Renz, Gerhard (Kampfgeschwader 26)

Date of birth:: July 22nd, 1910 (Halle an der Saale/Westphalia, Germany)
Date of death:: February 16th, 1946 (Lübeck/Schleswick-Holstein, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Gerhard Renz reached the rank of Hauptmann.

01.10.1931: entered the Landespolizei
31.03.1935: Wachtmeister, left the Polizei
24.07.1935: entered the Luftwaffe
00.00.1936: Fliegergruppe Gotha then I./ KG 253
01.10.1937: began training as a bomber observer with Grosse KFS Tutow
00.00.1938: II./ KG 257 - later II./ KG 26
00.09.1939: with 1./ KG 26
31.07.1940: Ofw. in II./ KG 26, awarded the Ritterkreuz for outstanding success against Royal Navy units in the North Sea
00.07.1940: reassigned from front service to Grosse KFS Tutow as an instructor for Beobachter
01.04.1941: promoted to Oberleutnant
00.11.1942: enrolled in flight training and later became a flight instructor.
01.04.1943: promoted to Hauptmann (Kr.O.) - RDA 01.06.1942
00.00.1943: began a series of appointments as instructor in some schools
00.04.1944: Hptm. in 3.(Schulung-)/ KG 101 - the 3. Staffel taught glide- and dive-bombing tactics
00.07.1944-00.03.1945: Fliegerhorstkommandantur E (v) 219/I
Credited with about 60 missions

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

Flugzeugbeobachterabzeichen

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Unit:: Flugzeugbeobachter, II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 26
Awarded on:: July 31st, 1940

The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Renz received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberfeldwebel Renz has especially distinguished himself as a result of his bold resolve during aerial operations over Scapa Flow, the Shetlands, the North see, the English Coast and Norway. Later, during the battles for the Maginot Line, Oberfeldwebel Renz was particularly successful in launching bombing attacks against bunkers. At all times he demonstrated a high level of devotion to duty, bravery and initiative.”

By the time of his award he had flown just 60 sorties, and was the first bomber crewman to receive the award alongside Leutnant von Schwerin. Among his more notable successes was the sinking of an anti-aircraft cruiser.