Reinhold Knacke

Reinhold Knacke (1 January 1919 – 3 February 1943) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace 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. Knacke claimed 44 aerial victories.

Knacke was shot down in aerial combat with a Halifax bomber on 3 February 1943. His radio operator, Unteroffizier Kurt Bundrock, managed to bale out from the burning aircraft. Knacke was found dead next to his crashed Messerschmitt Bf 110-F4 (Werksnummer 4683—factory number) "G9+DK" 3 km east of Achterveld, Netherlands.

Awards

 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (15 July 1940)
 * 1st Class (1940)
 * German Cross in Gold on 14 April 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 2./NJG 1
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 1 July 1942 as Oberleutnant and pilot of the 3./NJG 1
 * 190th Oak Leaves on 7 February 1943 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 3./NJG 1