Wilhelm Batz
German World War II fighter pilot / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Wilhelm Batz (21 May 1916 – 11 September 1988) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more aircraft during aerial combat.[1] Batz flew 445 combat missions and claimed 237 aircraft shot down; 234 victories were achieved over the Eastern Front, including at least 46 Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft. Batz claimed three victories, including one four-engine bomber against the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) over the Ploieşti oil fields. Following the war, he served in the German Air Force of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Wilhelm Batz | |
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Born | (1916-05-21)21 May 1916 Bamberg |
Died | 11 September 1988(1988-09-11) (aged 72) Ebern in Unterfranken |
Buried | |
Allegiance | |
Service/ | |
Years of service |
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Rank |
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Unit | Flugzeugführerschule "S" |
Commands held | |
Battles/wars | See battles |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Born in Bamberg, joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 and completed his flight training in 1939. Batz then served as a flight instructor before he was trained as fighter pilot. In February 1943, Batz was transferred to II. Gruppe (2nd Group) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) which was on the Eastern Front. Batz claimed his first aerial victory on 11 March 1943. Following the claiming of 100 aerial victories, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944. He was given command of III. Gruppe of JG 52 in April 1944 and command of II. Gruppe of JG 52 in February 1945. Batz was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords in April 1945. After the war, Batz joined the Air Force of the Bundeswehr, commanding Lufttransportgeschwader 63 (LTG 63–Air Transport Wing 63). He retired in 1972 and died on 11 September 1988 in Ebern in Unterfranken.