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Herkner, Erich (Kampfgeschwader 55 'Greif')

Date of birth:
July 7th, 1915 (Machendorf, Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:
January 17th, 1945 (over Litzmannstadt/General Government, Poland)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

01.10.1939: graduated with a degree in engineering when he joined the Luftwaffe
11.1941: served as a flight instructor
01.1942: transferred to KGr.z.b.V. 5 and flew missions into the Demjansk pocket
05.1943: his unit was renamed I./ KG 55 'Greif'
05.1943: transferred to 14.(Eis)/ KG 55 'Greif'
25.06.1943: Feldwebel, awarded the Ehenpokal
26.07.1943: Feldwebel, awarded the DKiG
24.11.1943: with 14.(Eins.)/ KG 55 unhurt when his He 111 H-16 coded 'G1+HY' was damaged by anti-aircraft guns 130 km behind the lines - engine hit
01.04.1944: promoted to Leutnant
06.12.1944: Leutnant, awarded Ritterkreuz, 14.(Eis)/ KG 55 'Greif'
17.01.1945: Leutnant, 14.(Eins)/ KG 55 'Greif' KIA by AA fire over Litzmannstadt (£ódŸ/Poland) while attacking targets during the Soviet winter offensive
Pilot credited with about 450 missions

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit:
9. Staffel, III. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 24th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer
Awarded on:
June 25th, 1943

According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz awarded on 26-5-1943.
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer, 14.(Eis) Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
December 6th, 1944
Awarded after flying a total of 435 sorties as a bomber/transport pilot. He particularly distinguished himself while serving with the 14. (Eis.)/KG 55. While serving with this unit he achieved the following materiel successes while serving on the Eastern front…

- 12 ammunition trains and 16 locomotives destroyed.
- 9 transport trains, 5 ammunition trains and 2 fuel trains damaged.
- 3 fuel depots plus numerous railway stations and marshalling yards destroyed.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 16th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 10th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 19th, 1943
Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold mit Anhänger
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
with pennant '400'
Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold mit Anhänger und einzatszahl

Sources

Photo