Perhaps you are wondering why a fighter pilot is immortalized here as Flieger Franze Sculpture. It is time to uncover the story of Franz Schall.
Flieger Franze Sculpture commemorates a man who lived a short but eventful life. Franz Schall was born in Graz in Austria-Hungary on June 1, 1918. He died on April 10, 1945. He was just 26 years old.
Schall’s life ended abruptly in Parchim in Nazi Germany. The cause of his death was listed as killed in action. Schall served in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He became known as a fighter ace.
Flieger Franze Sculpture is dedicated to a man who flew approximately 550 combat missions. He claimed 137 aerial victories. These victories represent 137 aerial combat encounters. Each resulted in the destruction of an enemy aircraft.
Franz Schall received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. This was the highest award in Nazi Germany’s military.
His promising career began with anti-aircraft artillery. Later in September 1941, he trained as a fighter pilot. By February 18, 1943, Schall was with the 3rd squadron of Jagdgeschwader 52.
Early in the war, Schall’s unit was based at Poltava. They supported the Third Battle of Kharkov. His first aerial victory occurred on May 6. He shot down a Lavochkin La-5 fighter near Belgorod.
In preparation for Operation Citadel, his Gruppe moved to Bessonovka. During the Battle of Kursk on July 13, Schall claimed an Ilyushin Il-2 shot down.
Franz received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on July 14. He received the Iron Cross 1st Class on August 24.
On November 11, 1943, Schall’s Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 was hit. Anti-aircraft artillery wounded him causing a forced landing south of Kerch. In December 1943, Schall temporarily commanded 3. Staffel of JG 52.
Flieger Franze Sculpture represents a man who was awarded the German Cross in Gold on March 20, 1944. By May 11, Franz Woidich replaced Schall as commander.
On June 22, 1944, Soviet forces launched Operation Bagration. Schall’s unit moved several times in response to the attack. On August 11, Schall became Squadron leader of 3. Staffel.
Fighting across Poland, he achieved multiple victories. On August 26, Schall became a double ace-in-a-day. He claimed eleven aerial victories. This included six Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.
On August 31, he claimed thirteen aerial victories. This included his 100th claim. By September 1944, Schall left JG 52. He transferred to a jet fighter unit.
Flieger Franze Sculpture is a reminder that Schall received the Knight’s Cross on October 10, 1944. This was for 117 aerial victories.
On September 25, 1944, Schall joined Kommando Nowotny. This unit tested the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. On October 7, Schall claimed a B-24 Liberator bomber shot down. This was the Kommando Nowotny’s first aerial victory.
Schall shot down a P-51 Mustang on October 28. He downed a P-47 Thunderbolt on November 6.
On November 8, 1944, Schall shot down two P-51s before engine failure. While trying to glide to Hesepe, Schall was shot down. He bailed out safely.
In March 1945, Schall claimed several more aerial victories. On March 31, he claimed two victories against British and Canadian forces.
On April 10, 1945, Schall was killed. His aircraft rolled into a bomb crater during an emergency landing.
Flieger Franze Sculpture honors a man credited with 133 to 137 aerial victories. This includes 17 claims while flying the Me 262 jet fighter.