1. Hans-Dieter Frank was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 55 aerial victories claimed in approximately 150 combat missions making him the seventeenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.
Hans-Dieter Frank then served with Zerstorergeschwader 1, flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter during the Invasion of Poland and Battle of France.
Hans-Dieter Frank was posthumously bestowed with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and promoted to Major.
Hans-Dieter Frank was born on 8 July 1919 in Kiel, which was then part of the Province of Schleswig-Holstein during the Weimar Republic.
In consequence, Hans-Dieter Frank became a member of the night-fighter force.
On 25 August 1941, Hans-Dieter Frank became an ace after downing his 5th victim, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Z6505, MH-F, No 51 Squadron RAF.
On 27 November 1942, Hans-Dieter Frank was awarded the German Cross in Gold.
Hans-Dieter Frank was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 20 June 1943, the nomination had been submitted for 33 aerial victories claimed.
That night, Hans-Dieter Frank claimed six victories in the early hours, making him an "ace-in-a-day".
Hans-Dieter Frank had escaped the aircraft using the ejection seat but forgot to release his radio-cable.
Hans-Dieter Frank landed safely but was strangled by the radio-cable.
On 2 March 1944, Hans-Dieter Frank was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, the 417th officer or soldier of the Wehrmacht so honored.
Hans-Dieter Frank was credited with 55 nocturnal aerial victories claimed in 328 combat missions.