Kurt Ubben | |
|---|---|
 Kurt Ubben | |
| Nickname(s) | "Kuddel" |
| Born | 18 November 1911 Dorstadt, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died | 27 April 1944 (aged 32) near Fère-en-Tardenois, German-occupied France |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Service |
|
| Years of service | 1931–1944 |
| Rank | Major (major) |
| Unit | SSS Gorch Fock JGr 186, JG 77, JG 53, JG 2 |
| Commands | 8./JG 77, III./JG 77, JG 53, JG 2 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Kurt "Kuddel" Ubben (18 November 1911 – 27 April 1944) was a German Luftwaffe wing commander and military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace listed with 110 aerial victories—that is, 111 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in approximately 500 combat missions.
Born in Dorstadt, Ubben volunteered for military service with the Reichsmarine in 1931. He transferred to the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1935. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgruppe 186 (JG 186—186 Fighter Group) and later to Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing). He claimed his first aerial victory during the Battle of France on 10 May 1940. In July 1940, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 8. Staffel (8th squadron) of JG 77. With this unit, Ubben then fought in the Battle of Greece and Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 September 1941 and was given command of III. Gruppe (3rd group) of JG 77 two days later. His unit transferred to the North African Theatre of operations, taking part in the retreat from Tunisia to Sicily and Italy. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 23 July 1942 and claimed his 101st aerial victory in January 1943.
In March 1944, Ubben was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), tasked with defense of the Reich missions. He was killed in action in aerial combat with United States Army Air Forces 356th Fighter Group near Fère-en-Tardenois, France on 27 April 1944.