Berthold Korts

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 (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

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 Staffelkapitän (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 &mdash; 39 aerial victories in month of August. 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 Müller were last seen in combat with Soviet P-39 Airacobra fighters on 29 August 1943.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 1 February 1943 as Feldwebel and pilot
 * German Cross in Gold on 12 July 1943 as Leutnant in the Stab III./JG 52
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 August 1943 as Leutnant and pilot in the 9./JG 52