1. Gerhard Ferdinand Otto Raht was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 58 aerial victories claimed in 171 combat missions making him the tenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.
Gerhard Raht was born on 6 June 1920 in Reinfeld, Schleswig-Holstein near Bad Oldesloe, in Weimar Germany.
Gerhard Raht was born into a family of carpenters who ran a furniture making business.
On 3 April 1942 Gerhard Raht was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class for his service.
Gerhard Raht was the only German night fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe to claim a victory this night.
Gerhard Raht's victim was claimed out of a 705-strong force that bombed Krefeld.
Gerhard Raht was flying a Dornier Do 217 on this operation.
Gerhard Raht scrambled to intercept but only caught one Lancaster with his radar operator east of Flensburg at 02:57.
Gerhard Raht spotted the bomber caught in searchlights and fired off an identification flare to force the anti-aircraft batteries to cease-fire against the bomber.
On this date, Gerhard Raht was awarded the German Cross in Gold.
Gerhard Raht scored again at 22:14, his fourth bomber of the night.
Gerhard Raht caught a Halifax south west of Dusseldorf at 01:23 and another northwest of the city at 01:44 for his 30th victory.
One of Gerhard Raht's victims was Avro Lancaster I DV394, KC-M, from the famous No 617 Squadron RAF "Dambusters".
The next night over Schweinfurt at 02:15 Gerhard Raht claimed another Lancaster.
Gerhard Raht did not score again until the Allied invasion had begun on 6 June 1944.
Gerhard Raht was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 June 1944 for 34 night victories.
Gerhard Raht claimed a bomber shot down his 41st victory over France at 00:45.
In southern Germany, Gerhard Raht commanded the Gruppe against night intrusions.
Gerhard Raht's victories were claimed at 22:22, at 22:41, at 23:00, at 00:08, at 00:16 and at 00:23 respectively: his 46th to 51st victories.
Rokker was not successful and stated that he believed Gerhard Raht to be the only successful pilot of the group that night.
Gerhard Raht had claimed his 54th to 58th, and last victories, of the war.
Gerhard Raht joined the German Air Force as a reservist and died on 11 January 1977.