Max Stotz

Max Stotz (born 13 February 1912 in Mannswörth, Lower Austria, MIA 19 August 1943 near Vitebsk) was a German former Luftwaffe flying ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. Stotz was officially credited with shooting down 189 enemy aircraft claimed in more than 700 combat missions.

Career
Max 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 30 December 1942 Stotz claimed 10 aerial victories bring 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.

Awards

 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold with Pennant
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (5 November 1939)
 * 1st Class (1 June 1940)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (28 September 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold on 1 December 1941 as Oberfeldwebel in the 4./JG 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./JG 54
 * 137th Oak Leaves on 30 October 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 5./JG 54