Kurt Tanzer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kurt Tanzer
1 November 1920(1920-11-01) – 25 June 1960 (aged 39)
Place of birth Moscow
Place of death Near the Balearic Islands
Allegiance Flag of Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Unit JG 51, Jafü 6, Jafü Ostpreußen
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe
German Cross in Gold
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Kurt Tanzer (1 November 1920 – 25 June 1960) was a World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace. He was born on 1 November 1920 at Moscow.[1] Tanzer is credited for shooting down approximately 128-143 enemy aircraft.[2]

Contents

[edit] World War II

On 18 March 1942, he was transferred from Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 51 to 12./JG 51 which was based on the Eastern front. Tanzer achieved his 35th victory on 5 May 1943. On 6 May, Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 attacked the airfield at which Tanzer was stationed. He managed to scramble and destroyed two Ilyushin Il-2. Despite being wounded, he continued attacking the raiding Soviet aircraft and shoot down two more aircrafts. After further intense batttle, Tanzer landed his heavily damaged Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Tanzer's right hand was seriously injured and he suffered from heavy blood loss.[1]

After being recovered from his injury, Tanzer returned to JG 51 and front line duty on 4 November.[1] He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 December, 1943 for 35 victories.[3] In June 1944, Tanzer accompanied Karl-Gottfried Nordmann to the staff of Jagdfliegerführer 6.[1] He achieved his 100th victory in the same month in 1944 while serving with this formation.[1][4] He was then transferred to the staff of Jagdfliegerführer in East Prussia on 1 September 1944. Tanzer was transferred to 13./JG 51 on 10 February 1945 and was appointed Staffelkapitän of the unit on 12 March.[1] At he end of the World War II, he had 128 victories.[4]

[edit] Later life and death

Kurt Tanzer survived the World War II[1] and began as a volunteer at a chemical plant.[4] On 16 June 1957, he joined the post-war Bundesluftwaffe.[1][4] He died on 25 June 1960 when his T-33 Shooting Star crashed over the Balearic Islands in bad weather.[1][4]

[edit] Awards

Kurt Tanzer received a total of three awards.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kurt Tanzer
  2. ^ Spick 1996, p. 229.
  3. ^ John Weal (2006). Jagdgeschwader 51 'Mölders'. Osprey Publishing, p106. ISBN 1846030455. 
  4. ^ a b c d e Tanzer, Kurt (German)

[edit] Further reading

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit. Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 - 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, 2001. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
  • Spick, Mike. Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. Ivy Books, 1996. ISBN 0-8041-1696-2.