Ernst Süß

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Ernst Süß
File:Ernst Süß.jpg
Born (1912-08-31)31 August 1912
Possessern, Germany (now Poland)
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Oldenburg, Germany
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1939–43
Rank Oberleutnant
Unit JG 52, JG 50, JG 11
Commands held 9./JG 52, 9./JG 11
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Ernst Süß (31 August 1912 – 20 December 1943) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. During his career he was credited with 68 aerial victories.

Career

9. Staffel also known as the Karaya-Staffel

As a reserve pilot, he was appointed to join 9./Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) as an Unteroffizier. With this unit he participated in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, without achieving any victory confirmed in this period. On 22 June 1941, the start of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Süß finally achieved success as a fighter pilot. In the months following the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, the 9./JG 52, later dubbed the Karaya Quartet, became one of the most successful units of the Luftwaffe. Süß flew alongside Hermann Graf (212 wins), Alfred Grislawski (133) and Heinrich Füllgrabe (67). He claimed his first victory on 8 August 1941 and in the next twelve months, fighting in the Caucasus and the Battle of Stalingrad, Süß reached a series of victories against the Soviets, for which he was awarded the Ehrenpokal of the Luftwaffe on 4 May 1942, the German Cross in Gold on 29 June 1942 and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 September 1942.

In the spring of 1943, Süß was transferred to the Ergänzungsgruppe Ost, where he remained a long time as an instructor. With this unit he attained his 64th and last victory on the Russian front on 31 May 1943. Promoted to Lieutenant, Süß was transferred to the Western Front in late June 1943 when, following an invitation of his friend Hermann Graf, joined the Jagdgeschwader 50. Süß was made the Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) on 3 October 1943 of 9./JG 11. This unit fought in the Defense of the Reich, with which he won his last four victories. On 20 December 1943, during a combat with P-38 Lightning fighters south of Oldenburg, the Bf-109G6 (Werknummer 15 709—factory number) of Süß was hit by enemy fire, forcing him to jump from the plane. While he was in his parachute, Süss was shot at and killed by U.S. pilots. Oberleutnant Ernst Süß had achieved a total of 68 victories - all, except for four (including two four-engine) on the Eastern Front.

Awards

Notes

  1. According to Obermaier on 29 June 1942.[3]
  2. According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 52.[5]

References

Citations

  1. Patzwall 2008, p. 202.
  2. Patzwall and Scherzer 2001, p. 469.
  3. Obermaier 1989, p. 213.
  4. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 417.
  5. Scherzer 2007, p. 735.

Bibliography

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.