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Werner
Gayko "Wernerchen"
Staffelkapitan Werner
Gayko was probably the pilot of White 1 for the longest time
before the aircraft was later assigned to Heinz Orlowski.
Werner was born 22 May,
1923 in Wehlau near Konigsberg where he lived for 3 years.
He spent most of his childhood in Oriental Prussia (Osterode)
when his father was sent there and they returned to Konigsberg
in 1936.
In 1940 Werner joined
the Wermacht, transfering to the Luftwaffe in 1943 where he
was assigned to III./JG5 Eismeer in the autumn of that year.
At the beginning of
1944 he commanded 9. Staffel which he led until the end of
the war (flying "White 1" as well as a few others).
This was the Staffel in which the name of "Eismeerjager" originated.
He was noted for being one of the few Luftwaffe fighter pilots
who had scored a victory over a reconaissance type Spitfire.
His final victory total ended at 13 (11 fighter, 1 twin engine,
and 1 four engine).
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Awarded |
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Eiserne Kreuz Klasse I
2.
Eiserne Kreuz Klasse II
3.
Flugzeugführerabzeichen
4.
Frontflugspange in Gold/200 Einsätze
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Werner Gayko flew with
the 206 victory ace Walter Schuck as well as many other well
known, high ranking aces of JG5 such as Weissenberger and
Erhler.
After the war, Gayko
rejoined the Luftwaffe as aBundesgrenzschut. He went on to
retire from the Bundeswehr as Oberst in 1982.
Werner Gayko passed
away on Oct 11, 1994.
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