HF
The basics
Quick facts
Intro
German fighter ace and Knight's Cross recipient
Gender:
Male
Places:
Work field:
Birth:
8 July 1919(Kiel)
Death:
27 September 1943(Hanover)
The details
Biography
Introduction
Hans-Dieter Frank (8 July 1919 – 28 September 1943) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Frank claimed 55 aerial victories. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Frank was killed in a mid-air collision with another night fighter northwest of Celle in the night of 28/29 September 1943. This collision was likely caused by an attack made on his fighter by RAF night fighter ace Bob Braham.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (19 October 1942)
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- German Cross in Gold on 27 November 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 2./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 20 June 1943 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 2./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
- 417th Oak Leaves on 2 March 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
- Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 119.
- ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 315.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 184.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 79.