Franz Walz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Eagle of Jericho" |
| Born | 4 December 1885 Speyer, Kingdom of Bavaria, the German Empire |
| Died | 18 December 1945 (aged 60) Breslau, Silesia |
| Allegiance | German Empire Nazi Germany |
| Service/ | Imperial German Army Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1905–1920 1934–1945 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Commands | Feldflieger Abteilung 3 Kampfstaffel 2 Jagdstaffel 19 Jagdstaffel 2 Jagdstaffel 34 Flieger-Abteilung 304 |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Pour le Merite Royal House Order of Hohenzollern Iron Cross (both classes) |
| Other work | Police officer |
Generalleutnant Franz Walz (1885-1945) began his military career in the infantry in 1905. In 1912, he switched to aviation. He attained the rank of Hauptmann (Captain) while becoming a flying ace during World War I. He flew more than 500 combat sorties in Palestine and on the Western Front. He scored seven confirmed aerial victories in the latter theater. His later career led him to join the Luftwaffe during World War II. Toward the end of the war, he was captured by the Russians and died in one of their prison camps in December 1945.[1]