Heinz R%C3%B6kker

Heinz Rkker is a former German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He shot down 64 enemy aircraft , all were British bombers.

Rkker was born onOctober 1920 in Oldenburg, Germany. He joined the Luftwaffe in October 1939 and began his flight training with Flieger Ausbildungs Regimentat Gstrow in July 1940. He attended Blindflugschulein Belgrade before completing his training in September 1941 at Nachtjagdschule 1. Rkker was then posted in May 1942 tostaffel, Nachtjagdgeschwader operating in the Mediterranean theatre. Carlos Nugent was also posted to 1.NJGin May 1942 and became Heinz Rkkers Bordfunker . Rkker shot down a Royal Air Force Bristol Beaufort by day onJune 1942, over the Mediterranean. His aircraft received several hits from return fire during the action, but he landed safely.

Source: Wikipedia