TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Frank, Heinz

Date of birth:
December 12th, 1914 (Arnstadt/Thuringia, Germany)
Date of death:
October 7th, 1944 (Arnstadt/Thuringia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Heinz Frank died after an accident on 7th October 1944. At that moment he was Kommandeur IV. / Schlachtgeschwader 151 with the rank of Major.
He achieved eight victories in over 900 sorties.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 28th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 27th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 30th, 1940

Published in the Ehrenliste der Deutschen Luftwaffe on 22nd December 1940. Awarding date on the Ehrenpokal.
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
3. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Schlachtgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
March 6th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Award 6/36.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 13th, 1942
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Staffelkapitän, 3. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Schlachtgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
September 3rd, 1942
Awarded after flying over 500 ground attack sorties. In this time he also achieved 4 aerial victories. On the 25.05.1942 Oberleutnant Frank was one of the first to identify the Soviet breakthrough near Kharkov, and he fought against it successfully with his Staffel. He would further distinguish himself when he supported the landing operation of German assault boats against the Parpatsch ditch (on the Kertsch peninsula).

539th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Staffelkapitän, 3. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Schlachtgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
January 8th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 13.01.1943) describes why Frank received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant Frank has distinguished himself through his heroic devotion to duty and the prudent leadership of his Staffel, especially while serving in the interdiction role. This outstanding officer decisively intervened in the battles for the Kerch Peninsula and Kharkov, and by November 1942 he had already flown 700 sorties. He suppressed the enemy through well-aimed bombing attacks and ceaseless strafing runs during an assault by German Sturmboote on the Parpatsch ditch. On the 25.05.1942 he was one of the first to identify the deep Soviet breakthrough attempt during the Second Battle of Kharkov, and he immediately intervened in the battle by striking at enemy columns with his Staffel.”

172nd Award.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 27th, 1944
Wehrmachtbericht

Sources

Photo