Hans Dortenmann | |
---|---|
Born | 11 December 1921 Weingarten |
Died | 1 April 1973 Heidelberg | (aged 51)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany (to 1945) |
Service | Army (1939–1941) Luftwaffe (1941–1945) |
Years of service | 1939–1945 |
Rank | Hauptmann (captain) |
Unit | 215th Infantry Division JG 54, JG 26 |
Commands | III./JG 54 |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Other work | construction business |
Hans Dortenmann (11 December 1921 – 1 April 1973) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 39 aerial victories achieved in 150 combat missions. This figure includes 17 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 22 over the Western Allies.
Born in Weingarten, Dortenmann grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service of the Wehrmacht, at first in the infantry, before transferring to the Luftwaffe where he was trained as a fighter pilot. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in November 1943. Flying with this wing, Dortenmann claimed his first aerial victory on 6 February 1944 over a Soviet Air Forces fighter aircraft. In mid-1944, elements of JG 54 were moved to the Western Front, fighting in the aerial battles of the Normandy invasion. In June 1944, he was appointed squadron leader of 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of JG 54. This unit was renamed and reorganized a few times and became part of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) In February 1945. Dortenmann was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 20 April 1945, the last member of JG 26 to be so honored. He surrendered to British forces in May 1945.
Following World War II, Dortenmann studied civil engineering and worked in construction. He committed suicide on 1 April 1973 in Heidelberg.