German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II
Gerhard Raht
Born
6 June 1920 Reinfeld, Prussia, Germany
Died
11 January 1977(1977-01-11) (aged 56) Reinfeld, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany
Allegiance
Nazi Germany
Service/branch
Luftwaffe
Years of service
1939–45
Rank
Hauptmann (captain)
Unit
NJG 3, NJG 2
Commands held
I./NJG 2
Battles/wars
World War II
Awards
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Gerhard Ferdinand Otto Raht (6 June 1920 – 11 January 1977) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 58 aerial victories claimed in 171 combat missions making him the tenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.[1] All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in Defense of the Reich missions against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command.
Born in Reinfeld, Schleswig-Holstein, Raht grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he joined the military service in 1939 and was trained as a pilot. In early-1941, he transferred to Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing) where he became a night fighter pilot and claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 26/27 July 1942. In Oktober 1943, Raht was appointed Staffelkapitän. Following his 34th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 June 1944 and was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I. Gruppe (1st group) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2—2nd Night Fighter Wing). He claimed his last five aerial victories on 15/16 March 1945 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 15 April 1945.
Raht, who later served as a Hauptmann der Reserve (captain of the reserves) in the German Air Force, died on 11 January 1977 in Reinfeld, Schleswig-Holstein.
Gerhard Ferdinand Otto Raht (6 June 1920 – 11 January 1977) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited...
Gerhard "Gerd" Friedrich (16 September 1917 – 16 March 1945) was a Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II. He was one of night fighter ace scored 30 victories...
night of 7/8 February 1945, then again on the night of 15/16 March 1945, GerhardRaht, Luftwaffe night fighter pilot, became a two-time ace in a day, with...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Langendiebach. NJG 2 remained until the last days of July; Heinz Rökker, GerhardRaht and Heinz-Horst Hißbach recorded claims as late as the 30 July. The Allied...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
initially known as Sonderkommando Stamp, named after its founder Major Gerhard Stamp and then Sonderkommando Welter, was re-designated 10. Staffel of...
Lockheed Hudson north of Cambridge for his 13th victory. 17–18 Hauptmann GerhardRaht I./NJG 3 Two four engine bombers Claimed bombers at 01:04 and 01:26 for...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
separate claims were filed on this night: one for Herbert Lütje and three for Gerhard Friedrich and three to other pilots. Becker's victims were downed between...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...
Schoenert (64) Heinz Rökker (63) 50–59 Paul Zorner (59) Martin Becker (58) GerhardRaht (58) Wilhelm Herget (57) Kurt Welter (56) Gustav Francsi (56) Josef Kraft...