Josef "Pips" Priller was a renowned Luftwaffe fighter ace who joined the German Air Force in 1935. Rising quickly through the ranks, he was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 51 in 1939. He scored his first aerial victories over Dunkirk in May 1940 and went on to claim at least 14 during the Battle of Britain. Transferred to 1./JG 26 later that year, Priller achieved 19 more victories in mid-1941, including 17 Spitfires.
By May 1942, as Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 26, he had reached 70 confirmed victories, solidifying his status as one of Germany’s top WWII aces.
