Rudi Linz

Rudi Linz (14 February 1917 – 9 February 1945) was a Luftwaffe (German air force) fighter ace during the Second World war. Linz was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for a total of 70 aerial victories claimed. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 9 February 1945 Linz was shot down and killed in action flying Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8 (Werknummer 732183&mdash;factory number) in defense of the German destroyer Z33 in an operation which was later labeled as Black Friday by the Allied aircrew. Linz claimed his 70th and final aerial victory in this engagement over a North American P-51 Mustang possibly from No. 65 Squadron RAF. The Fw 190A-8 flown by Linz in his last combat still exists, and is being restored by the Texas Air Museum in San Antonio, Texas to at least display status, as of 2011.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold (1 January 1945)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 March 1945 (posthumously) as Leutnant and pilot in the 12./JG 5