15 Facts About Karl Gratz

Karl Gratz was an Austrian-born Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II.

In late 1941, Karl Gratz was posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 which at the time was fighting on the Eastern Front.

Karl Gratz claimed his first aerial victory on 15 February 1942.

Karl Gratz then served as a fighter pilot instructor and was posted to Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" in March 1943.

Karl Gratz surrendered to United States Army forces and was turned over to the Red Army.

Karl Gratz was released from captivity in 1949, joined the Bundeswehr and served in Jagdbombergeschwader 33.

Karl Gratz retired in 1970 holding the rank of Oberstleutnant.

That day, Karl Gratz claimed his first two aerial victories, a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 fighter which at the time was referred to as an I-61, and an Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.

Karl Gratz received the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 8 June 1942.

Karl Gratz received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 1 July 1942.

Karl Gratz received the German Cross in Gold on 8 June 1943.

Karl Gratz was the 64th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.

On 1 April 1945, Karl Gratz was appointed Staffelkapitan of 10.

Gruppe relocated to Roman on 18 May After the surrender, Karl Gratz was handed over by US military to the Soviet authorities and remained in captivity until 1949.

Karl Gratz served in Jagdbombergeschwader 33 flying the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak then under the command of Walter Krupinski.