after achieving 14 kills on the eastern front he was withdrawn in august, along with the rest of jg 53 and, following rest and refitting in germany, then deployed in december to the mediterranean. operating from sicily, schieß flew sorties over malta scoring 11 victories. throughout 1942, and re-equipped with the new bf 109g-2, he outscored his "geschwaderkommodore". in november, the "stab" flight itself transferred to tunisia, where schieß continued his success, gaining a further 13 victories, including a b-17 four-engined bomber on 29 january 1943 (36th v.)