Josef Pöhs
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First Austrian Republic (to 1934)
Federal State of Austria (to 1938)
Nazi GermanyLuftwaffe (1938–1943)
Josef Pöhs | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 March 1912 |
| Died | 30 December 1943 (aged 31) |
| Allegiance | First Austrian Republic (to 1934) Federal State of Austria (to 1938) Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte (1934–1938) Luftwaffe (1938–1943) |
| Service years | 1934–1943 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Unit | JG 54 EKdo 16 |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Josef "Joschi" Pöhs (14 March 1912 – 30 December 1943) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. Pöhs was attached with the Jagdgeschwader 54 fighter wing until spring of 1942 when he transferred to Erprobungskommando 16, a test unit for the new Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet.[1] Pöhs was killed on 30 December 1943 when his Me 163 was damaged on take-off. When the drop away undercarriage bounced off the ground, it hit the underbelly of the aircraft on rebound, damaging a fuel line containing T-Stoff. This caused the engine to shut down and forced Pöhs to try an attempt to glide back to safety. However, he crashed at Bad Zwischenahn succumbing to injuries he sustained due to exposure to T-Stoff. During his career he was credited with 43 aerial victories.
Pöhs was born on 14 March 1912 in Alt-Kettenhof, now part of Schwechat, then in Lower Austria of Austria-Hungary.[2]
On 6 August 1941, Pöhs was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 28 aerial victories claimed. He received the award together with fellow JG 54 pilot Oberleutnant Hubert Mütherich.[3]
