Former Oberleutnant of the Luftwaffe, later Hauptmann a.D., and Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Holder Walter Schuck has died at 94 years of age on 28 March 2015. Walter Schuck was born on 30 July 1920 in Frankenholz. He was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1937 until the end of World War II. He claimed 206 enemy aircraft shot down in over 500 combat missions, eight of which while flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
He earned the Knight’s Cross on 8 April 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 7./ Jagdgeschwader 5 and the Oak Leaves (616.) on 30 September 1944 as Leutnant and pilot in the 9./ Jagdgeschwader 5.
On 10 April 1945 he claimed four B-17 Flying Fortresses shot down. One of the bombers was “Henn’s Revenge” of the 303rd Bombardment Group, and another was “Moonlight Mission” of the 457th Bombardment Group. Shortly afterwards, his Me 262 was hit by a P-51 Mustang of the fighter escort, piloted by Lt. Joseph Anthony Peterburs of the 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, causing Schuck to bail out. Schuck sprained both ankles upon landing and the war ended before he recovered.
In 2005 Schuck met Peterburs in person during a visit to the US. They both became close friends.
Walter Schuck meets Joe Peterburs who shot him down in 1945 (Credits: Uwe Benkel / Arbeidsgruppe Vermisstenforschung)
Arbeitsgruppe Vermisstenforschung states: ”Walter Schuck visited lots of our presentations in the past and also supported our work. He always wanted us to search for his missing comrades and bring them back home to their families. We will always keep his memory alive.”
Walter Schuck – special guest of “Arbeitsgruppe Vermisstenforschung” during a presentation (Credits: Uwe Benkel / Arbeitsgruppe Vermisstenforschung)
Walter Schuck (second from left) visits a presentation of Arbeitsgruppe Vermisstenforschung – Uwe Benkel (right) (Credits: Uwe Benkel / Arbeitsgruppe Vermisstenforschung)
Walter Schuck wrote a book on his military career, called “Abschuss!: Von der Me 109 zur Me 262“. Walter Schuck may you find eternal rest. Horrido, for your last flight.
Walter Schuck gets out of his Messerschmitt Me 262 – the P-51 of Joe Peterburs in the back (Credits: Uwe Benkel / Arbeidsgruppe Vermisstenforschung)
UPDATED SEP 2015: There is a new book Luftwaffe Eagle : From the Me109 to the Me262 by Walter Schuck (reprinted)
Luftwaffe pilot Walter Schuck flew the Me109 in the Arctic Sea fighter squadrons becoming the Russian air force’s feared enemy in the far north. Barely two months after being awarded the Knights Cross in April 1944 he shot down 12 aircraft in one day―a record never achieved by another Arctic Sea pilot.
His mastery continued when in March 1945 he joined Jagdgeschwader 7, newly equipped with Me262 jet fighters and shot down two Allied fighters on his first operation. Taking command of the third Staffel of JG 7 his success in the aerial theater was unsurpassed until meeting one of the bombers’ escort fighters in combat, his fuel system exploded and he had to bail out. Walter Schuck’s war was over, after 500 front line sorties and 206 confirmed kills.
Celebrated by his colleagues for his skill, courage, sheet guts and chivalry including the deep feelings for those he shot down, he earned the nickname ‘Eagle of the Tundra’ or ‘Northern Knight.’
Rich in detail and facts and supplemented by photographs from his personal collection, Walter Schuck’s story helps us to put the past into context, painting a unique picture of life in the Luftwaffe during the times of the Third Reich.
Buy on Amazon (US) and Amazon (UK)
