Born in Kamenz, Resch volunteered for service with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War where he was assigned to Jagdgruppe 88 (J/88—88th Fighter Group).

Following service in Spain, Resch was posted to Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) and became a Staffelkapitän (squadron leader).

He claimed his first aerial victory of World War II on 22 June 1941, the day German forces launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

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

The Staffel belonged to I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 77, at the time based in Odendorf, preparing for the upcoming Battle of France.

[10] At the time, the Gruppe was based at Peuplingues near the English Channel and fighting the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

Gruppe was ordered to Leeuwarden Airfield where they were tasked with flying fighter patrols along the Dutch North Sea coast.

Gruppe of JG 52, without a period of replenishment in Germany, was ordered to airfields close to the German-Soviet demarcation line.

Fliegerkorps commanded by Generaloberst Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen which supported the northern wing of Army Group Centre.

[14] On 22 June, the German forces launched the attack on the Soviet Union which opened the Eastern Front.

[15][16] On 25 June, the Gruppe moved to an airfield at Varėna in Lithuania which had previously been occupied by the Soviet Air Forces (VVS—Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily).

[21] Here, the Gruppe supported the fighting south of Lake Ilmen, and the German attacks on Shlisselburg, Leningrad and the Soviet fleet at Kronstadt.

Gruppe was ordered to Lyuban, approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) to Leningrad and located on the road to Moscow.

[32] On 2 October, German forces launched Operation Typhoon, the failed strategic offensive to capture Moscow.

Gruppe was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and sent to Jesau near Königsberg for a period of recuperation and replenishment, arriving on 24 January 1942.

Gruppe received orders to move to Pilsen, present-day Plzeň in the Czech Republic, for relocation to the Eastern Front.

[38] Following a series of relocations, including a short deployment on the Crimea where Resch claimed an Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack aircraft on 8 May.

[40] On 16 May, the Gruppe moved to Artyomovsk, present-day Bakhmut, where they stayed until 23 May supporting German forces fighting in the Battle of Kharkov.

The main German objectives in that combat area were, breakthrough to the upper Don and capture of Voronezh.

Gruppe again relocated, this time south to Chatzepetowka, and then on 17 July to Taganrog located on the Sea of Azov.

Located approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) southwest of Kalach-na-Donu on the western bank of the Don, the Gruppe operated in the combat area of Stalingrad.

In that combat area, Army Group Centre had launched Operation Büffel, a series of retreats eliminating the Rzhev salient.

On 23 March, Resch claimed his first aerial victory as Gruppenkommandeur when he shot down a LaGG-3 fighter northeast of Zhizdra.

Gruppe of Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 (StG 1—1st Dive Bomber Wing) on a bombing mission to various targets near Kursk.

Gruppe was ordered to an airfield named Oryol-West and supported Generaloberst Walter Model's 9th Army on the northern pincer.

[66] The Gruppe claimed 36 aerial victories that day, including two La-5 fighters by Resch, one northeast of Maloarkhangelsk and another south-southeast of Trosna.

[67] In the early morning of 6 July, Resch shot down Leytnant Yevgeniy Stepanov from the 157 IAP (Fighter Aviation Regiment—Istrebitelny Aviatsionny Polk).

The Gruppe claimed 24 aerial victories, including a LaGG-3 fighter and an Il-2 ground attack aircraft by Resch.

[54][73] According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Resch was credited with 93 aerial victories during World War II.

[74] Spick lists Resch with 94 aerial victories claimed in an unknown number combat missions.