Hermann Buchner (pilot)

Hermann Buchner was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Buchner is credited with 46 tank victories and 58 aerial victories, including 12 while flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, accumulated in 631 combat missions.

Buchner, in the two years following World War II, served as an observer in the weather service of the American occupation forces. He helped found the Aero-Club Salzburg and worked as a flight instructor at glider school Zell am See. Austria regained its political autonomy in 1955 and Buchner joined the newly emerging Austrian Luftwaffe as a flight instructor and officer. Buchner was one of the first pilots trained on the British DH 115 "Vampire" and later the Swedish Saab J-29. He served as a technical officer in the Jagdbomber-Schulstaffel (ground attack training squadron) in Graz under command of Major Karl "Charly" Bleckl. Promoted to Oberstleutnant and staff officer in Jagdbombergeschwader 1 and at the same time surrogate of commander Oberst Bleckl he was made commander of the airfield at Linz-Hörsching in 1979. Buchner retired from active service one year later.

Awards
Hermann Buchner had been nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The nomination was not processed before the end of World War II in Europe.
 * Crimea Shield
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (2 October 1942)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold on 17 October 1943 as Feldwebel in the 6./SG 1
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 20 July 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 6./SG 2 "Immelmann"
 * Silver and Gold Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria