Ernst-Georg Drünkler

Who was Ernst-Georg Drünkler?

Ernst-Georg Drünkler was a German Luftwaffe night fighter 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. Drünkler claimed 47 aerial victories, 45 of them at night.

After initial pilot training Drünkler was posted to II./ZG 2 on the Eastern Front. In November 1942 he joined I./NJG 5, and in the summer of 1943 claimed his first night victory. After a spell as an instructor, he became staffelkaptain of 13./NJG 5, which he led until the war ended. As a Hauptmann with 40 victories, he was awarded the Knights Cross on 20 March 1945.

At war's end he had claimed 47 enemy aircraft downed in 102 combat missions.