TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Schalanda, Johann 'Hans' Franz 'Bazi'

Date of birth:
February 7th, 1921 (Vienna, Austria)
Date of death:
March 26th, 1945 (Gorgast/Brandenburg, Kostrzyn nad Odra, Poland)
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

Flew a total of 933 sorties as a ground attack pilot, during which he succeeded in sinking one 4000 GRT supply ship in the Tobruk harbour. He also sunk/damaged a 7000 GRT monitor and a 10000 GRT supply ship.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer
Awarded on:
April 2nd, 1942
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
8. Staffel, III. Gruppe, Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 5th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer, 8. Staffel, III. Gruppe, Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
April 3rd, 1943
The following newspaper article (dated 24./25.04.1943) describes why Schalanda received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant and Stuka pilot Schalanda sunk a 4000 GRT freighter in the port of Tobruk. During the war against the Soviet Union he has destroyed (among other things) 23 enemy tanks and 26 artillery/anti-aircraft guns. Furthermore he has also knocked out two armoured trains and successfully engaged enemy columns, infantry positions, ammunition dumps and assembly areas.”

By this time Schalanda had flown 581 sorties as a ground attack pilot.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Staffelkapitän, 3. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Schlachtgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
October 24th, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded after 892 sorties as a ground attack pilot.

630th Award.

Sources

Photos