Günther Schack
Günther Schack (12 November 1917 – 14 June 2003) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II and a fighter ace credited with 174 enemy aircraft shot down in 780 combat missions. All of his victories were claimed on the Eastern Front.
Günther Schack | |
|---|---|
Günther Schack | |
| Born | 12 November 1917 Bartenstein, German Empire |
| Died | 14 June 2003 (aged 85) Schmidt near Nideggen, Germany |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/ | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1939–45 |
| Rank | Major (major) |
| Unit | JG 51, JG 3 |
| Commands held | 9./JG 51, I./JG 51, IV./JG 3 |
| Battles/wars | See battles |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Born in Bartenstein in Eastern Prussia, Schack joined the military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1939. Following flight training, he was posted to 7. Staffel (squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing). He claimed his first aerial victory on 23 July 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. In April 1943, he was posted to fighter pilot training, returning to the Eastern Front in July. He claimed his 100th aerial victory in September and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October 1943. Schack was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9. Staffel and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 20 April 1944 following 133 aerial victories. In December 1944, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of the I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 51 "Mölders". This unit was disbanded in April 1945. He then briefly took command of IV. (Sturm) Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) which he led until the end of World War 2 in Europe.
After the war he lived secluded in the Eifel Mountains, and devoted himself to philosophical research and died on 14 June 2003 in Schmidt, Nideggen.