Franz Eckerle (24 April 1912 – 14 February 1942) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and aerobatics pilot.

As a fighter ace during World War II, he was credited with 59 aerial victories, four over the Western Allies and 55 on the Eastern Front.

[1] Born in Baden-Baden, Eckerle grew up in the German Empire, the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany.

At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving with Jagdgeschwader 76 and claimed his first aerial victory on 15 May 1940 during the Battle of France.

Eckerle was born on 24 April 1912 in Baden-Baden, at the time in the Grand Duchy of Baden of the German Empire.

On 1 April 1937, Eckerle was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) and posted to the I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 135 (JG 135—135th Fighter Wing) based in Bad Aibling.

[4] In 1938, flying a Klemm Kl 35, Eckerle took fourth place in 10th German Aeronautical Nationals in Nuremberg.

[8] World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland.

In preparation of the invasion, I. Gruppe of JG 76 had been moved to an airfield at Stubendorf, present-day Izbicko in Poland, in mid-August 1939 and supported the German advance on the central and southern sectors of the front.

[10] Supporting the German crossing of the Meuse, Eckerle claimed his first and only aerial victory over a Supermarine Spitfire fighter on 15 May during the Battle of Sedan.

Gruppe flew multiple missions in support of German bombers attacking Soviet airfields near Kowno, present-day Kaunas.

[19] In early November, the Gruppe was withdrawn from the Eastern Front for a period of rest and replenishment where they were based at airfields in Döberitz, and later at Uetersen.

[23] Over thex days, the Gruppe again flew missions in support of the Heer (army) along the Volkhov in the combat area southeast of Leningrad near Tosno.

[24] Eckerle was forced to make an emergency landing in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 (Werknummer 9728—factory number) behind Soviet lines near Woronowo, southeast of Schlüsselburg, on 14 February 1942.

[27] According to Soviet sources, Eckerle was shot down near Turyshkino, located approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southeast of Mga.

(question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.