Years of service 1933–43 | Name Max Stotz | |
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Battles/wars World War IIInvasion of Poland (1939)Battle of FranceBattle of BritainOperation Barbarossa Battles and wars | ||
Commands held 5./JG 54, II./ JG 54 | ||
Max stotz u36a
Max Stotz (13 February 1912– MIA 19 August 1943) was a fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves A flying ace, Stotz was officially credited with shooting down 189 enemy aircraft claimed in more than 700 combat missions.
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Stotz joined the Bundesheer (Austrian Army) in 1933. In 1935, he was transferred to the Austrian Air Force and was trained as a pilot. After the Anschluss, Austria's annexation into the German Third Reich on 12 March 1938, Stotz was accepted into the German Luftwaffe. On 29 October 1942, Stotz was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 29th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. On 30 December 1942, Stotz claimed 10 aerial victories, bringing his total to 129. Following aerial combat on 19 August 1943 with a large formation of Yakovlev fighters, Stotz bailed out and was not seen again. He was last seen drifting down over Soviet held territory.