Anton Lindner

Anton Lindner (12 April 1917 – 17 February 1994) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Lindner joined the postwar German Air Force, at the time named the Bundesluftwaffe, in 1956 and retired in 1972 as an Oberstleutnant (colonel).^[1] During his career he was credited with 73 aerial victories,^[2] one on the Western Front and 72 on the Eastern Front, claimed in 650 combat missions.^[3]

Anton Lindner
Born	12 April 1917 Hohenkemnath
Died	17 February 1994(1994-02-17) (aged 76) Hohenkemnath
Allegiance	Nazi Germany (to 1945)  West Germany
Service / branch	Luftwaffe German Air Force
Years of service	1939–45 1956–72
Rank	Oberleutnant (Wehrmacht) Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr)
Unit	JG 51
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Kursk Defense of the Reich
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Lindner was credited with 73 aerial victories.^[4] Spick also lists him with 73 aerial victories, 72 of which on the Eastern Front and one on the Western Front, claimed in 650 combat mission.^[3] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 72 aerial victory claims on the Eastern Front, plus one further unconfirmed claim on the Western Front.^[5]

Awards

• Aviator badge
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• German Cross in Gold on 27 May 1942 as Oberfeldwebel in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51^[6]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 April 1944 as Leutnant and pilot in the Stabsstaffel/Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"^{[7][Note 1]}

Notes

1. According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders".^[8]