Soldier and Luftwaffe Pilot

Wilhelm's War Medals

This photograph was taken by a flying magazine journalist who was interviewing Kriessmann at his home. We can see that Willi kept his war medals and badges in a frame under glass, and some of them had come loose. 

The Arado 234 B at

Newspaper clipping showing the restored Arado 234B Jet Bomber at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. It says "over 200 of the jet-powered aircraft entered service in 1944 after the Normandy invasion." Notice the name W.L. Kriessmann on the wall, presumably as one who piloted this plane.

Another view showing airfield commander

This view of the parade by Willi's company at Straubing Airfield on January 30, 1939 shows the airfield commander and the officer leading the parade. Rather impressive.

Parade before officers, Straubing

After the oath ceremony came the parade saluting the commander of the airfield (Fliegerhorst). Willi's company was made up of 80% Austrians (called Ostmaerker). He said:

After a few weeks of boot camp, we were able to march, salute according the the Prussian drill order of Gen. Gneisenau (1812), in front of the hangar at the airfield in Straubing.

Taking the oath

The Oath Ceremony, January 30, 1939. "Ich schwere Treue und Gehorsam fuer Fuehrer, Reich un Vaterland."  Translated: I swear loyalty and obedience for leaders, kingdom and country.

It looks to me like Willi on the left behind the shorter guy.

Pilot school class C6 at Kolberg

After completing A and B school training, Willi was enrolled in C school. This picture is labeled March 1940 Flugzeugfuehrerschule C6 Kolberg-Ostsee-Pinow. Willi's C school training began on January 5 and ended June 17, 1940. Arrow is pointing to Willi standing behind the bench.

Flight School at Straubing

The cadets spend a quiet evening with a beer during flight school training at Straubing Air Base on the Danube in Bavaria. Willi, seated at far right, went through A and B school at Straubing; from there to bomber school Thorn in occupied Poland.

Three guys on a bike

Willi and friends at the Massurian Lake district in East Prussia in August 1940, while attending instrument flight training in Königsberg. Left to right: the dentist Guenther from Schlesien, Viennese friend Bertele von Grenadenberg, and Willi, who called this "in the Spring of our age." My comment: "what a hunk on the handlebars."

In early October Willi's squadron was ready to join the Battle of Britain but they were too late for that. It had already ended. So, after a home leave, he spent the next 6 months flying target pattern for the anti-aircraft batteries around Berlin.

Soldier and Luftwaffe Pilot