Full medal write up
On 25 November 1939, Grfreiter Rink commenced with non-operational flights in DO 17. FW 58’s etc. Serving in Junkers 88a’s of 3/Lehrgeschwader 1, his first combat mission was during the battle of France against targets at Dunkirk on 1 June 1940, where he notes combat with a spitfire and flak. Between 5 and 10 June, he few against targets in Beauvoz, Pontoise, Mass, ships at Le-Harve and Le-Harve. Between 19 June and 11 July, Haven Le-Harve, Orleans x 3, Nantes, Brest, Swansea and shipping in French waters. Having been promoted Uffz, his next combat mission was not until 12 August, an attack on the airfield at Andover, attacks move on the Britain from 25 August 1940, with a night attack on Bristol, which due to weather diverted to Poole and Bournemouth. On 27 August, he took part in another night attack, this time to Plymouth and on the 29 and 30 to Liverpool.
With a period of no combat flights between 31 August and 5 October 1940, over the following 2 months, Rink would take part in no less than a further 31 combat missions to targets in England during the Battle of Britain. Commencing with an attack on the south coast on 6 October, night attacks on London commenced the following day and the 9th, 10th, 17th. 18th and 21 October. The following day an attack on Birmingham and on 27 October, back to London, during which he notes 1 Spitfire. On 28, 29 and 30 October, night attacks on Birmingham and 5 more night attacks on London between 5 and 11 November, various notes including having to land at Caen after one due to bad weather. On 14 November, he took part on a large scale raid on Coventry, noting ‘the city in flames’. This was the date of the most severe to raid on Coventry during the war, being carried out by 515 German bombers. Two days later he took part in a similar sized raid against London and the following day, a night attack on Southampton. Having been promoted Feldwebel (Flight Sergeant), between 23 and 11 December, he took part in a further 7 combat missions, including attacks on Southampton on 23rd, London 29th, Southampton 30th, Bristol 2 December, Birmingham 3rd, Portsmouth 5th, a giant raid on London on 7 December. During most of the latter he notes fire strong or observed. His final attack on England was a night attack on Birmingham on 11 December 1940.
Moving to Sicily, Rinks next combat missions were against Malta on 19 and 20 January 1941, during one of which he notes combat with a Gloster Gladiator. More attacks on Malta on 2 and 9 February, on 11th its not clear the target but ion 13 and 13 February, attacks on targets in North Africa; an Bengazi and an airfield where he notes two buildings destroyed. There are no further entries in the logbook, so the fate of Feldwebel Rink is not clear. His pilot, Feldwebel Boos, who he flew with through most of his combat missions, was posted MIA on 12 July 1943 but given Rink’s logbook ends on 13 February 1941, he was clearly no longer flying. Probably injured or killed. This almost certainly the same Feldwebel Boos who was later awarded the Knights Cross, serving with Kampfgeschwader 55:
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28582/Boos-Johann-Kampfgeschwader-55.htm
Although no unit is marked in the logbook, it is clear from the airfields based at during June 1940 – February 1941, Feldwebel Rink served as an Observer in Junkers 88a’s of 3/Lehrgeschwader 1 which was a multi-purpose unit, operating fighter, bomber and dive-bomber Gruppes.
https://www.ww2.dk/air/lehr/lg1.htm
During his service, Rink took part in 61 combat missions, 12 during the battle for France, 5 on shipping etc, 16 during the battle of Britain (official end date 31 Oct 1940) and a further 17 over Britain November/December 1940. Finally 3 over Malta and 2 in North Africa, the balance its not clear where the targets were.