Career
Hans Ehlers was credited with 55 victories. Unteroffizier Ehlers was serving with 2./JG 3 during the Battle of France. On 18 May 1940, he recorded his first victories when he claimed two Royal Air Force fighters shot down over Valenciennes.
He in turn, was shot down by Royal Air Force Hawker Hurricane fighters of Number.
56 Squadron Royal Air Force on the same day and crash-landed his Bf 109 East-1 south of Valenciennes and was listed as missing. However, Ehlers managed to escape and return to his own lines to rejoin.
During the Battle of Britain, Ehlers added a further two victories. Leutnant Ehlers was appointed Staffelkapitän of 2. on 1 October 1943.
On 11 November 1943, Oberleutnant Ehlers became Staffelkapitän of 3.
Hauptmann Ehlers became Gruppenkommandeur of I. He was awarded the Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 for 52 victories. On 27 December 1944, Ehlers led off 18 Fw 190s on a mission to cover ground troops in the Dinant-Rochefort area.
Near Mayen, he encountered P-51 Mustangs of the United States Army Air Force 364th Fighter Group and was shot down in his Fw 190 A-8. Hans Ehlers was credited with 55 victories.
Bibliography.