Hans-Wilhelm Bertram

Hans-Wilhelm Bertram
Born	17 May 1918 Breitenhof
Died	Hamburg
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	?–1945
Rank	Hauptmann
Unit	Kampfgeschwader 6
Battles/wars	World War II Channel Front North African Campaign Italian Campaign Operation Steinbock
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Hans-Wilhelm Bertram (17 May 1918 – 1 October 2007) was a German Luftwaffe bomber pilot and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Bertram flew 169 combat missions in the west.

Career

Bertram was trained as a naval aviator in 1938 and 1939. He received his flight training at the Pilot School (Sea) (Flugzeugführerschule (See)) in Warnemünde and at the Weapons Aviator School (Sea) (Flieger-Waffenschule (See)) in Parow near Stralsund. He was then transferred to the 2./Küstenfliegergruppe 406 in List on the island of Sylt.

Awards

• Flugzeugführerabzeichen
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold (24 May 1941)
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (1 July 1940)
  • 1st Class (6 April 1941)
• German Cross in Gold on 29 March 1944 as Oberleutnant in the 5./Kampfgeschwader 6
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 January 1945 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 3./Kampfgeschwader 6

References

Bibliography

• MacLean, French L. (2007). Luftwaffe Efficiency & Promotion Reports — For the Knight's Cross Winners. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History. ISBN 978-0-7643-2657-8.

External links

• Ritterkreuztraeger 1939-1945
• World War 2 Awards.com