Gordon Gollob – Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet” & 77 “Herz As” (Brillanten)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Gordon Mac Gollob. Generalmajor Gordon Mac Gollob (16 June 1912, Vienna † 7 September 1987, Sullingen) was one of the Luftwaffe’s most renowned fighter aces of the Second World War, ultimately rising to the rank of Generalmajor der Luftwaffe. Over the course of his career he achieved 150 aerial victories, becoming one of the elite recipients of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.

Awards and Decorations:

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 18 September 1941, as Hauptmann and Kommandeur of II./Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet” (JG 3), after 42 confirmed aerial victories.

• Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz) – 26 October 1941, as Hauptmann and Kommandeur of II./JG 3 “Udet”, for reaching 85 aerial victories.

• Swords to the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves (Schwerter zum Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub) – 23 June 1942, as Hauptmann and Führer of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77), for surpassing 107 aerial victories.

• Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) – 30 August 1942, as Major and Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”, after achieving 150 aerial victories.

• Additionally, he received the Combined Pilot-Observer Badge with Diamonds (Gemeinsames Flugzeugführer- und Beobachterabzeichen mit Brillanten), one of the Luftwaffe’s rarest distinctions.

Career Highlights:

• Entered the Luftwaffe before WWII and quickly rose as a skilled pilot.

• Built his reputation as one of the Luftwaffe’s premier Experten (fighter aces) during the Eastern Front campaigns.

• Commanded both JG 3 “Udet” and JG 77 “Herz As”, leading his Gruppen and Geschwader with distinction.

• Later in the war, promoted to higher command responsibilities, including positions as an inspector within the fighter arm.