Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Vechtel was credited with 108 aerial victories claimed in some 860 combat missions, all on the Eastern Front. He claimed Jagdgeschwader 51s 8000th aerial victory of the war on 1 May 1944.
From 11 December 1944 onwards he led 14./JG 51 as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader).
On 25 March 1945, Vechtel was credited with his 100th aerial victory. Bibliography.
