one of the top Hs 129 pilots ........
Otto Ritz
Feldwebel
*17.08.1920 Franfurt / Main
One of the most distinguished tank hunters with the Hs 129. Volunteered for Luftwaffe and and was trained as pilot in Memmingen and Schroda-Ost. In October 1943 he was transferred to newly mustered 10.(Pz.)/SG 9 on the eastern front. With this unit, led by Hauptmann Rudolf-Heinz Ruffer, he was soon one of the most successful "Panzerknacker" and he had already 30 confirmed tanks in April 1944. He had a great share of the missions east of Tarnopol and on the northern Krim from 13.03. and 13.04.1944, which were subsequently mentioned in the OKW report. He was shot down twice beyond the HKL (Hauptkampflinie) and managed to get back to German lines.
He received the Ehronpokal 19.06.1944 and the DKiG in July 1944.
Early in August he was Schwarmführer and flew decisive missions on 3 days at the Weichselbogen where the Soviet advance would be stopped. His Schwarm achieved 25 tank kills in that battle, 11 by Ritz. Therefore he received the RK after 100 combat missions where he destroyed 60 tanks, damaged a further 34 and achieved 2 aerial victories. On the evening of the 12.02.1945 he started for a combat mission towards Striegau-Jauer and was listed MIA.
Exact combat missions unknown, approx. 70 tank kills and 2 air victories
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