Max Stotz
Max Stotz | |
---|---|
Born | Mannswörth, Lower Austria, Austria-Hungary | 13 February 1912
Died | 19 August 1943MIA) Last seen near Kirov, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union | (aged 31) (
Allegiance | First Austrian Republic (1933–1934) Federal State of Austria (1934–1938) Nazi Germany (1938–1943) |
Service | Austrian Armed Forces (1933–1938) Luftwaffe (1938–1943) |
Years of service | 1933–1943 |
Rank | Hauptmann (Captain) |
Unit | JG 76, JG 54 |
Commands | 5./JG 54 |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
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.[1]
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
[edit]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.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2][3]
World War II
[edit]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.[4] On 5 November, Stotz received the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse).[5] The next day, he claimed his first aerial victory over a Royal Air Force (RAF) Bristol Blenheim bomber near Völklingen.[6] 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.[4]
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.[7] In this action, Stotz claimed two Fairey Battle light bombers shot down over the Sedan combat area.[8] Following the German advance into France, I. Gruppe was moved to a airfields at Bastogne and Nives on 15 May.[7] On 19 May, Stotz claimed a Potez 63 and a Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 west of Laon.[9] This earned him the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse), awarded to him on 1 June 1940.[5] On 21 May, I. Gruppe moved to Charleville from where the unit flew missions in the Battle of Dunkirk.[7] 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.[10] That day, Stotz claimed the destruction of a Curtiss P-36 Hawk fighter west of Épernay.[9] Three days later, he claimed two further Curtiss fighters northwest of Amiens.[11] 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.[12]
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.[13] Three days later, Stotz claimed his last aerial victory on the Western Front over a Blenheim bomber south of Rotterdam.[14] He was awarded the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 20 September 1940.[5]
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.[15]
Operation Barbarossa
[edit]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.[16] 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.[17]
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.[17] 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.[18]
Eastern Front
[edit]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. [19] 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.[20]
On 29 October 1942, Stotz was credited with his 100th aerial victory.[21] He was the 29th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[22] The next day, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) for this achievement.[23] 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.[24] On 30 December 1942, Stotz claimed 10 aerial victories, bringing his total to 129.[25] 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.[26]
Stotz was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 February 1943.[27] 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.[28] 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.[29] 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) 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) north of Kirov and went missing in action. He was last seen drifting down over Soviet held territory.[30][31] Command of 5. Staffel was then again given to Leutnant Lang.[29]
Summary of career
[edit]Aerial victory claims
[edit]According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Stotz was credited with 189 aerial victories.[32] 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.[33]
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 28123". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) 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 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[34]
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 –[18] "Phoney War" — 1 September 1939 – 9 May 1940 | |||||||||||||
1?[Note 1] | 6 November 1939 | —
|
Blenheim | Völklingen[6] | |||||||||
– 1. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 76 –[18] Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940 | |||||||||||||
2 | 14 May 1940 | 16:15 | Battle | Sedan[8] | 6 | 3 June 1940 | 15:20 | Curtiss | west of Épernay[9] | ||||
3 | 14 May 1940 | 16:15 | Battle | Sedan[8] | 7 | 6 June 1940 | 21:00 | Curtiss | northwest of Amiens[11] | ||||
4 | 19 May 1940 | 14:15 | Potez 63[9] | 8 | 6 June 1940 | 21:00 | Curtiss | northwest of Amiens[11] | |||||
5 | 19 May 1940 | 18:30 | M.S.405 | west of Laon[9] | |||||||||
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[18] At the Channel and over England — 26 June 1940 – 29 March 1941 | |||||||||||||
9 | 8 July 1940?[Note 2] | 14:10 | Blenheim | south of Rotterdam[14] | |||||||||
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[18] Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941 | |||||||||||||
10 | 26 June 1941 | 20:15 | SB-2[35] | vicinity of Ostrov | 19 | 19 August 1941 | 18:00 | I-16[36] | |||||
11 | 8 July 1941 | 02:53 | I-15 | Ostrov[37] | 20 | 27 August 1941 | 05:55 | I-18 (MiG-1)[38] | |||||
12 | 23 July 1941 | 09:00 | I-18 (MiG-1)[39] | 21 | 9 September 1941 | 10:10 | I-18 (MiG-1)[38] | ||||||
13 | 11 August 1941 | 15:40 | I-16[40] | 22 | 10 September 1941 | 12:45 | I-18 (MiG-1)[38] | ||||||
14 | 13 August 1941 | 09:25 | I-16[36] | 23 | 11 September 1941 | 10:45 | I-18 (MiG-1)[38] | ||||||
15 | 13 August 1941 | 18:25 | I-16[36] | 24 | 14 September 1941?[Note 3] | 09:05 | I-18 (MiG-1)[38] | ||||||
16 | 15 August 1941 | 14:35 | I-18 (MiG-1)[36] | 25 | 14 September 1941 | 18:00 | I-18 (MiG-1)[38] | ||||||
17 | 18 August 1941 | 10:50 | DB-3[36] | 26 | 16 September 1941 | 07:15 | I-18 (MiG-1)[38] | ||||||
18 | 18 August 1941 | 10:58 | I-18 (MiG-1)[36] | 27 | 25 October 1941 | 15:55 | I-16[41] | ||||||
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[18] Eastern Front — 20 January – 30 April 1942 | |||||||||||||
28 | 23 February 1942 | 15:18 | I-18 (MiG-1)[42] | 38 | 1 April 1942 | 18:10 | I-18 (MiG-1)[43] | ||||||
29 | 23 February 1942 | 15:20 | I-18 (MiG-1)[42] | 39 | 1 April 1942 | 18:12 | I-18 (MiG-1)[43] | ||||||
30 | 26 February 1942 | 12:30 | Pe-2[42] | 40 | 16 April 1942 | 09:50 | LaGG-3[44] | ||||||
31 | 12 March 1942 | 13:40 | P-40[42] | 41 | 19 April 1942 | 06:40 | LaGG-3[44] | ||||||
32 | 12 March 1942 | 13:42 | I-16[42] | 42 | 19 April 1942 | 06:50 | Yak-1[44] | ||||||
33 | 14 March 1942 | 17:44?[Note 4] | Il-2[42] | 43 | 19 April 1942 | 14:15 | Yak-1[44] | ||||||
34 | 15 March 1942 | 11:10 | I-18 (MiG-1)[42] | 44 | 21 April 1942 | 16:58 | Yak-1[44] | ||||||
35 | 20 March 1942 | 14:30 | I-16[42] | 45 | 30 April 1942 | 07:40 | Yak-1[45] | ||||||
36 | 29 March 1942 | 16:50 | I-18 (MiG-1)[43] | 46 | 30 April 1942 | 13:45 | Yak-1[45] | ||||||
37 | 1 April 1942 | 10:25 | P-40[43] | ||||||||||
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[46] Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943 | |||||||||||||
47 | 9 May 1942 | 15:50 | Yak-1[47] | 99 | 26 October 1942 | 08:41 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28123[48] 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Demyansk | |||||
48 | 12 May 1942 | 08:45 | LaGG-3[47] | 100 | 29 October 1942 | 07:28 | LaGG-3 | PQ 29792[49] 45 km (28 mi) north of Demyansk | |||||
49 | 15 May 1942 | 10:10 | LaGG-3[47] | 101 | 3 December 1942 | 12:30 | Yak-1 | PQ 2814[49] | |||||
50 | 29 May 1942 | 10:25 | MiG-3[50] | 102♠ | 3 December 1942 | 07:25 | Il-2 | PQ 18234[49] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa | |||||
51 | 4 June 1942 | 12:25 | LaGG-3[50] | 103♠ | 3 December 1942 | 10:42?[Note 5] | La-5 | PQ 18251[49] 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Staraya Russa | |||||
52 | 4 June 1942 | 12:27 | LaGG-3[50] | 104♠ | 3 December 1942 | 10:45 | La-5 | PQ 18263[49] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa | |||||
53 | 7 June 1942 | 08:10 | Il-2[50] | 105♠ | 3 December 1942 | 13:50 | La-5 | PQ 28231[49] 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Demyansk | |||||
54 | 2 August 1942 | 16:20 | I-16 | PQ 00154[52] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Leningrad |
106♠ | 3 December 1942 | 13:58 | Il-2 | PQ 28124[49] 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
55 | 4 August 1942 | 15:50 | Yak-1 | PQ 29781[52] 45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Demyansk |
107 | 6 December 1942 | 11:38 | LaGG-3 | PQ 18261[49] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa | ||||
56 | 4 August 1942 | 15:51 | Yak-1 | PQ 29751[52] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Arensburg |
108 | 6 December 1942 | 12:23 | LaGG-3?[Note 6] | PQ 29783[49] 55 km (34 mi) north of Demyansk | ||||
57 | 4 August 1942 | 15:53 | Yak-1 | PQ 29723[52] 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Staraya Russa |
109 | 12 December 1942 | 13:52?[Note 7] | Il-2?[Note 7] | PQ 18234[49] 45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Demyansk | ||||
58 | 7 August 1942 | 16:10 | Yak-1 | PQ 4626[52] | 110 | 12 December 1942 | 13:57 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28116[49] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
59 | 7 August 1942 | 16:12 | Yak-1 | PQ 4626[52] | 111 | 12 December 1942 | 13:58 | LaGG-3 | PQ 29773[49] 40 km (25 mi) east-northeast of Staraya Russa | ||||
60 | 9 August 1942 | 10:15 | Pe-2 | PQ 4786[52] 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Zubtsov |
112 | 25 December 1942 | 10:41 | P-39 | PQ 28141[53] 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
61 | 9 August 1942 | 10:17 | Pe-2 | PQ 4734[52] 45 km (28 mi) north-northwest of Rzhev |
113 | 25 December 1942 | 10:43 | P-39 | PQ 28173[53] 25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Demyansk | ||||
62 | 9 August 1942 | 10:18 | LaGG-3 | PQ 4787[52] 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Zubtsov |
114 | 25 December 1942 | 10:45 | P-39 | PQ 18292[53] 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Staraya Russa | ||||
63 | 10 August 1942 | 13:40 | LaGG-3?[Note 6] | PQ 47593[55] 20 km (12 mi) south of Staritsa |
115♠ | 29 December 1942 | 09:17 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28342[53] 20 km (12 mi) west of Demyansk | ||||
64 | 10 August 1942 | 13:41 | LaGG-3?[Note 6] | PQ 47523[55] 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Rzhev |
116♠ | 29 December 1942 | 09:36?[Note 8] | LaGG-3 | PQ 28133[53] 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
65 | 10 August 1942 | 13:42 | LaGG-3?[Note 6] | PQ 47533[55] 15 km (9.3 mi) north-northeast of Rzhev |
117♠ | 29 December 1942 | 11:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 29761[53] 55 km (34 mi) north of Demyansk | ||||
66 | 10 August 1942 | 14:15 | Il-2 | PQ 46254[55] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Konaja |
118♠ | 29 December 1942 | 11:45 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28112[53] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
67 | 11 August 1942 | 06:41?[Note 9] | LaGG-3 | PQ 47842[55] 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Zubtsov |
119♠ | 29 December 1942 | 11:47 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28112[53] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
68 | 11 August 1942 | 07:40 | LaGG-3 | PQ 47593[55] north of Rzhev |
120♠ | 30 December 1942 | 08:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 18262[53] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa | ||||
69 | 11 August 1942 | 07:43 | LaGG-3 | PQ 47592[55] north of Rzhev |
121♠ | 30 December 1942 | 08:51 | LaGG-3 | PQ 18161[53] 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
70 | 16 August 1942 | 07:38 | LaGG-3 | west of Flolowskoje[57] west of Grolovskoye |
122♠ | 30 December 1942 | 08:52 | LaGG-3 | PQ 18133[53] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
71 | 16 August 1942 | 07:41 | P-40 | PQ 55874[57] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Sukhinichi |
123♠ | 30 December 1942 | 08:54 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28111[53] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
72 | 16 August 1942?[Note 10] | 13:45 | P-40 | PQ 54162[57] 25 km (16 mi) south of Sukhinichi |
124♠ | 30 December 1942 | 08:56 | LaGG-3 | PQ 29771[53] 40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa | ||||
73 | 16 August 1942?[Note 10] | 13:47 | P-40 | PQ 54134[57] 20 km (12 mi) south of Sukhinichi |
125♠ | 30 December 1942 | 11:48?[Note 11] | LaGG-3 | PQ 18261[58] 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Valday | ||||
74♠ | 22 August 1942 | 07:30 | MiG-3 | PQ 64172[57] vicinity of Belyov |
126♠ | 30 December 1942 | 13:45 | Il-2 | PQ 28173[58] 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
75♠ | 22 August 1942 | 07:35 | MiG-3 | PQ 64172[57] vicinity of Belyov |
127♠ | 30 December 1942 | 13:47 | LaGG-3 | PQ 18261[58] 30 km (19 mi) east-southeast of Staraya Russa | ||||
76♠ | 22 August 1942 | 07:38 | Pe-2 | PQ 64174[57] vicinity of Belyov |
128♠ | 30 December 1942 | 13:49 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28141[58] 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
77♠ | 22 August 1942 | 15:40 | Yak-1 | PQ 64171[59] vicinity of Belyov |
129♠ | 30 December 1942 | 13:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 39582[58] 60 km (37 mi) east-northeast of Staraya Russa | ||||
78♠ | 22 August 1942 | 15:45 | Yak-1 | PQ 64143[59] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Belyov |
130 | 6 January 1943 | 07:50 | P-40 | PQ 28112[58] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
79 | 23 August 1942 | 07:00 | Yak-1 | PQ 54264[59] 15 km (9.3 mi) west-northwest of Belyov |
131 | 6 January 1943 | 07:51 | P-40 | PQ 28113[58] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
80 | 23 August 1942 | 07:03 | P-40 | PQ 54262[59] 15 km (9.3 mi) west-northwest of Belyov |
132 | 6 January 1943 | 07:52 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28121[58] 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
81 | 23 August 1942 | 13:05 | Yak-1 | PQ 5442[59] 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Belyov |
133 | 6 January 1943 | 07:53 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28121[58] 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Demyansk | ||||
82 | 23 August 1942 | 13:08 | Yak-1 | PQ 54284[59] 25 km (16 mi) west of Belyov |
134♠ | 14 January 1943 | 10:35 | La-5 | PQ 10194[58] east of Mga | ||||
83 | 24 August 1942 | 16:35 | Yak-1 | PQ 54261[59] 15 km (9.3 mi) west-northwest of Belyov |
135♠ | 14 January 1943 | 10:36 | La-5 | PQ 10193[58] east of Mga | ||||
84 | 27 August 1942 | 09:12?[Note 12] | Yak-1 | PQ 47593[60] north of Rzhev |
136♠ | 14 January 1943 | 10:37 | La-5 | PQ 10193[61] east of Mga | ||||
85 | 1 September 1942 | 07:24 | LaGG-3 | PQ 10164, Putilowo[60] | 137♠ | 14 January 1943 | 10:38 | La-5 | PQ 10192[61] east of Mga | ||||
86 | 15 September 1942 | 11:12 | Yak-1 | PQ 28114[62] 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Demyansk |
138♠ | 14 January 1943 | 12:10 | La-5 | PQ 10241[61] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Mga | ||||
87 | 15 September 1942 | 11:13 | Yak-1 | PQ 28121[62] 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Demyansk |
139♠ | 14 January 1943 | 12:11 | La-5 | PQ 10253[61] 30 km (19 mi) west-southwest of Shlisselburg | ||||
88 | 22 September 1942 | 13:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28153[62] 25 km (16 mi) north of Demyansk |
140♠ | 14 January 1943 | 12:12 | La-5 | PQ 10194[61] east of Mga | ||||
89 | 22 September 1942 | 14:00?[Note 13] | P-40 | PQ 29293[62] | 141 | 15 January 1943 | 11:15 | Yak-1 | PQ 00234[61] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Shlisselburg | ||||
90 | 25 September 1942 | 17:50 | P-40 | PQ 28221[62] 30 km (19 mi) north-northeast of Demyansk |
142 | 25 January 1943 | 09:44 | La-5 | PQ 10152[61] southeast of Shlisselburg | ||||
91 | 4 October 1942 | 13:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 3875[48] | 143 | 25 January 1943 | 09:45 | La-5 | PQ 10148[61] south of Shlisselburg | ||||
92 | 5 October 1942 | 07:00?[Note 14] | LaGG-3 | PQ 3859[48] | 144 | 25 January 1943 | 09:48 | LaGG-3 | PQ 10161[61] southeast of Shlisselburg | ||||
93 | 5 October 1942 | 07:45 | LaGG-3 | PQ 3864[48] | 145♠ | 26 January 1943 | 10:57 | LaGG-3 | PQ 10112[61] vicinity of Shlisselburg | ||||
94 | 6 October 1942 | 12:35 | LaGG-3 | PQ 38551[48] 25 km (16 mi) north-northeast of Ostashkov |
146♠ | 26 January 1943 | 10:59 | Yak-1 | PQ 10151[61] southeast of Shlisselburg | ||||
95 | 6 October 1942 | 13:00 | Yak-1 | PQ 38632[48] 40 km (25 mi) west-southwest of Vyshny Volochyok |
147♠ | 26 January 1943 | 11:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 10171[61] Mga | ||||
96 | 7 October 1942 | 10:12 | Yak-1 | PQ 3853[48] | 148♠ | 26 January 1943 | 14:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 11773[61] Lake Ladoga | ||||
96?[Note 15] | 21 October 1942 | 13:28 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Staraya Russa | 149♠ | 26 January 1943 | 14:01?[Note 16] | LaGG-3 | PQ 10111[61] vicinity of Shlisselburg | ||||
97 | 23 October 1942 | 16:25 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28211[48] 30 km (19 mi) north-northeast of Demyansk |
150♠ | 26 January 1943 | 14:05 | LaGG-3 | PQ 11773[61] Lake Ladoga | ||||
98 | 26 October 1942 | 08:36 | LaGG-3 | PQ 28131[48] 30 km (19 mi) north of Demyansk |
151 | 27 January 1943 | 10:42 | LaGG-3 | PQ 10712[61] 25 km (16 mi) south of Lyuban | ||||
– 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[63] Eastern Front — February 1943 | |||||||||||||
152 | 9 February 1943 | 10:10 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 10161[64] southeast of Shlisselburg |
157 | 11 February 1943 | 10:06 | P-40 | PQ 36 Ost 00273[64] 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Pushkin | ||||
153 | 9 February 1943 | 10:12 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 10123[64] east of Shlisselburg |
158 | 19 February 1943 | 11:52 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 28354[65] 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Demyansk | ||||
154 | 9 February 1943 | 13:12 | P-40 | PQ 36 Ost 00421[64] Pushkin-Mga |
159 | 19 February 1943 | 11:54 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 28441[65] 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Demyansk | ||||
155 | 11 February 1943 | 09:51?[Note 17] | P-40 | PQ 36 Ost 00281[64] 20 km (12 mi) west of Mga |
160 | 21 February 1943 | 09:11 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 18464[65] 30 km (19 mi) west of Demyansk | ||||
156 | 11 February 1943 | 09:54 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 00282[64] 20 km (12 mi) west of Mga |
161 | 21 February 1943 | 09:12 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 18463[65] 30 km (19 mi) west of Demyansk | ||||
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[66] Eastern Front — May – 19 August 1943 | |||||||||||||
162 | 21 May 1943 | 15:27 | I-153 | PQ 35 Ost 21883[67] | 173 | 5 June 1943 | 11:50 | Yak-7 | PQ 36 Ost 10333[67] 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Mga | ||||
163 | 21 May 1943 | 19:07 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 20231[67] | 174 | 5 June 1943 | 11:51 | Yak-7 | PQ 36 Ost 10411[67] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Mga | ||||
164 | 22 May 1943 | 11:01 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 10414[67] 25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Mga |
175 | 21 June 1943 | 10:20 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 10142[68] south of Shlisselburg | ||||
165 | 22 May 1943 | 11:07 | La-5 | PQ 36 Ost 10442[67] 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Mga |
176 | 21 June 1943 | 10:22 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 10113[68] vicinity of Shlisselburg | ||||
166 | 26 May 1943 | 19:50 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 10123[67] east of Shlisselburg |
177 | 9 August 1943 | 16:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 54583[69] 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Karachev | ||||
167 | 26 May 1943 | 19:52 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 10152[67] southeast of Shlisselburg |
178 | 11 August 1943 | 18:35 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 45751[70] 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Kirov | ||||
168 | 26 May 1943 | 19:55 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 10142[67] south of Shlisselburg |
179 | 12 August 1943 | 07:53 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 45754[70] 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Kirov | ||||
169 | 30 May 1943 | 20:00 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 11892[67] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Leningrad |
180 | 12 August 1943 | 07:56 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 45753[70] 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Kirov | ||||
170 | 30 May 1943 | 20:01 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 11892[67] 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Shlisselburg |
181 | 15 August 1943 | 16:04 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 44693[70] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Karachev | ||||
171 | 30 May 1943 | 20:25 | P-40 | PQ 36 Ost 10161[67] southeast of Shlisselburg |
182 | 15 August 1943 | 16:05 | LaGG-3 | PQ 35 Ost 44694[70] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Karachev | ||||
172 | 1 June 1943 | 16:05 | LaGG-3 | PQ 36 Ost 20121[67] west of Volkhov |
Awards
[edit]- Iron Cross (1939)
- Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) (28 September 1940)[71]
- German Cross in Gold on 1 December 1941 as Oberfeldwebel in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 54[72]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[18]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed on 20 July 1940.[18]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed on 12 September 1941.[18]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 17:40.[18]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:43.[51]
- ^ a b c d According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Lavochkin La-5.[54]
- ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:00 as a Lavochkin La-5.[51]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:30.[51]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 06:40.[56]
- ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman claimed on 19 August 1942.[56]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:40.[51]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:17.[56]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:08.[56]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:05.[56]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is listed as Stotz's 96th aerial victory.[56] However, Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock do not list this claim.[48]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:03.[51]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:15.[51]
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ Spick 1996, p. 228.
- ^ a b c Stockert 2012, p. 121.
- ^ Prien et al. 2001a, p. 439.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2001a, p. 438.
- ^ a b c Stockert 2012, p. 122.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2001a, p. 443.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2001b, p. 370.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2001b, p. 376.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2001b, p. 377.
- ^ Prien et al. 2001b, p. 372.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2001b, p. 378.
- ^ Prien et al. 2001b, p. 373.
- ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 304.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2002, p. 313.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003a, p. 313.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003b, pp. 212, 222.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2003b, p. 212.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1276.
- ^ Bergström et al. 2006, p. 115.
- ^ Bergström et al. 2006, p. 119.
- ^ Bergström et al. 2006, p. 210.
- ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 244.
- ^ Page 2020, p. 24.
- ^ Stockert 2012, p. 123.
- ^ Weal 2001, p. 62.
- ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 138, 158.
- ^ Stockert 2012, p. 124.
- ^ Crandall 2002, pp. 105–110.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 264.
- ^ Weal 2001, p. 100.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 285.
- ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 329.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1276–1279.
- ^ Planquadrat.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 228.
- ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2003b, p. 235.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 232.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2003b, p. 237.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 233.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 234.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003b, p. 239.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2005, p. 222.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2005, p. 223.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2005, p. 224.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2005, p. 225.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1276–1278.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 144.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2006, p. 154.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Prien et al. 2006, p. 155.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2006, p. 145.
- ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1278.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2006, p. 147.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Prien et al. 2006, p. 156.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1277–1278.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2006, p. 148.
- ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1277.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2006, p. 149.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2006, p. 157.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2006, p. 150.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 151.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Prien et al. 2006, p. 158.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2006, p. 152.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1278–1279.
- ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 268.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 269.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1279.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 272.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2012, p. 275.
- ^ a b c Thomas 1998, p. 355.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 463.
- ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 728.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 413.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 62.
Bibliography
[edit]- Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Dikov, Andrey; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2006). Black Cross / Red Star Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume 3, Everything for Stalingrad. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9761034-4-8.
- Crandall, Jerry (2002). Major Hans "Assi" Hahn—The Man and his Machines. Hamilton, MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-0-9.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-21-9.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
- Page, Neil (2020). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1943–45. Philadelphia, PA: Casemate Publishers. ISBN 978-1-61200-879-0.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 2—Der "Sitzkrieg"—1.9.1939 bis 9.5.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 2—The "Phoney War"—1 September 1939 to 9 May 1940] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-59-5.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940 [Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-61-8.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-64-9.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/II—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/II—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-70-0.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2005). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6.12.1941 bis 30.4.1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-76-2.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/III—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/III—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-78-6.
- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-07-9.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
- Stockert, Peter (2012) [1997]. Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2] (in German) (4th ed.). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. ISBN 978-3-9802222-9-7.
- Thomas, Franz (1998). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2: L–Z [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2: L–Z] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2300-9.
- Weal, John (2001). Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 6. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-286-9.
- Zabecki, David T., ed. (2019). The German War Machine in World War II. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1-44-086918-1.
- 1912 births
- 1940s missing person cases
- 1943 deaths
- Aerial disappearances of military personnel in action
- Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II
- German World War II flying aces
- Luftwaffe pilots
- Missing in action of World War II
- People from Schwechat
- Recipients of the Gold German Cross
- Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves