Horst Patuschka

Dr. Horst Patuschka (22 May 1912 – 6 March 1943) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace 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. Horst Patuschka was killed on 6 March 1943 after his JU-88 crashed near Bizerte, Tunisia due to engine failure. During his career he was credited with 23 aerial victories all of them at night. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 10 May 1943.

Awards

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (21 September 1942)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold (16 November 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 10 May 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2