Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (Pilot Officer)

Unit:

Flugzeugführer, 6.(Fern) Staffel, Aufklärungsgruppe 122, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

December 6th, 1944

Finke’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“His valuable reconnaissance results repeatedly gave the higher commands decisively important information for the conduct of countermeasures. (Sicily, Elba). At the same time he was also an inspiring example for all other crews of the Staffel due to his wealth of experience and tireless devotion to duty. He thus has had an outstanding share in the many achievements of the Staffel.

On the 02.09.1944 he suffered a tragic death shortly after the commencement of a sortie. In light of his exemplary personal conduct, overall achievements and continually demonstrated bravery and decisiveness, I believe Leutnant Finke to be particularly worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

To this was added an endorsement by the commander of Aufklärungsgruppe 122, which provides further insight as to the achievements of Leutnant Finke…

“Due to the nature of conducting night missions with ship detection equipment, Leutnant Finke was never in a position to stand out via outstanding individual deeds.

His superb handling of the complicated equipment brought results to the higher commands that gave them a clear and coherent understanding of the enemy situation. His unwavering soldierly spirit was demonstrated through his high number of sorties (primarily with the Ju 88, an aircraft type that was very vulnerable to opposing fighters) as well as the readiness to duty he continued to uphold in the face of many aerial battles and heavy losses among the comrades of his Staffel.

This submission for the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross is heartily approved.”

By the time of his death Finke had flown a total of 223 sorties (counted as 448 front flights).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 30th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (Pilot Officer)

Unit:

Wettererkundungsstaffel 26, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 28th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 20th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 10th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 1st, 1942