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 48 \| 3 October 1943 \| 11:04 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 34 Ost 49323, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northeast of Domotkan{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
18 \| 2 August 1943 \| 08:40 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 53661, {{Convert\|7\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northeast of Trossna{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=151}} {{Convert\|10\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Trosna \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 49 \| 7 October 1943 \| 10:00 \| Yak-9 \| {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Perewolotschnaja{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
19 \| 6 August 1943 \| 14:37 \| La-5 \| PQ 35 Ost 53182, Schachowzy{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} vicinity of Schachowzny \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 50 \| 8 October 1943 \| 15:30 \| Yak-9 \| {{Convert\|5\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Perewolotschnaja{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
20 \| 10 August 1943 \| 11:13 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 61751, {{Convert\|6\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northeast of Dergatschij{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 51 \| 12 October 1943 \| 12:48 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 26 Ost 15513, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Demkino{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
21 \| 10 August 1943 \| 11:15 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 61593, {{Convert\|9\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northwest of Lipzy{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 52 \| 14 October 1943 \| 08:07 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 35 Ost 15523, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Nikolenka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
22 \| 10 August 1943 \| 13:53 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 35 Ost 61593, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Ljutowka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 53 \| 14 October 1943 \| 11:33 \| Pe-2 \| PQ 35 Ost 15723, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Studenez{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
23 \| 11 August 1943 \| 07:32 \| La-5 \| PQ 35 Ost 70722, north of Izyum{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 54 \| 14 October 1943 \| 11:37 \| Pe-2 \| PQ 35 Ost 15761, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Rasdel{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
style="background:#fbec5d;" \| 24♠ \| 14 August 1943 \| 18:17 \| Il-2 m.H. \| {{Convert\|4\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Bachmetjewka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 55 \| 17 October 1943 \| 10:54 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 35 Ost 06193, southeast of Shabino{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
style="background:#fbec5d;" \| 25♠ \| 14 August 1943 \| 18:19 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 50254, {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northwest of Pankowka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 56 \| 18 October 1943 \| 08:27 \| Yak-1 \| PQ 26 Ost 97893, {{Convert\|7\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northeast of Nevel{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=155}}
style="background:#fbec5d;" \| 26♠ \| 14 August 1943 \| 18:22 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 50224, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Buzkiy{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 57 \| 1 November 1943 \| 13:17 \| Il-2 m.H. \| {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northwest of Bolshaja-Snamenka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=156}}
style="background:#fbec5d;" \| 27♠ \| 14 August 1943 \| 18:23 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 50223, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Dobropolye{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=152}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 58 \| 5 November 1943 \| 11:24 \| La-5 \| PQ 34 Ost 49714, {{Convert\|1\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Udatschnaja{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=156}}
style="background:#fbec5d;" \| 28♠ \| 14 August 1943 \| 18:25 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 50221, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} north of Dobropolye{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=153}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 59 \| 27 November 1943 \| 13:50 \| Yak-9 \| PQ 34 Ost 47231, {{Convert\|5\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southwest of Wesseloje{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=156}}
29 \| 15 August 1943 \| 13:28 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 35 Ost 70782, {{Convert\|4\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} west of Kotijary{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=153}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 60 \| 28 November 1943 \| 11:10 \| La-5 \| {{Convert\|2\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southeast of Jelisarowo railway station{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=156}} {{Convert\|45\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south-southwest of Dnipropetrovsk
30 \| 18 August 1943 \| 05:54 \| La-5 \| {{Convert\|4\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} northwest of Dolgenskaja{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=153}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 61 \| 28 November 1943 \| 13:25 \| Yak-9 \| PQ 34 Ost 48642, {{Convert\|5\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south of Dnjeprowka{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=156}}
31 \| 22 August 1943 \| 17:35 \| Pe-2 \| PQ 35 Ost 50223, {{Convert\|3\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southeast of Dopropolje{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Rodeike\|Bock\|2012\|p=153}} \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| \| \| \| \|
colspan="10" \| – 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –{{sfn\|Mathews\|Foreman\|2015\|p=1305}} Eastern Front — 1 January – 22 January 1944
62 \| 12 January 1944 \| 12:10 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 25 Ost 80691{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Balke\|Bock\|2022\|p=481}} {{Convert\|40\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} southeast of Vinnytsia \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 65 \| 15 January 1944 \| 14:31 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 25 Ost 90712{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Balke\|Bock\|2022\|p=481}} {{Convert\|40\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east of Vinnytsia
63 \| 15 January 1944 \| 09:17 \| Yak-4 \| PQ 25 Ost 80661{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Balke\|Bock\|2022\|p=481}} {{Convert\|30\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} east-northeast of Vinnytsia \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| 66 \| 15 January 1944 \| 14:36 \| Il-2 m.H. \| PQ 25 Ost 90522{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Balke\|Bock\|2022\|p=481}} {{Convert\|45\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Koziatyn
64 \| 15 January 1944 \| 09:20 \| Yak-4 \| PQ 25 Ost 80633{{sfn\|Prien\|Stemmer\|Balke\|Bock\|2022\|p=481}} {{Convert\|25\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Koziatyn \| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" \| \| \| \| \|

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 Gaiser 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}}

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" | – 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=361–362}}
Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943

| 16 March 1943

| 15:40

| LaGG-3

| PQ 35 Ost 36624, {{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Vyazma{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=147}}

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

| 24 August 1943

| 05:44

| Pe-2

| {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Krasnaya Yaruga{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=153}}

| 11 April 1943

| 05:56

| Pe-2

| PQ 35 Ost 16621, {{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the Ryta{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=147}}

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

| 13 September 1943

| 11:25

| Boston

| {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Nowo-Troizkoje{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 7 May 1943

| 04:55

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 63174, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Shidkowa{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=148}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Zmiyekka

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

| 14 September 1943

| 06:06

| Yak-1

| PQ 35 Ost 69684, east of Volhynia{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 7 May 1943

| 05:08

| Il-2

| PQ 35 Ost 63191, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Prokowskoje{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=148}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Zmiyekka

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

| 19 September 1943

| 15:13

| Il-2 m.H.{{refn|The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner ({{lang|de|mit Heckschütze}}).|group="Note"|name="Il-2 m.H."}}

| {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Synelnykove{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 14 May 1943

| 18:27

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 63344, {{Convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Semenkowo{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=148}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Glazunowka

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

| 20 September 1943

| 06:38

| Il-2 m.H.

| {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Dnipropetrovsk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 2 June 1943

| 07:45

| LaGG-3

| PQ 35 Ost 63563, {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=148}}

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

| 20 September 1943

| 06:40

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 34 Ost 49534, {{Convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Nowosselka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 6 July 1943

| 15:08

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 63583, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Ponyri{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=150}}
{{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 38♠

| 26 September 1943

| 08:28

| Yak-1

| {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Novoselovka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 9 July 1943

| 08:43

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 63713, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Stanovoye{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=150}}
Dmitriyevka-L'govskiy area

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 39♠

| 26 September 1943

| 13:32

| Yak-1

| PQ 34 Ost 58543, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Orljansk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}
east of Dnipropetrovsk

| 10 July 1943

| 12:50

| LaGG-3

| PQ 35 Ost 63513, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Nikolskoje{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=150}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southwest of Maloarkhangelsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 40♠

| 26 September 1943

| 13:38

| Yak-1

| PQ 34 Ost 58513, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Majatschka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 11 July 1943

| 18:02

| Il-2 m.H.

| {{Convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=150}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Maloarkhangelsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 41♠

| 26 September 1943

| 16:38

| Yak-1

| PQ 34 Ost 58563, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Kalinowka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 12 July 1943

| 07:05

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 63222, {{Convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Panikowez{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Zalegoshch

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey; background:#fbec5d;" | 42♠

| 26 September 1943

| 16:39

| Yak-1

| PQ 34 Ost 58562, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Krental{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 12 July 1943

| 19:30

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 63222, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Malinowez{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Zalegoshch

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

| 27 September 1943

| 06:21

| La-5

| PQ 34 Ost 59752, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Aleksejewka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 13 July 1943

| 07:20

| MiG-3

| PQ 35 Ost 74753, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Raksino{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Lipitsy

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 44

| 27 September 1943

| 09:40

| Yak-1

| PQ 34 Ost 58684, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Iwanowka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 13 July 1943

| 18:32

| LaGG-3

| PQ 35 Ost 64882, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Krassnij{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Zalegoshch

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 45

| 27 September 1943

| 16:30

| P-39

| PQ 34 Ost 58642, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Tiefenbrunn{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=154}}

| 17 July 1943

| 08:13

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 63672, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Kusnetschki{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
{{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Maloarkhangelsk

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 46

| 30 September 1943

| 11:32

| La-5

| PQ 34 Ost 49311, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Annewka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 2 August 1943

| 08:33

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 53631, {{Convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Shislowo{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
vicinity of Trosna

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 47

| 1 October 1943

| 10:40

| Yak-1

| {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Jakowlewka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 2 August 1943

| 08:35

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 63633, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Koslowko{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
vicinity of Trosna

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 48

| 3 October 1943

| 11:04

| Yak-1

| PQ 34 Ost 49323, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Domotkan{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 2 August 1943

| 08:40

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 53661, {{Convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Trossna{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=151}}
{{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Trosna

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 49

| 7 October 1943

| 10:00

| Yak-9

| {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Perewolotschnaja{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 6 August 1943

| 14:37

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 53182, Schachowzy{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}
vicinity of Schachowzny

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 50

| 8 October 1943

| 15:30

| Yak-9

| {{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Perewolotschnaja{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 10 August 1943

| 11:13

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 61751, {{Convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Dergatschij{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

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

| 12 October 1943

| 12:48

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 26 Ost 15513, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Demkino{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 10 August 1943

| 11:15

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 61593, {{Convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Lipzy{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 52

| 14 October 1943

| 08:07

| Yak-1

| PQ 35 Ost 15523, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Nikolenka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 10 August 1943

| 13:53

| Yak-1

| PQ 35 Ost 61593, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Ljutowka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 53

| 14 October 1943

| 11:33

| Pe-2

| PQ 35 Ost 15723, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Studenez{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

| 11 August 1943

| 07:32

| La-5

| PQ 35 Ost 70722, north of Izyum{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 54

| 14 October 1943

| 11:37

| Pe-2

| PQ 35 Ost 15761, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Rasdel{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 24♠

| 14 August 1943

| 18:17

| Il-2 m.H.

| {{Convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Bachmetjewka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 55

| 17 October 1943

| 10:54

| Yak-1

| PQ 35 Ost 06193, southeast of Shabino{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 25♠

| 14 August 1943

| 18:19

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 50254, {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Pankowka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 56

| 18 October 1943

| 08:27

| Yak-1

| PQ 26 Ost 97893, {{Convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Nevel{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=155}}

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 26♠

| 14 August 1943

| 18:22

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 50224, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Buzkiy{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 57

| 1 November 1943

| 13:17

| Il-2 m.H.

| {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Bolshaja-Snamenka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=156}}

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 27♠

| 14 August 1943

| 18:23

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 50223, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Dobropolye{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=152}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 58

| 5 November 1943

| 11:24

| La-5

| PQ 34 Ost 49714, {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Udatschnaja{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=156}}

style="background:#fbec5d;" | 28♠

| 14 August 1943

| 18:25

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 50221, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Dobropolye{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=153}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 59

| 27 November 1943

| 13:50

| Yak-9

| PQ 34 Ost 47231, {{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Wesseloje{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=156}}

| 15 August 1943

| 13:28

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 35 Ost 70782, {{Convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Kotijary{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=153}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 60

| 28 November 1943

| 11:10

| La-5

| {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Jelisarowo railway station{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=156}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southwest of Dnipropetrovsk

| 18 August 1943

| 05:54

| La-5

| {{Convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Dolgenskaja{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=153}}

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 61

| 28 November 1943

| 13:25

| Yak-9

| PQ 34 Ost 48642, {{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Dnjeprowka{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=156}}

| 22 August 1943

| 17:35

| Pe-2

| PQ 35 Ost 50223, {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Dopropolje{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2012|p=153}}

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

colspan="10" | – 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1305}}
Eastern Front — 1 January – 22 January 1944

| 12 January 1944

| 12:10

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 25 Ost 80691{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Vinnytsia

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 65

| 15 January 1944

| 14:31

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 25 Ost 90712{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Vinnytsia

| 15 January 1944

| 09:17

| Yak-4

| PQ 25 Ost 80661{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-northeast of Vinnytsia

| style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 66

| 15 January 1944

| 14:36

| Il-2 m.H.

| PQ 25 Ost 90522{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Koziatyn

| 15 January 1944

| 09:20

| Yak-4

| PQ 25 Ost 80633{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Balke|Bock|2022|p=481}}
{{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southeast of Koziatyn

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

=Awards=

Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
German Cross in Gold on 28 January 1944 as Feldwebel in the 10./Jagdgeschwader 51{{sfn|Patzwall|Scherzer|2001|p=128}}
Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 3 April 1944 as Feldwebel and pilot{{sfn|Patzwall|2008|p=82}}
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in 10./Jagdgeschwader 51{{sfn|Fellgiebel|2000|p=190}}{{sfn|Scherzer|2007|p=325}}

Notes

References

=Citations=

=Bibliography=

{{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=26 July 2022

|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=Fellgiebel

|first=Walther-Peer

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

|year=2000

|orig-date=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

|last1=Mathews

|first1=Andrew Johannes

|last2=Foreman

|first2=John

|year=2015

|title=Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L

|location=Walton on Thames

|publisher=Red Kite

|isbn=978-1-906592-19-6

}}

{{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

|last=Page

|first=Neil

|title=Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1943-1945

|date=2020

|publisher=Casemate Publishers

|location=United Kingdom

|isbn=978-1-61200-879-0

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_HD1DwAAQBAJ&dq=rudolf+wagner+pilot&pg=PT25

|access-date=22 October 2021

}}

{{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/II—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943

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

|language=de

|location=Eutin, Germany

|publisher=Buchverlag Rogge

|isbn=978-3-942943-05-5

}}

{{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/I—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944

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

|language=de

|location=Eutin, Germany

|publisher=Buchverlag Rogge

|isbn=978-3-942943-26-0

}}

{{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=German

|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=Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front

|series=Aircraft of the Aces

|volume=37

|location=Oxford, UK

|publisher=Osprey Publishing

|isbn=978-1-84176-084-1

}}

{{Cite book

|last=Weal

|first=John

|year=2006

|title=Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"

|series=Aviation Elite Units

|volume=22

|location=Oxford, UK

|publisher=Osprey Publishing

|isbn=978-1-84603-045-1

}}

{{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

}}

External links

[https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/23103 TracesOfWar.com]
[http://www.luftwaffe.cz/gaiser.html Aces of the Luftwaffe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614135126/http://luftwaffe.cz/gaiser.html |date=2007-06-14 }}

{{Subject bar

| portal1=Aviation

| portal2=Biography

}}

Category:1919 births

Category:1940s missing person cases

Category:1944 deaths

Category:Luftwaffe pilots

Category:German World War II flying aces

Category:Recipients of the Gold German Cross

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

Category:Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II

Category:Aviators killed by being shot down

Category:People from Reutlingen

Category:People from the Free People's State of Württemberg

Category:Missing in action of World War II

Category:Missing person cases in Ukraine

Category:Military personnel from Baden-Württemberg