Walther Dahl (27 March 1916 – 25 November 1985) was a German pilot and a fighter ace during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Dahl claimed some 128 enemy aircraft shot down in 678 missions. Early life and career Dahl was born on 27 March 1916 in Lug near Bad Bergzabern, son of a Volksschule teacher who was killed in action in 1918 on the Western Front of World War I. He joined the military service on 29 October 1935, initially serving as a Schütze with Infanterie-Regiment 35 before transferring to Infanterie-Regiment 119 in Stuttgart on 6 October 1936. On 18 January 1938, Dahl was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) of the Reserves with an effective date as of 1 January 1938. On 28 October 1938, Dahl quit his service with the Heer (army) and joined the Schutzpolizei (police) on 29 October 1938. On 1 May 1939, Dahl resigned and joined the Luftwaffe (air force) and becoming a fighter pilot. World War II In May 1941 Dahl was posted to Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) and claimed his first victory on 22 June during the first day of the invasion of the Soviet Union. Dahl commanded 4. Staffel of JG 3 from 13 February until 9 April 1942 as Staffelkapitän. He had taken over command from Hauptmann Georg Michalek who was transferred. When Dahl was ordered to take over command of 1. Staffel of Ergänzungsgruppe Süd, he passed command of 4. Staffel of JG 3 to Oberleutnant Gerhard Walz. On 20 July 1943, Dahl was given command as Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III. Gruppe of JG 3. He replaced Hauptmann Karl-Heinz Langer who was one of the temporary leaders of the Gruppe after its former commander Hauptmann Wolfgang Ewald became a prisoner of war on 14 July. Wing commander On 21 May 1944, Dahl was appointed commander of Jagdgeschwader zur besonderen Verwendung (JG z.b.V.—a special purpose fighter wing). He led the unit until taking command of Jagdgeschwader 300 (JG 300—300th Fighter Wing) on 27 June 1944. Dahl set up his Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) at Ansbach, planning combined operations with JG 3 "Udet". Dahl succeeded Major Walter Brede as commander of JG 300. Command of III. Gruppe of JG 3 was then passed to Major Karl-Heinz Langer. On 7 July 1944, a force of 1,129