Kurt Tanzer

Kurt Tanzer (1 November 1920 – 25 June 1960) was a World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Tanzer is credited for shooting down approximately 128-143 enemy aircraft.

Career
He was born in Moscow. On 18 March 1942, he was transferred from Ergänzungsgruppe/Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) 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 where Tanzer was stationed. He managed to scramble and destroyed two Ilyushin Il-2. Despite being wounded, he continued attacking the raiding Soviet aircraft and shot down two more aircraft. After further intense battle, Tanzer landed his heavily damaged Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Tanzer's right hand was seriously injured and he suffered from heavy blood loss.

After being recovered from his injury, Tanzer returned to JG 51 and front line duty on 4 November. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 December 1943 for 35 victories. In June 1944, Tanzer accompanied Karl-Gottfried Nordmann to the staff of Jagdfliegerführer 6. He achieved his 100th victory in the same month in 1944 while serving with this formation. 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. At the end of World War II, he had 128 victories.

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

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (15 February 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold on 24 June 1943 as Feldwebel in the 12./JG 51
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 December 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot of the 12./JG 51 "Mölders"