Hugo Dahmer
German flying ace (1918–2006) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Hugo Dahmer (7 May 1918 – 1 August 2006) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 45, potentially 57, enemy aircraft shot down in 307 combat missions. This figure includes 26 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and at least 19 victories over the Western Allies, including four four-engined bombers.
Hugo Dahmer | |
---|---|
Born | 7 May 1918 Koblenz |
Died | 1 August 2006(2006-08-01) (aged 88) Troisdorf |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany |
Service/ | Luftwaffe German Air Force |
Years of service | 1938–1944 1956–1974 |
Rank | Oberleutnant (Wehrmacht) Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr) |
Unit | JG 26, JG 77, JG 5, JG 2 |
Commands held | 1./JG 2 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Born in Koblenz, Dahmer served with Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26th—26th Fighter Wing) during the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. He claimed his first aerial victory on 16 May 1940. In early 1941, he was transferred to I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) which was based in Norway. When Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he claimed further aerial victories over the Soviet Air Forces and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in July 1941. In late 1942, Dahmer was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) which was fighting on the Western Front. On 17 August 1943, Dahmer was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 1. Staffel of JG 2. He was severly injured in aerial combat on 11 September 1943. He never returned to combat operations, serving the rest of the war as an instructor. Following World War II, he served in the newly established West Germany's Air Force in the Bundeswehr. Dahmer died on 1 August 2006 in Troisdorf.