Oberleutnant
Josef “Joschi” Pöhs was born on 14 March 1912
at Altkettenhof in the Schwechat region of Austria. He joined the Luftstreitkräft
in 1934 and served in the aerobatic team. Following the annexation of Austria
on 12 March 1938, Pöhs transferred to the Luftwaffe serving with JG
138 initially. On 1 May 1939, JG 138 was redesignated JG 76. At the outbreak
of World War 2, Pöhs was serving with 2./JG 76. He participated in
the invasion of Poland, the French campaign and the Battle of Britain.
On 4 July 1940, 2./JG 76 was redesignated 5./JG 54. By the end of the Battle
of Britain, Pöhs had seven victories to his credit. Pöhs served
with 5./JG 54 during the invasion of the Balkans. He recorded a victory
over a Yugoslavian Blenheim twin-engine bomber during the campaign. The
unit later relocated to Russia where Pöhs was to be particularly successful.
He claimed two Russian SB-2 twin-engine bombers shot down on 22 June 1941,
the opening day of Operation Barbarossa, to record his 10th and 11th victories.
On 13 July, Pöhs claimed two Russian DB-3 twin-engine bombers shot
down to record his 19th and 20th victories. Leutnant Pöhs was
awarded the Ritterkreuz on 6 August 1941 for 28 victories achieved in 225
missions. On 11 August, he shot down three enemy aircraft (29-31). He recorded
his 40th victory on 7 September. In September 1941, Pöhs was transferred
to the Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 54 to undertake instructing duties. He
was transferred to Ergänzung-Jagdgruppe Ost in February 1942. In June
1942, Pöhs was ordered to Erprobungstelle Rechlin and, later, he joined
Wolfgang Späte (99 victories, RK-EL) at Erprobungskommando 16, where
he assisted in the development of the Me 163 rocket-powered fighter. On
30 December 1943, Pöhs was killed when his Me 163 crashed at Bad Zwischenahn.
“Joschi” Pöhs was credited with 43 victories
in approximately 300 missions. He recorded 35 victories over the Eastern
front.
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14.5.1940
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Curtiss | 2./JG 76 | - |
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21.5.1940
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Battle | 2./JG 76 | - |
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12.8.1940
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Spitfire | 5./JG 54 | - |
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28.8.1940
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Spitfire | 5./JG 54 | SW Dover |
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1940
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E/a | 5./JG 54 | - |
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27.9.1940
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Spitfire | 5./JG 54 | - |
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27.9.1940
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Spitfire | 5./JG 54 | - |
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7.4.1941
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Blenheim | 5./JG 54 | Fünfkirchen / Blenheim of 68 Grupa, JKRV |
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7.4.1941
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Hurricane | 5./JG 54 | - |
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22.6.1941
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SB-2 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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22.6.1941
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SB-2 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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29.6.1941
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I-15 | 5./JG 54 | Dünaburg |
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29.6.1941
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I-15 | 5./JG 54 | Dünaburg |
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30.6.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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2.7.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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6.7.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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7.7.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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7.7.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | Ostrow/Dünaburg |
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13.7.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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13.7.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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17.7.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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18.7.1941
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I-16 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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18.7.1941
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I-16 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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18.7.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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22.7.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | SW Krasnoje-Selo |
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24.7.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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31.7.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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4.8.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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11.8.1941
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I-16 | 5./JG 54 | NE Poretschje |
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11.8.1941
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I-16 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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11.8.1941
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DB-3 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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12.8.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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13.8.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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17.8.1941
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Pe-2 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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18.8.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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20.8.1941
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I-153 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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25.8.1941
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I-16 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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27.8.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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6.9.1941
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I-16 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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7.9.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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9.9.1941
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I-153 | 5./JG 54 | Leningrad |
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10.9.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
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12.9.1941
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I-18 | 5./JG 54 | - |
Victories : 43
Awards : Ehrenpokal (9 August 1941)
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (9 December 1941)
Ritterkreuz (6 August 1941)
Units : JG 54, EKdo 16
