Gustav Denk

Gustav Denk (24 January 1915 – 13 February 1943) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Denk claimed 67 aerial victories, 1 over the Western Front and 66 over the Eastern Front. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
Gustav Denk joined the Luftwaffe at the beginning of the war and participated in the Invasion of Poland and the Battle of France, but did not get his first victory until the Battle of Britain. Denk found greater success during the Russian campaign, in 1941 he had 4 victories, in 1942 he had 45 victories and in 1943 he had 17. He was killed 13 February 1943 when he attacked the Russian airfield at Chernigov. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943.

Awards

 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 2 November 1942 as Leutnant and pilot
 * German Cross in Gold on 23 December 1942 as Leutnant in the II./Jagdgeschwader 52
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943 as Oberleutnant and pilot in the II./Jagdgeschwader 52