Johann Schalk

Johann (Hans) Schalk (19 September 1903 – 9 November 1987) was a flying ace and high-ranking officer in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. He is credited with 15 aerial victories, 4 of which on the Eastern Front, claimed in 163 combat missions.

Early life and career

Schalk joined the Austrian ''Bundesheer'' in 1922 and as a ''Leutnant'' was trained to fly in 1928 and transferred to the ''Luftstreitkräfte''. He became a leader of a fighter squadron in August 1933 and was appointed commander of the Austrian ''Jagdgruppe 1'' (1st fighter group). He was one of the best Austrian aerobatic pilots and gained experience at various delegations to Germany and Italy. After the ''Anschluss'', the annexation of Austria and the integration of the ''Bundesheer'' into the German ''Wehrmacht''.

On 1 July 1938, Schalk was tasked with the creation of IV.(''leichte'') ''Gruppe'' (4th light group) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 134 "Horst Wessel" (JG 134—134th Fighter Wing) at Dortmund. The unit was initially equipped with the Arado Ar 68 biplane fighter but shortly after converted to the Messerschmitt Bf 109 D-1. On 5 September, Schalk was ordered to relocate the ''Gruppe'' to Neisse. On 1 May 1939, the ''Gruppe'' was again renamed and became the III. ''Gruppe'' of ''Zerstörergeschwader'' 26 (ZG 26—26th Destroyer Wing). In August 1939, Schalk moved his ''Gruppe'' to Neumünster.

World War II

World War II began at 04:45 on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces crossed the Polish border. Schalk claimed his first aerial victory over a French Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter on 12 May 1940 near Ghent during the Battle of France. He claimed two further victories during the Battle of France and six during the Battle of Britain, three of which were shot down by his wireless radio operator ''Unteroffizier'' Hans Scheuplein. Schalk claimed his seventh aerial victory on 24 August, a Royal Air Force Hawker Hurricane fighter from No. 151 Squadron.

Schalk was the first member of the Luftwaffe to receive the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (). He was also one of the first ''Zerstörer'' (destroyer) pilot to receive the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross () on 11 September 1940 after nine aerial victories. The other two ''Zerstörer'' pilots who had received the Knight's Cross in September 1940 were Joachim-Friedrich Huth and Walter Grabmann.

Night fighter force

On 29 March 1941, Schalk was given the position of ''Geschwaderkommodore'' (wing commander) of ''Nachtjagdgeschwader'' 3 (NJG 3—3rd Night Fighter Wing). He held this position until 1 August 1943 when he transferred command to ''Major'' Helmut Lent. Schalk was then given the position of ''Jagdfliegerführer'' 2 (Chief of Fighter Aviation, Air Fleet 2), the commander of the Fighter forces of a ''Luftflotte''.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

Mathews and Foreman, authors of ''Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims'', researched the German Federal Archives and state that Schalk was credited with 15 aerial victory claims with four aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 11 on the Western Front.

Awards

* Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st class
* Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 21 August 1940 as ''Oberstleutnant'' in ''Zerstörergeschwader'' 26
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 September 1940 as ''Oberstleutnant'' and ''Gruppenkommandeur'' of the III./''Zerstörergeschwader'' 26 "Horst Wessel"

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Schalk, Johann
1903 births
1987 deaths
People from Krems an der Donau
Luftwaffe pilots
German World War II flying aces
Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross