Rainer Nossek

Rainer Nossek (5 May 1920 – 30 April 1945) was a highly decorated Oberleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career he flew 800 missions and was credited with the destruction of 73+ tanks. Rainer Nossek was killed on 30 April 1945 when the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 he was flying was bounced and shot down by a Royal Air Force Spitfire XIV from 350 Squadron as he was attempting to land near Schwerin. During the same attack, Knight's Cross recipients Andreas Kuffner and Wilhelm Bromen were killed and wounded respectively.

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "800"
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold (12 July 1943)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot in the 10. (Pz)/Schlachtgeschwader 3