He reached the rank of Major while flying with JG 52.
Born on April 19, 1922 at Weissach. At 23 years old he was the world's highest scoring fighter pilot of all time with 352 aerial victories.He was awarded the Knight's Cross on October 29, 1943 for his 148th victory and the Oak Leaves on March 2, 1944 for his 200th kill. The Swords to his Knight's Cross were awarded on July 4, 1944 for his 239th victory and finaly the Diamonds on August 25, 1944 for his 301st victory. He scored his 352nd victory on May 8, 1945.