 The Night Blitz 1-31 October 1940 ~ Signed Major Gerhard Schopfel Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross Cover produced for the 50th Anniversary of the Night Blitz. Cover depicts a Armstrong Whitworth Whitley of 50 Squadron which was shot down in October 1940.Bomb Carrying BF109a beinf intercepted by Spitfires of 603 Squadron on 2nd October 1940, London under attack 23 October 1940 and the crests of 17 Squadron and JG52. Cover is signed by Major Gerhard Schopfel Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross Born 19.12.1912 Erfurt/Thuringen Schopfel joined the Luftwaffe from the Police Force in 1937, and served with l./JG 51 before joining 9/JG 26 as a Staffelkapitan. He was one of the most successful German fighter pilots during 1940, scoring 27 victories. He scored his first victory on the 19 May 1940 in France, then during the Battle of Britain he enjoyed numerous successes including 4 Hurricanes of No 501 Squadron on 18 August 1940 including that of Hawkeye Lee. Became Kommandeur III/JG 26 on 21 August 1940. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross on 11 September 1940 for his number of victories scored during this period which was known as the Battle of Britain. From 6 December 1941 to 10 January 1943 Kommodore JG26 as Galland’s successor. He then took the position of fighter operations officer for Southern Italy, on 1 June 1944 posted to Jafu Norway, as Kommodore JG 4. On 6 August 1944 he was shot down in the aerial combat and baled out wounded, after recovering from his injuries he became Jafu, Hungary in November 1944. In February 1945 he attended the air warfare college Gatow completing the general staff training course. He was then Kommodore JG 6, from 10 April 1945. After became taken prisoner by the Russians he spent four years in Russian confinement until 1949. Total of 700 missions, 40 victories in the West, including 3 four-engined bombers We usually have lots of other items up for sale so why not have a look 
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