Anton Hackl

Anton "Toni" Hackl (25 March 1915 – 10 July 1984) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 192 enemy aircraft shot down in over 1,000 combat missions.

The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with 87 claims over the Western Front.

Of his 87 victories over the Western Allies, at least 32 were four-engined bombers, a further 24 victories were unconfirmed.

Hackl was born on 25 March 1915 in Regensburg, Upper Palatinate of the Kingdom of Bavaria, as part of the German Empire.

He was the son of a master joiner.

Born in Regensburg, Hackl volunteered for military service in the Reichsheer in 1933.

He joined the Reichswehr (Army of the Weimar Republic) in 1933, initially serving with 20.

(Bayerisches) Infanterie-Regiment (20th Bavarian Infantry Regiment), subordinated to the 7. Division (7th Division).

Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 333 (JG 333–333rd Fighter Wing).

He transferred to the Luftwaffe (Air Force) in 1935 and following flight training, Hackl was posted to Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77–77th Fighter Wing) in April 1938.

In 1936, Hackl transferred to the newly formed Luftwaffe, initially serving as a driver.

In 1937, holding the rank Obergefreiter (senior lance-corporal), Hackl was sent to Halberstadt where he received flight training.

There, he received his pilot license and was trained in aerobatics.

He was promoted to Unteroffizier (staff sergeant) in 1937, received fighter pilot training, and in April 1938 was posted to the II.

In early 1938, II.

Gruppe of JG 77 was known as Küstenjagdgruppe I./136 (Coastal Fighter Group).

In October 1938, I./136 was renamed to II.

Following the outbreak of World War II, he flew his first combat missions during the winter 1939/40, a period dubbed the Phoney War.

Hackl claimed four victories during the Norwegian Campaign and then flew missions on the Channel Front in aftermath of the Battle of Britain.

Hackl then fought in the aerial battles of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

On 1 May 1939, the Gruppe was again renamed, and from then on, was referred to as II.

Gruppe of JG 77.

World War II in Europe began on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland.

On the invasion day, Hackl was promoted to Feldwebel (staff sergeant) and did not participate in the Polish campaign.

At the time, he attended an officers training course.

In the winter 1939/40, Hackl was back with II.

Following officer training, Hackl was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant), effective as of 1 August 1940, bypassing the rank of Leutnant (second lieutenant).

On 29 July 1941, Hackl was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 5.

He claimed 23 further aerial victories by the end of 1941, and following his 51st victory was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 25 May 1942.

On 19 September 1942, Hackl claimed his 118th and last victory on the Eastern Front, and was then transferred to the North Africa, fighting in the Tunisia Campaign.

Hackl claimed six aerial victories over North Africa before he was severely wounded on 4 February 1943.

After a period of convalescence, Hackl was posted to III.

Gruppe on 1 October 1943, Hackl was wounded in action again on 15 April 1944, at the time his total was 142 aerial victories.

Back in action, following his 162nd victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on 13 July 1944.

Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 77.

Gruppe (2nd group) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77–77th Fighter Wing), at the time under the command of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Carl-Alfred Schumacher.

He died on 10 July 1984 in Regensburg.

He claimed his 100th victory on 3 August, and on 6 August, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves following his 106th aerial victory.

Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11–11th Fighter Wing), fighting in Defense of the Reich.

Appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of the III.