Description
Oberleutnant Josef Stingl
Soldbuch Issued: 3 November 1944 with the Jagdgeschwader 400, a unit equipped with the ME163 Rocket Fighter!
Stingl was born into a catholic family in 1919, and was already making a career in the military in his adult life.
Flights against the enemy & training in the following aircraft:
Me110, Ju88, Fi156, KL35, Bf110, W34, FW189, Ju52, Bü131, Ar96, Fw190
Units
1938 : Stingl served in a prewar in Flak Regiment 19 in Kitzingen.
1942 : Stingl was already on over 100 flights in enemy territory!
3.(H)/Aufklärungsgruppe 11 later Nahaufklärungsgruppe 1
https://www.asisbiz.com/Luftwaffe/nagr1.html
According to his Flugbuch, Stingl was in the aircraft below. Seen here, after landing and hit with rounds or enemy flak and once again Stingl can be seen after a celebration with a shot in his hand. This aircraft was used in various games a the model Bf110F, the Death hand being the markings of interest.
Interestingly, the Flugbuch displays an array of different flights, many of which were in enemy territory. It would also seem that not only was he in combat with the enemy in the air and ground targets but he was also shot down a few times. An interesting discussion about Stingls plane as well as pictures can be found here:
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/luftwaffe/aircraft/Bf-110/Q1+VB.html
Small unit synopsis:
Flew reconnaissance missions over northern Poland for Army Group North. In May and June 1940, the squadron was used in the western campaign over Holland, Belgium and northern France. During the Battle of Britain she flew missions to shoot in the heavy German coastal artillery. In addition, the squadron was converted to the Me 110. In April 1941 the squadron took part in the Balkan campaign and flew missions for the 2nd Army. From June 1941 the squadron flew reconnaissance missions in Russia for Army Group South. The squadron was also converted to the Me 110. In April 1941 the squadron took part in the Balkan campaign and flew missions for the 2nd Army. From June 1941 the squadron flew reconnaissance missions in Russia for Army Group South. In January 1942, the season was converted to 3. (H) / 11. In May 1942, the squadron of Nahaufklärungsgruppe 3, from September 1942 to Nahaufklärungsgruppe 1, in April 1943 to Nahaufklärungsgruppe 14 and in August 1943 to the ObdL.
Jagdgeschwader 102
1944 – Here Stingl flew many training missions, including live fire missions. On the Arado 96, Bü131, Si204 and lastly on the FW109.
Jagdgeschwader 400
By late 1944 Stingl was with JG400, an online article states he was also testing rocket fighters. So it must have been here with the Me163! Likely this was under the eyes of Erprobungs Kommando 16, as there are a few stamps in the Soldbuch around the same time. In an online official German publication it states that he married, and after a semester at the Flight Engineer school in Berlin Werder, he was undergoing training on the Me163. This was cut short and he was sent to the eastern front.
Sonderkommando Fi 156 III
Under : Gefechtsverband Weiss
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Aufklarer-Geschwader/nagr4.htm
RK EL Oberst Weiss:https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Albert_Bernhard_Wei%C3%9F
15.3.1945
In this unit Stingl would see his last combat missions now close to 200! Flying a Fi156, he would attack on coming columns of enemy tanks and or vehicles, as well as spot enemy movements. Nearly all of these actions were in modern day Poland. Stingl was on his 1354 flight shot down by two enemy fighter planes, although he survived and made it back to his unit and they gave him another aircraft!
This unit is incredibly rare, and any reference to this unit normally flags up high award winners. I have never seen anything for sale related to this unit online.
Stab 18 Flak Division (Mot)
It would seem that when all the planes were out of action, Stingl was transferred to the 18th Flak Division Stab, although by this stage of the war 24.4.1945 they left East Prussia back to Germany.
Post War
Stingl would serve with the Allies as a Company Commander with Regiment 191, he was employed under the allied forces as a rank of Captain. After his release he moved to Berlin to build his new life with hsi wife.
Politics
Stingl was a very famous post-war politician, he was the president of the German Ministry for Employment for around 20 years. A prominent CDU politician, his work and articles span across the whole internet in an array of languages.
Seen here giving an interview later in his life:
He was awarded the following awards in his life:
1938: Medal for the 10.1938 Annexation
1941: Iron Cross Second Class
1942: Front Flying Clasp for Recon (Bronze)
1942: Luftwaffe Pilots Badge
1942: Iron Cross Second First Class
1942: Eastern Front Medal
1942: Front Flying Clasp for Recon (Silver)
1942: Front Flying Clasp for Recon (Gold)
1942: Luftwaffe Pokal
1943: German Cross in Gold
1943: Krim Shield
1943: Luftwaffe Double Pilot & Observer
Post War Awards
1971: Bavarian Order of Merit
1972: Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (“Grande Ufficiale”)
1974: Order of St. Gregory the Great (“Commendatore con placca”)
1974: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Grand Cross
1976: Honorary senator: University of Mannheim
1979: Honorary doctor: German University of Administrative Sciences, Speyer
1974: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Grand Cross with star
1982: Bavarian State Medal for Social Services
1984: Bishop Heinrich Braun prize
1984: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Grand Cross with star and shoulder sash
1984: Order of St. Gregory the Great (“Cavaliere di gran croce”)
1984: European Karl’s Prize of the Sudeten Homeland Society
Extra information: ( Thanks 🙂 )
Soldbuch Page 2: Hptm.u. Staka Hans Nocher, Erg.St./JG 400. 1 victory Numerous signatures of Lt.u.Offz. z.b.V. Erwin Bauer, Erg.St./JG 400.
STINGL, Josef. (DOB: 19.03.19 in Maria Kulm, Egerland /Czechoslovakia). †19.03.2004 in Leutesdorf /Rheinland-Pfalz. 01.04.42 promo to Oblt. 06.42 Oblt., in 3.(F)/Aufkl.Gr. 11 (12.06.42 – injured in crash). 12.06.42 Oblt., 3.(F)./Aufkl.Gr. 11 WIA – Bf 110 F-3 crash-landed vic Simferopol due to technical problems. 10.08.42 Oblt., awarded the Ehrenpokal. 19.02.43 Oblt. in 3.(H)/Aufkl.Gr. 11, awarded the DKG. 04.05.43 Oblt. (Tr.O.) in Nahaufkl.St. 3./11, trf to LKS 3. 1945-51 various jobs in Berlin. 1949-51 studied political sciences in Berlin. 1952-68 clerk at the chamber of commerce in Berlin. 1953-68 MP in West German parliament (Bundestag) for CDU party. 1968-84 President of Bundesanstalt für Arbeit (national labour office) in Nürnberg. 12/06/1942 3./(F)Aufkl.Gr. 11, Luftflotte 4. Near Simferopol due to technical issues: Bf 110 F-3 Wernr. 2483 60% damage (F) Oblt. Stingl, Josef. Wounded (B )Hptm. Tüttelmann, Reinhold. Wounded
