Heinz Knoke [SEP] conflict
Heinz Knoke
Heinz Knoke (24 March 1921 – 18 May 1993) was a World War II "Luftwaffe" flying ace. He is credited with 33 confirmed aerial victories, all claimed over the Western theatre of operations, and claimed a further 19 unconfirmed kills in over 2,000 flights. His total included 19 heavy bombers of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).
Early life.
He was born the son of a policeman on 24 March 1921 in Hamelin. On 6 July 1938, whilst watching an
) on 27 April 1945.
In September 1945 Heinz Knoke returned to civilian life.
Political career.
In 1951 Heinz Knoke was elected to the legislature of Lower Saxony as a member of the Socialist Reich Party. Although the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Germany declared this party illegal in 1952, Knoke remained in politics as a member of the parish council of the "Gemeinde Schortens" ("Gemeindeparlament") from April 1954.
For several years he also worked as a Manager with the Jever "