Karl Gratz (24 January 1919 – 14 March 2002) was an Austrian-born Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 138 aerial victories claimed in more than 900 missions. Gratz claimed the majority of his victories over the Eastern Front, and 17 over the Western Front.
In late 1941, Gratz was posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—8th squadron of the 52nd Fighter Wing) which at the time was fighting on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first aerial victory on 15 February 1942. On 1 July 1942, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross following his 54th aerial victory. He then served as a fighter pilot instructor and was posted to Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) in March 1943. Back on the Easter Front in 1944, he claimed his 100th aerial victory in March/April 1944. At the end of World War II, he served as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 10. Staffel (10th squadron) of JG 52. He surrendered to United States Army forces and was turned over to the Red Army.
Gratz was released from captivity in 1949, joined the Bundeswehr and served in Jagdbombergeschwader 33 (JaBoG 33—Fighter-Bomber Wing 33). He retired in 1970 holding the rank of Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel). Gratz died on 14 March 2002 in Leck.
KarlGratz (24 January 1919 – 14 March 2002) was an Austrian-born Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 138...
(146) Albin Wolf (144) Kurt Tanzer (143) Friedrich-Karl Müller (140) Friedrich Wachowiak (140)? KarlGratz (138) Heinrich Setz (138) Rudolf Trenkel (138)...
with at least 86 aerial victories. Killed in action on 16 July 1944. KarlGratz Germany Luftwaffe 138 Heinrich Setz † Germany Luftwaffe 138 Killed in...
The University of Graz (German: Universität Graz; old: Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz) is a public research university located in Graz, Austria. It is...
later, a U.S. officer was looking for JV 44 pilots and Barkhorn, Krupinski, Karl-Heinz Schnell, Erich Hohagen and Waldemar Wübke stepped up. The men were...
an extraordinary game. The final blow of the referee, the Czechoslovak KarlGrätz, was welcomed with relief by both sides. The Hungarians were happy because...
Swords and Diamonds) Berthold Graßmuck KarlGratz Alfred Grislawski (Oak Leaves) Friedrich Haas Josef Haiböck Karl Hammerl Erich Hartmann (Oak Leaves, Swords...
victories respectively. On 14 May 1942, then again on 28 September 1942, KarlGratz, Luftwaffe fighter pilot on the Eastern Front, became a two-time ace in...
sixteen operational Me 262s and fifteen pilots. [Signed] Generalleutnant Karl Koller, Chief of Staff of the Luftwaffe. The unit was officially formed on...
(146) Albin Wolf (144) Kurt Tanzer (143) Friedrich-Karl Müller (140) Friedrich Wachowiak (140)? KarlGratz (138) Heinrich Setz (138) Rudolf Trenkel (138)...
(146) Albin Wolf (144) Kurt Tanzer (143) Friedrich-Karl Müller (140) Friedrich Wachowiak (140)? KarlGratz (138) Heinrich Setz (138) Rudolf Trenkel (138)...
the Austro-Hungarian World War I ace Julius Arigi. Here Nowotny befriended Karl Schnörrer and Paul Galland, the younger brother of General der Jagdflieger...
(146) Albin Wolf (144) Kurt Tanzer (143) Friedrich-Karl Müller (140) Friedrich Wachowiak (140)? KarlGratz (138) Heinrich Setz (138) Rudolf Trenkel (138)...
(146) Albin Wolf (144) Kurt Tanzer (143) Friedrich-Karl Müller (140) Friedrich Wachowiak (140)? KarlGratz (138) Heinrich Setz (138) Rudolf Trenkel (138)...
Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 240. Weal 2004, p. 86. Weal 2004, p. 121. Bartz, Karl (1955). Als der Himmel brannte (in German) [When the Sky Burnt]. Hannover:...
(146) Albin Wolf (144) Kurt Tanzer (143) Friedrich-Karl Müller (140) Friedrich Wachowiak (140)? KarlGratz (138) Heinrich Setz (138) Rudolf Trenkel (138)...
the distinction that day were Feldwebel Karl Steffen, Oberleutnant Siegfried Simsch and Unteroffizier KarlGratz. Following his return from home leave in...
Global Information
Nazi Germany (to 1945)
West Germany
Luftwaffe
German Air Force