Date: 4th April 1945
Unit: Stab/Jagdgeschwader 7
Type: Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a
Werke/Nr. Unknown
Code: 2 + (Green)
Location: Near Scharlibbe (Berlin-Stendal) Region, Germany.
Pilot: Major Heinrich Ehrler (Knights Cross) Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
The book on the JG7 by Manfred Boehme gives the following:
"There are different versions of what transpired during his last battle. According to one version Ehrler shot down two Fortresses then bade Weissenberger farewell over the radio, "Theo, I've used up all my ammunition, I'm going to ram! See you in Valhalla!"
It is not certain that he really made this dramatic transmission, although it would have corresponded to his state of mind at the time. The wording of the death certificate, signed by Major Weissenberger and Oblt. Schuck, Staffelkapitun of 3./JG7, gives no clue as to the precise cause of the crash:
"Major Ehrler failed to return from a combat sortie on April 6, 1945. A body was found on April 7, 1945 near Stendal and an autopsy revealed that it was that of Major Heinrich Ehrler. Major Heinrich Ehrler was buried in Stendal cemetery on April 10, 1945."
Walter Schuck states in his book "Abschuss", "whether Ehrler did ram actually or his plane was shot up by the rear gunner of the attacked B-17 during the ram attempt will remain one of the many unsolved fates of the war....
Ehrler's grave at Stendal gives date of death of the 4th April 1945.
Note:
On 12 November 1944 a message reporting incoming British bombers reached the 27 year old Geschwaderkommodore of JG 5. Ehrler, with his score at 199 victories, scrambled to intercept the Lancaster's of 9 and 617 Squadrons at the head of a Gruppe of Bf 109s. The fighters were too late. The British Lancasters sank the battleship Tirpitz north of Troms with the loss of a thousand sailors. Ehrler was called to account for this disaster and at his court martial was accused of flying to get his 200th victory, instead of guiding his fighters from ground control. Ehrler was sentenced to three years Festungshaft, a more honourable punishment than imprisonment. Ehrler had been nominated for the Schwerten prior to the battleship disaster.
The award was never made. He was stripped of his command. However, he was able to record his 200th victory on 20 November 1944. Ehrler joined JG 7 on 27 February 1945. His comrades knew that the old fire had been burned out of the gifted Ehrler. On 4 April 1945, he shot down two B-17s.
Ehrler then reported he had run out of ammunition and rammed a third. Erhler did not return from the mission, and his body was found the next day at Schaarlibbe near Berlin. Heinrich Ehrler achieved 208 victories, of which about 10 were recorded over the Western front. Included in his score are eight victories flying the Me 262.
Major Heinrich Ehrler with Bf 109G (JG77). Major Heinrich Ehrler killed in action
Crash site of Me 262 in woodland near Scharlibbe 
One of the Me 262 engine turbines found at crash site now in the Deutsches Technik Museum
Burial detail:
Stendal Cemetery, Germany.
