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The Kracker Luftwaffe Archive: Axis Powers Pilots and Crew




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There is a rogue group of copyright infringers who have stolen a much earlier version of my data - from at least 10 years ago - and have the affrontery to publish that, along with using my name, on their poorly researched website. They claim this is the 'original' Kracker Archive, a ridiculous claim since my Archive has been in a state of continuous development for over 30 years and nobody - NOBODY - has the original. They have no right to use my name or my data and readers who come across this nonsense should do nothing to encourage theft of this nature. I am outraged by this blatant theft and misrepresentation of my lifetime's work. The ONLY person I have ever authorized to publish my data and use my name is Kelvin Youngs, who earned my trust and respect many years ago and is authorized by me to publish my work on whichever website he organizes, currently this being its present home at the highly respected Aircrew Remembered.

 
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You searched for: “becker AND Ludwig

#Pilot (↑)RankBornPlaceScore (↑)UnitsAircraftAwards*************Notes*************Photo
(Click to Expand)
LinksAuthorComments
1 Becker,FwIII/KG-26 (8/40), 7/KG-26 (4/43)He 111H-3, Ju 88A-4 Werk # 142294 "1H + HR" (lost 4/2/43)Bomber Operational Clasp Crew: Uffz Ludwig Havighorst, bombardier born Ostbevern; R/O Ebbinghaus. Added: Fw Becker and crew all MIA. Remaining crew: Ufz Radda, Obs; Ogefr Schreiter, R/O and Ogefr Benler, Mech (Qu.Meister File).
2 Becker, LudwigHptm8/22/1911Dortmund, Aplerbeck44Stuka pilot, 3/ZG-1, 4/NJG-1 (8/40), 6/NJG-2 (1/42), Stafkpt 14/NJG-1, Stfkpt 12/NJG-1 (2/43 Leeuwarden)Ju 87, Bf 110C "G9+LZ", Do 215B-5 "G9 + OM", Bf 110G-4 Wk # 4864 "G9 + LZ" (lost 2/26/43)
RK(7/1/42)
EL(2/26/43)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(5/4/42)
EP(3/2/42)

EK 1 & 2
Night Fighter Operational Clasp
MIA 26 February, 1943 in his G-4 while on a daylight mission intercepting a B-17 over the North Sea and crashing 10 km north of Schiermonnikoog Holland. Also missing was his R/O Ofw Josef Straub. It was their first daylight sortie. All victories at night. He is known to have crashed a Bf 110 at Meddo Holland, NNW of Winterswijk, on 30 August, 1940, cause and crew disposition unknown, a Lt at the time (DeSwart). His first known victory, a Wellington the night of 16-17 October, 1940, no location. He is credited with the 1st radar-controlled victory, and this may have been the AC, downed while in 4/NJG-1. A Wellington near Nieue Schans on 8-9 August, 1941. A Manchester by Shlochteren, E of Groningen the night of 12-13 August, 1941. A Whitley V by Vredepeel the night of 14-15 August, 1941. A Whitley at Oldebrock the night of 6-7 September, 1941. Another Wellington of RAF No. 115 Sq. at Blijham/Groningen on 29 September, 1941. A Whitley the night of 8-9 November, 1941, no location. A Wellington II of RAF No.12 Sq. the night of 20-21 January, 1942 near the Dutch Frisian Island of Terschelling. He began his military career as a Luftwaffe volunteer in 1934. Bowers/Lednicer, 46 victories.

Courtesy Christian König

Courtesy Christian König

3 Becker, LudwigOfw7(H)/13, 3/NAGr-12Hs 126B
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(5/17/43)

EK 1 & 2
Observer Operational Clasp
DK-G Awards List
4 Becker, Martin "Tino"Hptm4/12/1916Wiesbaden.586/NJG-2 (8/42), 2/NJG-3 (10/43), I/NJG-4, Kdr IV/NJG-6 (10/44 to end)Bf 110F, Bf 110G "3C + MK" (7/44), Ju 88G-6 "2Z + AF", "2Z + MF" & Bf 110G-4 "2Z + BB" & Bf 110G-6 "C9 + MK" in NJG-6
RK(4/20/44)
EL(3/20/45)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold (5/25/44)

EK 1 & 2
Night Fighter Operational Clasp
All night victories. Famous for his 'serial' victories: 6 on 23 March, 1944; 7 on 31 March, 1944; and 9 on 14 March, 1945. Nos. 44 & 45, both Lancasters on 2 January, 1945. Nos. 46 to 48, all '4 mots' on 21 February, 1945. Victories 49 to 57, eight Lancasters and a B-17 on 14 March, 1945. His 58th and last victory, a Lancaster on 16 March, 1945. 110 combat missions including 27 reconnaissance in 1940 before transferring to Night Fighters. His R/O from 3/44 to the end, Ofw Karl Ludwig Johanssen won the RK on 16 March, 1945, one of the few R/Os to do so. His Gunner at the end was Ogefr Weizenbach. Survived the war. Bowers/Lednicer, 57 victories.

There are several records in the Allied Losses and Incidents Database where Becker is mentioned as the Attacker. Search for Becker in the database and look in the Notes column for Attacker.



5 Gänsler, WilhelmOfw5/22/1919Oberndorf Württemberg115Observer/Gunner NJG-1 & NJG-4Bf 110
RK(7/27/44)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(3/20/44)
EP(1/17/44)

EK 1 & 2
Night Fighter Operational Clasp
Although not a pilot, he was the Night Fighters most successful gunner, and famous for his outstanding vision. He flew gunner for Ludwig Becker and Schnaufer, 150 missions. His victory participations were 17 with Becker and 98 with Schnaufer. Deceased 22 November, 1985 in Calw/Wurttemberg, Germany


6 Havighorst, LudwigOfwOstbevern, GermanyIII/KG-26 (7/40 Scapa Flow Raid participant), I/KG-26 (9/40) redesignated III/KG-27 in July, 1941, 5/KG-27 (12/41)He 111H-3 "TI +K1" with Gericke, He 111 "1G + NN" with Denz
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(2/16/43)

EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge
Bomber Operational Clasp w/Pendant
Although not a pilot, his record is as noteworthy as that of Schnaufers crew, all bestowed with the Knights Cross. Originally in the 26th Infantry Regt., he transferred into the Luftwaffe in January, 1940. He graduated from Bombardier school and served with notable pilots such as Fw Becker over England, Uffz Hugo Greeven over England, Uffz Dries along the French Coast, Heinz Gericke (where Ludwig was designated as AC Commander, even tho he was not a pilot) over England, the French Coast and Russia, Lt Heinz Bussemer in Russia, Oblt Plümecke in Russia, and the most numerous (251) with Uffz Ludwig Denz in Russia. Altho nominated three times for the RK after his 400th mission, 4 October, 1943, his recommendations kept getting overlooked, even tho 400 was the acceptable number for bomber crews. 427 combat missions. In November, 1944, he was promoted to Oblt., and served in the 9th Paratrooper Regt, 15th Combat Engineer Company. A 4th RK recommendation was submitted by his Paratrooper Commander. Captured on 4 March, 1945, by American troops, he was released from captivity on 12 September, 1945.
7 Johanssen, Karl-LudwigLt5/15/1921Kiel59III/NJG-4, I/NJG-6Bf 110
RK(3/20/45)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(5/25/44)
EP(5/16/44)
EK1 & 2
Night Fighter Operational Clasp in Silver
Although a radio operator, he did achieve three victories the night of 15 March, 1945, using the rear mounted MG 131. He flew 68 Night missions and participated in 59 victories, all as Martin Beckers RO except one mission. Deceased 11 August, 2009. Photo
(Added by Pietrzak Youngs)
Captain Becker, commander in a night fighter wing, and his radio operator, Lieutenant Johannsen, brought down to a crash 9 four-engine bombers on the night of 14 to 15 March. When Captain Becker, after the 6 kill could not continue to shoot due to a gun jam, his radio operator, Lieutenant Johannsen, destroyed 3 more Anglo-American bombers.

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Wer vor der Vergangenheit die Augen verschließt, wird blind für die Gegenwart. Richard von Weizsäcker

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