Robert "Bazi" Weiß (21 April 1920 – 29 December 1944) was a Luftwaffe World War II fighter ace who served from 1939 until his death on 29 December 1944. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. Early life and career Weiß was born on 21 April 1920 in Baden bei Wien, Austria. He was the oldest son of a higher city secretary (Stadtobersekretär), a public servant, and police commissioner (Polizei-Inspektor). In the beginning of his military career, he served with a flak regiment before transferring to learn to fly in early 1940. In early 1941, Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant) Weiß was a pilot with 6. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) flying on the Channel Front. He claimed a Supermarine Spitfire shot down in September 1941. In September 1942, Weiß was transferred to 1. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing), based on the Eastern Front, flying operations on the Leningrad front. His victory score grew slowly, and by April 1943, he had claimed 30 victories. Falling ill in May 1943, he was hospitalised until July 1943. After Oberleutnant Franz Eisenach was wounded in combat on 8 July, Weiß temporarily replaced him as Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 3. Staffel of JG 54 until his return on 15 September 1943. On 2 August 1943, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold (). On 28 September, Weiß was appointed Staffelkapitän of 10. Staffel of JG 54. He replaced Oberleutnant Alfred Teumer who had been wounded in aerial combat on 3 September. By October, he had 68 claims and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross () for 98 claims in March 1944. Western Front and death Weiß was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) on 1 July 1944. On 21 July 1944, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III. Gruppe (3rd group) of JG 54. At the time, the Gruppe was based at Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base, France on the Western Front and fought in German retreat following the Invasion of Normandy. The Gruppe was withdrawn from combat operations on 5 September, relocating to Oldenburg where it became the first unit to receive