About Walter Schuck
Walter Schuck (30 July 1920 – 27 March 2015) was a German military aviator who served in the Luftwaffe from 1937 until the end of World War II. As a fighter ace, he claimed 206 enemy aircraft shot down in over 500 combat missions, eight of which while flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. Schuck was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Born in the Saargebiet (Territory of the Saar Basin), Schuck volunteered for service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1936 and was accepted in 1937. After a period of training at various pilot and fighter pilot schools, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5—5th Fighter Wing), operating on the most northern section of the Eastern Front, the Arctic Front, in April 1942. In April 1944 he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for 84 aerial victories. Following his 171st aerial victory he was injured in combat and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during his convalescence. In early 1945 Schuck transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7—7th Fighter Wing) which operated the then revolutionary Me 262 jet fighter. Claiming a further eight aerial victories, he was forced to bail out when his aircraft was shot down by Lieutenant (later Colonel) Joe Peterburs flying in his P-51 Mustang on 10 April 1945. Schuck sustained minor injuries, preventing him from flying further combat missions. Schuck logged his first solo flight after only 18 takeoff and landings. Schuck's first operational assignment was with Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) in October 1940, when I.
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