Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 26th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 26th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier

Unit:

Flugzeugführer

Awarded on:

November 17th, 1941

According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz awarded on 13-12-1941.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Sergeant)

Unit:

5. Staffel, II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1942

According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz awarded on 17-10-1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 3rd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Sergeant)

Unit:

Flugzeugführer, 5. Staffel, II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

March 24th, 1943

Pilz’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Feldwebel Pilz was awarded the German Cross in Gold in recognition of the personal achievements that he had accrued over the course of flying 192 sorties against England and the Soviet Union.

Since being recommended for this award he has continued to demonstrate exceptional bravery and readiness for duty in another 178 sorties, and in this time he has brought about additional great successes.

The following battlefield achievements are especially worthy of note:

1. During the offensive against Stalingrad in September 1942 Feldwebel Pilz distinguished himself through the offensive spirit and piloting skill that he demonstrated in low-level air attacks against tank and troop assembly positions near Kotluban and in the area of the Gratschi valley. Despite powerful ground defenses he nonetheless managed to achieve significant success in the destruction of hostile assembly areas before the northern blocking position of 6. Armee.

2. Feldwebel Pilz achieved success in 41 sorties against Stalingrad and the assembly areas on the eastern bank of the Volga. Most of these were flown in the face of powerful AA defenses.

3. Feldwebel Pilz proved his unconditional readiness for duty beyond any shadow of doubt during the days following the enemy breakthrough along the Don in November 1942. In this time he braved both unspeakable weather conditions as well as powerful AA defenses in order to successfully execute his missions, which were primarily armed reconnaissance sorties as well as resupply missions to the encircled Gruppe Laskar and the 22. Panzer-Division. His superior piloting abilities enabled him to accomplish his missions on every occasion.

4. During the operation to resupply Fortress Stalingrad his total of transport sorties placed him amongst the most active NCO crews of the whole Gruppe. This period of conflict once again pitted him against both very bad weather as well as bitter hostile resistance, however he nonetheless continued to execute his resupply missions via landings in the Pitomnik airfield.

Feldwebel Pilz has established himself as the best and most combat-experienced NCO pilot in the entire Gruppe. His total of 178 sorties in the months of September-December 1942 ranks among the highest for all NCO pilots in the Geschwader. This achievement is a testament to his unwavering dedication, and it is particularly commendable considering his rather delicate physical build. His attitude and skill as a pilot are both examples of the highest conduct for all the pilots in the Gruppe.

I believe Feldwebel Pilz to be worthy of the high honour of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross in recognition of both his extraordinary devotion to duty and his battlefield accomplishments.”

Of Pilz’s total of 370 missions flown by this time, 16 were flown against England and 354 against the Soviet Union (36 of the latter were supply sorties to Stalingrad).