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Franz-Walter Woidich (2 January 1921 – 5 July 2004) was a ''Luftwaffe'' flying ace of World War II. Wernitz was credited with 110 aerial victories claimed in roughly 1000 combat missions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ((ドイツ語:Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. ==Career== Woidich was born on 2 January 1921 in Znaim, present-day Znojmo in the Czech Republic, at the time in the German-speaking region of southern Moravia of the First Czechoslovak Republic. ''Oberfähnrich'' (Ensign) Woidich joined the 5./Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27–27th Fighter Wing) on 11 July 1941, then stationed in North Africa.〔For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organization〕 He claimed two aerial victories in the North African theater of operations, the first on 22 November 1941.〔Obermaier 1989, p. 226.〕 He was transferred to the 3./Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52–52nd Fighter Wing) which fought on the Eastern Front on 1 April 1942. Here he claimed seven aerial victories by the end of 1942. When he took command of the 3./JG 52 on 11 June 1943 his score had increased to 16 aerial victories. His score of enemy aircraft shot down had increased to 56 by the end of 1943. He had claimed four aircraft shot down on both 7 and 13 July 1943. He was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 11 June 1944 following his 80th aerial victory. A noteworthy achievement was made on 11 January 1944 when he claimed his 57th to 60th aerial victory. He became an "ace-in-a-day" on 17 January 1944 when he shot down his 62nd to 66th enemy aircraft. He again claimed four aircraft shot down on 16 April 1944 for victories 72 to 75. His most successful month was July 1944 with 29 aircraft shot down.〔 In July 1944, Woidich was credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 84th ''Luftwaffe'' pilot to achieve the century mark.〔Obermaier 1989, p. 244.〕 Woidich was transferred to ''Ergänzungsstaffel'' (Training/Supplement Squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 400 (JG 400–400th Fighter Wing) for conversion training to the Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket powered aircraft on 11 August 1944.〔Ramson & Cammann 2010, p. 97.〕 As a ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader) of the 6./JG 400 he claimed one of the very rare aerial victories while flying the Me 163 rocket fighter on 22 April 1945.〔Spick 1996, p. 232.〕 After World War II in 1953, ''Ing.-grad.'' Woidich together with ''Dipl.-Ing.'' Karl Thress opened the ''Ingenieurbüro Woidich'' (Engineering Office Woidich), an automotive technical engineering bureau, in Mainz-Kastel.〔In German, an engineer's degree is called ''Diplom-Ingenieur'', abbreviated ''Dipl.-Ing.'' The depreciated graduate engineering degree, ''Ing.-grad.'' (''graduierter Ingenieur'') are no longer awarded.〕 Woidich's son, Dipl.-Bw. Gerd Woidich, joined the firm in 1981. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Franz Woidich」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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