Major Walter "Nowi" Nowotny (December 7, 1920 åÎë_ November 8, 1944) was an Austrian-born German fighter ace of World War II with 258 confirmed victories in 442 missions, 255 victories over Russian pilots. First to achieve 250 aerial victories. He was prohibited to fly by Nazi officials, because they were afraid to lose such a star. By many considered as greatest fighter pilot of all time, by considering relation of his victories to his sorties.