Johann Schmid

Johann Schmid (13 January 1911—6 November 1941), was an Austrian fighter pilot credited with 45 victories between 14 May 1940 and 6 November 1941. 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 - for the fighter pilots, it was a quantifiable measure of skill and combat success.

Career
Born 13 January 1911 in Gainfarn, in the Baden-bei-Wien region of Austria, Schmid joined the Austrian Air Force in 1933. After the Anschluss in 1938 he was drafted into the Luftwaffe as an Oberfeldwebel and flew with the "Condor Legion" in the latter stages of the Spanish Civil War. Upon his return he was awarded the Spanish Cross with Swords and transferred to the 1st Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 (1./JG 2) stationed on the French border. His first victory came at the outset of the French Campaign, on 14 May 1940, by shooting down a Morane 406 fighter. He ended the campaign with 7 victories and in June was commissioned as a Leutnant.

At the height of the Battle of Britain, in August 1940, with 9 victories, he was transferred to instructor duties. Upon his return a year later at the start of August 1941 Johann, now an Oberleutnant, was assigned to the Geschwaderstab (HQ Flight) of JG 26. Under the redoubtable Adolf Galland, the unit was based on the Channel coast to cover the western front from the RAF. As if to make up for lost time, he then quickly shot down 12 aircraft in 2 weeks, including 3 Spitfires on 7 August (13-15v.), 3 more on the 9th (16-18v.) and 3 more again the day after (19-21v.).

Decorated with the Ritterkreuz on 21 August 1941 after achieving 24 victories and promoted to Hauptmann, the next day he was given command of 8./JG 26. His scoring spree continued, as he scored 11 victories in September and a Spitfire on 3 October 1941.

On 6 November 1941, as the Battle of Britain was petering out, he led the whole III Gruppe into combat against a dozen Spitfires. Shooting one down over the Channel (Sgt B.M. Geissman of 452 Sqn RAAF), he was circling low over the crash site when the wing of his Bf 109 (Black-1 W.Nr 7211) hit the water. The aircraft immediately disintegrated and sank, taking Johann with it.

Johann Schmid was credited with 45 victories in 137 missions, all over the Western Front and including 34 Spitfires. He was posthumously promoted to Major two and a half years later, on 1 June 1944.