Ernst Erich Hirschfeld

Ernst-Erich Hirschfeld (25 August 1918 – 28 July 1944) was a German Luftwaffe 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. On 28 July 1944, Ernst-Erich Hirschfeld died after his parachute failed to open after he bailed out from his damaged Messerschmitt Bf 109. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 24 October 1944. During his career he was credited with 24 aerial victories, 23 on the Western Front and 1 on the Eastern Front.