Walter Rubensdörffer

Walter Rubensdörffer (1 August 1910 – 15 August 1940) was a German Luftwaffe pilot and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Spanish Civil War
Rubensdörffer served with the Stab of Jagdgruppe 88 during the Spanish Civil War and was credited with one aerial victory.

World War II
He was appointed as Gruppenkommandeur of Erprobungsgruppe 210 in July 1940 and on 15 August 1940, was killed in action when he mistakenly bombed the Croydon airfield (on the outskirts of London) instead of the intended target, Kenley Aerodrome. His Messerschmitt Bf 110 D-0 ("S9+AB") had sustained damage in combat with No. 111 Squadron RAF and No. 32 Squadron RAF Hawker Hurricanes. As his aircraft kept being hit, Rubensdörffer attempted to land his aircraft near Rotherfield. He and his crewman, air gunner Obergefreiter Ludwig Kretzer, were killed when the aircraft ploughed into trees near Bletchingley Farm. Rubensdörffer and Kretzer were initially buried in Tunbridge Wells but their bodies were later exhumed and reburied in Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 August 1940 (posthumously) as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of Erprobungsgruppe 210