Günther Tonne

Günther Tonne (21 May 1916 – 15 July 1943) 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. 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.

Career
Tonne was born on 21 May 1916 in Frankfurt. He entered service with the Kriegsmarine and transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1937. In September 1939 he joined II./Zerstörergeschwader 1 (ZG 1). In June 1940 II./ZG 1 became III./Zerstörergeschwader 76 (ZG 76) and by July 1940 was an Oberleutnant with 9./ZG 76. He claimed some 7 victories over the English Channel in 1940. In April 1941 Tonne was Staffelkapitän of 6./Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 (SKG 210), and he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in October 1941. He claimed a Royal Air Force (RAF) Blenheim on 18 April 1941.

In January 1942 he was posted to command 6./ZG 1, before becoming Gruppenkommandeur of II./ZG 1. December 1942 saw promotion to Hauptmann and command of II./SKG 10. Tonne became Geschwaderkommodore, of SKG 10 until 15 July 1943 when he was killed in a in crash at Reggio di Calabria, when his engine quit shortly after take-off. He was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 24 October 1944.

Günther Tonne was credited with around 15 victories (approx 5 in the west) in over 300 missions.

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (6 March 1940)
 * 1st Class (9 June 1940)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 5 October 1941 as Oberleutnant and pilot in I./Schnellkampfgeschwader 210
 * 632nd Oak Leaves on 24 October 1944 as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of Schnellkampfgeschwader 10