Alfred Franke (20 September 1918 – 9 September 1942) was a German

Luftwaffe The Luftwaffe () was the aerial warfare, aerial-warfare branch of the before and during World War II. German Empire, Germany's military air arms during World War I, the of the Imperial German Army, Imperial Army and the of the Imperial Ge ...

ace An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or a club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the ...

and recipient of the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. While it was order of precedence, lower in preceden ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 9 September 1942, Alfred Franke was killed north of Stalingrad after dog-fighting with a Soviet Il-2 Shturmovik flown by ''Kapitan'' Pavel S. Vinogradov. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 29 October 1942 and was also promoted to Lieutenant. During his career he was credited with 60 aerial victories. 4 on the Western Front and 56 on the Eastern Front.

Summary of career

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Franke was credited with 60 aerial victories.

Awards

* Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe *

Iron Cross The Iron Cross (, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire (1871–1918), and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). The design, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline, was derived from the in ...

(1939) 2nd Class & 1st Class * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 13 September 1942 as ''

Oberfeldwebel (; OFw or OF) is the fourth highest non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in German Army and German Air Force. History The rank was introduced first by the German Reichswehr in 1920. Preferable most experienced Protégée-NCO of the old ...

'' and pilot *

German Cross The War Order of the German Cross (), normally abbreviated to the German Cross or ''Deutsches Kreuz'', was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repeated acts of bravery or military leade ...

in Gold on 25 September 1942 as ''Oberfeldwebel'' in the I./''Jagdgeschwader'' 53 *

on 29 October 1942 as ''Oberfeldwebel'' and pilot in the 2./''Jagdgeschwader'' 53

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Franke, Alfred 1918 births 1942 deaths Military personnel from Jena German World War II flying aces Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II Aviators killed by being shot down