Max Stotz award received Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Max Stotz (13 February 1912 – 19 August 1943) was an Austrian Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with shooting down 189 enemy aircraft claimed in more than 700 combat missions.Born in Mannswörth, Stotz volunteered for military service in the Austrian Army in 1933. In 1935, he transferred to the Austrian Air Force and following the Anschluss, Austria's annexation into Nazi Germany, he served in the German Luftwaffe, initially with Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing) and later with Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing). He flew his first combat missions in the Invasion of Poland and claimed his first aerial victory during the "Phoney War" period on the Western Front. Following his 53rd aerial victory he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II, on 19 June 1942 and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 30 October 1942 after 100 victories.
In early August 1943, Stotz was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 54. Stotz was posted as missing in action after aerial combat near Vitebsk on 19 August 1943. He was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) posthumously.Awards
Iron Cross (1939)
2nd Class (5 November 1939)
1st Class (1 June 1940)
Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) (28 September 1940)
German Cross in Gold on 1 December 1941 as Oberfeldwebel in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 54
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Knight's Cross on 19 June 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54
137th Oak Leaves on 30 October 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54
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