caption serviceyears branch commands death_date death_place birth_place allegiance awards battles birth_date rank image article_title name
hermann hogeback 1934 -- 45 '' luftwaffe '' -lrb- 1935 -- 45 -rrb- heer '' -lrb- 1934 -- 35 -rrb- '' 9 . / lg 1 kg 6 . -lrb- k -rrb- / lg 1 iii 15 february 2004 dötlingen idar-oberstein nazi germany spanish iron cross with oak leaves and swords cross in gold knight 's cross of the spanish civil war world war ii 25 august 1914 oberstleutnant hermann hogeback.jpg hermann hogeback
 hermann hogeback
hermann hogeback

`` oberstleutnant '' hermann hogeback -lrb- 25 august 1914 -- 15 february 2004 -rrb- was a german `` luftwaffe '' bomber pilot and flew more than 100 operational sorties during the spanish civil war and 500 during world war ii .
he was also a recipient of the knight 's cross of the iron cross with oak leaves and swords -lrb- -rrb- .
the knight 's cross of the iron cross and its higher grade oak leaves and swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership .
his last service position was '' '' -lrb- wing commander -rrb- of -lrb- kg 6 -- 6th bomber wing -rrb- .
born in 1914 , hogeback joined the military service of the wehrmacht in 1934 .
he transferred to the `` luftwaffe '' in 1935 and following flight training and service with various bomber wings he volunteered for service with the condor legion in the spanish civil war .
during world war ii he fought in the invasion of poland , battle of france , operation `` weserübung '' , the german invasion of norway , battle of britain , battle of crete , siege of malta , mediterranean theatre of operations , over the eastern front and in defense of the reich .
by the end of hostilities , hogeback 's bomber crew held the unique distinction that every member -- radio operator , combat observer and air gunner -- was decorated with the knight 's cross of the iron cross .
