Heinz Vinke information

Heinz Vinke
Heinz Vinke
Born	22 May 1920; Barby, Free State of Prussia, Weimar Republic
Died	26 February 1944 (aged 23); English Channel, off Dunkirk, German-occupied France
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1938–44
Rank	Oberfeldwebel
Unit	NJG 1, NJG 2
Battles/wars	World War II Defense of the Reich † Battle of Berlin (air); ;
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Heinz Vinke (22 May 1920 – 26 February 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 54 aerial victories claimed in approximately 150 combat missions making him the eighteenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.^[1]^[2] All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in Defense of the Reich missions against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command.

Born in Barby, Vinke grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school and the compulsory Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reich Labour Service), he joined the military service in 1938. Vinke then served with Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing), flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter. Following an injury sustained in July 1941, he was posted to Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2—2nd Night Fighter Wing) where he claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 27/28 February 1942. Following his 25th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 September 1943. Vinke and his crew were shot down and killed in action on 26 February 1944, while on a search and rescue mission over the English Channel. He was posthumously bestowed with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

^ Scutts 1998, p. 88.
^ Heaton et al. 2011, p. 240.

[FOOTNOTEScutts199888-1] Scutts 1998, p. 88.

[FOOTNOTEHeatonLewisOldsSchulze2011240-2] Heaton et al. 2011, p. 240.

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Heinz Vinke

Born	22 May 1920 Barby, Free State of Prussia, Weimar Republic
Died	26 February 1944(1944-02-26) (aged 23) English Channel, off Dunkirk, German-occupied France
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1938–44
Rank	Oberfeldwebel
Unit	NJG 1, NJG 2
Battles/wars	World War II Defense of the Reich † Battle of Berlin (air)
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves