Ludwig Beckmann

German fighter ace and Knight's Cross recipient

Ludwig "Lutz" Beckmann

Nickname(s)| Lutz
Born| 26 October 1895
Died| 20 January 1965(1965-01-20) (aged 69)
Allegiance|  German Empire
Nazi Germany
Service/branch| Prussian Army
Luftstreitkräfte
Luftwaffe
Years of service| 1914–18
1930's–1945
Rank| Oberst
Unit| Jasta 6
Commands| Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 500
Battles/wars| World War I
World War II
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.

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.[1]

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 Ju 52 unit, KGr zbV 500.[1]

## Awards

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* German Cross in Gold on 16 July 1942 as Oberstleutnant in Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 500[2]
* Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 19 October 1942 as Oberstleutnant and Gruppenkommandeur[3]
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 500[4]

## References

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### Citations

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1. ^ a b Franks et al 1993, p. 69.
2. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 32.
3. ^ Patwall 2008, p. 47.
4. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 210.

## Bibliography

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* 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.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
* Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
* 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 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.

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