Hans Dortenmann
Encyclopedia
Hans Dortenmann 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.
Dortenmann was born 11 December 1921 at Weingarten
. He served in the infantry until April 1941 when he transferred to the Luftwaffe to undergo pilot training. After training Leutnant Dortenmann was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54
on the Northern sector of the Eastern front.
He gained his first victory on 6 February 1944, colliding with a Lavochkin La-5 fighter. Dortenmann managed to belly-land his damaged Fw 190A-6 on his return to base. In June 2./JG 54 was withdrawn and relocated to the Western front, joining III./JG 54. Dortenmann had claimed some 14 victories by this and on 20 June 1944 was promoted to Staffelkapitän of 2./JG 54. The unit was then redesignated 12./JG 54. Dortenmann was shot down near Paris on 26 June but managed to bale out.
Over the Western front Dortenmann claimed six fighters shot down. In mid-August, III./JG 54 was withdrawn to Germany to received the new Fw 190 D-9 "Dora-9", becoming operational in October. 12./JG 54 and Leutnant Dortenmann were based at Achmer to fly airfield protection cover for the Me 262 jet fighters of Kommando Nowotny
. On 29 December Dortenmann shot down a Spitfire near Münster. Dortenmann was made acting Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 54 on 30 December.
On 25 December, III./JG 54 was placed under operation command of Major Karl Borris
with I./JG 26 for Operation Bodenplatte
. On 1 January 1945, Dortenmann led III./JG 54 against Brussels-Grimbergen airfield, from which 12 Fw 190s failed to return. 12./JG 54 was thus disbanded on 19 February 1945 with aircrew distributed throughout III./JG 54. Dortenmann now took command of 11./JG 54. In late February, III./JG 54 was absorbed into JG 26 with 11./JG 54 becoming 14./JG 26.
On 29 March 1945 Oberleutnant Dortenmann became Staffelkapitän of 3./JG 26 and awarded the Ritterkreuz on 20 April for 35 victories. On 27 April Dortenmann shot down a Soviet Yak-3 over Berlin. Hans Dortenmann survived the war but died on 1 April 1973.
Hans Dortenmann was credited with 38 victories in some 150 combat missions, with 16 victories over the Eastern front and 22 over the Western front. He recorded 18 victories with the Fw 190 D-9,the most successful fighter pilot with this type.
He possibly claimed the Tempest V shot down of French ace Pierre Clostermann
on 28 March 1945.
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.
Dortenmann was born 11 December 1921 at Weingarten
Weingarten
Weingarten is the name of several places:* Weingarten, Württemberg, Germany** Weingarten Abbey* Weingarten , Germany* Weingarten, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany* Weingarten, Thuringia, Germany* Weingarten, Switzerland* Weingarten, Missouri, USA...
. He served in the infantry until April 1941 when he transferred to the Luftwaffe to undergo pilot training. After training Leutnant Dortenmann was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54
Jagdgeschwader 54
Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during the Second World War. It was known as the Green Hearts Wing, and it was the second highest scoring wing of all time, JG 52 being the highest...
on the Northern sector of the Eastern front.
He gained his first victory on 6 February 1944, colliding with a Lavochkin La-5 fighter. Dortenmann managed to belly-land his damaged Fw 190A-6 on his return to base. In June 2./JG 54 was withdrawn and relocated to the Western front, joining III./JG 54. Dortenmann had claimed some 14 victories by this and on 20 June 1944 was promoted to Staffelkapitän of 2./JG 54. The unit was then redesignated 12./JG 54. Dortenmann was shot down near Paris on 26 June but managed to bale out.
Over the Western front Dortenmann claimed six fighters shot down. In mid-August, III./JG 54 was withdrawn to Germany to received the new Fw 190 D-9 "Dora-9", becoming operational in October. 12./JG 54 and Leutnant Dortenmann were based at Achmer to fly airfield protection cover for the Me 262 jet fighters of Kommando Nowotny
Kommando Nowotny
Kommando Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter Gruppe formed during the last months of World War II for testing and establishing tactics for the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, and was created and first commanded by Walter Nowotny, from whom it drew its name....
. On 29 December Dortenmann shot down a Spitfire near Münster. Dortenmann was made acting Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 54 on 30 December.
On 25 December, III./JG 54 was placed under operation command of Major Karl Borris
Karl Borris
Karl Borris 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. Karl Borris is credited with 43 victories, all of them...
with I./JG 26 for Operation Bodenplatte
Operation Bodenplatte
Operation Bodenplatte launched on 1 January 1945, was an attempt by the Luftwaffe to cripple Allied air forces in the Low Countries during the Second World War. The goal of Bodenplatte was to gain air superiority during the stagnant stage of the Battle of the Bulge, to allow the German Army and...
. On 1 January 1945, Dortenmann led III./JG 54 against Brussels-Grimbergen airfield, from which 12 Fw 190s failed to return. 12./JG 54 was thus disbanded on 19 February 1945 with aircrew distributed throughout III./JG 54. Dortenmann now took command of 11./JG 54. In late February, III./JG 54 was absorbed into JG 26 with 11./JG 54 becoming 14./JG 26.
On 29 March 1945 Oberleutnant Dortenmann became Staffelkapitän of 3./JG 26 and awarded the Ritterkreuz on 20 April for 35 victories. On 27 April Dortenmann shot down a Soviet Yak-3 over Berlin. Hans Dortenmann survived the war but died on 1 April 1973.
Hans Dortenmann was credited with 38 victories in some 150 combat missions, with 16 victories over the Eastern front and 22 over the Western front. He recorded 18 victories with the Fw 190 D-9,the most successful fighter pilot with this type.
He possibly claimed the Tempest V shot down of French ace Pierre Clostermann
Pierre Clostermann
Pierre Clostermann was a French flying ace, author, engineer, politician and sporting fisherman. Over his flying career he was awarded the Grand-Croix of the French Légion d'Honneur, French Croix de Guerre, British DFC and bar, Distinguished Service Cross , Silver Star , and the Air Medal .-Early...
on 28 March 1945.
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...
- 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
- 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 - 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 20 April 1945 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 Staffelkapitän in the 3. / Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"
- Knight's Cross on 20 April 1945 as Oberleutnant