The German leather jacket became one of the most recognizable items of clothing worn by Luftwaffe fighter pilots during the Second World War. Designed to provide warmth and protection in the cold conditions encountered at high altitudes, these jackets were typically manufactured from heavy black or dark brown horsehide or cowhide leather and featured a double-breasted front, large lapels, waist belt, and often a fleece or wool lining. The most famous model was the Luftwaffe Fliegerjacke, which was worn by pilots serving in fighter units such as Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen", Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter", and Jagdgeschwader 52. Unlike standard military uniforms, leather flight jackets were highly valued personal items and frequently became associated with experienced airmen and Jagdflieger aces. The durable construction protected pilots from wind, oil, and weather while flying aircraft such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Many fighter pilots personalized their jackets with unit insignia, rank insignia, award ribbons, and occasionally painted artwork, reflecting their combat experience and individual identity. Photographs of famous Luftwaffe aces wearing these jackets contributed to their legendary status, and they were commonly seen on recipients of prestigious decorations including the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, Eichenlaub, Schwerter, and Brillanten. As the war progressed and material shortages increased, production standards varied and alternative cloth flight garments became more common, but the leather flight jacket remained an enduring symbol of the Luftwaffe fighter pilot and continues to be one of the most iconic pieces of military aviation clothing from the Second World War.
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LEDERJACKE
After becoming the Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 50 (JG 50) in June 1943, Hermann Graf was allowed to pick any pilots he wished for the new unit, and he chose a three aces Alfred Grislawski, Ernst Süß, and Heinrich Füllgrabe from his old unit - the 9. Staffel of JG 52. This picture shows the first "Karayaexperten" (Karaya Experts) from JG 52, but now with the new high-altitude "Höhenjagdgeschwader" JG 50, in the defense of the Reich. From left to right: Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Füllgrabe (Jagdlehrer), Major Hermann Graf (Geschwaderkommodore), Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski (Gruppenkommandeur I. Gruppe), and Leutnant Ernst Süss (Staffelführer 1.Staffel / I.Gruppe).
Major Anton Hackl (1915-1984) was one of the Luftwaffe’s most successful fighter aces of the Second World War, credited with 192 aerial victories achieved over the Eastern Front, Western Front, and Mediterranean theaters. Born on 25 March 1915 in Regensburg, Bavaria, Hackl began his military career before the war and eventually served with several prominent fighter units, most notably Jagdgeschwader 77 and later Jagdgeschwader 11. His combat record steadily grew during the intense air battles over the Soviet Union, where he demonstrated exceptional skill as a fighter pilot and leader. By the spring of 1943, Hackl had accumulated a remarkable number of victories while serving as Staffelkapitän in III./Jagdgeschwader 77, earning recognition throughout the Luftwaffe. In acknowledgment of his combat achievements and leadership, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 25 May 1942 after surpassing 50 aerial victories. Continuing to distinguish himself in combat, particularly during the fierce defensive operations against Allied air forces, Hackl increased his score dramatically and received the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 August 1942 as the 109th recipient of the decoration. His success did not end there; while serving in increasingly responsible command positions and leading fighter formations against overwhelming Allied air superiority, he achieved further victories and demonstrated outstanding tactical leadership. As a result, he was awarded the Schwerter zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub on 9 July 1944 as the 78th recipient of the Schwerter. By the end of the war, Hackl had become one of the most decorated fighter pilots in the Luftwaffe, with his sequence of Ritterkreuz, Eichenlaub, and Schwerter reflecting a career marked by sustained combat effectiveness, leadership, and exceptional success in aerial warfare.
Major Herbert Huppertz (1919-1944) was one of the notable Luftwaffe fighter aces of the Second World War, credited with 68 aerial victories during approximately 380 combat missions on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. Born on 3 June 1919 in Rheydt, he entered the Luftwaffe in 1937 and was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 51, where he gained combat experience during the Battle of France, the Luftschlacht um England, and later Operation Barbarossa. By the summer of 1941, serving as a Leutnant and pilot in 12./Jagdgeschwader 51, Huppertz had achieved 34 confirmed aerial victories, including numerous Soviet aircraft destroyed during the opening months of the campaign against the Soviet Union. His outstanding combat record and leadership qualities led to the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 30 August 1941. He subsequently served as Staffelkapitän in several fighter units, including Jagdgeschwader 1, Jagdgeschwader 5, and later Jagdgeschwader 2 “Richthofen,” where he continued to increase his victory total against Allied aircraft over Western Europe. Promoted to Hauptmann and appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./Jagdgeschwader 2, Huppertz distinguished himself during the intense air battles preceding and following the Allied invasion of Normandy. After being killed in action near Caen on 8 June 1944 while flying a Fw 190, his achievements and leadership were recognized with the posthumous award of the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 24 June 1944, becoming the 512th recipient of this high distinction.
Major Erhard Jähnert (1917-2006) was one of the notable Stuka pilots of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War, earning distinction through his combat service with Sturzkampfgeschwader 3 on the Eastern Front. As a highly experienced pilot, Jähnert participated in numerous close-support and dive-bombing operations against Soviet forces, demonstrating exceptional flying skill, courage, and leadership under difficult combat conditions. His achievements steadily increased as he accumulated a large number of operational sorties and contributed significantly to the success of his unit in supporting German ground offensives. In recognition of his outstanding combat record and repeated acts of bravery, Erhard Jähnert was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 May 1943 while serving as Leutnant and pilot in the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3. The decoration acknowledged not only his personal effectiveness as a Stuka pilot but also his leadership in combat operations that inflicted considerable losses on enemy troops, vehicles, and positions. During his career he was credited with flying 622 missions. At the end of the war Erhard Jähnert was captured by British troops.
Major Erhard Jähnert (1917-2006) was one of the notable Stuka pilots of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War, earning distinction through his combat service with Sturzkampfgeschwader 3 on the Eastern Front. As a highly experienced pilot, Jähnert participated in numerous close-support and dive-bombing operations against Soviet forces, demonstrating exceptional flying skill, courage, and leadership under difficult combat conditions. His achievements steadily increased as he accumulated a large number of operational sorties and contributed significantly to the success of his unit in supporting German ground offensives. In recognition of his outstanding combat record and repeated acts of bravery, Erhard Jähnert was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 May 1943 while serving as Leutnant and pilot in the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3. The decoration acknowledged not only his personal effectiveness as a Stuka pilot but also his leadership in combat operations that inflicted considerable losses on enemy troops, vehicles, and positions. During his career he was credited with flying 622 missions. At the end of the war Erhard Jähnert was captured by British troops.
Hauptmann Hans-Karl Mayer (1911-1940) was one of the early Luftwaffe fighter aces whose combat record in both the Spanish Civil War and the opening campaigns of the Second World War earned him recognition as a highly successful Jagdflieger. Born on 8 March 1911 in Rouffach, he first gained experience with the Condor Legion in Spain, where he served with Jagdgruppe 88 and achieved eight aerial victories, for which he received the Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern. After returning to Germany, Mayer continued his career with Jagdgeschwader 53 and quickly established himself as one of the unit’s leading pilots during the Westfeldzug and the Luftschlacht um England. As Staffelkapitän of 1./Jagdgeschwader 53, he accumulated a growing number of confirmed aerial victories through aggressive leadership and repeated success in combat against Allied aircraft. His achievements culminated in the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 September 1940, bestowed in recognition of his outstanding combat performance, leadership, and more than twenty confirmed victories at that stage of the war. Shortly afterward, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I./Jagdgeschwader 53 and continued to increase his score, eventually reaching 39 aerial victories (including eight in Spain). Mayer’s promising career was cut short on 17 October 1940 when he disappeared during a flight over the English Channel, but his combat record secured his place among the distinguished Luftwaffe Ritterkreuzträger of the early war period.
SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Hans Flügel (1919-1989) was one of the notable panzer officers of the Waffen-SS, serving with formations such as SS-Division “Das Reich” and later the 5. SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking” on the Eastern Front. Having joined the SS in 1935, he advanced through the ranks during the war and gained extensive combat experience in armored warfare, first as a company commander and later in battalion-level leadership positions. During the fierce fighting against Soviet forces in 1944, Flügel commanded II./SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 “Wiking”, leading his battalion in a series of defensive and counterattack operations characterized by aggressive armored tactics and determined resistance under difficult battlefield conditions. His leadership, combat effectiveness, and success in directing panzer units during these engagements led to the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 16 October 1944, when he held the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve and commanded II./SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 “Wiking”. The decoration recognized both his personal bravery and his ability to maintain the combat strength of his battalion during some of the most critical phases of the war on the Eastern Front. After receiving the Ritterkreuz, Flügel continued serving with Waffen-SS armored formations until the end of the conflict and eventually reached the rank of SS-Sturmbannführer.
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Josef Priller and Klaus Mietusch. They were closely connected through their service in Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter", one of the Luftwaffe’s most successful fighter wings on the Western Front. Priller, a highly decorated fighter ace and recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern, served as the Geschwaderkommodore of JG 26 and became one of the most respected fighter leaders in the Luftwaffe. Under his command, Klaus Mietusch emerged as one of the wing’s leading Experten, achieving remarkable success against Allied aircraft while flying with III./JG 26 and later commanding 9./JG 26. Priller recognized Mietusch as an exceptionally skilled pilot and leader whose combat achievements significantly contributed to the reputation of JG 26. Their relationship was based on mutual professional respect, with Mietusch operating within the command structure established by Priller during the intense air battles over Western Europe. Mietusch was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 August 1943 and later received the Eichenlaub on 18 November 1944 for his growing victory total and leadership, distinctions that reflected the high standards expected within Priller’s Geschwader. Both men became symbols of JG 26’s effectiveness, with Priller providing strategic leadership and Mietusch exemplifying the combat prowess of the unit’s frontline fighter pilots. Their careers remained intertwined until Mietusch was killed in action on 17 March 1945, only weeks before the end of the war, while Priller survived the conflict and remained one of the most famous commanders associated with Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter".
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LEDERJACKE MIT PELZ (LEATHER JACKET WITH FUR)
Hauptmann Hermann-Friedrich Joppien (1912-1941) was one of the
Luftwaffe’s most successful fighter aces during the early years of the
Second World War and earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes through
his outstanding leadership and combat achievements while serving with
Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders". Born on 19 July 1912 in Bochum, Joppien
joined the Luftwaffe before the war and quickly established himself as
an exceptionally skilled fighter pilot. During the campaigns in Poland,
France, and especially the Battle of Britain, he steadily increased his
victory tally while demonstrating remarkable tactical ability and
courage in aerial combat. By the summer of 1940 he had become one of the
leading pilots of Jagdgeschwader 51, achieving numerous confirmed
aerial victories against Royal Air Force aircraft. He received the
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 16 September 1940 in recognition of
his 21st aerial victory during the Battle of Britain while serving as
Staffelkapitän of 1. Staffel in Jagdgeschwader 51, followed by the
Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 April 1941
for his 40th victory, with the event marked by a presentation from Adolf
Hitler. Following the award, Joppien continued to command fighter units
with distinction and participated extensively in operations over the
English Channel and later on the Eastern Front. His reputation grew
further as he accumulated victories against Soviet aircraft, eventually
reaching a total of 70 confirmed aerial victories. As Gruppenkommandeur
of III./Jagdgeschwader 51, he was regarded as a capable commander who
combined personal combat effectiveness with strong leadership of his
pilots. His career, however, was cut short on 28 August 1941 when he was
killed in action near Yelnya during combat operations over the Soviet
Union.
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U-BOOT LEDERJACKE (U-BOAT LEATHER JACKET)
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U-BOOT LEDERJACKE (U-BOAT LEATHER JACKET)
Adalbert Schnee (1913-1982) was one of the most successful commanders of the U-Bootwaffe during the Second World War and belonged to the elite group of German submarine aces whose achievements made them celebrated figures within the U-boat arm. After joining the Reichsmarine in 1931, Schnee transferred to the submarine service and eventually took command of U 201, a Type VII C U-boat assigned to the 1. U-Flottille. During a series of highly successful Atlantic patrols between 1941 and 1943, he demonstrated exceptional skill in convoy attacks, torpedo tactics, and evasion of Allied anti-submarine forces. His growing success brought him rapid recognition, and on 30 August 1941 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes after sinking numerous enemy merchant vessels during his early patrols. Continuing his remarkable combat record, Schnee received the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 July 1942 as the 104th recipient, recognizing his sustained success against Allied shipping and his leadership under increasingly difficult operational conditions in the Battle of the Atlantic. He later commanded the 6. U-Flottille and held important staff positions as Germany’s submarine campaign entered its final phase. Over the course of twelve war patrols, Adalbert Schnee was credited with sinking 21 merchant ships totaling approximately 90,189 Gross Register Tons (GRT), damaging several additional vessels, and establishing himself as one of the most accomplished U-Boot-Kommandanten of the war.
Source :
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