Jakob Norz

Jakob Norz
Born(1920-09-27)27 September 1920
Saulgrub, Bavaria, Weimar Republic
Died16 September 1944(1944-09-16) (aged 23)
near Kirkenes, German-occupied Norway
Buried
German war cemetery at Pechenga
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1939–1944
RankLeutnant (second lieutenant)
UnitJG 5
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Jakob Norz (20 October 1920 – 16 September 1944) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. Norz is listed with 117 aerial victories—that is, 117 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—becoming an "ace-in-a-day" on seven separate occasions.[1] All his victories were claimed over the Soviet Air Forces in 332 combat missions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. Norz was killed on 16 September 1944 in a forced landing following combat with a large formation of Soviet aircraft attacking Kirkenes.

Career

Norz was born on 20 October 1920 in Saulgrub in Free State of Bavaria within the Weimar Republic. Holding the rank of Unteroffizier (non-commissioned officer) he served with the I. Gruppe (1st group) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2—2nd Night Fighter Wing) since late 1941.[Note 1] With this unit he flew night fighter missions against England and convoy escort missions over the Mediterranean Sea. He was briefly transferred as a day time fighter pilot to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) operating on the Eastern Front in early 1942. Shortly afterwards, he was posted to the 11. Staffel (11th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing) which was located in Norway.[2] On 21 March, the squadron was re-designated 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5—5th Fighter Wing).[3] On 20 April, 8. Staffel moved to an airfield at Petsamo, present-day Pechenga in Murmansk Oblast, Russia on the Eismeerfront (Ice Sea Front)—the area of operations nearest the Arctic Ocean.[4]

War on the Arctic Front

Operating in this northern theatre of operations, Norz claimed his first five aerial victories by the end of 1942. He was presented with the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz erster Klasse) by Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen Stumpff on account of his II. and III. Gruppe visit at Pechenga on 19 June.[5]

Area of operations.

Following victorious combat with two Ilyushin Il-2 "Shturmovik" southwest Eyna Guba on 5 March 1943 he made a forced landing of his Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 (Werknummer 13108—factory number) on a frozen lake in no man's land.[6] He returned to a German held position after an eight-hour walk in high snow. Norz claimed his 17th and 18th aerial victory on 4 June 1943.

JG 5 flew multiple missions from Pechenga and Kirkenes in protection of a German convoy on 14 September. At 17:03, a Rotte of Bf 109 G-2s sighted and reported an enemy formation consisting of Douglas A-20 Havoc, also known as Boston bombers, Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack aircraft, as well as Bell P-39 Airacobra and Hawker Hurricane fighters. At 18:15, 9. Staffel was scrambled at Pechenga and 5. Staffel at Svartnes. A bit later further Bf 109s from 4., 7. and 5. Staffel took off. The Germans intercepted the Soviet formation east of Ekkerøy over the Varangerfjord. In this aerial engagement, Norz claimed the destruction of Hurricane fighter.[7]

On 25 November, following ten days of relative quiet, the Soviet Air Forces conducted a coordinated attack on Titovka, and the airfields Høybuktmoen at Kirkenes and Luostari near Pechenga. Titovka is attacked by sixteen Il-2s and six Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, escorted by six Yakovlev Yak-1 and four Yakovlev Yak-9. Høybuktmoen was hit by twelve Petlyakov Pe-2 escorted by twelve Bell P-39 Airacobra and six Yak-9.[8] The Luostari airfield was struck by sixteen Il-2 and six P-40, protected by fourteen Yak-1 and six Hurricanes.[9] That day, Norz claimed two Il-2 ground attack aircraft, taking his total to 45 aerial victories.[10]

On 17 March 1944, Norz became an "ace-in-a-day" for the first time, claiming five Soviet fighters shot down. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 26 March 1944 following his 74th aerial victory. During aerial combat on 4 July, he claimed five Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters shot down, taking his total to 91.[11] On 17 July, he became the 82nd Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[12] As part of the group expansion from three Staffeln per Gruppe to four Staffeln per Gruppe, Norz's 8. Staffel was re-designated and became the 11. Staffel of JG 5 on 15 August.[13] Norz claimed four Petlyakov Pe-2 bombers and a Bell P-39 Airacobra destroyed on 23 August, taking his total to 116 aerial victories.[14]

Walter Schuck, a wartime friend of Jakob Norz, witnessed Norz's final flight on 16 September 1944. According to Schuck, Norz attacked and shot down a Douglas Boston but was hit in the engine by the defensive fire from the Boston.[Note 2] Norz reported that his cabin was filling with smoke. Schuck urged Norz to bale out but Norz decided to fly back to base to avoid capture by the Russians. Schuck broke off further combat and escorted Norz back to base. Norz, intoxicated by the smoke, reported that his elevator seized and that he could not trim the aircraft. Already too low for bailing out, Norz attempted a crash landing in the tundra. The Bf 109 G-6 "yellow 8" (Werknummer 412 199—factory number) struck a rock and disintegrated, killing Norz.[15][16] He was buried with military honors at the German war cemetery at Pechenga.[17]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Norz was credited with 117 aerial victories.[18] Obermaier and Spick also list Norz with 117 aerial victories claimed in 332 combat missions, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[2][19] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 104 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[20]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 36 Ost 3079". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[21]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Norz an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Norz did not receive credit.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Balke, Bock, Mombeek, Mathews, and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[20]
Eastern Front and northern Norway, and Finland — 10 January – 31 December 1942
1 15 May 1942 18:30 Hurricane south of Ura-Guba[22][23] 4 5 September 1942 08:38 Hurricane[24] PQ 36 Ost 3079[25]
2 10 August 1942 18:48 Hurricane[26] PQ 37 Ost 20854[25] 5?[Note 3] 29 October 1942
—
 unknown[29]
3 2 September 1942 11:18 I-61 (MiG-3)[24] PQ 36 Ost 3912[25]
vicinity of the Kola railroad
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[28]
Eastern Front and northern Norway, and Finland — 1 January – 31 December 1943
6?[Note 3] 24 January 1943
—
 LaGG-3[30] 26 4 July 1943 22:02 Pe-2[31] PQ 37 Ost 11739[32]
7?[Note 3] 5 February 1943
—
 LaGG-3[30] 27 4 July 1943 22:05 Boston[31] PQ 37 Ost 1179[32]
?[Note 4] 28 February 1943 16:03 P-40[34] 28 12 July 1943 01:00 P-39[31] PQ 37 Ost 11346[32]
?[Note 4] 28 February 1943 16:06 Pe-2[34] 29 16 July 1943 00:55 P-39[31] PQ 37 Ost 10668[32]
8 1 March 1943 07:17?[Note 5] Il-2[34] PQ 37 Ost 1067[33]
vicinity of Pechenga 		30 16 July 1943 01:05 P-39[31] PQ 37 Ost 10283[32]
9 5 March 1943 08:12 P-40[34] PQ 37 Ost 1069[33] 31 20 August 1943 11:30 Hurricane[36] PQ 27 Ost RH 96, vicinity of Alta[37]
10 5 March 1943 12:05 Il-2[34] PQ 37 Ost 1066[33] 32 23 August 1943 04:56 Hampden[36] PQ 37 Ost SE 66[37]
11 27 March 1943 14:30?[Note 6] P-39[38] PQ 37 Ost 3079[33] 33 23 August 1943 04:58 Pe-2[36] PQ 37 Ost SE 63[37]
12 30 March 1943 10:45 P-40[38] PQ 36 Ost 3911[33] 34 6 September 1943 19:04 Boston[36] PQ 37 Ost OB 7[37]
13 22 May 1943 19:45 Hurricane[39] PQ 37 Ost 2033[40] 35 6 September 1943 19:05 Boston[36] PQ 37 Ost OB 8[37]
14 22 May 1943 21:40 Hurricane[39] PQ 37 Ost 2019[40] 36 6 September 1943 19:07 Boston[36] PQ 37 Ost OC 6[37]
15 1 June 1943 03:46 P-39[39] PQ 37 Ost 2036[40] 37 14 September 1943 18:45 Hurricane[41] PQ 37 Ost RC 4[37]
16 1 June 1943 03:49 P-39[39] PQ 37 Ost 2049[40] 38 20 September 1943 16:05 Pe-2[41] PQ 37 Ost UH 71[42]
17 5 June 1943 04:02 Hurricane[39] PQ 37 Ost 2044[40] 39 23 September 1943 12:50 P-40[41] PQ 37 Ost UG[42]
18 5 June 1943 05:48 Hurricane[39] PQ 37 Ost 3051[40] 40 23 September 1943 12:53 P-40[41] PQ 37 Ost AG[42]
19 19 June 1943 16:27 Hurricane[43] PQ 37 Ost 20421[40] 41 23 September 1943 12:55 P-40[41] PQ 37 Ost AG[42]
20 27 June 1943 12:02 Hurricane PQ 37 Ost 10299[32]
2 km (1.2 mi) east of Pummanki[43] 		42 24 September 1943 08:50 P-40[44] PQ 37 Ost UG[42]
21 27 June 1943 12:04 Hurricane PQ 37 Ost 20177[32]
6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of Pummanki[43] 		43?[Note 3] 24 September 1943 08:55 P-39 PQ 37 Ost UG[42]
22 29 June 1943 14:12 Pe-2 PQ 37 Ost 11623[32]
29 km (18 mi) northeast of Vardø[43] 		44 24 September 1943 09:00 P-40[44] PQ 36 Ost AG[42]
23 29 June 1943 14:13 Pe-2 PQ 37 Ost 11489[32]
30 km (19 mi) northeast of Vardø[43] 		45?[Note 3] 24 September 1943 09:20 Hurricane PQ 36 Ost AG[42]
24 29 June 1943 14:16 P-40 PQ 37 Ost 11495[32]
35 km (22 mi) northeast of Vardø[43] 		46?[Note 3] 9 October 1943
—
 Yak-7 Murmansk[42]
25 4 July 1943 22:01 Pe-2[31] PQ 37 Ost 11812[32]
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, Norz claimed seven undocumented aerial victories in October to November 1943.[45] These seven claims are neither listed by Mombeek nor by Mathews and Foreman.[46][47]
54 6 November 1943 12:17 Pe-2[48] PQ 37 Ost RF 74, 3 km (1.9 mi) northwest of Subowka[45] 56 25 November 1943 11:55 Il-2 PQ 37 Ost UE 83, 40 km (25 mi) east of Pechenga airfield[45]
40 km (25 mi) northwest of Pechenga airfield[48]
55 25 November 1943 11:52 Il-2 PQ 37 Ost TC 43, 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Pechenga airfield[45]
5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Pechenga airfield[48]
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[49]
Eastern Front and northern Norway, and Finland — 1 January – July 1944
57 21 February 1944 14:21 P-39 west of Murmashi[50]
west of Murmansk[51] 		82♠ 28 June 1944 00:05 P-39 northeast of Kirkenes[52][53]
58 21 February 1944 14:24 P-39 west of Murmashi[50]
vicinity of Murmansk[51] 		83♠ 28 June 1944 00:13 P-39 north of Kirkenes[52][53]
59?[Note 3] 24 February 1944 09:40 P-39 Lake Tug[50] 84♠ 28 June 1944 00:20 P-39 northeast of Kirkenes[52][53]
60 29 February 1944 13:30 Yak-7 northwest of Murmansk[50]
southwest of Murmansk[54] 		85♠ 28 June 1944 03:50 Yak-9[53] PQ 37 Ost SC-2/3[52]
61 29 February 1944 13:36 Yak-7 northwest of Murmansk[50] 86♠ 28 June 1944 03:58 Yak-9[53] PQ 37 Ost RC-8/3[52]
—
[Note 7] 		5 March 1944 13:35 Il-2 southwest of Murmansk[54] 87♠ 4 July 1944 18:59 Yak-9[53] PQ 37 Ost RA-4/6[52]
62 5 March 1944 13:36 Il-2[54] north of Ekkerøy[50] 88♠ 4 July 1944 19:09 Yak-9[55] PQ 37 Ost RB-7/1, north of Taarnet[52]
63 13 March 1944 13:37 Yak-7[54] southeast of Vayda-Guba[50] 89♠ 4 July 1944 19:15 Yak-9[55] PQ 37 Ost SA-5/5[52]
64?[Note 3] 13 March 1944 13:39 Yak-7 west of Rybachy Peninsula[50] 90♠ 4 July 1944 19:26 Yak-9[55] PQ 37 Ost SB-1/9[52]
65 13 March 1944 13:41 Yak-9[54] southeast of Pummanki[50] 91♠ 4 July 1944 19:30 Yak-9[55] PQ 37 Ost SB-1/2, east-northeast of Kirkenes[52]
66♠ 17 March 1944 11:10 Il-2 north of Hamningberg[50][54] 92 9 July 1944 20:50 P-40[55] PQ 37 Ost QC-1/2[52]
67♠ 17 March 1944 11:11 P-39 northeast of Hamningberg[50][54] 93 9 July 1944 20:51 P-40[55] PQ 37 Ost QC-1/4[52]
68♠ 17 March 1944 11:13 P-39 southeast of Hamningberg[50]
northeast of Hamningberg[54] 		94 9 July 1944 20:53 P-40[55] PQ 37 Ost QC-5/1[52]
69♠ 17 March 1944 15:39 P-39[56] northeast of Pechenga[57] 95 9 July 1944 20:57 P-40[55] PQ 37 Ost QD-4/7[52]
70♠ 17 March 1944 15:40 P-39 northeast of Pechenga[57]
north of Pechenga[56] 		96♠ 17 July 1944 18:30 P-39[55] PQ 37 Ost SB-5/2[58]
71 2 April 1944 04:49 Yak-7[56] PQ 37 Ost RD-9/6[57] 97♠ 17 July 1944 18:33 P-39[55] PQ 37 Ost SB-1/5[58]
72 2 April 1944 04:51 Yak-7[56] PQ 37 Ost RD-9/6[57] 98♠ 17 July 1944 19:01 Boston[59] PQ 37 Ost SB-1/9[58]
73 2 April 1944 04:53 Yak-9[56] PQ 37 Ost RD-8/3[57] 99♠ 17 July 1944 19:03 Boston[59] PQ 37 Ost SB-3/1[58]
74 7 April 1944 10:31 Yak-9[60] PQ 37 Ost SG-8/7[57] 100♠ 17 July 1944 19:12 Boston vicinity of Kirkenes[59]
75♠ 27 June 1944 16:46 Boston north of Kirkenes[61][62] 101 21 July 1944 05:25 P-40[59] southeast of Cape Markur[58]
76♠ 27 June 1944 16:46 Boston north of Kirkenes[61][62] 102 22 July 1944 12:35 P-40[59] PQ 37 Ost RE-8/6[58]
77♠ 27 June 1944 16:47 Boston north-northeast of Kirkenes[61][53] 103 22 July 1944 12:41 P-40[59] PQ 37 Ost RE-9/8[58]
78♠ 27 June 1944 17:02 Yak-9 southeast of Kirkenes[61][53] 104 22 July 1944 12:42 P-40[59] PQ 37 Ost RE-3/7[58]
79♠ 27 June 1944 17:10 Yak-9 northwest of Kirkenes[61][53] 105 28 July 1944 12:56 P-39[63] PQ 37 Ost UC-3/1[58]
80♠ 28 June 1944 00:01 P-39 northeast of Kirkenes[53][52] 106 28 July 1944 12:59 P-39[63] PQ 37 Ost UC-3/9[58]
81♠ 28 June 1944 00:03 P-39 west of Kirkenes[53][52]
– 11. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[64]
Eastern Front — 15 August – 16 September 1944
107♠ 17 August 1944 09:48 P-39[63] PQ 37 Ost TB-7[58] 113♠ 23 August 1944 12:39 Pe-2[65] PQ 37 Ost RD, north of Pechenga[66]
108♠ 17 August 1944 09:54 Boston[63] PQ 37 Ost SA-1[58] 114♠ 23 August 1944 12:40 Pe-2[65] PQ 37 Ost SD, northwest of Pechenga[66]
109♠ 17 August 1944 09:55 Boston[63] PQ 37 Ost RU-9[66] 115♠ 23 August 1944 12:40 Pe-2[65] PQ 37 Ost SD, northwest of Pechenga[66]
110♠ 17 August 1944 09:56 Boston[63] PQ 37 Ost RU-9[66] 116♠ 23 August 1944 16:38 P-39[65] PQ 37 Ost TC[66]
111♠ 17 August 1944 09:58 Boston[63] PQ 37 Ost RU-3[66] 117 16 September 1944 11:56 Boston[65] PQ 37 Ost SA-2/8[66]
vicinity of Kirkenes
112♠ 23 August 1944 12:10 Pe-2[65] PQ 37 Ost RD, north of Pechenga[66]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  2. ^ According to Obermaier following combat with an Ilyushin Il-2 "Shturmovik".[2]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h This claim is neither listed by Mombeek nor by Mathews and Foreman.[27][28]
  4. ^ a b This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[33]
  5. ^ According to Mombeek, Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:07.[34][35]
  6. ^ According to Mombeek, Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:27.[35][38]
  7. ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[20]
  8. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 5.[71]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Stennman & Keskinen 2015, p. 24.
  2. ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 175.
  3. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 103.
  4. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 169.
  5. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 199.
  6. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 227.
  7. ^ Mombeek 2010, p. 68.
  8. ^ Mombeek 2010, p. 91.
  9. ^ Mombeek 2010, p. 93.
  10. ^ Mombeek 2010, p. 95.
  11. ^ Weal 2016, p. 97.
  12. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  13. ^ Prien et al. 2022, pp. 117, 138.
  14. ^ Weal 2016, p. 99.
  15. ^ Schuck 2007, pp. 171–172.
  16. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 154.
  17. ^ Weal 2016, p. 100.
  18. ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 330.
  19. ^ Spick 1996, p. 231.
  20. ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 920–922.
  21. ^ Planquadrat.
  22. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 260.
  23. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 475.
  24. ^ a b Mombeek 2011, p. 265.
  25. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 480.
  26. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 264.
  27. ^ Mombeek 2011, pp. 266–267, 274–275.
  28. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 920–921.
  29. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 481.
  30. ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 309.
  31. ^ a b c d e f Mombeek 2011, p. 272.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2012, p. 312.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 310.
  34. ^ a b c d e f Mombeek 2011, p. 268.
  35. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 920.
  36. ^ a b c d e f Mombeek 2011, p. 273.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 313.
  38. ^ a b c Mombeek 2011, p. 269.
  39. ^ a b c d e f Mombeek 2011, p. 270.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 311.
  41. ^ a b c d e Mombeek 2011, p. 274.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 314.
  43. ^ a b c d e f Mombeek 2011, p. 271.
  44. ^ a b Mombeek 2011, p. 275.
  45. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 315.
  46. ^ Mombeek 2011, pp. 275–276.
  47. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 921.
  48. ^ a b c Mombeek 2011, p. 276.
  49. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 921–922.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Prien et al. 2022, p. 142.
  51. ^ a b Mombeek 2011, p. 278.
  52. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Prien et al. 2022, p. 147.
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mombeek 2011, p. 287.
  54. ^ a b c d e f g h Mombeek 2011, p. 279.
  55. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mombeek 2011, p. 288.
  56. ^ a b c d e Mombeek 2011, p. 280.
  57. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2022, p. 143.
  58. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Prien et al. 2022, p. 148.
  59. ^ a b c d e f g Mombeek 2011, p. 289.
  60. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 281.
  61. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2022, p. 146.
  62. ^ a b Mombeek 2011, p. 286.
  63. ^ a b c d e f g Mombeek 2011, p. 290.
  64. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 922.
  65. ^ a b c d e f Mombeek 2011, p. 291.
  66. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2022, p. 149.
  67. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 84.
  68. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 155.
  69. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 333.
  70. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 326.
  71. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 572.

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