Josef Fözö

Josef "Joschko" Fözö (7 November 1912 – 4 March 1979) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
Fözö was born on 7 November 1912 in Vienna, Austria. He joined the Austrian Luftstreitkräfte before transferring to the Luftwaffe in 1938. From the summer of 1938 until March 1939, Fözö flew with 3. Staffel Jagdgruppe 88, operating during the Civil war in Spain in support of Nationalist forces. He claimed three victories in some 147 missions and was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold.

Oberleutnant Fözö was then posted as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 10./JG 72 flying the Arado Ar 68 biplane fighter based at Böblingen, before a move to command 2./JG 71 in July 1939.

In October 1939, 2./JG 71 was redesignated as 4./JG 51. Fözö recorded his first victory on 16 April 1940 when he shot down an artillery-spotting dirigible balloon during the French campaign. On 8 July 1940 he claimed the Spitfire of S/L D. Cooke (killed), CO of No. 65 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF). On 13 July he shot down two Hurricanes of No. 56 Squadron, and on 31 July a Spitfire of No. 74 Squadron flown by P/O Gunn, who was killed. Three kills were claimed on 16 August, a Hurricane of No. 501 Squadron (F/L Stoney killed) on 18 August and on 24 August a Spitfire of No. 610 Squadron flown by Sgt. Arnfield (who bailed out and broke an ankle on landing.) Another Spitfire was claimed on 26 August (of No. 616 Squadron; F/O Moberley killed). After 13 victories in the Battle of Britain, Fözö was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 51 in February 1941.

By the time Hauptmann Fözö flew in the invasion of Russia, he had 15 victories to his credit, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 2 July for 22 victories, including four bombers downed on 30 June alone. After his 24th victory on 11 July he was badly injured in a take-off accident at Stava Bychow in a Bf 109 F-2 and was hospitalised for a period. He returned to duty as Gruppenkommandeur I./JG 51, based on the Eastern front in May 1942. On 31 May he was again badly injured in a landing accident at Tubelja. On recovery Fözö was appointed Kommodore of training unit Jagdgeschwader 108 in June 1944. He led the unit until 10 January 1945.

Fözö died on 4 March 1979 in Vienna.

Josef Fözö was credited with 27 aerial victories in his career, 3 in the Spanish Civil War and 24 in World War II, including 9 on the Eastern Front.

Awards

 * Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords
 * Aviator badge
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 2 July 1941 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 51