Heinz Golinski

Heinz Golinski (11 July 1919 – 16 October 1942) was a German fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Heinz Golinski
Born	11 July 1919 Nordstemmen, Germany
Died	16 October 1942 (1942-10-17) (aged 23) Malta
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service / branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1939–1942
Rank	Feldwebel
Unit	JG 53
Battles / wars	World War II Eastern Front Western Front
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Golinski was born on 11 July 1919 in Nordstemmen and was posted as an Unteroffizier to 3./Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) in the autumn of 1941, operating over the German Bight and over Malta. He then served as a test pilot with Messerschmitt. In August 1942, Golinski joined I./JG 53 on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first victory on 28 July 1942, an R-5 biplane. During August, he claimed 17 victories. Golinski claimed 27 victories in September. In late September, I./JG 53 transferred to the Mediterranean.

On 16 October 1942, Golinski shot down a Spitfire. However, another Spitfire attacked him and his Bf 109 G-2 crashed killing Golinski. It is thought Golinski was the victim of Canadian ace F/L Henry Wallace "Wally" McLeod of No. 1435 Squadron RCAF. Golinski was posthumously awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 5 November, and the Ritterkreuz on 30 December.

Awards

• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 26 October 1942 as Unteroffizier and pilot^[1][2]
• German Cross in Gold on 5 November 1942 as Unteroffizier in the I./JG 53^[3]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 December 1942 (posthumous) as Unteroffizier and pilot in the 3./JG 53^[4]