Franz Achleitner was born on 13 February 1918 at Attersee in Oberdonau. He joined the Luftwaffe on 2 September 1939 and commenced his flying training with the Jagdfliegerschule at Werneuchen. By May 1940, he had transferred to 3. Staffel of Jagdfliegerschule 1 also based at Werneuchen. On completion of his flying training, Achleitner was posted to JG 3 on 16 May 1940. Leutnant Achleitner was assigned to 9./JG 3 based at St Trond in Belgium. He recorded his first victory on 19 May 1940, when he shot down a RAF Hurricane fighter near Arras. Achleitner was able to add one additional victory to his tally before the French armistice. Achleitner later participated in the Battle of Britain. He added a further three victories to increase his victory total to five. On 24 August 1940, Achleitner was shot down in aerial combat over the Channel. He baled out of his Bf 109 E-4 “Yellow 8” + I into the sea. Achleitner was rescued by the British and became a prisoner of war. He received promotion to the rank of Oberleutnant while in captivity. Achleitner was released from British captivity on 29 July 1946.
    Franz Achleitner was credited with five victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western front.
 

No	Date	Time	A/c Type	Unit	Location / Comments
1	19.5.1940	16:45	Hurricane	9./JG 3	Arras
2	29.5.1940	18:35	Spitfire	9./JG 3	Dunkirk
3	10.7.1940	14:25	Blenheim	9./JG 3	20km W Arras
4	10.7.1940	14:33	Blenheim	9./JG 3	20km W Arras
5	20.8.1940	-	Spitfire	9./JG 3	Channel

Victories : 5
Awards :
Units : JG 3