Franz Schall, Kommando Nowotny, III/JG7

[Karl]

Dear all,

an often published photograph shows Franz Schall as a Leutnant standing beside his Me262 "white 1". He wears the Knights Cross, which he received on 10th October 1944.
I am especially interested when he was promoted to Oberleutnant. This would help to determine the time frame for above mentioned photograph.

Thanks in advance, Karl

[Doug Stankey]

From our officer career files we have:

SCHALL, Franz.
(DOB: 01.06.18 in Graz/Austria).
1939 gunner with the Flakartillerie.
1940 trf from the Flakwaffe to the Jagdwaffe.
01.09.41 began flight training.
02.43 assigned to I./JG 52.
20.03.44 Lt., awarded the Ehrenpokal.
05.06.44 Lt., awarded DKG, I./JG 52.
25.09.44 trf to Erprobungskdo. Me 262 (EK Nowotny).
04.10.44 appt Staka 2./Kdo. Nowotny.
10.10.44 Lt., awarded Ritterkreuz.
19.11.44 Lt., appt Staka 10./JG 7 (to 10.04.45 KIA).
18.03.45 Oblt., III./JG 7 claimed a B-17.
10.04.45 Oblt., Staka 10./JG 7 - KIA – taxied his Me 262 into a bomb crater on landing at Parchim and died in the ensuing explosion.
Recommended for the Eichenlaub award.
Credited with c.550 combat missions and 133 air victories, 16 of which with the Me 262.


I was hoping that we had a specific date of promotion. Checking the Tony Woods database, for all of his claims he remained a Lt., up to at least 08.11.44 when the claims data runs out.



So the time frame for your photo is sometime between 19.11.44 and 18.03.45.


That's about all I can find. We hope that this helps.

HLdZ
DGS

[Don Pearson]

Manfred Boehme in his "JG 7" makes first mention of Schall's promotion to Oblt. in early January 1945 during the formation of III. Gruppe.

Within this article, on January 4, 1945, it is still Lt. Schall
http://www.ghostbombers.com/various/bf109_jg7.html

Don

[Karl]

Hello Doug and Don,

thank you for checking your data/sources. I think the photograph was made in November/December 1944. But I have no proof.

Best wishes, Karl