Nickname(s) "Lutz" Name Ludwig Beckmann | Rank Oberst of the Reserves | |
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Allegiance German Empire (to 1918)
Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Invasion of Poland
Invasion of Norway
Operation Barbarossa
Demyansk Pocket
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of the Caucasus
Crimean Offensive Died January 20, 1965, Osnabruck, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars World War II, Invasion of Poland Service/branch German Army, Luftstreitkrafte, Luftwaffe Unit Jagdstaffel 6, Jagdstaffel 48, Jagdstaffel 56 | ||
Years of service 1914–18
1930's–1945 Commands held Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 500 | ||
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.
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 52 unit, KGr zbV 500.