Alois Heldmann
Alois Heldmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 December 1895 Grevenbrück, Lennestadt, German Empire |
| Died | 1 November 1983 (aged 87) Grevenbrück, Lennestadt |
| Allegiance |  German Empire Nazi Germany |
| Service |  Luftstreitkräfte Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1915–1918 1933–1946 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | FA 57, FA 59, FA(A) 256, Jasta 10 |
| Awards | Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross |
| Other work | Served as colonel in the Luftwaffe |
Colonel Alois Heldmann was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 confirmed aerial victories (plus three unconfirmed) while he was a Leutnant. He later joined the nascent Luftwaffe in 1933 and was a flying school inspector until the end of World War II.[1]
Early life and service
[edit]Alois Heldmann's was born on 2 December 1895 in Grevenbrück, 100 kilometres (62 mi) east of Cologne. He was studying engineering until the war began. Heldmann joined the Imperial German Army on 3 January 1915, originally as an infantryman on the Russian Front. Shortly thereafter, he transferred to aviation duty.[2][3]
Flying service
[edit]After switching to aviation, Heldmann served in a two-seater aerial reconnaissance unit, FA 57, beginning in August 1915. He transferred to FA 59, which also operated two-seaters. In his Eastern Front dutie, he served in Serbia and Bulgaria. He transferred fronts and moved to France. He was a well experienced pilot by the time he was promoted into the officers' ranks in 1917 as a Leutnant. He joined the Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 10 on 24 June 1917[3] and was given a Pfalz D.III to fly. He used the Pfalz for his first five wins, beginning 22 July 1917. He then upgraded to a Fokker D.VII,[2][4] which bore his initials painted on the top wing; its nose was yellow, its tail a checkerboard. He scored steadily throughout the last eight months of the war, with his last victory five days before the war's end.[3] Twice he rose to temporary command of the squadron, from 19 June to 6 July 1918, and from 10 to 14 August. Heldmann survived the war.[5][6]
After World War I
[edit]Heldmann returned to being an engineer after the war. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1933. Having risen to the rank of colonel, he became an inspector of a flying school. He served throughout World War II and was subsequently imprisoned by Allied forces until 1946. He then resided in Bad Aibling, Germany.[3] Alois Heldmann died on 1 November 1983 in Grevenbruck.[1]
Honors and awards
[edit]World War I
[edit]- Iron Cross both First and Second Class
- Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern[3]
References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
- Franks, Norman. Albatros Aces of World War 1: Part 1 of Albatros Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1-85532-960-3, ISBN 978-1-85532-960-7.
- Franks, Norman; VanWyngarden, Greg. Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1, Part 1. Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-533-3, ISBN 978-1-84176-533-4.
- Van WynGarden, Greg. Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1. Osprey Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-84176-998-3, ISBN 978-1-84176-998-1.