Ritterkreuzträger of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2) "Immelmann"

Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2) "Immelmann" was one of the most famous and effective dive-bomber wings of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War, operating exclusively with the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka and carrying the honorary title of the First World War ace Max Immelmann. Officially formed on 1 May 1939, the Geschwader traced its origins to the pioneering Stuka formations of the mid-1930s and quickly became a key component of German air power. StG 2 participated in nearly every major campaign fought by the Luftwaffe, including the invasion of Poland, the Westfeldzug, Battle of Britain, the Balkan campaign, the Battle of Crete, operations against Malta, North Africa, and the vast campaigns of the Ostfront. Under notable commanders such as Oskar Dinort, Paul-Werner Hozzel, Ernst Kupfer, and Hans-Karl Stepp, the unit earned a formidable reputation for precision dive-bombing, close air support, maritime strike missions, and anti-tank warfare. During Operation Barbarossa and subsequent battles around Leningrad, Moscow, Stalingrad, and Kursk, StG 2 became particularly renowned through the exploits of pilots such as Hans-Ulrich Rudel, whose extraordinary combat record made him the most decorated servicemen in German military history. The Geschwader developed innovative battlefield techniques, including specialized anti-tank attacks and the use of modified munitions for maximum effect against ground targets. As Soviet fighter strength and anti-aircraft defenses increased, the vulnerability of the Ju 87 in traditional dive-bombing operations became increasingly apparent, leading the Luftwaffe to reorganize its Stuka formations. Consequently, on 18 October 1943, StG 2 was redesignated as Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", marking the end of the Geschwader's existence under its original title while preserving its combat traditions within the new ground-attack formation. Throughout its wartime service, StG 2 produced numerous recipients of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes and its higher grades, making it one of the most highly decorated combat wings in the Luftwaffe.

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EICHENLAUBTRÄGER


Generalmajor Oskar Dinort (1901-1965) was one of the Luftwaffe’s most prominent Stuka leaders and later rose to the rank of Generalmajor. A pre-war aviation pioneer, glider record holder, and early Luftwaffe officer, Dinort gained particular distinction as commander of I./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" during the Polish Campaign and subsequently as Geschwaderkommodore of StG 2. His aggressive leadership and the effectiveness of his dive-bomber formations during the campaigns in Poland, France, and the early stages of the air war against Britain led to the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 June 1940 while holding the rank of Major and Gruppenkommandeur of I.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2) "Immelmann". Under his command, the Geschwader achieved notable successes against Allied ground forces, shipping, and logistical targets, including the highly effective attack on Convoy OA 178 in July 1940. Dinort’s greatest operational achievement came during the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa in June–July 1941, when StG 2, operating under Fliegerkorps VIII, played a decisive role in supporting Army Group Centre during the encirclement battles of Białystok–Minsk and Smolensk. The precision attacks of his Ju 87 units against Soviet troop concentrations, airfields, transport routes, and retreating formations contributed significantly to the rapid German advance and the destruction of large Soviet forces. In recognition of these successes and his outstanding leadership of one of the Luftwaffe’s most effective Stuka formations, Dinort was awarded the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 July 1941 as Oberstleutnant, becoming the 21st recipient of the decoration and the first Stuka pilot to receive the Eichenlaub. He remained in command of StG 2 until October 1941, later serving in senior staff and training commands, and also became known for introducing the “Dinort-Stäbe,” an innovation that improved the blast effect of Luftwaffe bombs during operations in Greece and Crete.



Generalmajor Hubertus Hitschhold (1912-1966) was an experienced ground-attack pilot in the Luftwaffe who, after joining the Reichswehr in 1930, completing pilot training including secret instruction at Lipetsk in the Soviet Union, and transferring to the newly formed Luftwaffe, rose through the ranks as a Stuka pilot to become Staffelkapitän and then Gruppenkommandeur of I./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"; as Hauptmann and Kommandeur of I./StG 2 he led his Gruppe with outstanding success throughout the Westfeldzug, earning the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 July 1940 for the unit’s decisive contributions that included precision attacks on the Belgian forts of Eben-Emael, Pontisse and Flamelle, the destruction of key French positions and artillery batteries near Gembloux which paved the way for the decisive German armoured breakthrough across the Dyle position, repeated strikes against retreating British troops and shipping at Boulogne, Calais, Dunkirk and Gravelines that heavily damaged three destroyers, three cruisers and ten transports while accounting for the destruction or severe damage of shipping totalling 164,000 GRT, the elimination of six enemy batteries during the Aisne crossing near Soissons, the halting of an armoured counter-attack in the Nesle-Roye area, the neutralisation of batteries at Vailly-Bourg on the Aisne sector, and further missions against the Marne sector at Château-Thierry and along the Seine. Promoted to Major shortly afterwards, Hitschhold continued to command I./StG 2 through the Luftschlacht um England, the Balkanfeldzug and Unternehmen Merkur; the Gruppe particularly distinguished itself by supporting the breakthrough at the Rupel Pass, attacking the British evacuation fleet in Megara Bay, and during the Crete landings sinking the destroyers HMS Greyhound on 22 May 1941 and HMS Kelly together with HMS Kashmir on 23 May 1941, achievements that, together with the Gruppe’s early successes in Operation Barbarossa, brought him the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 31 December 1941 as the 57th recipient. He later commanded the Sturzkampffliegerschule 1 in Wertheim, returned to the front in June 1942 as Kommandeur of Schlachtgeschwader 1 where he oversaw its conversion to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, served as Fliegerführer Sardinien, and from November 1943 as General der Schlachtflieger until the end of the war, by which time he had been promoted to Generalmajor.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturzkampfgeschwader_2