Heinz Vinke
German fighter ace and Knight's Cross recipient
Died when: 23 years 280 days (285 months)Star Sign: Gemini
Heinz Vinke (22 May 1920 – 26 February 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 54 aerial victories claimed in approximately 150 combat missions making him the eighteenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.
All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in Defense of the Reich missions against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command.
Born in Barby, Vinke grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany.Following graduation from school and the compulsory Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reich Labour Service), he joined the military service in 1938.
Vinke then served with Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing), flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter.Following an injury sustained in July 1941, he was posted to Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2—2nd Night Fighter Wing) where he claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 27/28 February 1942.
Following his 25th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 September 1943.Vinke and his crew were shot down and killed in action on 26 February 1944, while on a search and rescue mission over the English Channel.
He was posthumously bestowed with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
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German fighter ace and Knight's Cross recipient
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German fighter ace and Knight's Cross recipient