"leutnant" schieß was awarded the german cross in gold on 23 january 1943 as a member of stab/jg 53. on 16 february 1943, the now "oberleutnant" schieß was appointed "staffelkapitän" (squadron leader) of 8./jg 53. he was regarded as one of the most enthusiastic and aggressive pilots in the mediterranean theatre, and often flew the escort missions for the ju 52 transports as they tried to evacuate personnel out of africa. on 18 april he scored one such victory (a spitfire, as his 43rd) but it counted for nought as 24 heavy-laden transports were shot down, and a further 35 damaged, in what became known as the "palm sunday massacre".