Joachim "Gnom" Wandel (7 May 1914 – 7 October 1942) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator in the Spanish Civil War and a fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 75 victories, two over the Western Front and 73 over the Eastern Front. Born in Schlochau, present-day Człuchów in northwestern Poland, Wandel served in the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War where he was shot down and became a prisoner of war. During World War II, Wandel was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing) in March 1940. He claimed his first aerial victory on 5 June 1940 during the Battle of France. In July 1940, Wandel served as a fighter pilot instructor. In late 1941, he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) fighting on the Eastern Front, at first serving with the Gruppenstab (headquarters unit) of II. Gruppe (2nd group) of JG 54 before he became Staffelkapitän of 5. Staffel. On 21 August 1942, Wandel was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and was killed in action on 7 October when he was shot down by Soviet fighter near Ostashkov. Early life and career Wandel, nicknamed "Gnom", was born on 7 May 1914 in Schlochau, present-day Człuchów in northwestern Poland, at the time in the Province of West Prussia. Wandel had a younger brother Friedrich-Wilhelm who died of wounds on 26 October 1943. During the Spanish Civil War, Wandel volunteered for service with the Condor Legion in late 1936, a unit composed of volunteers from the Luftwaffe and from the Army which served with the Nationalists. There, he was assigned to 1. Staffel (1st squadron) of Jagdgruppe 88 (J/88—88th Fighter Group). With this unit, he participated in the Bombing of Guernica on 26 April 1937. On 13 May, Wandel was shot down in his Heinkel He 51 by anti-aircraft artillery near Bilbao and taken prisoner of war. For his services in Spain, Wandel received the Spanish Cross in Silver with Swords () and was posted to 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing). In May 1939, this unit, which consisted of one Gruppe (group), was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 and E-3. On 17 August, the Gruppe was ordered from its home airfield at Wien-Aspern to Stubendorf, present-day Izbicko in south-western Poland. World War II World War