Heinz Golinski
| Heinz Golinski | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Figaro" |
| Born |
11 July 1919 Nordstemmen, Germany |
| Died |
16 October 1942 (aged 23) Malta |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1939–1942 |
| Rank | Feldwebel |
| Unit | JG 53 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Heinz "Figaro" Golinski (11 July 1919 – 16 October 1942) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.
Golinski was born on 11 July 1919 in Nordstemmen and was posted as a Unteroffizier to 3./Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) in the autumn of 1941, operating over the German Bight and over Malta. He then served as a test pilot with Messerschmitt. In August 1942 Golinski joined I./JG 53 on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first victory on 28 July 1942, a R-5 biplane. During August he claimed 17 victories. Golinski claimed 27 victories in September. In late September, I./JG 53 transferred to the Mediterranean.
On 16 October 1942, Golinski shot down a Spitfire. However, another Spitfire then attacked him and his Bf 109 G-2 crashed and Golinski was killed. It is thought Golinski was the victim of Canadian ace F/L Henry Wallace "Wally" McLeod of No. 1435 Squadron RCAF. Golinski was posthumously awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 5 November, and the Ritterkreuz on 30 December. “Figaro” Golinski was credited with 47 victories. He recorded 46 victories over the Eastern Front, including 13 Sturmoviks.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 26 October 1942 as Unteroffizier and pilot[1][2]
- German Cross in Gold on 5 November 1942 as Unteroffizier in the I./JG 53[3]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 December 1942 (posthumous) as Unteroffizier and pilot in the 3./JG 53[4]
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
External links
- "Aces of the Luftwaffe". Heinz Golinski. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
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