Otto Schulz (pilot)

Otto Schulz (11 February 1911 – 17 June 1942) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace in World War II.

He is credited with 51 aerial victories claimed in over 450 combat missions whilst flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

He claimed 48 aerial victories against the Western Allies and three over the Eastern Front.

Schulz was born on 11 February 1911 in Treptow an der Rega, present-day Trzebiatów in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland, at the time in the Province of Pomerania of the German Empire.

Born in Treptow an der Rega, Schulz joined the Luftwaffe in 1934 and served as a fighter pilot instructor.

He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1934, was trained as a pilot, and served as a fighter pilot instructor.

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

During the campaign against France, II.

Gruppe, as a subordinated unit to JG 51 was controlled by Jagdfliegerführer 2, Oberst Kurt-Bertram von Döring, and was deployed on the right flank of Luftflotte 2 (Air Fleet 2), supporting the attack of Army Group B against the Netherlands.

On 10 May, the day the Wehrmacht launched the attack, 4.

Staffel was located in Wesel and flew missions to Rotterdam.

In January 1940, he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) and he claimed his first aerial victory on 31 August 1940 during the Battle of Britain.

On 3 January 1940, Schulz was posted to Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing).

There, he was assigned to the newly created 4.

Staffel (4th squadron), a squadron of II.

Gruppe (2nd group).

II.

Gruppe had been created that very same day at the airfield in Magdeburg-Ost (Fliegerhorst Magdeburg-Ost) and was initially placed under the command of Hauptmann Erich von Selle.

Command transferred to Hauptmann Werner Anders on 6 February while 4.

Staffel was commanded by Oberleutnant Hermann Hollweg.

The Gruppe was equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 and E-3 variant.

For the first weeks, the Gruppe conducted various flight exercises before on 10 February they were ordered to move to Döberitz.

There, the unit was tasked with providing fighter protection for Berlin.

On 19 April, II.

Gruppe began its transfer to the west, with 4.

Staffel moving to Essen-Mühlheim.

For the upcoming Battle of France, II.

Following the Armistice of 22 June 1940, II.

Gruppe was sent to Wunstorf near Hanover for replenishment.

On 8 July, the Gruppe began its relocation west again, with 4.

Staffel arriving in Leeuwarden on 11 July.

Schulz claimed his first victory on 31 August 1940 over a Royal Air Force (RAF) Supermarine Spitfire fighter in the vicinity of Dover.

On 7 September, 4.

Staffel was placed under the command of Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) Oberleutnant Gustav Rödel.

On 28 October, Schulz claimed his fourth overall and last aerial victory of 1940.

Following service during the Balkans Campaign and Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he was transferred to the North African Theater in September 1941.

He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 February 1942 following his 44th aerial victory.

On 17 June 1942, he was killed in action near Sidi Rezegh, shot down by James Francis Edwards.

Gruppe was placed under the control of the Stab (headquarters unit) of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) under command of Oberst Theo Osterkamp.

The Gruppe was briefly ordered to return to Döberitz on 24 April before returning west again on 3 May.