Helmut Bennemann

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Helmut Bennemann
Helmut Bennemann.jpg
Helmut Bennemann
Born(1915-03-16)16 March 1915
Wanne-Eickel
Died17 November 2007(2007-11-17) (aged 92)
Bad Sassendorf
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
RankOberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel)
UnitJG 52, JG 53
Commands heldI./JG 52, JG 53
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Helmut Bennemann (16 March 1915 – 17 November 2007) was an Oberstleutnant of Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe in World War II. Bennemann claimed 93 aerial victories in over 400 combat missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front. His commands included Geschwaderkommodore of the JG 53 fighter wing.

World War II[]

Helmut Bennemann held the position of Adjutant of I./Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) in June 1940. He claimed his first aerial victory on 26 August, when he shot down a Royal Air Force (RAF) Spitfire near Dover. On 15 September, Bennemann claimed three RAF Hurricane shot down to record his sixth through eighth victories.

On 27 April 1941, Bennemann was appointed Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader) of 3. Staffel of JG 52. He replaced Oberleutnant Helmut Kühle who was transferred.[1] By the time I./JG 52 was transferred to the Eastern Front in September 1941, Bennemann had claimed 12 victories.

Operation Barbarossa[]

On 14 June 1942, Bennemann was promoted to Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I. Gruppe of JG 52. He succeeded Hauptmann Karl-Heinz Leesmann was transferred.[2] By the End of 1942 his score stood at 72 victories.

On 10 May 1943, Benemann was severely wounded by the explosion of an incendiary bomb on 10 May 1943 at Charkow-Woitschenko Airfield.[3] During his convalescence, he was replaced by Hauptmann Johannes Wiese and Hauptmann Gerhard Barkhorn as commander of I. Gruppe. Command of the Gruppe officially passed to Wiese on 5 October.[4]

Wing commander[]

Bennemann was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing) on 9 November 1943. He took over command from Oberst Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn who had been transferred on 4 October. Intermittently, the Geschwader had been led by both Major Friedrich-Karl Müller and Major Kurt Ubben.[5] On 25 April 1944, he shot down a USAAF B-24 over Bologna to claim his 90th victory. However, his Bf 109G-6 (Werknummer 163 314—factory number) "Black < 3" was hit by defensive fire and Bennemann was again wounded, baling out successfully.[6] In June 1944, Bennemann led the Geschwaderstab of JG 53 on a short return to the Eastern Front, to direct the supply missions for the city of Vilna. The unit departed the Soviet Union for Wunstorf near Hannover in Germany on 22 July. From August 1944, Bennemann led JG 53 on Reichsverteidigung missions, initially from bases in France, then from bases in Germany. He claimed his last three victories in October 1944 to bring his final score to 93. Among his 93 victories are at least 10 Il-2 Sturmoviks claimed over the Eastern Front.

In early 1945 he participated in the "Fighter Pilots Revolt", a minor insurrection among the high-ranking Luftwaffe pilots, whereas they confronted the Reich Marshal and chief of the Luftwaffe Hermann Göring with their demands on the conduct of the air war.

Summary of career[]

Aerial victory claims[]

According to Obermaier, Bennemann was credited with 93 aerial victories claimed in over 400 combat missions. This figure includes 77 claims on the Eastern Front and 16 over the Western Allies, including one four-engine bomber.[7] Spick lists him with 92 aerial victories with 70 on the Eastern Front and 22 on the Western Front.[8] Matthews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 89 aerial victory claims, plus four further unconfirmed claims. This figure of confirmed claims includes 76 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 14 on the Western Front, including one four-engined bomber.[9]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 6083". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 × 4 km in size.[10]

Awards[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[14]
  2. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman, this claim is unconfirmed.[16]
  3. ^ This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[17]
  4. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 06:42.[15]
  5. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 14:27.[15]
  6. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 05:58.[15]
  7. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 16:30.[15]
  8. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 10:40.[15]
  9. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 11:05.[15]
  10. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 14:35.[15]
  11. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 08:35.[15]
  12. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 07:23.[31]
  13. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 07:30.[31]
  14. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 07:20.[31]
  15. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 07:22.[31]
  16. ^ According to Matthews and Foreman claimed at 14:52.[31]
  17. ^ The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b This claim is not listed by Matthews and Foreman.[31]

References[]

Citations[]

  1. ^ Prien et al. 2003a, p. 63.
  2. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 423.
  3. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 295.
  4. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 278.
  5. ^ Prien 1991, p. 1653.
  6. ^ Prien 1991, p. 1156.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Obermaier 1989, p. 87.
  8. ^ Spick 1996, p. 234.
  9. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 84–86.
  10. ^ Planquadrat.
  11. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 84–85.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c Prien et al. 2002, p. 133.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Prien et al. 2002, p. 135.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Prien et al. 2002, p. 138.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 85.
  16. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 84.
  17. ^ Prien et al. 2003a, p. 68.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Prien et al. 2003b, p. 20.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2003b, p. 21.
  20. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 427.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2006, p. 429.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 428.
  23. ^ Matthews & Foreman 2014, pp. 85–86.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2006, p. 434.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Prien et al. 2006, p. 430.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 435.
  27. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 431.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2006, p. 433.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2006, p. 437.
  30. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 439.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Matthews & Foreman 2014, p. 86.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2006, p. 438.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Prien et al. 2012, p. 283.
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 284.
  36. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien 1991, p. 1681.
  37. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 393.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b Prien 1991, p. 1684.
  39. ^ Prien 1991, p. 1685.
  40. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 35.
  41. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 129.
  42. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 214.

Bibliography[]

  • Bergström, Christer. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Matthews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Prien, Jochen (1991). Pik-As: Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 53 — 3 — Das Ende in Italien 1944, Rumänien, Ungarn 1944/45, Einsatz zur Verteidigung des Reiches 1943–1945 [Ace of Spades: History of the Fighter Wing 53 — 3 — The End in Italy 1944, Romania, Hungary 1944/45, Defense of the Reich 1943–1945] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-16-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-64-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/II—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/II—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-70-0.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-77-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 11/I—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 11/I—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-95-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/II—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/II—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-05-5.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Weal, John (2004). Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten (Aviation Elite Units). London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-786-4.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major Kurt Ubben 		Commander of Jagdgeschwader 53 Pik As
9 November 1943 – 27 April 1945 		Succeeded by
none
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