Erwin Clausen
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| Erwin Clausen | |
|---|---|
| 5 August 1911 — 4 October 1943 (aged 32) | |
| Place of birth | Berlin-Steglitz, Germany |
| Place of death | North Sea |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |  Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1935–1943 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | LG 2, JG 77, Erg. Gr.Süd, JG 11 |
| Commands held | 6./JG 77, I./JG 11 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves |
Erwin Clausen (5 August 1911 – 4 October 1943) was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II.
[edit] Military career
He joined the Reichsmarine in 1931 but then transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1935 to receive flying training. He was promoted to Feldwebel before World War ΙΙ began. He participate 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 uncorfirmed victories during the French campaign. On 1 February 1941, Oberleutnant Clausen was appointed Staffelkapitän of 1(J)/LG 2 to support of the invasion of the Balkans. After claiming 3 victories his unit withdrew to the Eastern front. In Russia where he was particularly successful. He was awarded the Knight's Cross on 22 May after 52 victories. On 27 June, he was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 77.
Clausen reached his 100th victory by shooting down an Il-2 on 22 July 1942. He was awarded the Oak Leaves the next day. Clausen was transferred to Erg. Gr.Süd on 1 February 1943. Hauptmann Clausen became a Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 11 on 20 June 1943 and appointed to Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich) duties. On 4 October 1943 he shot down B-24 Liberator but then he was killed in aerial combat over the North Sea in his Fw 190 A-5.
Erwin Clausen is credited with 132 aerial victories with some unconfirmed victories in 561 combat missions. He recorded 1 victory over Poland, 3 over Jugoslavia, 14 victories over the Western front and rest of the victories over the Eastern front.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Spick 1996, p. 230.
- Aces of the Luftwaffe. Erwin Clausen. Retrieved on 18 February 2008.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Spick, Mike. Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. Ivy Books, 1996. ISBN 0-8041-1696-2.
http://www.luftwaffe-reich.co.uk/pilot-aces-erwin-clausen.htm
