Ernst Beutelspacher
Encyclopedia
Ernst Beutelspacher was a German
Luftwaffe
ace
and 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.
near Karlsruhe
. In May 1941 Fähnrich
(Ensign) Beutelspacher was posted to II.(S)/Lehrgeschwader 2
(LG 2—2nd demonstration wing) as a ground attack pilot, and flew his first combat missions at the start of the invasion of Russia in June 1941. In early 1942 II./(S)/LG 2 was was redesignated as II./Schlachtgeschwader 1
(SG 1—1st ground attack wick). On 21 December 1942 Beutelspacher was promoted to Leutnant (2nd lieutenant), and awarded the German Cross
in Gold in August 1943. In the summer of 1943 Beutelspacher was made Staffelkapitän
(squadron leader).
Beutelspacher recorded his first aerial victory on 5 August 1943, shooting down a LaGG-5 fighter. In October 1943 II./SG 1 was again redesignated, this time to II./Schlachtgeschwader 2
, with Beutelspacher commanding 6 staffel. By the end of 1943 he had three aerial victories to his credit. Beutelspacher was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
in May 1944.
On 22 July 1944 the FW-190s of SG 2 were in combat near Buzau and Zilistea with the P-38s of the 82nd and 14th Fighter Groups and P-51s of the 31th Fighter Group. Beutelspacher was one of five pilots shot down and killed in his Fw 190F-8 during aerial combat east of Focşani
in Rumania.
He was credited with 5 victories in over 600 missions, all of them over the Eastern Front, including one B-17 claimed in June 1944 over Bucharest.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Career
Beutelspacher was born in AuerbachAuerbach
Auerbach, a German language generic toponym coming from Aue + Bach, meaning "floodmeadow brook", can refer to:-In Germany:*Auerbach, Erzgebirgskreis, in the Erzgebirgskreis district, Saxony...
near Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe
The City of Karlsruhe is a city in the southwest of Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, located near the French-German border.Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 as Karlsruhe Palace, when Germany was a series of principalities and city states...
. In May 1941 Fähnrich
Fähnrich
Fähnrich is a German and Austrian military rank in armed forces which translates as "Ensign" in English. The rank also exists in a few other European military organizations, often with historical ties to the German system. Examples are Sweden, Norway and Finland . The French Army has a similar...
(Ensign) Beutelspacher was posted to II.(S)/Lehrgeschwader 2
Lehrgeschwader 2
Lehrgeschwader 2 was a Luftwaffe unit during World War II, operating three fighter, night fighter, reconnaissance and ground support Gruppen ....
(LG 2—2nd demonstration wing) as a ground attack pilot, and flew his first combat missions at the start of the invasion of Russia in June 1941. In early 1942 II./(S)/LG 2 was was redesignated as II./Schlachtgeschwader 1
Schlachtgeschwader 1
Schlachtgeschwader 1 was a Luftwaffe ground- attack wing of World War II. The early two Schlachtgeschwader 1 and 2 were abbreviated SchlG, the reformed Stukageschwader in 1943 were abbreviated SG.-History:...
(SG 1—1st ground attack wick). On 21 December 1942 Beutelspacher was promoted to Leutnant (2nd lieutenant), and awarded the German Cross
German Cross
The German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold in August 1943. In the summer of 1943 Beutelspacher was made Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
(squadron leader).
Beutelspacher recorded his first aerial victory on 5 August 1943, shooting down a LaGG-5 fighter. In October 1943 II./SG 1 was again redesignated, this time to II./Schlachtgeschwader 2
Schlachtgeschwader 2
Schlachtgeschwader 2 Immelmann was a Luftwaffe Dive bomber-wing of World War II. It was named after Max Immelmann,the first German pilot to earn the Pour le Mérite....
, with Beutelspacher commanding 6 staffel. By the end of 1943 he had three aerial victories to his credit. Beutelspacher was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
in May 1944.
On 22 July 1944 the FW-190s of SG 2 were in combat near Buzau and Zilistea with the P-38s of the 82nd and 14th Fighter Groups and P-51s of the 31th Fighter Group. Beutelspacher was one of five pilots shot down and killed in his Fw 190F-8 during aerial combat east of Focşani
Focsani
Focşani is the capital city of Vrancea County in Romania on the shores the Milcov river, in the historical region of Moldavia. It has a population of 101,854.-Geography:...
in Rumania.
He was credited with 5 victories in over 600 missions, all of them over the Eastern Front, including one B-17 claimed in June 1944 over Bucharest.
Awards
- FlugzeugführerabzeichenAviator BadgeAn Aviator Badge is an insignia used in most of the world’s militaries to designate those who have received training and qualification in military aviation...
- Front Flying Clasp of the LuftwaffeFront Flying Clasp of the LuftwaffeThe Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe was awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with upgrade possible to include diamonds. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions obtained in a given type of aircraft...
- Ehrenpokal der LuftwaffeEhrenpokal der LuftwaffeThe Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe was a Luftwaffe award established on February 27, 1940 by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe. It was officially known as the Ehrenpokal "für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg", or Honor Goblet "For...
(21 December 1942) - Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1939)- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Eastern Front MedalEastern Front MedalThe Eastern Front Medal, , more commonly known as the Ostmedaille was instituted on May 26, 1942 to mark service on the German Eastern Front during the period November 15, 1941 to April 15, 1942...
- German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold (12 July 1943) - Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
- Knight's Cross on 4 May 1944 as OberleutnantOberleutnantOberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
and StaffelführerStaffelführerStaffelführer was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German Schutzstaffel in the early years of that group’s existence...
of the 6./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"
- Knight's Cross on 4 May 1944 as Oberleutnant