German Air Force

Major GEORG-PETER EDER

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Major GEORG-PETER EDER (*March 8, 1921 in Oberdachstetten/Franconia; +March 11, 1986 in Wiesbaden). Awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves on November 25, 1944 as Hauptmann (Captain) and commander of 6./Jagd-Geschwader 1. He ended the war as a Me-262 jet pilot in JG 7. His achievements: 78 aerial victories (incl. 36 four-engined bombers; 10 victories against Soviet opponents), 18 further victories not confirmed; 3 US tanks destroyed. Eder himself was shot down 17 times, 12 times wounded, 9 parachute exits. Eder was known for his chivalrous behaviour in battle. He ever refused to aim for the cockpit but for engines and wings instead. He would also refuse to give the coup de grâce to a crucially damaged, defenceless opponent. Next to his many hospital stays a reason for his rather "low" numbers of victories.