Anton Andorfer | |
---|---|
Born | 23 December 1919 Linz, Austria |
Died | 11 April 1945 Cottbus |
(aged 25)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1939–1945 |
Rank | Hauptmann |
Unit | StG 77 SG 77 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Anton Andorfer (23 December 1919 – 11 April 1945) was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
After his training Andorfer joined I./StG. 77 (Sturzkampfgeschwader 77) in the winter of 1941-42, flying the JUnkers Ju 87. He became a Staffelkaptain in July 1943, and had flown 726 operations by March 1944 when he was awarded the Ritterkreuz. After conversion to the ground-attack version of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, he flew a further 200 sorties on the Eastern Front with 2./SG 77. Promoted to Hauptmann, Andorfer flew in the Battle for Berlin and was shot down and killed by Soviet Anti-Aircraft guns near Cottbus.
During his wartime career he flew 900 missions, during which he was credited with the destruction of 45 tanks, 50 guns, 6 anti-aircraft batteries, and 10 marine vessels with a total of 13,000 BRT .[Notes 1]
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