Gerhard Michalski
| Gerhard Michalski | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 June 1917 |
| Died | 22 February 1946 (aged 28) |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe
|
| Rank | Oberstleutnant |
| Unit | JG 53, JG z.b.V., JG 4, JG 11 |
| Commands held | JG 4 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Gerhard Michalski (25 June 1917 – 22 February 1946) was a German Luftwaffe pilot during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany.
Michalski joined 6 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing) in 1940. His first victory was on 31 March 1940, when he downed a French Morane Saulnier MS 406 fighter over the French border. Flying through the Battle of Britain, he gained eight more victories. In October 1940, Michalski was appointed Adjutant in II./JG 53. With JG 53 participating in the invasion of Russia from June 1941 onward, Michalski claimed 13 further victories by the end of August 1941 for a total of 22. By October 1941 Oberleutnant Michalski was Staffelkapitän of 4./JG 53 based at Leeuwarden in the Netherlands.
In November II./JG 53 were relocated to Sicily for operations against Malta. Michalski was to become the most successful German fighter pilot in the Siege, claiming 26 victories against the island's defenders. Michalski became Gruppenkommandeur II./JG 53 in June 1942 and was awarded the Ritterkreuz for 41 victories in September. On 15 October Michalski was shot down by No. 126 Squadron Spitfires, flown by F/L. Jones and F/Sgt Varey. off Marsaxlokk Bay. He bailed out of his Bf 109 G-2, landing in the sea, and was rescued by the German air-sea rescue service.
In October 1942 II./JG 53 were sent to Tunisia. Following the fall of Tunisia, II./JG 53 relocated to bases in Sicily in May 1943. On 18 June Michalski was again shot down, near Donnafucata in Sicily by F/O G. Keith Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), flying a Spitfire of No. 72 Squadron. He bailed out wounded in the leg and with a broken ankle, landing in the sea, from where he was rescued by the German air-sea rescue service. Hospitalised, he returned to JG 53 in August 1943.
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