Werner Lucas

Werner Georg Emil Lucas (27 December 1917 – 24 October 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 106 enemy aircraft shot down.

The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with one claim over the Western Front.

Lucas was born on 27 December 1917 in Berlin of the German Empire.

Following flight training, he was posted to the 4.

Born in Berlin, Lucas volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1938.

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland.

At the time of his posting, II.

Gruppe of JG 3 was based in Arques in northern France and fighting against the Royal Air Force.

Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) in 1941.

He claimed his first aerial victories in July 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

Staffel (4th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) on 8 February 1941.

On 10 February 1941, II.

Gruppe was ordered to return to Germany for a period of rest and reequipment.

The unit arrived at Darmstadt-Griesheim on 16 February where they received a complement of the new Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2 fighter aircraft.

On 25 April 1941, II.

Gruppe began relocating back to the English Channel Front at Monchy-Breton.

The Gruppe completed relocation on 4 May and flew its first mission on 7 May 1941.

On 1 June 1941, II.

Gruppe began its relocation to the Eastern Front.

The ground elements moved immediately while the air elements followed on 8 June.

On that day, they flew to Saint-Dizier and then to Böblingen.

On the following day, they continued to Breslau-Gandau, now Wrocław Airport in Poland, via Straubing.

In preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, II.

Gruppe headed further east on 18 June.

Following a stopover at Kraków, the unit was moved to Hostynne.

At the start of the campaign, JG 3 under the command of Major (Major) Günther Lützow was subordinated to the V. Fliegerkorps (5th Air Corps), under the command of General der Flieger (General of the Aviators) Robert Ritter von Greim, itself part of Luftflotte 4 (4th Air Fleet), under the command of Generaloberst (Colonel General) Alexander Löhr.

These air elements supported Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal) Gerd von Rundstedt's Army Group South, with the objective of capturing Ukraine and its capital Kiev.

At 17:00 on 21 June 1941, the 5th Air Corps, based at Lipsko, briefed the various unit commanders of the upcoming attack.

That evening, Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II.

Gruppe Lothar Keller informed his subordinates of the attack.

The invasion of the Soviet Union began on 22 June 1941.

II.

Gruppe flew its first missions on the Eastern Front shortly before 04:00, flying low attacks against Soviet airfields in the vicinity of Lvov in Ukraine.

At 06:30 the Gruppe fought its first aerial battles.

Following his 57th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 September 1942.

He was then appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 4.

Staffel (4th squadron) of JG 3 which he continued to lead on the Eastern Front.

He claimed his 100th aerial victory on 21 July 1943.

In October 1943, Lucas and his unit were transferred to the Western Front fighting in Defense of the Reich.

In this theatre, Lucas claimed his 106th and last aerial victory before he was killed in action in aerial combat with Supermarine Spitfires on 24 October 1943.