Viktor Bauer
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| Viktor Bauer | |
|---|---|
| 15 September 1915 – 13 December 1969 (aged 54) | |
| Place of birth | Löcknitz, Germany |
| Place of death | Bad Homburg, Germany |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |  Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1935–1945 |
| Rank | Oberst |
| Unit | JG 2 and JG 77 |
| Commands held | 9./JG 3 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub |
Viktor Bauer was a World War II Luftwaffe German flying ace.
[edit] Military career
Viktor Bauer was born on 19 September 1915 in Löcknitz. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 as a Fahnenjunker. His first operational deployment was with I./JG 2 where he was promoted to Leutnant. On 1 March 1940 he is transferred to the 2./JG 77. Bauer claims his first aerial victory on 15 May 1940 west of Bruges.
In December 1940 he is again transferred, this time to lead 9./JG 3 in the Battle of Britain. In preparation for Operation Barbarossa he and his unit are transferred to what would become the Eastern front. Here on the Eastern front that Bauer distinguishes himself.
Severely wounded on 23 July 1941 he returns to combat duty in February 1942. The Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän is honored with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 July 1941 after claiming his 34th aerial victory. One year later on 26 July 1942 he receives the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for 102 aerial victories.
Later promoted to Hauptmann and followed by his promotion to Major in early August 1943, Bauer is put in command of Ergänzungsgruppe Ost in southern France on 9 August 1942. Promoted to Oberstleutnant, and Geschwaderkommodore he led Ergänzungsjagdgeschwaders 1 until the end of hostilities in May 1945. Oberst Bauer was taken prisoner of war and released in July 1945.
Oberst Viktor Bauer is credited with 106 aerial victories, achieved in over 400 combat missions, all but four claimed on the Eastern front.
Viktor Bauer died on 13 December 1969 in Bad Homburg.
[edit] Awards
- Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV. Class
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots
- Combined Pilots and Observer Badge
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (22 June 1942)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
[edit] References
- Aces of the Luftwaffe. Viktor Bauer. Retrieved on 14 February 2008.
- Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS 1939 - 1945. Viktor Bauer. Retrieved on 13 February 2008.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
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