Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Berthold Korts military career began with the artillery before he began his pilot training in the summer of 1940. Holding the rank of Feldwebel, he was transferred to 9th Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front as in June 1942.
In spring of 1943 he served with the Stab of III./JG 52.
Promoted to an officers rank and Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) he led the 9th Staffel of JG 52 as of 11 May 1943. The 75th aerial victory was claimed on 3 August 1943 and the century mark was reached on 17 August 1943 — 39 aerial victories in month of August.
Korts and his wingman Unteroffizier Hans-Otto Müller were last seen in combat with Soviet P-39 Airacobra fighters on 29 August 1943. Bibliography.
