Otto Dommeratzky

Otto Dommeratzky (3 May 1916 – 13 October 1944) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Dommeratzky was born on 3 May 1916 at Löderburg, near Staßfurt in Sachsen-Anhalt. Dommeratzsky flew his first combat missions over Poland and in the French campaign with II.(S)/Lehrgeschwader 2. He later operated over the Balkans in spring 1941 and participated in the invasion of Russia in June 1941.

In January 1942, II.(S)/LG 2 was redesignated SchG 1, and during 1942 and 1943, Dommeratzky served with 8./SchG 1, over the central and southern sectors of the Eastern front, predominantly in the anti-tank role.

Dommeratzky was awarded the Ehrenpokal on 21 September 1942 and the German Cross in Gold on 3 October. On 5 January 1943 Oberfeldwebel Dommeratzky was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for 425 missions, and 20 air victories.

By spring 1944 Dommeratzky was serving with 6./SG 2, mainly operating in the fighter escort role to “Panzerjägers” Ju 87G's. In the summer of 1944 he served as an instructor with 6./SG 151 based at Proßnitz.

On 13 October 1944, Dommeratzky had taken off in an his Fw 190 F-3 "Yellow 4", with a member of his groundcrew stowed in the fuselage, on a transfer flight to the Eastern front when over Slawital he encountered USAAF escort fighters on a sweep and his aircraft was badly shot up. Although he could have used his parachute, Dommeratzky attempted a forced landing to save the life of his mechanic. Both were killed in the subsequent crash of his Fw 190. Leutnant Dommeratzky was posthumously awarded the Eichenlaub on 25 November 1944.

Otto Dommeratzky was credited with 38 victories in about 600 missions, all on the Eastern front.

Awards and decorations

 * Aviator badge
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "600"
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (21 September 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold (3 October 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 5 January 1943 as Oberleutnant and pilot in the 8./Schlachtgeschwader 1
 * 665th Oak Leaves on 25 November 1944 as Leutnant and Staffelkapitän in the 6./Schlachtgeschwader 2