Robert Weiß (pilot)

Weiß was one of the pilots killed, he was shot down in his Fw 190 D-9 (Werknummer 210 060—factory number) "Black 10" near Lengerich. His victor was Flight Sergeant K. F. Haanes of the RAF No. 331 Squadron, a Norwegian squadron. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 12 March 1945, the 782nd officer or soldier of the Wehrmacht so honored. Initially he was interred on the new cemetery in Lingen. In 1958, his remains were moved and reinterred to the war cemetery at Baden bei Wien and again moved to the Helenen cemetery where he now rests in a family grave. He was replaced by Oberleutnant Hans Dortenmann as commander of III. Gruppe of JG 54.

Weiß was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) on 1 July 1944. On 21 July 1944, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III. Gruppe (3rd group) of JG 54. At the time, the Gruppe was based at Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base, France on the Western Front and fought in German retreat following the Invasion of Normandy. The Gruppe was withdrawn from combat operations on 5 September, relocating to Oldenburg where it became the first unit to receive the new Fw 190 D-9. On 28 September, Weiß was credited with the destruction of a Supermarine Spitfire fighter, his 119th victory claim. His opponent was Flight Lieutenant Duncan McCuaig from the Royal Air Force (RAF) No. 541 Squadron, a photographic reconnaissance squadron.

After Oberleutnant Franz Eisenach was wounded in combat on 8 July, Weiß temporarily replaced him as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 3. Staffel of JG 54 until his return on 15 September 1943. On 2 August 1943, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold). On 28 September, Weiß was appointed Staffelkapitän of 10. Staffel of JG 54. He replaced Oberleutnant Alfred Teumer who had been wounded in aerial combat on 3 September. By October, he had 68 claims and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 98 claims in March 1944.

In the beginning of his military career, he served with a flak regiment before transferring to learn to fly in early 1940. In early 1941, Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant) Weiß was a pilot with 6. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) flying on the Channel Front. He claimed a Supermarine Spitfire shot down in September 1941. In September 1942, Weiß was transferred to 1. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing), based on the Eastern Front, flying operations on the Leningrad front. His victory score grew slowly, and by April 1943, he had claimed 30 victories. Falling ill in May 1943, he was hospitalised until July 1943.

Robert "Bazi" Weiß (21 April 1920 – 29 December 1944) was a Luftwaffe World War II fighter ace who served from 1939 until his death on 29 December 1944. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Weiß was born on 21 April 1920 in Baden bei Wien, Austria. He was the oldest son of a higher city secretary (Stadtobersekretär), a public servant, and police commissioner (Polizei-Inspektor).