Ludwig Beckmann
| Ludwig "Lutz" Beckmann | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | "Lutz" |
| Born | 26 October 1895 Dortmund |
| Died | 20 January 1965 (aged 69) Osnabrück |
| Allegiance |  German Empire (to 1918) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Deutsches Heer (1914–1917) Luftstreitkräfte (1917–1918) Luftwaffe (1930's-1945) |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 1930's–1945 |
| Rank | Oberst der Reserve |
| Unit | Jasta 6 Jasta 48 Jasta 56 Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 500 |
| Commands held | Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 500 |
| Battles/wars |
World War I |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Ludwig "Lutz" Beckmann (26 October 1895 – 20 January 1965) was a German Luftstreitkräfte ace during World War I and a 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. Ludwig Beckmann claimed eight aerial victories during World War I all on the Western Front. Two victims of his victories were British aces Harold Mellings and Herbert A. Patey.[1]
World War I aerial service
Beckmann joined Jagdstaffel 6 in December 1917. On 21 February 1918, he transferred to Jagdstaffel 48. He transferred once again, to Jagdstaffel 56, on 11 March 1918. Two days later, he scored his first aerial victory. He would score eight confirmed victories before war's end.[2]
World War II service
Beckmann commanded a special transport unit, IV/TG1, during World War II. He flew over 200 air bridge sorties into besieged Demjansk, Russia with this unit. He also commanded a Junkers 52 unit, KGr zbV 500.[2]
Awards
- Preuss Flugzeugführerabzeichen
- Iron Cross (1914)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Cross of Honor
- Flugzeugführerabzeichen
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (19 October 1942)
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- German Cross in Gold
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 500 [3]
Citations
- ^ The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/beckmann.php Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ a b Franks et al 1993, p. 69.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 108.
References
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941–1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
