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Walter "Gulle" Oesau (28 June 1913 – 11 May 1944) was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the ''Luftwaffe'' from 1934 until his death in 1944. He rose to command ''Jagdgeschwader'' 1, which was named in his honor after his death. He served with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War, with 3 ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgruppe'' 88 (3./J 88), claiming 8 aircraft during the campaign, becoming one of only 28 people to earn the award of the Spanish Cross in Gold and Diamonds. At the start of World War II, Oesau was given command of 2 ''Staffel'', ''Jagdgeschwader'' 20. The group was moved to the Eastern Front at the start of the Invasion of Poland, moving back to the Western Front later as the redesignated III Gruppe, ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 (III./JG 51). After his first victory of World War II in the Battle of France, Oesau operated on both the Western and Eastern Fronts, where he was wounded and received the Silver Wound Badge. He returned to operations as ''Geschwaderkommodore'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 1 (JG 1). He was killed in action on 11 May 1944 aged 30. JG 1 was given the suffix ''"Oesau"'' in his honor. ==Early life== Walter "''Gulle''" Oesau was born to a bank director in Farnewinkel near Meldorf, Germany on 28 June 1913. He joined the German Army (Heer) in October 1933 and served in the Second Artillery Regiment as an enlisted soldier. After being transferred to a ''Luftwaffe'' transport unit, he undertook flying training in 1934 as a cadet (''Fahnenjunker'') at the ''Luftwaffe'' Academy (''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule'') in Hanover. Upon completion of his training he was assigned to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 132, as a ''Leutnant''. The unit was re–designated as ''Jagdgeschwader'' 2 "Richthofen" in May 1939.〔Walter Oesau on Luftwaffe.Cz〕〔Weal 1999, pp. 70–71.〕〔Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 30–31.〕〔''Helden der Wehrmacht'' 2004, p. 148.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Walter Oesau」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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