Max Stotz

Max Stotz (13 February 1912 – 19 August 1943) was an Austrian Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with shooting down 189 enemy aircraft claimed in more than 700 combat missions.

Born in Mannswörth, Stotz volunteered for military service in the Austrian Army in 1933. In 1935, he transferred to the Austrian Air Force and following the Anschluss, Austria's annexation into Nazi Germany, he served in the German Luftwaffe, initially with Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing) and later with Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing). He flew his first combat missions in the Invasion of Poland and claimed his first aerial victory during the "Phoney War" period on the Western Front. Following his 53rd aerial victory he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II, on 19 June 1942 and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 30 October 1942 after 100 victories.

In early August 1943, Stotz was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 54. Stotz was posted as missing in action after aerial combat near Vitebsk on 19 August 1943. He was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) posthumously.

Early life and career

Stotz was born on 13 February 1912 in Mannswörth, at the time in Austria-Hungary. He was the son of a farmer and joined the military service in the Austrian Army (Bundesheer) on 7 April 1933. He initially served as a Gebirgsjäger with Alpenjäger-Regiment 11 in Klagenfurt. In 1935, he requested transfer to the Austrian Air Force (Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte) and was transferred to Flieger-Regiment 2 in Graz. There, from 1 July to 23 November 1936, he was trained as a pilot. From 24 November 1936 to 5 May 1938, Stotz served with Flieger-Regiment 1 at Wiener Neustadt. At Wiener Neustadt, he was a member of the aerobatics squadron in 1937/38. Following the Anschluss, Austria's annexation into Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938, Stotz was accepted into the German Luftwaffe and became a pilot with 1. Staffel (1st squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing), a squadron of I. Gruppe (1st group) under the command of Oberleutnant Dietrich Hrabak.

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. I. Gruppe of JG 76 participated in the invasion and returned to its home airfield at Wien-Aspern where it remained until end of October. On 26 October, the Gruppenstab and 1. Staffel were ordered to Frankfurt Rhein-Main where it was united again with 2. and 3. Staffel on 2 November. From Frankfurt Rhein-Main, the Gruppe flew fighter protection during the "Phoney War" for the Frankfurt, Rhine and Saar region. On 5 November, Stotz received the Iron Cross 2nd Class (). The next day, he claimed his first aerial victory over a Royal Air Force (RAF) Bristol Blenheim bomber near Völklingen. In April 1940, I. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Mainz-Finthen, originally named Fliegerhorst Ober-Olm. The Gruppe stayed at Ober-Olm until the Battle of France began.

On 11 May, I. Gruppe moved from Ober-Olm to Wengerohr, present-day a suburb of Wittlich. From Wengerohr, the unit flew combat air patrols in the area of Montmédy, Charleville-Mézières and Bastogne. On 14 May, I. Gruppe flew combat missions over the Meuse and Sedan area during the Battle of Sedan. In this action, Stotz claimed two Fairey Battle light bombers shot down over the Sedan combat area. Following the German advance into France, I. Gruppe was moved to a airfields at Bastogne and Nives on 15 May. On 19 May, Stotz claimed a Potez 63 and a Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 west of Laon. This earned him the Iron Cross 1st Class (), awarded to him on 1 June 1940. On 21 May, I. Gruppe moved to Charleville from where the unit flew missions in the Battle of Dunkirk. On 3 June, I. Gruppe participated in Operation Paula (Unternehmen Paula), an offensive operation to destroy the remaining units of the Armée de l'Air. That day, Stotz claimed the destruction of a Curtiss P-36 Hawk fighter west of Épernay. Three days later, he claimed two further Curtiss fighters northwest of Amiens. The Gruppe was moved to Conteville on 7 June, to Guise on 16 June, and then to Émerainville on 18 June. On 19 June, I. Gruppe was withdrawn from France and moved to Brussels on 22 June.

On 26 June 1940, I. Gruppe of JG 76 was moved to the airfield at Waalhaven in the Netherlands and subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing). There, the Gruppe was tasked with providing aerial protection over the Dutch coastal area. On 5 July, I./JG 76 was officially integrated into JG 54 and was renamed to II./JG 54. Three days later, Stotz claimed his last aerial victory on the Western Front over a Blenheim bomber south of Rotterdam. He was awarded the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe () on 20 September 1940.

On 29 March 1941, II./JG 54 was withdrawn from the English Channel and was ordered to Graz-Thalerhof. There the various squadrons were split up with 4. Staffel being subordinated to III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) and ordered to Deta in Romania. On 6 April, 4. Staffel flew combat missions in the Invasion of Yugoslavia. The next day, the Staffel flew combat air patrols on the Hungarian-Yugoslavian border. On 9 April, II./JG 54 was united again at Kecskemét, Hungary and returned to Deta on 11 April. The Gruppe was withdrawn from this theater on 19 April and ordered to an airfield at Zemun near Belgrade.

Operation Barbarossa

A map of Eastern Europe depicting the movement of military units and formations.

Map indicating Operation Barbarossa's attack plan

Following the surrender of the Royal Yugoslav Army on 17 April 1941, JG 54 received orders on 3 May 1941 to turn over all Bf 109-Es so they could receive the new Bf 109-F variant. Transition training was completed at Airfield Stolp-Reitz in Pomerania. Following intensive training, the Geschwader was moved to airfields in Eastern Prussia. II. Gruppe under command of Hauptmann Hrabak was moved to Trakehnen on 20 June 1941. The Wehrmacht launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, on 22 June with II. Gruppe supporting Army Group North in its strategic goal towards Leningrad.

On 25 June, II. Gruppe was moved to an airfield at Kowno and was tasked with providing fighter escort for Panzer Group 4 advancing towards the Düna river. The next day, Stotz claimed his first aerial victory in this theater of operations over a Tupolev SB-2 bomber in the vicinity of Ostrov.

Eastern Front

On 7 August 1942, Stotz flew one of ten Bf 109s escorting a formation of Junkers Ju 88 bombers from Kampfgeschwader 3 (KG 3—3rd Bomber Wing) attacking the Soviet 6th and 8th Tank Corps at Sychyovka when they were intercepted by eight Yakovlev Yak-1 fighters from 32 IAP (32nd Fighter Aviation Regiment). In this encounter, Stotz claimed two Yak-1s shot down. On 16 August 1942, Stotz for the first time encountered the unknown to him Lavochkin La-5 fighter aircraft from 49 IAP (49th Fighter Aviation Regiment). That day, he claimed two aerial victories which were misidentified and filed as a Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 and a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.

On 29 October 1942, Stotz was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 29th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. The next day, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves () for this achievement. He was the 137th member of the German armed forces to be so honored. The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler personally. On this account, he was also promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant), backdated to 1 October 1942. On 30 December 1942, Stotz claimed 10 aerial victories, bringing his total to 129. On 12 January 1943, Soviet forces launched Operation Iskra, also known as the second battle of Lake Ladoga, an operation which created a corridor into the besieged city Leningrad. Defending against this operation, Stotz claimed his 150th aerial victory on 26 January when he was credited with five Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 fighters and a single Yak-1 fighter shot down in the area of Mga and Shlisselburg.

Stotz was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 February 1943. On 21 February, Stotz flew as wingman of his Gruppenkommandeur (group commander), Major Hans Hahn. During this mission, Hahn's aircraft suffered engine failure resulting in a forced landing behind enemy lines. Hahn was captured and taken prisoner of war. Stotz was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel of JG 54 on 10 August 1943. He succeeded Leutnant Emil Lang who had temporarily led the Staffel after Oberleutnant Alfred Teumer had been transferred in July. Following aerial combat on 19 August 1943 with a large formation of Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters in the vicinity of Vitebsk, Stotz bailed out of his Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 550 201—factory) north of Kirov and went missing in action. He was last seen drifting down over Soviet held territory. Command of 5. Staffel was then again given to Leutnant Lang.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Stotz was credited with 189 aerial victories. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 182 aerial victory claims, plus one further unconfirmed claim. This number includes 174 on the Eastern Front and 8 on the Western Front.

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 28123". The Luftwaffe grid map () covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about . These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area in size.

Chronicle of aerial victories
This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Stotz an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.   This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim	Date	Time	Type	Location	Claim	Date	Time	Type	Location
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 76 – "Phoney War" — 1 September 1939 – 9 May 1940
1?Template:Refn	6 November 1939	—	Blenheim	Völklingen
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 76 – Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
2	14 May 1940	16:15	Battle	Sedan	6	3 June 1940	15:20	Curtiss	west of Épernay
3	14 May 1940	16:15	Battle	Sedan	7	6 June 1940	21:00	Curtiss	northwest of Amiens
4	19 May 1940	14:15	Potez 63		8	6 June 1940	21:00	Curtiss	northwest of Amiens
5	19 May 1940	18:30	M.S.405	west of Laon
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – At the Channel and over England — 26 June 1940 – 29 March 1941
9	8 July 1940?Template:Refn	14:10	Blenheim	south of Rotterdam
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941
10	26 June 1941	20:15	SB-2	vicinity of Ostrov	19	19 August 1941	18:00	I-16
11	8 July 1941	02:53	I-15	Ostrov	20	27 August 1941	05:55	I-18 (MiG-1)
12	23 July 1941	09:00	I-18 (MiG-1)		21	9 September 1941	10:10	I-18 (MiG-1)
13	11 August 1941	15:40	I-16		22	10 September 1941	12:45	I-18 (MiG-1)
14	13 August 1941	09:25	I-16		23	11 September 1941	10:45	I-18 (MiG-1)
15	13 August 1941	18:25	I-16		24	14 September 1941?Template:Refn	09:05	I-18 (MiG-1)
16	15 August 1941	14:35	I-18 (MiG-1)		25	14 September 1941	18:00	I-18 (MiG-1)
17	18 August 1941	10:50	DB-3		26	16 September 1941	07:15	I-18 (MiG-1)
18	18 August 1941	10:58	I-18 (MiG-1)		27	25 October 1941	15:55	I-16
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — 20 January – 30 April 1942
28	23 February 1942	15:18	I-18 (MiG-1)		38	1 April 1942	18:10	I-18 (MiG-1)
29	23 February 1942	15:20	I-18 (MiG-1)		39	1 April 1942	18:12	I-18 (MiG-1)
30	26 February 1942	12:30	Pe-2		40	16 April 1942	09:50	LaGG-3
31	12 March 1942	13:40	P-40		41	19 April 1942	06:40	LaGG-3
32	12 March 1942	13:42	I-16		42	19 April 1942	06:50	Yak-1
33	14 March 1942	17:44?Template:Refn	Il-2		43	19 April 1942	14:15	Yak-1
34	15 March 1942	11:10	I-18 (MiG-1)		44	21 April 1942	16:58	Yak-1
35	20 March 1942	14:30	I-16		45	30 April 1942	07:40	Yak-1
36	29 March 1942	16:50	I-18 (MiG-1)		46	30 April 1942	13:45	Yak-1
37	1 April 1942	10:25	P-40
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943
47	9 May 1942	15:50	Yak-1		99	26 October 1942	08:41	LaGG-3	PQ 28123 northwest of Demyansk
48	12 May 1942	08:45	LaGG-3		100	29 October 1942	07:28	LaGG-3	PQ 29792 north of Demyansk
49	15 May 1942	10:10	LaGG-3		101	3 December 1942	12:30	Yak-1	PQ 2814
50	29 May 1942	10:25	MiG-3		102♠	3 December 1942	07:25	Il-2	PQ 18234 east-southeast of Staraya Russa
51	4 June 1942	12:25	LaGG-3		103♠	3 December 1942	10:42?Template:Refn	La-5	PQ 18251 southeast of Staraya Russa
52	4 June 1942	12:27	LaGG-3		104♠	3 December 1942	10:45	La-5	PQ 18263 east-southeast of Staraya Russa
53	7 June 1942	08:10	Il-2		105♠	3 December 1942	13:50	La-5	PQ 28231 northwest of Demyansk
54	2 August 1942	16:20	I-16	PQ 00154 south of Leningrad	106♠	3 December 1942	13:58	Il-2	PQ 28124 northwest of Demyansk
55	4 August 1942	15:50	Yak-1	PQ 29781 north-northwest of Demyansk	107	6 December 1942	11:38	LaGG-3	PQ 18261 east-southeast of Staraya Russa
56	4 August 1942	15:51	Yak-1	PQ 29751 southwest of Arensburg	108	6 December 1942	12:23	LaGG-3?	PQ 29783 north of Demyansk
57	4 August 1942	15:53	Yak-1	PQ 29723 northeast of Staraya Russa	109	12 December 1942	13:52?Template:Refn	Il-2?	PQ 18234 north-northwest of Demyansk
58	7 August 1942	16:10	Yak-1	PQ 4626	110	12 December 1942	13:57	LaGG-3	PQ 28116 northwest of Demyansk
59	7 August 1942	16:12	Yak-1	PQ 4626	111	12 December 1942	13:58	LaGG-3	PQ 29773 east-northeast of Staraya Russa
60	9 August 1942	10:15	Pe-2	PQ 4786 east-southeast of Zubtsov	112	25 December 1942	10:41	P-39	PQ 28141 northwest of Demyansk
61	9 August 1942	10:17	Pe-2	PQ 4734 north-northwest of Rzhev	113	25 December 1942	10:43	P-39	PQ 28173 west-northwest of Demyansk
62	9 August 1942	10:18	LaGG-3	PQ 4787 south of Zubtsov	114	25 December 1942	10:45	P-39	PQ 18292 southeast of Staraya Russa
63	10 August 1942	13:40	LaGG-3?Template:Refn	PQ 47593 south of Staritsa	115♠	29 December 1942	09:17	LaGG-3	PQ 28342 west of Demyansk
64	10 August 1942	13:41	LaGG-3?	PQ 47523 west of Rzhev	116♠	29 December 1942	09:36?Template:Refn	LaGG-3	PQ 28133 northwest of Demyansk
65	10 August 1942	13:42	LaGG-3?	PQ 47533 north-northeast of Rzhev	117♠	29 December 1942	11:40	LaGG-3	PQ 29761 north of Demyansk
66	10 August 1942	14:15	Il-2	PQ 46254 northeast of Konaja	118♠	29 December 1942	11:45	LaGG-3	PQ 28112 northwest of Demyansk
67	11 August 1942	06:41?Template:Refn	LaGG-3	PQ 47842 south of Zubtsov	119♠	29 December 1942	11:47	LaGG-3	PQ 28112 northwest of Demyansk
68	11 August 1942	07:40	LaGG-3	PQ 47593 north of Rzhev	120♠	30 December 1942	08:50	LaGG-3	PQ 18262 east-southeast of Staraya Russa
69	11 August 1942	07:43	LaGG-3	PQ 47592 north of Rzhev	121♠	30 December 1942	08:51	LaGG-3	PQ 18161 northwest of Demyansk
70	16 August 1942	07:38	LaGG-3	west of Flolowskoje west of Grolovskoye	122♠	30 December 1942	08:52	LaGG-3	PQ 18133 northwest of Demyansk
71	16 August 1942	07:41	P-40	PQ 55874 southeast of Sukhinichi	123♠	30 December 1942	08:54	LaGG-3	PQ 28111 northwest of Demyansk
72	16 August 1942?Template:Refn	13:45	P-40	PQ 54162 south of Sukhinichi	124♠	30 December 1942	08:56	LaGG-3	PQ 29771 east-southeast of Staraya Russa
73	16 August 1942?	13:47	P-40	PQ 54134 south of Sukhinichi	125♠	30 December 1942	11:48?Template:Refn	LaGG-3	PQ 18261 southwest of Valday
74♠	22 August 1942	07:30	MiG-3	PQ 64172 vicinity of Belyov	126♠	30 December 1942	13:45	Il-2	PQ 28173 northwest of Demyansk
75♠	22 August 1942	07:35	MiG-3	PQ 64172 vicinity of Belyov	127♠	30 December 1942	13:47	LaGG-3	PQ 18261 east-southeast of Staraya Russa
76♠	22 August 1942	07:38	Pe-2	PQ 64174 vicinity of Belyov	128♠	30 December 1942	13:49	LaGG-3	PQ 28141 northwest of Demyansk
77♠	22 August 1942	15:40	Yak-1	PQ 64171 vicinity of Belyov	129♠	30 December 1942	13:55	LaGG-3	PQ 39582 east-northeast of Staraya Russa
78♠	22 August 1942	15:45	Yak-1	PQ 64143 north of Belyov	130	6 January 1943	07:50	P-40	PQ 28112 northwest of Demyansk
79	23 August 1942	07:00	Yak-1	PQ 54264 west-northwest of Belyov	131	6 January 1943	07:51	P-40	PQ 28113 northwest of Demyansk
80	23 August 1942	07:03	P-40	PQ 54262 west-northwest of Belyov	132	6 January 1943	07:52	LaGG-3	PQ 28121 northwest of Demyansk
81	23 August 1942	13:05	Yak-1	PQ 5442 southwest of Belyov	133	6 January 1943	07:53	LaGG-3	PQ 28121 northwest of Demyansk
82	23 August 1942	13:08	Yak-1	PQ 54284 west of Belyov	134♠	14 January 1943	10:35	La-5	PQ 10194 east of Mga
83	24 August 1942	16:35	Yak-1	PQ 54261 west-northwest of Belyov	135♠	14 January 1943	10:36	La-5	PQ 10193 east of Mga
84	27 August 1942	09:12?Template:Refn	Yak-1	PQ 47593 north of Rzhev	136♠	14 January 1943	10:37	La-5	PQ 10193 east of Mga
85	1 September 1942	07:24	LaGG-3	PQ 10164, Putilowo	137♠	14 January 1943	10:38	La-5	PQ 10192 east of Mga
86	15 September 1942	11:12	Yak-1	PQ 28114 northwest of Demyansk	138♠	14 January 1943	12:10	La-5	PQ 10241 east-southeast of Mga
87	15 September 1942	11:13	Yak-1	PQ 28121 northwest of Demyansk	139♠	14 January 1943	12:11	La-5	PQ 10253 west-southwest of Shlisselburg
88	22 September 1942	13:25	LaGG-3	PQ 28153 north of Demyansk	140♠	14 January 1943	12:12	La-5	PQ 10194 east of Mga
89	22 September 1942	14:00?Template:Refn	P-40	PQ 29293	141	15 January 1943	11:15	Yak-1	PQ 00234 west of Shlisselburg
90	25 September 1942	17:50	P-40	PQ 28221 north-northeast of Demyansk	142	25 January 1943	09:44	La-5	PQ 10152 southeast of Shlisselburg
91	4 October 1942	13:55	LaGG-3	PQ 3875	143	25 January 1943	09:45	La-5	PQ 10148 south of Shlisselburg
92	5 October 1942	07:00?Template:Refn	LaGG-3	PQ 3859	144	25 January 1943	09:48	LaGG-3	PQ 10161 southeast of Shlisselburg
93	5 October 1942	07:45	LaGG-3	PQ 3864	145♠	26 January 1943	10:57	LaGG-3	PQ 10112 vicinity of Shlisselburg
94	6 October 1942	12:35	LaGG-3	PQ 38551 north-northeast of Ostashkov	146♠	26 January 1943	10:59	Yak-1	PQ 10151 southeast of Shlisselburg
95	6 October 1942	13:00	Yak-1	PQ 38632 west-southwest of Vyshny Volochyok	147♠	26 January 1943	11:25	LaGG-3	PQ 10171 Mga
96	7 October 1942	10:12	Yak-1	PQ 3853	148♠	26 January 1943	14:00	LaGG-3	PQ 11773 Lake Ladoga
96?Template:Refn	21 October 1942	13:28	Il-2	north of Staraya Russa	149♠	26 January 1943	14:01?Template:Refn	LaGG-3	PQ 10111 vicinity of Shlisselburg
97	23 October 1942	16:25	LaGG-3	PQ 28211 north-northeast of Demyansk	150♠	26 January 1943	14:05	LaGG-3	PQ 11773 Lake Ladoga
98	26 October 1942	08:36	LaGG-3	PQ 28131 north of Demyansk	151	27 January 1943	10:42	LaGG-3	PQ 10712 south of Lyuban
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — February 1943
152	9 February 1943	10:10	La-5	PQ 36 Ost 10161 southeast of Shlisselburg	157	11 February 1943	10:06	P-40	PQ 36 Ost 00273 northeast of Pushkin
153	9 February 1943	10:12	La-5	PQ 36 Ost 10123 east of Shlisselburg	158	19 February 1943	11:52	Il-2	PQ 35 Ost 28354 west of Demyansk
154	9 February 1943	13:12	P-40	PQ 36 Ost 00421 Pushkin-Mga	159	19 February 1943	11:54	Il-2	PQ 35 Ost 28441 east of Demyansk
155	11 February 1943	09:51?Template:Refn	P-40	PQ 36 Ost 00281 west of Mga	160	21 February 1943	09:11	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 18464 west of Demyansk
156	11 February 1943	09:54	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 00282 west of Mga	161	21 February 1943	09:12	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 18463 west of Demyansk
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – Eastern Front — May – 19 August 1943
162	21 May 1943	15:27	I-153	PQ 35 Ost 21883	173	5 June 1943	11:50	Yak-7	PQ 36 Ost 10333 east-southeast of Mga
163	21 May 1943	19:07	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 20231	174	5 June 1943	11:51	Yak-7	PQ 36 Ost 10411 east-southeast of Mga
164	22 May 1943	11:01	La-5	PQ 36 Ost 10414 east-southeast of Mga	175	21 June 1943	10:20	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 10142 south of Shlisselburg
165	22 May 1943	11:07	La-5	PQ 36 Ost 10442 southeast of Mga	176	21 June 1943	10:22	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 10113 vicinity of Shlisselburg
166	26 May 1943	19:50	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 10123 east of Shlisselburg	177	9 August 1943	16:00	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 54583 northeast of Karachev
167	26 May 1943	19:52	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 10152 southeast of Shlisselburg	178	11 August 1943	18:35	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 45751 northwest of Kirov
168	26 May 1943	19:55	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 10142 south of Shlisselburg	179	12 August 1943	07:53	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 45754 west of Kirov
169	30 May 1943	20:00	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 11892 northeast of Leningrad	180	12 August 1943	07:56	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 45753 north of Kirov
170	30 May 1943	20:01	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 11892 northwest of Shlisselburg	181	15 August 1943	16:04	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 44693 north-northwest of Karachev
171	30 May 1943	20:25	P-40	PQ 36 Ost 10161 southeast of Shlisselburg	182	15 August 1943	16:05	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 44694 north-northwest of Karachev
172	1 June 1943	16:05	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 20121 west of Volkhov

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (5 November 1939)
  • 1st Class (1 June 1940)
• Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) (28 September 1940)
• German Cross in Gold on 1 December 1941 as Oberfeldwebel in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 54
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 19 June 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54
  • 137th Oak Leaves on 30 October 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54

See also

• List of people who disappeared