Martin Moßdorf

Martin Moßdorf (10 January 1916 – 11 January 2002) was a highly decorated Hauptmann 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 over 160 missions. In August 1942 he led a group of 22 Stuka attacking a convoy on his way to Malta (Operation Pedestal), but instead of attacking the freighters of the convoy he attacked HMS Indomitable (92). In November 1942, Martin Moßdorf was shot down by British P-40s, captured and held until 1947.

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen (22 July 1937)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold (26 June 1941)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (4 February 1942)
 * Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle bar
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (27 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (21 June 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold (19 March 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 3 September 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 3./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3
 * Ärmelband Kreta
 * Ärmelband Afrika