Years of service 1933–1945
1957–1971 Commands held 2./ StG 2 Unit Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 | Rank Hauptmann Name Kurt Plenzat | |
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Born 17 January 1914
Insterburg ( 1914-01-17 ) Allegiance Nazi Germany (to 1945)
West Germany Service/branch Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)
Luftwaffe (Bundeswehr) Battles/wars Second World War
Balkans Campaign
Battle of Crete
Operation Barbarossa Died November 17, 1998, Cologne, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Balkan Campaign, Battle of Crete, Operation Barbarossa, World War II | ||
Kurt Plenzat (17 January 1914 – 17 November 1998) was a German Hauptmann and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during the Second World War. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade "with Oak Leaves" was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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Early life
Plenzat was born in Insterburg, East Prussia. On 1 April 1933, he joined the 10th company of the 2nd Infantry-Regiment. In 1935, he transferred to the 11th company of the 44th Infantry-Regiment only to join the Luftwaffe in July 1938. He was trained as a Stuka pilot and was transferred via the Erganzungsgruppe of the 2nd Stuka-Geschwader StG 2 to the 2nd Staffel of the Geschwader.
Second World War
Feldwebel Plenzat flew his first combat sortie in 1940 over the English Channel. In the spring of 1941 he participated in the Balkans Campaign and the Battle of Crete.
From June 1941 on, Plenzat fought on the Eastern Front over Russia. On 14 October, he was awarded the Ehrenpokal of the Luftwaffe. On 20 April 1942, after 652 combat sorties, he received the German Cross in Gold. After 652 combat sorties on 19 September 1943 as Oberfeldwebel, Plenzat received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Since the end of 1943, after being promoted to Leutnant, he led the 2nd Staffel of the now renamed Schlachtgeschwader 2 Immelmann. On 18 October 1944, Plenzat flew his 1,000th mission over Hungary. After his 1,100th mission, he was decorated with the 712th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 24 January 1945.
By the end of the war, Plenzat had flown 1,234 combat sorties and is listed fourth on the list of Stuka-Aces. He was shot down seven times, claimed four aerial victories, and destroyed approximately 80 tanks.
After the war
After the take-over of eastern Germany by the Soviet Union, Plenzart found refuge in West Germany and in 1957 he joined the Bundeswehr. In 1971, he retired holding the rank of Hauptmann. He died in Cologne.