Josef Priller

[Bittrich]

I'm looking for information on Priller. I know he was a Luftwaffe pilot but don't have much on him other wise. Any information would be greatly welcome. Thanks

[charlie don't surf]

Josef “Pips” Priller was born on 27 July 1915 at Ingolstadt in Bayern. In 1935, Fahnenjunker Priller was serving in an Infantry Regiment. He transferred to the Luftwaffe and began his flying training at Salzwedel in October 1936. On 1 April 1937, Leutnant Priller was posted to I./JG 135. In November 1938 the unit was redesignated I./JG 233 and again on 1 May 1939 to I./JG 51. In July 1939, he was serving with I./JG 71 which was to be redesignated II./JG 51. On 1 October 1939, Priller was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 51. He gained his first victories on 28 May 1940 over Dunkirk in aerial combat with RAF fighters. By the end of August his score stood at 15. On 17 October, Oberleutnant Priller claimed his 20th victory resulting in the award of the Ritterkreuz on 19 October. On 20 November 1940, Priller was transferred as Staffelkapitän to 1./JG 26 succeeding Oberleutnant Eberhard Henrici (7 victories) who had been lost in aerial combat three days previously over the Channel. Despite much combat with the British, Priller was unable to add to his score before the end of the year. That winter JG 26 was withdrawn from the Channel front back to Germany for a rest. On his return to the Channel Priller enjoyed a remarkable run of victories between 16 June and 11 July 1941 shooting down 19 RAF aircraft, including 17 Spitfires, to bring his confirmed total to 39. On 14 July, Priller shot down his 40th victim. He was awarded the Eichenlaub (Nr 28) on 19 October for 41 victories. Hauptmann Priller became Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 26 on 6 December 1941. By the end of 1941 Priller’s score stood at 58. He recorded his 60th victory on 27 March 1942 and his 70th victory on 5 May. By the end of 1942 Priller had 81 confirmed victories to his tally.

On 11 January 1943, Priller became Kommodore of JG 26 replacing Major Gerhard Schöpfel (45 victories, RK) who was taking up a staff role. He was awarded the Schwerter (Nr 73) on 2 July 1944. Oberstleutnant Priller brought up his 100th victory on 18 July 1944 when he brought down a B-24 Liberator. On 1 January 1945, he led JG 26 and III./JG 54 in the attack on the Allied airfields at Brussels-Evére and Brussels-Grimbergen. On 28 January, Priller was appointed Inspekteur der Jagdflieger Ost, a position that required he cease operational flying and which he held until the end of the war. Post-war “Pips” Priller managed the family brewery business. He died on 20 May 1961 at Böbing in Oberbayern following a heart attack.

Josef “Pips” Priller flew 1307 combat missions to achieve 101 victories. All his victories were scored on the Western Front and include 11 four-engined bombers. He was the most succesful pilot in battles with Spitfires.

from: http://www.luftwaffe.cz/priller.html

http://jzg23.de/dbiopriller.html

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Per ... lerJ-R.htm

http://wald.heim.at/wienerwald/550484/priller.htm




from: http://luftwaffe.webzdarma.cz/stranky/esa/priller.htm


regards

[Douglas Aguiar]

Hi,

It´s interesting to note that it was Priller and his Rottenflieger (wingman) the only aircrafts that made a attempt to attack the Llied troops durind D Day. This episode can be seen at the classical movie "The Longest Day".

By the way, I think that Priller´s name appears on the final credtis as an technical advisor.

Regards,

Douglas.

[Ron Klages]

Here is a listing of Priller's 81 victories with JG 26. Prior to this he had 20 victories with JG 51.


16-Jun-41 1. JG 26Blenheim
16-Jun-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
17-Jun-41 1. JG 26 Hurricane
21-Jun-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
23-Jun-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
25-Jun-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
27-Jun-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
30-Jun-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
2-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
4-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
5-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
7-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
7-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
8-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
9-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
9-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
10-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
10-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
11-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
14-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
19-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
22-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
23-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
24-Jul-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
7-Aug-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
7-Aug-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
4-Sep-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
17-Sep-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
18-Sep-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
1-Oct-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
1-Oct-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
12-Oct-41 III. JG 26 Spitfire
13-Oct-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
21-Oct-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
21-Oct-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
27-Oct-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
8-Nov-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
8-Nov-41 1. JG 26 Spitfire
03-Jan-42 III. JG 26 Hurricane
27-Mar-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
28-Mar-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
04-Apr-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
12-Apr-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
16-Apr-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
25-Apr-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
27-Apr-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
27-Apr-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
28-Apr-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
01-May-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
05-May-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
09-May-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
17-May-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
01-Jun-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
22-Jun-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
15-Jul-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
21-Aug-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
29-Aug-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
09-Oct-42 III. JG 26 B-24
04-Dec-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
06-Dec-42 III. JG 26 Spitfire
20-Dec-42 III. JG 26 B-17
20-Jan-43 Stab JG 26 Spitfire
8-Mar-43 Stab JG 26 Spitfire
5-Apr-43 Stab JG 26 B-17
4-May-43 Stab JG 26 Spitfire
13-May-43 Stab JG 26 B-17
13-May-43 Stab JG 26 Spitfire
16-May-43 Stab JG 26 P-47
10-Jun-43 Stab JG 26 Ventura
22-Jun-43 Stab JG 26 B-17
26-Jun-43 Stab JG 26 B-17
17-Aug-43 Stab JG 26 B-17
19-Aug-43 Stab JG 26 B-17
21-Sep-43 Stab JG 26 Mitchell
20-Oct-43 Stab JG 26 B-17
13-Apr-44 Stab JG 26 B-17
7-Jun-44 Stab JG 26 P-47
7-Jun-44 Stab JG 26 P-51
11-Jun-44 Stab JG 26 P-38
15-Jun-44 Stab JG 26 B-24
12-Oct-44 Stab JG 26 P-51

[charlie don't surf]

I think those stats can be found on one of the links I've posted. Tip, always state source when you are posting such info!

regards

[Ron Klages]

Charlie,

good point

The source of Priller's victories is the 2 volume series by Donald Caldwell The JG 26 War Diary

by the way is there a reason for the title you use?

best regards

[Bittrich]

Priller had a great career as a pilot. Thanks for the replies as the info. was very informative. I first heard of Priller in "The Longest Day" and his D-day exploits.

[xavier]

the quality , speed and amount of info forum forum users never ceases to amaze me!!

thanks to all who answered this post (it wasn't mine, but I enjoy a good answer always!!)

Xavier

[Stefan]

It may be of interest that Generalmajor Josef Priller is currently Befehlshaber im Wehrbereich III and was the military coordinator of the rescue operations during the Elbe Hochwasser. Another famous name still on the roll of the Bundeswehr.

[Bittrich]

that he is doing well and is still alive. Thanks for the photo and the reply.

[Sigurd Helge]

Since the former LW pilot Josef Priller died in 1961 the depicted BW officer cannot be the same man. Even if Priller would still have been alive, the age of the officer in the picture wouldn't coincide with that of "the real" Priller.

Regards,
~Sigurd

[Stefan]

Of course, Generalmajor Priller ist the son of the Luftwaffe Oberst of the same name. I forgot to mention it, but it should be self-evident as Priller senior died 40 years ago and the retirement age of the Bundeswehr is still 60 years.

[Sigurd Helge]

...and my reply was more aimed att "Bittrich" who, apparently, was unaware of the quite obvious fact.
I'm sorry if I offended you. No hard feelings?

Best regards,
~Sigurd

[bennor]

I’m sorry to bring up this old topic again but I’ve just registered to this forum and found this thing that has been bothering me for a long time.

In the second post above it reads “In July 1939, he was serving with I./JG 71 which was to be redesignated II./JG 51.” This information can be found on several web sites in several different languages but nowhere is the source for this stated.

According to his service record, which I obtained a copy of from BA, he was never assigned to JG 71. He served with Stab I/JG 233 (later I/JG 51) until appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 51.

If someone can prove otherwise, please let me know.

Bengt Norman

[tigre]

Hello to all ; bringing up this old topic..................................

Josef Priller (June 27th, 1915 Ingolstadt/Bavaria, - May 20th, 1961 Böbing/Bavaria)

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross awarded on October 19th, 1940 after 20 aerial victories as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän 6. / Jagdgeschwader 51.

Oak leaves awarded on July 20th, 1941 after 40 aerial victories as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän 1. / Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter".

Swords Awarded on July 2nd, 1944 after 100 aerial victories as Oberstleutnant and Kommodore Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter".

Source: https://www.alexautographs.com/auction- ... E4B4D61961
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/256 ... f-Pips.htm

Cheers. Raúl M

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