Diether Lukesch

Hauptmann Diether Lukesch (born 15 July 1918, in Hadersdorf-Weidlingau, Penzing, Wien - died 28 February 2004) was German World War II Luftwaffe bomber pilot. During the course of the war he was decorated with Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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. He was one of the first pilots to carry out jet bombing missions flying the Arado Ar 234.

Military career
In October 1944, as his Arado training proceeded, Lukesch was awarded Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. On the day before Christmas 1944, Lukesch led nine Ar 234B-2s in the first jet bombing missions ever, supporting the German counterattack out of the Ardennes. The target was a factory complex at Liège, Belgium. In the days that followed, Lukesch and the Arado pilots attacked Allied troops, rail yards, and other positions. On New Year's Day 1945, Lukesch led history's first jet, night-bombing sortie, attacking targets at Brussels and Liège. He concluded the war with a total of 436 bombing and long-range reconnaissance missions. He was taken prisoner of war by the American forces and released on 27 July 1945.

After the war
Lukesch at first worked for US Armed Forces in Austria. He then became a commercial airline pilot, flying for 18 years first with KLM, and later Lufthansa.

Awards

 * Eastern Front Medal (February 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold (23 December 1942)
 * Combined Pilots-Observation Badge
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 20 December 1941 as Leutnant and pilot in the 7./KG 76
 * 620th Oak Leaves on 10 October 1944 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 9./KG 76