Josef “Joschko” Fözö was born on 7 November 1912
at Wien in Austria. He joined the Austrian Luftstreitkräfte before transferring
to the Luftwaffe following Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938. From
summer 1938 until March 1939, Fözö flew with 3. Staffel of J 88, operating
in support of the Nationalist cause during the Spanish
Civil War. He claimed three victories in 147 missions during that conflict.
He was awarded the Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern for his achievements
during that conflict. On his return to Germany, Oberleutnant Fözö was appointed
Staffelkapitän of 10./JG 72 operating Ar 68 biplane fighters. The unit
was based at Böblingen at the outbreak of World War 2. Fözö was appointed
Staffelkapitän of 2./JG 71 on 16 July 1939. In October 1939, 2./JG 71 was
redesignated 4./JG 51. Fözö recorded his first victory of World War 2 on
16 April 1940 when he shot down a tethered artillery-spotting balloon near
Breisach during the French campaign. During the Battle
of Britain, Fözö was particularly successful. Fözö was appointed Gruppenkommandeur
of II./JG 51 on 21 February 1941. By the time Fözö participated in the
invasion of Russia, he had at least 15 victories to his credit. Hauptmann
Fözö was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 2 July for 22 victories. He recorded
his 24th victory on 11 July. However, he was badly injured in a take-off
accident at Stava Bychow the same day in Bf 109 F-2 (W.Nr. 12 836) “Black
<<-“ and was hospitalised for a lengthy period. Fözö returned to
combat duty as Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 51, based on the Eastern front,
on 3 May 1942. On 31 May, he was again badly injured in a landing accident
at Tubelja in Bf 109 F-2 (W.Nr. 8086). On recovery from his injuries, Fözö
was appointed Kommodore of JG 108 on 4 June 1944. He led the unit until
10 January 1945. Fözö died on 4 March 1979 at Wien.
“Joschko” Fözö was credited with 27 victories. He
recorded three victories during the Spanish Civil
War, 15 over the Western front and nine
over the Eastern front.
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18.9.1938
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I-16 | 3. J/88 | Spain |
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31.10.1938
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I-16 | 3. J/88 | Spain |
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17.1.1939
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I-16 | 3. J/88 | Spain |
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16.4.1940
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Fesselballon | 4./JG 51 | W Breisach |
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8.7.1940
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Spitfire | 4./JG 51 | N Dover / Spitfire of 65 Sqn, RAF flown by S/Ldr D Cook |
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13.7.1940
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Hurricane | 4./JG 51 | 10km W Cap Gris Nez / Hurricane of 56 Sqn, RAF flown by F/Lt Cohlan, damaged |
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13.7.1940
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Hurricane | 4./JG 51 | 10km W Cap Gris Nez / Hurricane of 56 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Whiteheld |
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31.7.1940
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Spitfire | 4./JG 51 | NW Dover / Spitfire of 74 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O Gunn |
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8.8.1940
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Spitfire | 4./JG 51 | SE Folkestone / Spitfire of 64 or 610 Sqn, RAF |
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15.8.1940
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Hurricane | 4./JG 51 | E Burnham-on-Crouch |
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16.8.1940
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Hurricane | 4./JG 51 | E Dover |
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16.8.1940
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Hurricane | 4./JG 51 | E Dover |
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16.8.1940
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Spitfire | 4./JG 51 | E Dover |
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18.8.1940
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Hurricane | 4./JG 51 | E Ramsgate / Hurricane of 501 Sqn, RAF flown by S/Ldr Stoney |
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24.8.1940
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Spitfire | 4./JG 51 | NW Dover / Spitfire of 610 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Arnfield |
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26.8.1940
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Spitfire | 4./JG 51 | Canterbury / Spitfire of 616 Sqn, RAF flown by F/O Moberlay |
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15.10.1940
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Hurricane | 4./JG 51 | London |
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9.4.1941
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Spitfire | II./JG 51 | 3km N Mardyck |
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29.6.1941
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I-16 | II./JG 51 | - |
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30.6.1941
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R-10 | II./JG 51 | - |
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30.6.1941
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DB-3 | II./JG 51 | - |
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30.6.1941
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DB-3 | II./JG 51 | - |
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30.6.1941
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TB-6 | II./JG 51 | - |
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1.7.1941
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I-16 | II./JG 51 | - |
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2.7.1941
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SB-2 | II./JG 51 | - |
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9.7.1941
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I-16 | II./JG 51 | - |
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11.7.1941
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DB-3 | II./JG 51 | - |
Victories : 27
Awards : Ritterkreuz (2 July 1941)
Units : JG 72, JG 71, JG 51