Heinz Vinke Military person

Heinz Vinke (22 May 1920 – 26 February 1944) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He 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.

Personal facts

Birth date	May 22, 1920
Birth place	Germany , Barby Germany
Date of death	February 26, 1944
Place of death	Dunkirk , France

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Military person

award	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
military operations	Defence of the Reich World War II Battle of Berlin (RAF campaign)
military branch	Luftwaffe
military unit	Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
service start	1938
service end	1944