Ernst Süß

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
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

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 4 May 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot
 * German Cross in Gold on 2 July 1942 as Oberfeldwebel in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 September 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52