The large number of pilots hit with mental breakdowns, esp. on the Eastern Front where they often flew 6–8 missions a day off grass fields close to the front lines and who experienced terrible stress from the non-stop combat:
“Eventually returning to his unit the psychological damage and combat stress on Gerhard Barkhorn (#2 ace of all time, 301 victories) became apparent; sitting in his cockpit he became overcome with anxiety, and even when flying with friendly aircraft behind him he felt intense fear. It took several weeks for him to overcome this condition. Returning to combat in October he claimed his 275th victory on 14 November. Over the next few weeks Barkhorn added another 26 victories, scoring his 301st (and final) victory on 5 January 1945.”-Wiki
I heard Gunther Rall speak about the never-ending anxiety and how it hit so many pilots he knew in JG 52:
“Shortly after 23 March 1945, Barkhorn was relieved of command. His wingman later stated that Barkhorn was forced to leave out of medical reasons. At the time he was suffering from severe physical and mental strain after four years of combat.”-Wiki
Barkhorn was actually punished for his breakdown, temporarily losing his command for “cowardice” from this strictly medical affliction, one of there reasons many pilots tried to hide their own breakdowns, often disguising it with alcohol. The Luftwaffe command did its best to keep the problem under wraps or simply not acknowledge it in any way but the pilot’s stress, esp., with commanders, was just too pervasive.
“…last long in this position and he was forced to take a medical absence because of severe physical and mental strain.”-Barkhorn.
I remember the realistic and honest WWII movie, ’12 o-clock High’ about B-17 missions against German with the ending where the main commander played by Gregory Peck finally hits the wall and simply can’t get into his bomber one more time then loses the capacity to speak in his anxiety and stress. Extremely powerful.
Rall said that the pilots that were affected where treated by the other pilots with tremendous compassion and sympathy as so many were similarly afflicted to different degrees.
Writer: Pete Feigal
