Ludwig Becker (pilot), Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Ludwig Becker (pilot)

German flying ace

Date of Birth: 22-Aug-1911

Place of Birth: Dortmund, Free State of Prussia, Germany

Date of Death: 26-Feb-1943

Profession: military personnel, flying ace

Nationality: Germany

Zodiac Sign: Leo


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About Ludwig Becker (pilot)

  • Robert-Ludwig Becker (22 August 1911 – 26 February 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 44 aerial victories claimed in 165 combat missions, making him one of the more successful nocturnal fighter pilots in the Luftwaffe.
  • All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in Defense of the Reich missions against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command. Born in Dortmund-Aplerbeck, Becker grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany.
  • Following graduation from school and university, he joined the military service in 1934.
  • In 1935, he left the military and worked as a civilian pilot and flight instructor.
  • In August 1939, he was again drafted into service and with Zerstörergeschwader 26 (ZG 26–26th Destroyer Wing), flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter during the Battle of France.
  • In June 1940, the Luftwaffe created its first night fighter wing, Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1–1st Night Fighter Wing), and Becker transferred to this unit.
  • There he claimed his first nocturnal aerial victory on the night of 16/17 October 1940, the first ground-radar controlled victory by the Luftwaffe.
  • His second aerial victory on 8/9 August was the first airborne-radar assisted claim by the Luftwaffe.
  • Becker was appointed squadron leader of 6.
  • Staffel (1st squadron) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2–2nd Night Fighter Wing) in December 1941.
  • On 1 July 1942, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after his 25th aerial victory. In October 1942, Becker was given command of 12.
  • Staffel of NJG 1 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 26 February 1943.
  • That day, he was killed in action on a daytime intercept mission against the United States Army Air Forces over the North Sea.

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