37 Facts About Walter Schuck

Walter Schuck was a German military aviator who served in the Luftwaffe from 1937 until the end of World War II.

Walter Schuck sustained minor injuries, preventing him from flying further combat missions.

Walter Schuck was born on 30 July 1920 in Frankenholz, now part of Bexbach, in the Saargebiet, at the time a region of Germany occupied and governed by the United Kingdom and France from 1920 to 1935 under a League of Nations mandate.

Walter Schuck was one of five children of Jakob Walter Schuck, a coal miner and veteran of World War I, and his wife.

Walter Schuck volunteered for service in the Luftwaffe of the Wehrmacht at the age of 16, before he could be conscripted into the infantry.

Walter Schuck received a letter in early 1937 that he had been accepted by the Luftwaffe.

Walter Schuck's recruit training began in November 1937 with the 2.

Walter Schuck did not possess a driver's license, but he was unofficially taught how to drive the 3-tonne Mercedes truck.

In February 1939, Walter Schuck attended a three-month course at the Luftfahrttechnische Schule at Bonn-Hangelar.

Walter Schuck logged his first solo flight after only 18 takeoff and landings.

Walter Schuck completed his B2 flight training just prior to the start of the Battle of France on 10 May 1940.

Walter Schuck initially wanted to become an aerial reconnaissance pilot, flying the Dornier Do 17.

However, due to disciplinary problems following unauthorized aerobatics on a Focke-Wulf Fw 56 "Stosser" and an open conflict with his commanding officer, Oberleutnant Brunner, Walter Schuck ran the risk of a potential court-martial.

Walter Schuck arrived at Werneuchen on 16 June 1940 where he was assigned to the 3.

Dorr, who was seven years older than Walter Schuck, became a fatherly figure to him and the nickname stuck.

Walter Schuck claimed his first victory on 15 May 1942, a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3.

Walter Schuck was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class on 14 June 1942.

Walter Schuck was promoted to Feldwebel on 1 December 1942.

Later that day at 17:02, Walter Schuck claimed another P-40 destroyed, taking his total to 46 aerial victories.

Walter Schuck was promoted to Oberfeldwebel on 1 October 1943.

Gruppe was scrambled again and Walter Schuck claimed three further aerial victories, making him an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time.

On this mission, Walter Schuck claimed the destruction of three P-40s and an Il-2 approximately 10 kilometres west of the northern tip of the Rybachy Peninsula.

Later that day, Walter Schuck flew another convoy escort mission and claimed a P-39 shot down at 10:18 and another P-39 at 10:21, bringing his total to 84 aerial victories.

On evening of the next day, Walter Schuck received a phone call from General der Flieger Josef Kammhuber, successor of Generaloberst Stumpff as commander-in chief Luftflotte 5, who informed him that he had been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

The first aerial victory was credited to Walter Schuck who claimed a "Boston" at 21:32 followed by five further claims, an "ace-in-a-day" achievement.

Walter Schuck was the 78th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.

Walter Schuck reported the destruction of four P-40s, taking his total number of aerial victories to 101.

The Germans were scrambled at 11:50 and Walter Schuck claimed two Soviet aircraft shot down.

Later that afternoon, Walter Schuck claimed another aerial victory with Feldwebel David Wollmann as his wingman.

Walter Schuck's aircraft was hit in the cockpit and glass splinters struck his cheek and nose.

Walter Schuck was the only fighter pilot so honored on this day.

Walter Schuck was promoted to Oberleutnant on 10 November with a rank age dated back to 1 July 1944.

Walter Schuck returned to his unit on 10 January 1945 following a period of convalescence and vacation.

That day, Walter Schuck claimed another P-51 shot down, taking his total number of aerial victories to 201.

Walter Schuck sprained both ankles upon landing and the war ended before he recovered.

In 2005 Walter Schuck met Peterburs in person during a visit to the US.

Walter Schuck died on 27 March 2015 at the age of 94 in Neunkirchen, Germany.