Born on December 26, 1910, in Zagreb. He completed flight school in Mostar in 1930 and two years later received his military pilot’s diploma. At the outbreak of the war, he held a non-flying position in the air force arsenal in Kraljevo.
He joined Croatian aviation in May 1941. During his first tour, he achieved 14 confirmed and 1 unconfirmed victory. In his second tour, he scored 1 confirmed and 1 unconfirmed victory. By the end of 1943, he had completed 250 combat missions.
Combat Service and Commands
From July to September 1943, he served as an instructor in JG 104. Later, he participated in ferrying aircraft to the front and commanded the 3./JGr Kro. In September 1944, he led the 14th Fighter Squadron, which was based in Zaluzani and equipped with MS.406 fighters. He participated in raids against partisans.
In November 1944, he took command of the 2nd Air Regiment in Borongaj. He became the Croatian pilot who achieved the last victory in World War II: on April 23, 1943, east of Zagreb, he shot down an English “Mustang.”
Post-War Life and New Identity
He managed to escape to Austria but was returned to Zagreb and convicted. He was granted amnesty in July 1945 and moved to Germany, where his wife, who had served in Luftwaffe auxiliary units, was waiting for him.
He changed his surname to Ludwig Štampa and died in the late 1980s in Mainz-Kastel.