Josef Veltjens

Josef Veltjens
Josef Veltjens in 1918
Nickname(s)"Seppl"
Born(1894-06-02)2 June 1894
Geldern, German Empire
Died6 October 1943(1943-10-06) (aged 49)
Monte Cervellino, Northern Italy
Buried
Piacenza, Italy
Reinterred at Travemünde, Germany
Allegiance German Empire (to 1918)
 Nazi Germany
Service / branchInfantry
Luftwaffe
Years of service1914–1919
1940–1943
RankOberst d. R. (Colonel reserves)
UnitGuards Regiment 4,
Infantry Regiment 8,
Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 23,
Jagdstaffel 14,
Jagdstaffel 18,
Jagdstaffel 15
CommandsJagdstaffel 15
Jagdgeschwader II
AwardsPour le Mérite,
House Order of Hohenzollern,
Iron Cross
Commander Cross First Class with Swords of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
Other workInternational arms dealer, and Hermann Goering's financial confidant

Josef "Seppl" Veltjens (2 June 1894 – 6 October 1943) was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 35 victories. In later years, he served as an international arms dealer, as well as a personal emissary from Hermann Göring to Benito Mussolini.[1] He was awarded Pour le Mérite, the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, and the Iron Cross.

  1. ^ "Joseph Veltjens". theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2015-06-03.