[citation needed] Pichler was born on 15 December 1912 in Oberschweinbach in the Kingdom of Bavaria within the German Empire.

[1] In November 1934, Pichler joined the military service of the Wehrmacht, initially serving in the Army.

[7] On 14 July 1943, Pichler was shot down and wounded during aerial combat with Supermarine Spitfire fighters northwest of Lentini, he bailed out of his Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 18151—factory number).

[9] Taken to a hospital, Pichler was captured and taken prisoner of war by advancing Soviet forces on 30 August.

[10] According to Spick, Pichler was credited with 75 aerial victories claimed in approximately 700 combat missions.