Bazi Weiss and the EK

[keith A]

Does anyone know details of this pilots military career before joining JG26. Was he a flak gunner when the war began? (one source I have read indicates he gained both his Iron Crosses before joining the Luftwaffe!)

[Doug Stankey]

A search of our officer career files shows:

WEISS, Robert (“Bazi”).
(DOB: 21.04.20 in Baden near Wien/Austria).
1939 entered the Luftwaffe and assigned to Flak-Rgt. 22.
1940 trf to the Fliegertruppe for fighter pilot training.
1941-42 in 6./JG 26.
c. 07.42 trf to 3./JG 54.
09.42 trf to 1./JG 54.
03.43 with 3./JG 54.
08.05.43 awarded Ehrenpokal.
12.07.43 Oblt., awarded DKG, I./JG 54.
07.43 appt Staka 3./JG 54.
10.43 Oblt., appt Staka 10./JG 54.
26.03.44 Oblt., awarded Ritterkreuz, Staka 3./JG 54.
01.05.44 promo to Hptm.
05.44 trf to III./JG 54.
21.07.44 Hptm., appt Kdr. III./JG 54 (to 29.12.44).
29.12.44 KIA – shot down by Spitfires over the Lingen/Ems area.
12.03.45 posthumously awarded Eichenlaub, III./JG 54.
Credited with 471 (some sources say over 500) combat missions and 121 air victories.

This doesn't say much about his early career.


The Kracker Archive says:

Weiss, Robert. "Bazi"Hptm. 4/21/1920Baden bei Wien Osterreich. 121 victories - 6./JG-26 (1/41), Stfkpt 1 & 3/JG-54 (9/42), Stfkpt 10/JG-54 (10/43), Kdr III/JG-54 (6/44)Fw 190 "White 8", Fw 190A-6 #530337(dam 9/43), Bf 109G-6, Fw 190D-9 # 210060 "Blk 10" (lost)RK(3/26/44)-EL(3/12/45 Post.), DK-G(8/2/43), EP(5/8/43), EK 1 & 2, Wnd Badge, Fighter Oper.ClaspKIA 29 December, 1944 ("Schwartze Tag" lost 17 AC & 13 pilots), in Werk# 210060, against overwhelming odds against Spitfires and Tempests of RAF No. 56 Sq. (NZ) and RAF No 331 Sq. over Lingen, Germany. His victor thought to be F/Sgt Haanes of 331 Sq (Norwegian). Prior, on 9/11/43 as Stfkpt in his A-6 "Yel ?", he was wounded & the AC received 40% damage over Schatalowka S.U. airfield. He was the 4th most successful pilot on the Invasion Front. He also scored the first confirmed victory in a D-9. A double victory on 12 July, 1944; both P-47's at Conches. His 115th victory, a B-26 (HSS) at Vimoutiers on 28 July, 1944. A D-9 lost over Bissel 10/11/44. Approximately 90 victories in the East. His 1st Soviet victory, two Il-2's on 12 January, 1943. An Il-2 and an I-153 on 14 January, 1943. A LaGG-5 on 11 February, 1943. A LaGG-5 and an I-180 on 7 March, 1943. Three Il-2's on 22 March, 1943. An La-5 and three Il-2's on 14 August, 1943. Two P-40's and two Il-2's on 17 November, 1943. 3 victories while serving in JG-26. 471 combat missions. 40 Il-2's & 12 Spitfires. Escorted KG-51 over Liege 12/25/44. Photo


That about all we can say about this guy.

HLdZ
DGS

[keith A]

Blimey Doug,

Thanks for this. There's no way he got the EK with his Flak Regiment. It looks like the EK2 in late 1942 and the EK1 sometime in 1943.

Much obliged, mate.

Keith