Years of service 1931–43 Commands held 6./JG 77, I./JG 11 | Name Erwin Clausen Rank Major | |
 | ||
Born 5 August 1911
Berlin-Steglitz, Germany ( 1911-08-05 ) Allegiance Weimar Republic (to 1933)
Nazi Germany Service/branch Reichsmarine
Luftwaffe Battles/wars World War II
Invasion of Poland
Battle of France
Balkan Campaign
Eastern Front
Defense of the Reich Died October 4, 1943, North Sea Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Balkan Campaign, Eastern Front, Defence of the Reich, World War II Unit Gorch Fock, Lehrgeschwader 2, Jagdgeschwader 77, Jagdgeschwader 11 | ||
Erwin Clausen (5 August 1911 – 4 October 1943) was a Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Clausen was credited with 132 aerial victories—that is, 132 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—with some unconfirmed victories in 561 combat missions.
Contents
Early life and career
Clausen was born on 5 August 1911 in Berlin-Steglitz, the son of a joiner. Before joining military service he worked in his fathers company. He joined the Reichsmarine, the German Navy during the Weimar Republic, in 1931. During his service with the Reichsmarine he went on cruises on board of Hessen and the school ship Gorch Fock. He then transferred to the Luftwaffe of the Third Reich as an Unteroffizier (Sergeant) in 1935 to receive flying training.
World War II
He was promoted to Feldwebel before the outbreak of World War ΙΙ. He participated in the invasion of Poland and claimed his first victory when he shot down a PWS-26 biplane trainer on 9 September 1939. He scored more victories with some unconfirmed victories during the French campaign.
On 1 February 1941, Clausen, by now an Oberleutnant, was appointed Staffelkapitän of 1.(J)/Lehrgeschwader 2 (LG 2—2nd Demonstration Wing) to support of the invasion of the Balkans. After claiming three victories his unit withdrew to the Eastern Front. In Russia, he was particularly successful and was awarded the Knight's Cross on 22 May after achieving 52 victories. On 27 June, he was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77 Fighter Wing).
Clausen reached his 100th victory by shooting down an Il-2 on 22 July 1942. He was the 12th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark. He was awarded Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross the next day. He was transferred to the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Süd on 1 February 1943, and later, promoted to Hauptmann, he became a Gruppenkommandeur of I./Jagdgeschwader 11 on 20 June 1943. This unit carried out Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich) duties. On 4 October 1943 he shot down a B-24 Liberator but then was killed in aerial combat over the North Sea in his Fw 190A-5.
Clausen was credited with 132 aerial victories with some unconfirmed victories in 561 combat missions. He recorded one victory over Poland, three over Yugoslavia (these being Hawker Fury fighters of the 36th Fighter Group shot down over Režanovačka Kosa airfield near Kumanovo on 6 April 1941), 14 victories over the Western Front with the remaining victories achieved over the Eastern Front. He was posthumously promoted to Major. Three of his brothers were killed in action during World War II.