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Knight's Cross Signatures.
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This page gives brief biographies of
those Knight's Cross winners who have signed our prints. We aim to
provide some detail on the service history of the signatory - perhaps
details of squadrons or aircraft flown, or U-boats served in, and can
occasionally provide a photograph too.
To help you browse, we have split the
full list featured on this page into smaller list, of Luftwaffe
Knight's Cross Winners, U-Boat Knight's Cross Winners and Military
Knight's Cross Winners. You can also view a list of all prints
signed by Knight's Cross winners. Also, if you click 'More...' at
the end of each entry in this list, you can see all prints signed by that
person.
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 | Major Erich Rudorffer
Erich Rudorffer joined I./JG2 'Richthofen' in November 1939, and was soon flying combat patrols. He took part in the Battle of France, and the Battle of Britain, becoming Adjutant of II./JG2 in June 1941. In December 1942 he was transferred to North Africa. In July 1943 he was posted to command II./JG54 in Russia. In February 1945 he took command of I./JG7 flying the Me262. Erich Rudorffer was the master of multiple scoring - achieving more multiple victories than any other pilot. This included 8 RAF aircraft in 32 minutes in December 1943, 7 in 20 minutes a few days later. In Russia he shot down 5 aircraft in only 4 minutes. He ended the war with 222 victories from over 1000 missions. He was awarded the Knight's Cross, with Oak Leaves and Swords.
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Erich Rudorffer signing the print - Fighter General - by Graeme Lothian |
Erich Rudorffer with artist Graeme Lothian and the original painting of Fighter General. |
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 | General Gunther Rall
A young pilot with III/JG52 at the outbreak of war. He quickly demonstrated his natural ability and leadership qualities, scoring his first air victory early in the Battle of Britain, and by July 1940 was leading 8/JG52. After transfer to the Eastern Front his air victories mounted at an astonishing rate. A crash hospitalised him but within nine months he was back in the cockpit, and, when commanding III/JG52, gained the Wings 500th victory. Gunther fought throughout the war to become the 3rd highest Ace in history with 275 victories. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.
Gunther Rall was born on March 10, 1918 in the small Bavarian town of Gaggenau, Baden. Immersing himself in Boy Scout activities during the difficult economic times in Germany following WW 1, Rall finished school in 1936 and joined the German Army. Influenced by a friend, who was a young officer in the Luftwaffe, Rall entered pilot's school in 1938. His initial posting was with JG52. He attained his first aerial victory during the Battle of France in May of 1940. During the Battle of Britain JG52 absorbed many casualties, and Rall was promoted to Squadron Commander at the young age of 22. With his fair-hair and smooth complexion the young officer looked even younger than his years. But behind this pleasant exterior was a fierce competitor with the heart of a tiger. Later, Rall's squadron would support the attack on Crete, followed by deployment to the Southern Sector on the Eastern Front. Rall's victory totals began to mount. Following his 37 th victory, GiInther was himself shot down. He was lucky to survive the crash, but with a badly broken back he would spend most of the next year in various hospitals. In Vienna at the University Hospital he would meet his future wife, Hertha. Miraculously, Rall recovered and returned to the Luftwaffe in August of 1942. By November his score exceeded 100 and he was awarded the Oak Leaves to accompany the Knight's Cross he was awarded only weeks earlier. As the War progressed against Russia, Rall began to encounter ever more experienced Soviet pilots flying better performing aircraft. Despite this fact, and being shot down several more times himself, Rall's victory tally kept rising. By March of 1944 the ace had attained 273 aerial victories. With the War now going badly for Germany, Rall was transferred to the Western Front. He was able to attain only two more victories against the swarms of Allied bombers and fighter escorts which now pounded Germany every day and night. In May of 1944 Rall was shot down by a P-47. Losing his thumb in the battle he remained out of combat until later in 1944. Rall's final assignments included flying 190Ds as Kornmodore of JG300, and flying the Me-262 jet. Rall's 275 aerial victories (attained on less than 700 combat sorties) make him the third highest scoring ace of all time. If not for the down time suffered as a result of his broken back, Rall might have actually equaled or exceeded Erich Hartmann's alltime record of 352 aerial victories. Rall was not much for socializing during the War. He was a fierce competitor with a businessman's attitude about flying. He was an excellent marksman, and possibly the best deflection shot expert of the War. He continued to fly with the Bundeslufwaffe following the War, serving as its Commander-In Chief in 1970-74.
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Gunther Rall signing the print - Eagles Over the Steppes - by Graeme Lothian. |
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 | Oberstleutnant Alfred Rubbel
Joining the Panzer forces in 1940, Alfred Rubbel served first with Panzer Regiment 29 in Mittel and the with Panzer Regiment 4 in the Caucasus. He transferred to the Tiger I Panzer and from March 1943 to May 1945 served, as Tank Commander, with Heavy Panzer Division 503. He was awarded the Iron Cross I and II, and had 57 Panzer victories from 79 Panzer battles.
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 | Alfred Eick
Alfred Eick joined the Kriegsmarine in 1937, first serving on the destroyer Hermann Beitzen during the frist year of the war. In November 1940 he joined the u-boats, first sailing on two trips on U-176. He bacame commander of U-510 in May 1943, patrolling the Brazilian Waters on his first u-boat patrol. His second patrol was on U-510 as a Monson Boat which was a Wolfpack operating far away from Germany out of Japanese bases in Indonesia at Jakarta, Penang and Sebang. U-510 operated in the Indian Ocean until January 1945 when they were ordered back to Germany, taking with them important materials including tin. U-510 was re-supplied with fuel from U-861 but ran out of fuel in the North Atalnatic, finally managing to reach St Nazaire in April 1945. His awards were as follows: 12th Janaury 1940 Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st August 1943, Iron Cross 1st Class, 16 March 1944 German Cross in Gold, 31st March 1944 Knights Cross.
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 | Jurgen Oesten
Jurgen Oesten joined the Kriesgmarine in April 1933. He first served on the Admiral Graf Spee and Karlsruhe but transfered to U-Boats in May 1937. In October 1937 he became Watch Officer on U-20 and in August 1939 he joined the new U-Boat U-61 which he served on for 8 patrols, sinking 6 ships during his mine laying patrols. In November he joined U-106. During her first patrol U-106 sank two ships on her way to her new base at Lorient. Jurgen Oesten was awarded the Knights Cross on his second patrol, off Africa where he sank eight ships. During this attack he torpedoed and damaged the British attleship HMS Malaya. In March 1942 he became Admiralstabsoffizier in Norway with Admiral Nordmeer and directed U-boat operations in the Arctic. In September he again joined the U-boats and joined U-861 and in April 1944 she joined the Monson Boats which was a special Wolfpack operating far away from germany, out of japanese bases in Indonesia at Jakarta, Penang and Sebang, sinking two ships on her way to Penang. U-861 operated at sea for five months, after which she was ordered back to Germany with vital supplies. On the 15th January 1945 U-861 left Soerabaya in Indonesia. On the return journey off Greenland Oesten struck an Iceburg but managed to reach Trondheim on 19th April 1945. His awards were as follows: 6th June 1939, The Spanish Cross, 3rd December 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class, 27 February 1940, Iron Cross 1st Class, 26th March 1941 Knights Cross.
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Leutnant Gottfried Fahrmann
Gottfried Fahrmann had been Macky Steinhoffs longstanding wingman and adjutant in their time together with JG77, which Steinhoff had commanded in Italy. Steinhoff had insisted that Fahrmann be brought into Gallands JV44 unit to continue as his wingman and was one of the original members of the squadron of experts. Together they led the first formation of JV44s Me262s on their journey south to Munich on March 31st 1945. After surviving being shot down by a P51 Mustang, Gottfried was taking off alongside Steinhoff when Macky had his terrible accident.
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Gottfried Fahrmann stands with an Me262. |
Gottfried Fahrmann discusses the Me262 print - JV44 Kette of Swallows - with artist Graeme Lothian. |
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 | General Walter Krupinski (deceased)
Walter Krupinski first saw combat against the RAF on the Western Front. Transferring to the east, he became a Squadron Commander in the legendary JG52. In 1943 his victories reached 150 but, in March 1944 with 177 victories to his name, he was transferred to Germany to command JG11. Flying high altitude Me109s, he chalked up another 12 victories before being wounded. In September 1944 he was promoted Kommandeur of III./JG26 and led them on Operation Bodenplatte before joining Galland's famous JV44. He completed the war with 197 victories in over 1100 missions. He received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. He died in 2000.
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Walter Krupinski signing the print - Eagles Over the Steppes - by Graeme Lothian |
Walter Krupinski signing the print - JV44 Kette of Swallows - by Graeme Lothian |
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Walter Krupinski - Knight's Cross. |
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Leutnant Herbert Kaiser
Herbert Kaiser joined the Luftwaffe before the war, and by 1938 he was a fighter pilot with II./JG186. He flew in the invasion of Poland and then during the Battle of France, scoring his first victory in May 1940. He took part in the Battle of Britain before transferring to the Balkans. In August 1941 he was posted to the Russian Front, then North Africa followed by Italy and the Dolomites. In March 1944 he joined JG1 in the defence of the Reich. Seriously wounded in a parachute jump in August 1944 he was hospitalised until February 1945. he then joined Adolf Galland's JV44. He flew over 1000 missions and achieved 68 victories. He was awarded the Knight's Cross in 1943.
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 | Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob
After success in the Battle of Britain, Hans-Ekkehard Bob took over leadership of 9./JG54 in 1940. The following year he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Transferring to the Eastern Front his victories rose steadily to 50 by September 1942. His Group later transferred back to the West for a short period, where in April 1943, he rammed a B-17 Fortress. Returning to the Eastern Front as Kommander of IV./JG3, he ended the war as Adjutant of Galland's JV44 in the West. In his 700 missions he scored 60 victories.
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Hans-Ekkehard Bob signing the print - JV44 Kette of Swallows - by Graeme Lothian. |
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 | Oberfeldwebel Alexander Uhlig
Alexander Uhlig joined the first German Parachute regiment in 1937 and saw action during the occupation of Czechoslovakia, and the Polish Campaign. In May 1940 he jumped during the Battle of Narvik in Norway after which he transferred to flying duties with the Ju52. Between 1941 and 1943 he took part in over 170 Ju52 operations including the landings on Crete. In June 1944 he was again in action on the ground commanding the 16 Kompanie Parachute Regiment 6. Ordered to lead a small company of 30 Paras against positions of the US 90th Infantry Division, Uhlig's company defeated the entire US battalion taking over 230 prisoners, including the nattalion commander. For this he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Uhlig was eventually taken prisoner of war and taken to England. In April 1947 still under guard despite the end of hostilities, he escaped and made his way back to Germany. He was never recaptured; so at least one German did escape from a POW camp and made it back to Germany - even if the war was over.
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 | Leutnant Hugo Broch
Vital to all fighter units are the pilots who make such superb wingmen that their leaders are loath to part with them. Hugo Broch was one such wingman. Having joined VI./JG54 in January he flew first with Horst Adameit (166 victories), and later with 'Bazi' Sterr (130 victories), but soon demonstrated his own skill in combat. By the end of 1944 he had lifted his personal score to 71 victories. One of JG54's great Fw190 Aces, Hugo Broch saw combat on the Eastern and Baltic Fronts, and completed the war having flown 324 combat missions, and claiming 81 victories. He was awarded the Knight's Cross.
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Karl Spreitzer
Stuka pilot, awarded the Knights Cross as Leutnant 10(Pz) in April 1945.
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 | Walter Wolfrum
Walter Wolfrum first saw combat in the Crimea with 5/JG52. He was shot down three times, and wounded twice before scoring his first victory. With his score at 70 he was again wounded, but returned to take command of 1/JG52 in May 1944, taking part in the fiercely fought defence of the Ploesti oilfields. he was again wounded, but returned to command 1/JG52 until the end of the war. he had flown 423 missions, achieved 137 victories, and was awarded the Knight's Cross.
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Walter Wolfrum signs the print - Eagles Over the Steppes - by Graeme Lothian. |
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Hans Krohn
Krohn was born in Hamburg in 1919. He served as a Stuka radio operator with Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" throughout the war, flying 965 combat missions mostly with Heinz Jungclaussen (K.C.-winner). Krohn was awarded the Knights cross and ended the war with the rank of Oberfeldwebel. Krohn and Jungclaussen were considered to be one of the top Stuka crews of the war
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 | Major Franz Kieslich
Franz Kieslich served with 7./St.G. 77 in France in 1940, and later serving in Yugoslavia. Transferring to the Russian Front he was promoted Gruppenadjutant III./St.G. 77. And in October 1942 became Staffelkapitan 7./St.G. 77. In February 1944 he was promoted Kommandeur III./SG 77. He fought at Stalingrad, Kursk, Kiev and most of the other major engagements on the Eastern Front. In February1945 he became Kommodore erganzungs-SG148. Awarded the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, he flew over 1000 combat missions, and had been shot down twenty times.
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 | Erwin Kressmann
Oberleutnant, schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 519. Awarded the Knights Cross in 1944.
| 20.10.1936 |
Eintritt als Freiwilliger 1. Kompanie Pz.Abw.Abt, 32 Kolberg/Ostsee Grundausbildung, Fahrausbildung in allen Klassen, Schirmmeistergehilfenausbildung, Werkstattunterweisung, Lehrgange zum Unteroffizier und besondere Waffenausbildung |
Entrance as a volunteer 1st company Pz. Abw. Abt, 32 Kolberg/Baltic Sea reason education, load education in all
classes, screen master assistant education, workshop instruction, courses to the corporal and special weapon education. |
| 01.10.1937 |
Beforderung zum Gefreiten |
Promoted to Gefreiter |
| 01.09.1938 |
Versetung zur 3. Kompanie Pz.Abw.Abt. 12 Schwerin Mecklenburg als Ausbilder |
Transferred to the 3rd Company Pz. Abw. Abt. 12 Schwerins Meklenburg as an instructor. |
| 01.10.1938 |
Beforderung zum Unteroffizier, Ausbilder vorwiegend Kompanietruppfuhrer und Zugfuhrer |
Promoted to Unteroffizier, instructing predominantly Kompanietruppfuhrer and Zugfuhrer. |
| 01.09.1939 |
Polenfeldzug eingesetzt als Kompanietruppfuhrer und Zugfuhrer, ab Oktober 39 Verlegung der PzAbwAbt ins Rheinland, Lehrgang zum Fahrlehrer, anschliessend Fahrlehrerprufung fur alle Klassen 1,2,3, danach Fahrschulausbildung innerhalb der Kompanie |
Used as Kompanietruppfuhrer and Zugfuhrer on the Poland expeditions. Completed 39 missions with Pz. Abw. Abt into the
Rhineland. before completing a driving instructors course in October. Subsequently became Fahrlehrerprufung for all classes,
I, II and III, before load school education. |
| 10.05.1940 |
Westfeldzug Belgien / Niederlande / Frankreich |
West expedition - Belgium, Netherlands and France. |
| 01.06.1940 |
Beforderung zum Feldwebel, gleiche Funktionen wie vorher, Kustenschutz im Raum Cherbourg, Verlegung als Besatzung in den Niederlanden, Leitung der Ortskormmandantur in Boxtel, Lehrgang an der Panzertruppenschule in Wunstorf bei Berlin |
Promoted to Feldwebel, undertaking similar tasks as before. In action near Cherbourg, placed in a garrison in the
Netherlands, and oversaw the Ortskommandantur course at the tank troop school in Wunstorf in Berlin. |
| 01.06.1941 |
Beforderung zum Oberfeldwebel, Verwendung in gleicher Dienststellung wie vorher |
Promoted to Oberfeldwebel. |
| 22.06.1941 |
Russlandfeldzug, eingesetzt im Nordabschnitt Kessel von Demjansk, Ernennung zum Offiziersanwarter |
Russian expedition - used in the north section, Demjansk, appointment to the
Offiziersanwarter. |
| Mai 1942 |
Versetzung zur PzJgAbt. 24 auf der Krim, Krimfeldzug bis zur Einnahme von Sewastopol |
Transferred to Pz. Jg. Abt 24 in the Crimea, for the capture of Sebastopol. |
| 01.06.1942 |
Beforderung zum Leutnant, Zugfuhrer, stellvertr. Kompaniefuhrer |
Promoted to Leutnant. |
| 22.08.1942 |
Verlegung der PzJgAbt. 24 in den Nordabschnitt Russland, Kampf um Leningrad, Mga und Stellungskrieg am Wolchow, Ernennung zum Kompaniefuhrer |
Went with Pz. Jg. Abt. 24 to north Russia, and the fight for Leningrad, Mga, and the strategic battle at the
Wolchow, appointment to the Kompaniefuhrer. |
| 01.01.1943 |
Beforderung zum Oberleutnant, Ernennung zum Kompaniechef 2.Kompanie PzJgAbt. 24 |
Promoted to Oberleutnant. Appointed commander of 2. Kompanie Pz. Jg. Abt 24. |
| Juli 1943 |
Versetung zur Neuaufstellung sPzJgAbt. 519 (Hornisse 8,8), Chef 1. Kompanie in Spremberg/Niederlausitz, Restaufstellung und Ausbildung, Verlegung zum Truppenubungsplatz Oldebroek/Holland |
Transferred to the newly assembled sPzJgAbt 519 (Hornet 8.8), commanding the 1st Kompanie in Spremberg / Niederlausitz.
Subsequently moved to Oldebroek / Holland. |
| November 1943 |
Verlegung der Abteilung 519 im Eiltransport nach Russland, Mittelabschnitt |
Moved with 519 Abt. in fast carrier to the Russian Central Front. |
| 13.12.1943 bis 18.02.1944 |
2 Schlachten um Witebsk bei der 3. Panzerarmee unter Fuhrung von Generaloberst Reinhard und Chef des Stabes General Heitkamper |
Took part in two battles around Witebsk with the 3rd Army under the leadership of Generaloberst Reinhard and Chef des Stabes General Heitkamper |
| 18.02.1944 |
Beforderung zum Hauptmann |
Promoted to Hauptmann. |
| 22.06.1944 |
3. Schlacht / Ruckzugsschlacht der 3. Panzerarmee bis zur ehemaligen Grenze Polens, Fastzerschlagung der sPzJgAbt. 519 |
3rd battle for the 3rd Army near the former border of Poland, almost leading to the destruction of 519 Abteilung. |
| Aug/Sept. 1944 |
Neuaufstellung der sPzJgAbt. 519 in Milau / Truppenubungsplatz, Umrustung auf Jagdpanther, Abteilungsstab 3 Jagdpanther, 4 Schutzenpanzerwagen, 6 gepanzerte Flugabwehrgeschutze, Versorungskompanie, Werkstattkompanie, Panzerbergezug und 3 18t Zugmaschinen,
1. Kompanie 14 Jagdpanther (8,8)
2. Kompanie 14 Sturmgeschutze III (7,5)
3. Kompanie 14 Sturmgeschutze III (7,5) |
519 sPzJgAbt is reformed at Milau with new vehicles, including - 1st Kompanie : 14 Jagdpanthers (8.8), 2nd Kompanie : 14
Sturmgeschutz III (7.5) and 3rd Kompanie : 14 Sturmgeschutz III (7.5). |
| Anfang Okt. 1944 |
Verlegung an die Westfront, Einsatz im Raum Aachen, Wurselen, Hurtgenwald, Julich, Stolberg, Teilnahme an der Ardennenoffensive im Rahmen der VI. SS-Panzerarmee, weiterer Einsatz um Niedeggen, Inden und Pattern, zwischenzeitlich Kommandeur der Abteilung bis zurn Eintreffen des neuen Kommandeurs Major Rosenthal |
Transferred to the Western Front, in action near Aachen, Wurselen, Hurtgenwald, Julich and Stolberg. Took part in the
Ardennes Offensive with the VI SS-Panzerarmee. In action again around Niedeggen, Inden and Pattern, commanding 519 Abteilung
until the arrival of the new Kommandeurs Major Rosenthal. |
| 15.02.1945 |
Tapferkeitsurlaub nach Verleihung des Ritterkreuzes (09.12.1944), in der Zeit bei dem Besuch der PzJg Ersatzabt. 43 Eingriff des Festungskommandanten von Spremberg, mit sofortiger Wirkung an die Ostfront kommandiert in den Kampfraurn Kustrin, Frankfurt / Oder, hier Verwendung in der Division des General Nickel als Kommandeur einer PzJgAbt. und PzJg Sperrbrigade, wenn ich nicht irre handelte es sich urn die PzJgAbt. 342 |
Went on a courage vacation after being awarded the Knight's Cross on 9th December 1944. Served in the division of General Nickel as
a Kommandeur of a PzJgAbt and PzJg Barrier Brigade. |
| Anfang Mai 1945 |
Nach Zerstorung zweier Sowjetkampfwagen durch T-Minen, schwere Verwundung am Bein durch konzentrierten, starken eschuss durch Granatwerfereinsatz der Sowjets, danach auf abenteuerliche Weise bis zur Elbe durchgeschlagen.Nach langerem Aufenthalt am Elbufer durch ein Sturmboot der Amerikaner abgeholt und in Gefangenschaft genommen. Von hieraus in ein deutsches Lazarett uberfurt. Kurz vor Ubernahme des Lazaretts durch die Russen Flucht in das Reservelazarett in Helmstedt |
After destroying two Soviet tanks using T-mines, Erwin Kressmann was wounded in the leg from concentrated heavy fire of
Russian grenade launchers. Afterwards, he made an eventful passage to the Elbe, where after a long stay he was captured by
an American warship. From here he was taken to a German infirmary, from where he was flown by the Russians to the reserve
infirmary at Helmstedt. |
| Feb. 1946 |
Entlassung aus der Kriegsgefangenschaft |
Released from war captivity. |
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 | Oberst Hajo Hermann
A formidable figure in the Luftwaffe, Hajo Hermann was originally awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940 as a bomber pilot. He flew over 320 operations with KG4, and later II./JG30, where he sank 12 ships. In 1942 he was appointed to the Luftwaffe Operational Staff. In July 1943 he was responsible for the formation of JG300 and founded the highly successful Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) tactics of free roaming FW190 night fighters. In December 1943 ge was appointed Luftwaffe Inspector of Aerial Defence. At the end of 1944 he led the 9th Flieger division and created the famous Rammkommando Elbe. At the end of the war he was captured by the Russians, spending long years in captivity. He was awarded the Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords.
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 | Gerhard Fischer
German Army - Knights Cross. SS Unterscharfuhrer, 3rd SS Panzerjager Abteilung Wiking. Awarded the Knights Cross in December 1943.
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