Franz-Walter Woidich was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II.
15 Facts About Franz Woidich
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Franz Woidich was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.
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Franz Woidich joined the Luftwaffe in early 1940 and following flight and fighter pilot training, Woidich was posted to 5.
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Franz Woidich had claimed a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter shot down 7 kilometers south of Ain el Gazala.
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On 12 February 1942, Franz Woidich engaged in combat with Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighters from No 73 and No 274 Squadron from the Royal Air Force in the vicinity of Tobruk on a Junkers Ju 87 dive-bomber escort mission.
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On 15 March 1942, Franz Woidich claimed a P-40 shot down in combat with No 450 Squadron RAAF, No 260 Squadron RAF and 2 Squadron SAAF.
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On 11 June 1943, Franz Woidich succeeded Oberleutnant Rudolf Miethig who was killed in action the day before as Staffelkapitan of 3.
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Franz Schall 8.
On 13 July 1943 during the Battle of Kursk, Woidich, accompanied by his wingman Leutnant Franz Schall, claimed two Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack aircraft shot down.
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Franz Woidich had claimed four aircraft shot down on both 7 and 13 July 1943.
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Franz Woidich became an "ace-in-a-day" on 17 January 1944 when he shot down his 62nd to 66th enemy aircraft.
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Franz Woidich again claimed four aircraft shot down on 16 April 1944 for victories 72 to 75.
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In July 1944, Franz Woidich was credited with his 100th aerial victory.
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Franz Woidich was the 84th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.
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Franz Woidich was transferred to Erganzungsstaffel of Jagdgeschwader 400 for conversion training to the Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket powered aircraft on 11 August 1944.
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Franz Woidich died on 27 July 1984 at the age of 83 in Mainz, Germany.