Allegiance Nazi Germany Commands held 9./JG 52 Name Berthold Korts Service/branch Luftwaffe | Rank Leutnant Battles/wars World War II Battles and wars World War II Unit Jagdgeschwader 52 | |
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Born 21 May 1912
Karlsruhe ( 1912-05-21 ) Died August 29, 1943, Kharkiv, Ukraine Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross | ||
Berthold Korts (21 May 1912 – 29 August 1943) was a German World War II fighter ace and was credited with 113 aerial victories—that is, 113 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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Career
Berthold Korts military career began with the artillery before he began his pilot training in the summer of 1940. Holding the rank of Feldwebel, he was transferred to 9th Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front as in June 1942. In spring of 1943 he served with the Stab of III./JG 52. Promoted to an officers rank and Staffelkapitan (squadron leader) he led the 9th Staffel of JG 52 as of 11 May 1943. Over the Kuban bridgehead he achieved his 23rd–26th aerial victory on 15 April 1943, 36th–40th on 27 May 1943 and the 50th on 2 June 1943. The 75th aerial victory was claimed on 3 August 1943 and the century mark was reached on 17 August 1943 — 39 aerial victories in month of August. He was the 50th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the day he went missing in action.
Korts and his wingman Unteroffizier Hans-Otto Muller were last seen in combat with Soviet P-39 Airacobra fighters on 29 August 1943.