Franz Schall
Encyclopedia
Franz Schall was a German
World War II
fighter ace
and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator
credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft
during aerial combat.
. He got his first victory, a La-5 fighter on 6 May. His victories continued steadily through 1943, as his Gruppe supported the southern attack of the Kursk offensive, then fought intense air battles over the Kuban bridgehead on the Black Sea coast. By the end of the year he had 26 victories to his credit. This carried into 1944, with his 40th on 19 April, 50th on 17 May and 60th on 4 June.
On 11 August, he was appointed the Staffelkäpitan (squadron leader) of 3./52 which led to his most prolific period in the war with a number of multiple victories in a day: 3 on 12 August (74-76), 3 more on the 24th (79-81), 11 on the 26th (83-93) including six Il-2s and a hefty 13 on the last day of August to bring up his century (97-109) including eleven Il-2s. It was not all one-sided however, and during this period he was himself shot down four times, including a forced landing behind enemy lines. By now his unit had retreated out of Russia and was based in Krakow
in southern Poland.
At the beginning of September 1944, with his score at 116, he was transferred to the new Eprobungskommando Nowotny, named after its commander, Walter Nowotny, at that time the top fighter pilot in the world with 255 victories. This was a test-unit set up to devise and evaluate combat tactics for the brand new jet fighter - the Me262. Such an advanced machine was plagued with problems and in the first month of test-flying nearly half the unit's aircraft were damaged or destroyed in accidents. On 2 October, on only their second operational mission, StaKa and Ritterkreuzträger Fred Teumer was killed when an engine flamed out as he was trying to land. Lt Schall was chosen to replace him as commander of 2 Staffel. Also, on 10 October, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz with his tally then at 117 victories.
On 8 November 1944, Fighter General Adolf Galland
was visiting to see progress with the unit. But only four aircraft were able to take to the air. However Schall was able to shoot down three United States Army Air Forces
(USAAF) P-51 Mustang
s escorting USAAF bombers but then suffered a flameout
of both engines. While attempting to glide back to his base at Hesepe, he was intercepted by a P-51, probably piloted by 1st Lt. James W. Kenney of the 357th Fighter Group
, which badly damaged Schall's Me 262 A-1a
(Werknummer 110 404—factory number) "White 7". Schall managed to bail out only to see his aircraft explode. It was far worse though for the unit Kommodore Maj Nowotny, in almost identical circumstances, was bounced by Mustangs after another engine flameout. Witnesses saw his burning aircraft plummet straight into the ground just east of their Hesepe airfield, killing Nowotny instantly.,
Within a fortnight the unit had been disbanded, and absorbed into the newly formed JG7, the world’s first operational jet fighter unit, and Hauptmann Franz Schall, now with 122 victories, was commander of 10./JG7, based at Oranienburg
. He continued to score regularly in the Me262, eventually ending with at least 14 confirmed jet victories (there were probably more victories, but they remain unconfirmed amidst the chaotic records of the last days of the war), making him the 3rd highest scorer of jet victories
in the war. On 22 March 1945, he shot down a Yak-9, probably the one flown by L.I. Sivko from 812.IAP, one of the first Soviet pilots to shoot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
On 10 April 1945, Schall shot down a P-51 Mustang
, for his final victory, but then attempted an emergency landing at Parchim
. His aircraft rolled into a bomb crater and exploded, killing him instantly.
Reports vary that Franz Schall was credited with either 133 or 137 victories in 550 missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern front
, including 61 Il-2 Stormoviks
. All 14 (or 16) of his victories claimed over the Western front
were gained flying the Me 262
jet fighter
and included six four-engine bombers and 10 P-51 fighters.For a list of Luftwaffe Jet aces see List of German World War II Jet aces
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator
Military aviation
Military aviation is the use of aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare, including national airlift capacity to provide logistical supply to forces stationed in a theater or along a front. Air power includes the national means of conducting such...
credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
during aerial combat.
Career
Following the Austrian Anschluss in 1938, Franz volunteered for the Luftwaffe and initially served in a FlaK battery. In September 1941, he transferred and started training as a pilot. On completing his flight training in February 1943, Leutnant Schall was transferred to the Eastern Front and assigned to 3./52: the 3rd Staffel (squadron) of Jagdgeschwader (Fighter Wing) 52 which was at that time based at the city of KurskKursk
Kursk is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Kur, Tuskar, and Seym Rivers. The area around Kursk was site of a turning point in the Russian-German struggle during World War II and the site of the largest tank battle in history...
. He got his first victory, a La-5 fighter on 6 May. His victories continued steadily through 1943, as his Gruppe supported the southern attack of the Kursk offensive, then fought intense air battles over the Kuban bridgehead on the Black Sea coast. By the end of the year he had 26 victories to his credit. This carried into 1944, with his 40th on 19 April, 50th on 17 May and 60th on 4 June.
On 11 August, he was appointed the Staffelkäpitan (squadron leader) of 3./52 which led to his most prolific period in the war with a number of multiple victories in a day: 3 on 12 August (74-76), 3 more on the 24th (79-81), 11 on the 26th (83-93) including six Il-2s and a hefty 13 on the last day of August to bring up his century (97-109) including eleven Il-2s. It was not all one-sided however, and during this period he was himself shot down four times, including a forced landing behind enemy lines. By now his unit had retreated out of Russia and was based in Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
in southern Poland.
At the beginning of September 1944, with his score at 116, he was transferred to the new Eprobungskommando Nowotny, named after its commander, Walter Nowotny, at that time the top fighter pilot in the world with 255 victories. This was a test-unit set up to devise and evaluate combat tactics for the brand new jet fighter - the Me262. Such an advanced machine was plagued with problems and in the first month of test-flying nearly half the unit's aircraft were damaged or destroyed in accidents. On 2 October, on only their second operational mission, StaKa and Ritterkreuzträger Fred Teumer was killed when an engine flamed out as he was trying to land. Lt Schall was chosen to replace him as commander of 2 Staffel. Also, on 10 October, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz with his tally then at 117 victories.
On 8 November 1944, Fighter General Adolf Galland
Adolf Galland
Adolf "Dolfo" Joseph Ferdinand Galland was a German Luftwaffe General and flying ace who served throughout World War II in Europe. He flew 705 combat missions, and fought on the Western and the Defence of the Reich fronts...
was visiting to see progress with the unit. But only four aircraft were able to take to the air. However Schall was able to shoot down three United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
(USAAF) P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
s escorting USAAF bombers but then suffered a flameout
Flameout
A flameout refers to the failure of a jet engine caused by the extinction of the flame in the combustion chamber. It can be caused by a number of factors, including fuel exhaustion; compressor stall; insufficient oxygen supply; foreign object damage ; severe inclement weather; and mechanical...
of both engines. While attempting to glide back to his base at Hesepe, he was intercepted by a P-51, probably piloted by 1st Lt. James W. Kenney of the 357th Fighter Group
357th Fighter Group
The 357th Fighter Group was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. The 357th operated P-51 Mustang aircraft as part of the U.S. Eighth Air Force and its members were known unofficially as "The Yoxford Boys" after a village near their base...
, which badly damaged Schall's Me 262 A-1a
Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944...
(Werknummer 110 404—factory number) "White 7". Schall managed to bail out only to see his aircraft explode. It was far worse though for the unit Kommodore Maj Nowotny, in almost identical circumstances, was bounced by Mustangs after another engine flameout. Witnesses saw his burning aircraft plummet straight into the ground just east of their Hesepe airfield, killing Nowotny instantly.,
Within a fortnight the unit had been disbanded, and absorbed into the newly formed JG7, the world’s first operational jet fighter unit, and Hauptmann Franz Schall, now with 122 victories, was commander of 10./JG7, based at Oranienburg
Oranienburg
Oranienburg is a town in Brandenburg, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Oberhavel.- Geography :Oranienburg is a town located on the banks of the Havel river, 35 km north of the centre of Berlin.- Division of the town :...
. He continued to score regularly in the Me262, eventually ending with at least 14 confirmed jet victories (there were probably more victories, but they remain unconfirmed amidst the chaotic records of the last days of the war), making him the 3rd highest scorer of jet victories
in the war. On 22 March 1945, he shot down a Yak-9, probably the one flown by L.I. Sivko from 812.IAP, one of the first Soviet pilots to shoot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
On 10 April 1945, Schall shot down a P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
, for his final victory, but then attempted an emergency landing at Parchim
Parchim
Parchim is a town in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is the capital of the Ludwigslust-Parchim district. It was the birthplace of Moltke, to whom a monument was erected in 1876. Founded about 1210, one branch of the family of the duke of Mecklenburg residence in Parchim during part of the 14th...
. His aircraft rolled into a bomb crater and exploded, killing him instantly.
Reports vary that Franz Schall was credited with either 133 or 137 victories in 550 missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
, including 61 Il-2 Stormoviks
Ilyushin Il-2
The Ilyushin Il-2 was a ground-attack aircraft in the Second World War, produced by the Soviet Union in very large numbers...
. All 14 (or 16) of his victories claimed over the Western front
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
were gained flying the Me 262
Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944...
jet fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
and included six four-engine bombers and 10 P-51 fighters.For a list of Luftwaffe Jet aces see List of German World War II Jet aces
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der LuftwaffeEhrenpokal der LuftwaffeThe Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe was a Luftwaffe award established on February 27, 1940 by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe. It was officially known as the Ehrenpokal "für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg", or Honor Goblet "For...
(22 February 1944) - German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold on 20 March 1944 as Leutnant in the I./JG 52 - Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1939) 2nd and 1st class - Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
on 10 October 1944 as Leutnant and StaffelführerStaffelkapitänStaffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
in the I./JG 52 - Mentioned in the WehrmachtberichtWehrmachtberichtThe Wehrmachtbericht was a daily radio report on the Großdeutscher Rundfunk of Nazi Germany, published by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht regarding the military situation on all fronts of World War II....
on 1 September 1944
Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 1944 | First Lieutenant Schall, pilot in a fighter wing, shot down 13 Soviet aircraft yesterday and increased his total number of aerial victories to 106. |