Paul Gildner

Paul Gildner (1 February 1914 – 24 February 1943) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) 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. Gildner claimed 48 aerial victories, 46 of them at night, 8 of which were four engined heavy bombers.

Career
Born on 1 February 1914, in Nimptsch (Silesia), Gildner was already serving as a Oberfeldwebel pilot with Zerstörergeschwader 1 (ZG 1) when war began in September 1939, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110. Gildner flw intensively during the European campaign in May–June 1940, and also flew missions during early stages of the Battle of Britain.

In August 1940, Gildner, after training in night flying, was transferred to 4. /Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1). After his first claim on 3 September 1940, he would score regularly and on 9 July 1941, after his 14th claim, Oberfeldwebel Gildner was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Through 1942, Gildner (now commissioned to Leutnant), continued his series of claims, making him one of the highest scoring Luftwaffe night fighter pilots at the time.

Gildner died in the crash of Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 (Werksnummer 4846—factory number) following engine failure and fire near Gilze en Rijen in the Netherlands in the night of 24/25 February 1943. His radio operator Unteroffizier Huhn managed to escape and bailed out with his parachute.

On 26 February 1943, Gildner was awarded posthumously, with the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross.

Awards

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold on 18 May 1942 as Oberfeldwebel in the 5./NJG 2
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 9 July 1941 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 3./NJG 1
 * 196th Oak Leaves on 26 February 1943 as Oberleutnant and pilot in the 3./NJG 1
 * Mentioned four times in the Wehrmachtbericht (19 June 1941, 13 March 1942, 27 March 1942 and 23 April 1942)