Kurt Plenzat

Kurt Plenzat (17 January 1914 – 17 November 1998) was a German Hauptmann and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Early life
Plenzat was born in Insterburg, East Prussia. On 1 April 1933, he joined the 10th company of the 2nd Infantry-Regiment. In 1935, he transferred to the 11th company of the 44th Infantry-Regiment only to join the Luftwaffe in July 1938. He was trained as a Stuka pilot and was transferred via the Ergänzungsgruppe of the 2nd Stuka-Geschwader StG 2 to the 2nd Staffel of the Geschwader.

World War II
Feldwebel Plenzat flew his first combat sortie in 1940 over the English Channel. In the spring of 1941 he participated in the Balkans Campaign and the Battle of Crete.

From June 1941 on, Plenzat fought on the Eastern front over Russia. On 14 October, he was awarded the Ehrenpokal of the Luftwaffe. On 20 April 1942, after 652 combat sorties, he received the German Cross in Gold. After 652 combat sorties on 19 September 1943 as Oberfeldwebel, Plenzat received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Since the end of 1943, after being promoted to Leutnant, he led the 2nd Staffel of the now renamed Schlachtgeschwader 2 Immelmann. On 18 October 1944, Plenzat flew his 1,000th mission over Hungary. After his 1,100th mission, he was decorated with the 712th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 24 January 1945.

By the end of the war, Plenzat had flown 1,234 combat sorties and is listed fourth on the list of Stuka-Aces. He was shot down seven times, claimed four aerial victories, and destroyed approximately 80 tanks, which ranks him 12th of all German ground attack pilots.

After the war
After the take-over of eastern Germany by the Soviet Union, Plenzart found refuge in West Germany and in 1957 he joined the Bundeswehr. In 1971, he retired holding the rank of Hauptmann. He died in Cologne.

Awards

 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (14 October 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold on 9 April 1942 as Oberfeldwebel in the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 19 September 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 2./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"
 * 712nd Oak Leaves on 24 January 1945 as Leutnant and pilot in the 2./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"