Kurt Tanzer
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Kurt Tanzer (1 November, 1920 – 25 June, 1960) was a World War II fighter ace from Nazi Germany. He was born on 1 November 1920 at Moscow. Tanzer is credited for shooting down more than 128 enemy aircraft.
World War II
On 18 March 1942, he was transferred from Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 51 to 12./JG 51 which was based on the Eastern front. Tanzer achieved his 35th victory on 5 May 1943. On 6 May, Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 attacked the airfield at which Tanzer was stationed. He managed to scramble and destroyed two Ilyushin Il-2. Despite being wounded, he continued attacking the raiding Soviet aircraft and shoot down two more aircrafts. After further intense batttle, Tanzer landed his heavily damaged Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Tanzer's right hand was seriously injured and he suffered from heavy blood loss.
After being recovered from his injury, Tanzer returned to JG 51 and front line duty on 4 November. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 December for 39 victories. In June 1944, Tanzer accompanied Karl-Gottfried Nordmann to the staff of Jagdfliegerführer 6. He achieved his 100th victory while serving with this formation. He was then transferred to the staff of Jagdfliegerführer in East Prussia on 1 September 1944. Tanzer was transferred to 13./JG 51 on 10 February 1945 and was appointed Staffelkapitän of the unit on 12 March.[1]
Later life and death
Kurt Tanzer survived the World War II and joined the post-war Bundesluftwaffe. He died on 25 June 1960 in a T-33 Shooting Star over the Baleric Islands in bad weather.[1]
Awards
He received a total of three award.
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (15 February 1943)
- German Cross in Gold (24 June 1943)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (5 December 1943)[1]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c Kurt Tanzer
Further reading
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit. Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 - 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, 2001. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.