Walter Schuck
Encyclopedia
Walter Schuck is a former German
World War II
fighter ace
who served in the Luftwaffe
from 1937 until the end of World War II
on 8 May 1945. He was born in Frankenholz, Saarland
. Serving with Jagdgeschwader 5
on the Arctic front and Jagdgeschwader 7
in North Western Europe, he claimed 206 enemy aircraft shot down in over 500 combat missions plus up to another 30 unconfirmed victories. He claimed eight confirmed victories with the Me 262.For a list of Luftwaffe Jet aces see List of German World War II jet aces
Schuck's father, a coal miner and veteran of World War I
, gave his son the advice to take every opportunity to avoid service in the infantry
. Subsequently Schuck voluntarily joined the Luftwaffe at the age of 16.
in October 1940, when I./JG 3 was tasked to give top cover to Adolf Hitler
en route to Belgium, which wasn't known at the time. Schuck was posted to 7 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 5
in April 1942, flying on the Arctic Front. He claimed his first victory on 15 May 1942, a MIG-3. On 5 June he shot down four Russian fighters and by April 1943 he had claimed 54 victories against the Soviets. In April 1944 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz
Fellgiebel for his score of 84 kills. On 15 June 1944 he claimed his 100th victory on a day when he shot down 6 aircraft. Two days later he had his most successful day, claiming 12 victories in 24 hours, a feat never surpassed in JG 5. In August he became commander of 10 staffel, JG 5. His new responsibility of Staffelkapitän
did not come easily to Schuck, and discipline in 10./JG 5 deteriorated to the point that Geschwaderkommodore
Heinrich Ehrler
intervened with Schuck, before Schuck managed to restore the necessary military discipline.
A few days after claiming his 171st aerial victory, Schuck was wounded by glass splinters that struck his cheek and nose. A splinter penetrated his jaw and got stuck in one of his teeth. To remove this splinter he required surgery. While in the hospital recovering from this operation, Schuck received notice that he had been awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves
.Fellgiebel
On New Year's Day
1945 Theodor Weissenberger
married his teenage love Cilly Vogel. Best man at his wedding
was Walter Schuck.
Schuck was trained on the Messerschmitt Me 262
Jet fighter and in early March 1945 was asked by Geschwaderkommodore
Theodor Weissenberger
to join JG 7. His maiden flight on the Me 262 was on 20 March 1945. After a few more familiarizing flights on the Me 262, Schuck and another pilot took off on 24 March 1945 to familiarize themselves with the high altitude characteristics of the aircraft. Cruising at an altitude of 10000 metres (32,808.4 ft), flight control informed them of enemy fighters in the vicinity. Schuck immediately set course for the enemy formation and spotted one P-38 Lightning
and two P-51 Mustang
fighters. In the resulting combat Schuck shot down the two P-51 fighters but the P-38 Lightning
escaped.
After Hans Waldmann
was killed in a flying accident, Weissenberger appointed Schuck Staffelkapitän
of the 3 Staffel on 26 March. On 10 April 1945 he claimed four B-17 Flying Fortresses shot down. One of the bombers was "Henn's Revenge" of the 303rd Bombardment Group, and another was "Moonlight Mission" of the 457th Bombardment Group
. Shortly afterwards, his Me 262 was hit by a P-51 Mustang
of the fighter escort, piloted by Lt.Joseph Anthony Peterburs of the 55th Fighter Squadron
, 20th Fighter Group Schuck having to bail out. Schuck sprained both ankles upon landing and the war ended before he recovered.
In 2005 Schuck met Peterburs in person during a visit to the US.
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...
who served in the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
from 1937 until the end of 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...
on 8 May 1945. He was born in Frankenholz, Saarland
Saarland
Saarland is one of the sixteen states of Germany. The capital is Saarbrücken. It has an area of 2570 km² and 1,045,000 inhabitants. In both area and population, it is the smallest state in Germany other than the city-states...
. Serving with Jagdgeschwader 5
Jagdgeschwader 5
Jagdgeschwader 5 Eismeer was a Luftwaffe fighter Wing that served during World War II. As the name Eismeer implies, it was created to operate in the far North of Europe, namely Norway, Scandinavia and northern parts of Finland, all nearest the Arctic Ocean...
on the Arctic front and Jagdgeschwader 7
Jagdgeschwader 7
Jagdgeschwader 7 Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing of World War II and the first operational jet fighter wing in the world.It was created late in 1944 and served until the end of the war in May 1945, and it operated the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter exclusively.JG 7 was formed under the...
in North Western Europe, he claimed 206 enemy aircraft shot down in over 500 combat missions plus up to another 30 unconfirmed victories. He claimed eight confirmed victories with the Me 262.For a list of Luftwaffe Jet aces see List of German World War II jet aces
Schuck's father, a coal miner and veteran of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, gave his son the advice to take every opportunity to avoid service in the infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
. Subsequently Schuck voluntarily joined the Luftwaffe at the age of 16.
The Arctic Front
After a spell with Jagdgeschwader 3Jagdgeschwader 3
Jagdgeschwader 3 Udet was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing of World War II. The Geschwader operated on all the German fronts in the European Theatre of World War II. It was named after Ernst Udet in 1942.-Campaign in the West :...
in October 1940, when I./JG 3 was tasked to give top cover to Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
en route to Belgium, which wasn't known at the time. Schuck was posted to 7 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 5
Jagdgeschwader 5
Jagdgeschwader 5 Eismeer was a Luftwaffe fighter Wing that served during World War II. As the name Eismeer implies, it was created to operate in the far North of Europe, namely Norway, Scandinavia and northern parts of Finland, all nearest the Arctic Ocean...
in April 1942, flying on the Arctic Front. He claimed his first victory on 15 May 1942, a MIG-3. On 5 June he shot down four Russian fighters and by April 1943 he had claimed 54 victories against the Soviets. In April 1944 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz
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...
Fellgiebel for his score of 84 kills. On 15 June 1944 he claimed his 100th victory on a day when he shot down 6 aircraft. Two days later he had his most successful day, claiming 12 victories in 24 hours, a feat never surpassed in JG 5. In August he became commander of 10 staffel, JG 5. His new responsibility of Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän 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....
did not come easily to Schuck, and discipline in 10./JG 5 deteriorated to the point that Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
Heinrich Ehrler
Heinrich Ehrler
Heinrich Ehrler was a German World War II fighter ace whose distinguished Luftwaffe combat career ended in tragic controversy. Along with Theodor Weissenberger, Ehrler shared the honors of "top-ace" in Jagdgeschwader 5, amassing 208 kills - including eight in the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter...
intervened with Schuck, before Schuck managed to restore the necessary military discipline.
A few days after claiming his 171st aerial victory, Schuck was wounded by glass splinters that struck his cheek and nose. A splinter penetrated his jaw and got stuck in one of his teeth. To remove this splinter he required surgery. While in the hospital recovering from this operation, Schuck received notice that he had been awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves
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...
.Fellgiebel
On New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
1945 Theodor Weissenberger
Theodor Weissenberger
Major Theodor Weissenberger was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1936 until the end of World War II in 1945. He flew more than 500 combat missions claiming 208 enemy aircraft shot down...
married his teenage love Cilly Vogel. Best man at his wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
was Walter Schuck.
Me 262
After leaving JG 5 OberleutnantOberleutnant
Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
Schuck was trained on the Messerschmitt 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 and in early March 1945 was asked by Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
Theodor Weissenberger
Theodor Weissenberger
Major Theodor Weissenberger was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1936 until the end of World War II in 1945. He flew more than 500 combat missions claiming 208 enemy aircraft shot down...
to join JG 7. His maiden flight on the Me 262 was on 20 March 1945. After a few more familiarizing flights on the Me 262, Schuck and another pilot took off on 24 March 1945 to familiarize themselves with the high altitude characteristics of the aircraft. Cruising at an altitude of 10000 metres (32,808.4 ft), flight control informed them of enemy fighters in the vicinity. Schuck immediately set course for the enemy formation and spotted one P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
and two 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...
fighters. In the resulting combat Schuck shot down the two P-51 fighters but the P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
escaped.
After Hans Waldmann
Hans Waldmann (fighter pilot)
Hans Dackel Waldmann was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.- World War II :...
was killed in a flying accident, Weissenberger appointed Schuck Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän 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....
of the 3 Staffel on 26 March. On 10 April 1945 he claimed four B-17 Flying Fortresses shot down. One of the bombers was "Henn's Revenge" of the 303rd Bombardment Group, and another was "Moonlight Mission" of the 457th Bombardment Group
457th Air Expeditionary Group
The United States Air Force's 457th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command. The 457 AEG may be activated or inactivated at any time....
. Shortly afterwards, his Me 262 was hit by 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...
of the fighter escort, piloted by Lt.Joseph Anthony Peterburs of the 55th Fighter Squadron
55th Fighter Squadron
The 55th Fighter Squadron is part of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-World War I:...
, 20th Fighter Group Schuck having to bail out. Schuck sprained both ankles upon landing and the war ended before he recovered.
In 2005 Schuck met Peterburs in person during a visit to the US.
Awards
- Wound BadgeWound BadgeWound Badge was a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten soldiers of Imperial German Army in World War I, the Reichswehr between the wars, and the Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations during the Second World War. After March 1943, due to the increasing number of Allied...
in Black - Order of the Cross of LibertyOrder of the Cross of LibertyThere are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty , the Order of the White Rose of Finland and the Order of the Lion of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of the two orders, and usually of the Order of the Cross of Liberty as well, Grand Mastership of...
- 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 class (19 May 1942)
- 1st class (14 June 1942)
- 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...
on 23 March 1943 after 28 aerial victories - Front Flying Clasp of the LuftwaffeFront Flying Clasp of the LuftwaffeThe Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe was awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with upgrade possible to include diamonds. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions obtained in a given type of aircraft...
in Gold with Pennant "500"- in Gold on 26 January 1943 as FeldwebelFeldwebelFeldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. The word Feldwebel is usually translated as sergeant being rated OR-6 in the NATO rank comparison scale, equivalent to the British Army Sergeant and the US Army...
- in Gold on 26 January 1943 as Feldwebel
- 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 24 June 1943 as Feldwebel in the 9./JG 5 - Knight's Cross with Oak LeavesKnight'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...
- Knight's Cross on 8 April 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 7./JG 5
- 616th Oak Leaves on 30 September 1944 as Leutnant and pilot in the 9./JG 5