Theo Osterkamp

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Theodor "Theo" Osterkamp (15 April 1892 – 2 January 1975)Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". was a German fighter pilot during World War I and World War II. A flying ace, he achieved 32 victories in World War I.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". In World War II, he led Jagdgeschwader 51 up to the Battle of Britain and claimed a further six victories during World War II, in the process becoming one of only a few men to score victories and become an ace in both world wars.

Early life and World War I

Osterkamp was born in Rölsdorf near Düren, West Germany, and grew up in Aschersleben,Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". modern day Saxony-Anhalt. He was born in 1892 as the second son of the factory owner Hermann Osterkamp and Anna Wilhelmine née Blank. Osterkamp received his Abitur from the Gymnasium in Dessau. His schoolmates in Dessau included the future pilots Oswald Boelcke and Gotthard Sachsenberg.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

When the First World War started he was studying forestry but decided to enlist in the German Army.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". He was rejected for service due to his "slight build"Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". and he instead enlisted in the Marinefliegerkorps in August 1914.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". He then flew with the 2. Marine-Fliegerabteilung in Flanders. During 1915–1916, he served as an air observer, and became the first German pilot to fly a land-based aircraft to England on a reconnaissance-mission. Osterkamp claimed his first (but unconfirmed) kill on 6 September 1916 as an observer to pilot Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Mattheus in a LVG C.II two-seater aircraft.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". In March 1917, he joined the Kampffliegerschule (Combat pilot school) in Putzig and then joined Marine Feld Jagdstaffel 1 on the 14th of April 1917Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". On 21 March 1917, Leutnant Osterkamp took command of Marine Feld Jagdstaffel 2 Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". He scored a total of 32 victories during the war,Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". and was awarded the Prussian military order Pour le MériteScript error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". on 2 September 1918,Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". and was one of the last individuals to receive it.

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2008-1016-509, Theo Osterkamp mit Kameraden.jpg
September 1918 1) Theodor Osterkamp
2) Gotthard Sachsenberg.

Interwar years

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2008-1016-508, Hamburg, Trauung Theo Osterkamp, Fel Gudrun Pagge.jpg
1933, Wedding of Theodor Osterkamp with Fel Gudrun Pagge in Eppendorf, Hamburg.

Osterkamp joined the new Luftwaffe on 1 August 1933 with the rank of Hauptmann.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". He also participated in the second, third and fourth FAI International Tourist Plane Contest Challenge 1930 (11th place), Challenge 1932 (12th place) and Challenge 1934 (5th place).Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". On 1 April 1935, Osterkamp was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 4. Staffel (4th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 132 "Richthofen" (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing), the first commander of this newly created Staffel. On 15 March 1936, Osterkamp transferred command of 4. Staffel to Hauptmann Clemens Graf von Schönborn-Wiesentheid.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Osterkamp was then appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 134 "Horst Wessel" (JG 134—134th Fighter Wing). He held this position until November 1937 when he was transferred to the Jagdfliegerschule Werneuchen, later (JFS 1).Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

World War II

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-B12018, Geburtstag Theo Osterkamp, Gäste.jpg
Adolf Galland and Werner Mölders attending Theo Osterkamp's birthday on 15 April 1941.

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. On 19 September, Oberst Osterkamp was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing).Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". During the Battle of France, he claimed four victories.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". During the Kanalkampf period of the Battle of Britain in July 1940, he claimed a further two victories, (a Bristol Blenheim on 1 June and a Spitfire on 13 July 1940) bringing his total to six. He was replaced as commander of JG 51 by Werner Mölders on 23 July with the latter formally taking command on the 27 July.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Promoted to Generalmajor, Osterkamp was awarded his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 August 1940.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Following his replacement in JG 51, Osterkamp was appointed Jagdfliegerführer 2, the commander of fighter aircraft in Luftflotte 2.[Note 1]

On 1 August 1942, he was transferred to Luftgaustab z.b.V. Afrika. On 5 April 1943, he was appointed Jagdfliegerführer Sizilien and served until replaced on 15 June by Adolf Galland. He then served in a number of staff positions until being appointed Inspekteur der Luftwaffen-Bodenorganisation (Inspector of Luftwaffe ground organisation) in 1944. His criticism of the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (Luftwaffe High Command) led to his dismissal from service in December 1944.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Post-war career

In 1960, he was appointed honorary chairman of the Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger, the Association of Fighter Pilots.[1]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 31 aerial victory claims, plus six further unconfirmed claims during World War I and three further unconfirmed claims during World War II. This number includes 29 claims during the World War I and two on the Western Front of World War II.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Chronicle of aerial victories
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Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
World War I
– Marine Feld Jagdstaffel 1 –Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
April – September 1917
1 30 April 1917
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Nieuport Oostkerke 4 11 July 1917 21:45 Sopwith 1½ Strutter north of Veurne
2 12 May 1917
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Triplane Ostend 5 12 July 1917 21:00 Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 Zandvoorde
3 5 June 1917
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel Nieuwpoort 6 24 September 1917
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SPAD S.VII west of Westrozebeke
– Marine Feld Jagdstaffel 2 –Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
March – September 1918
7 16 March 1918 15:55 Sopwith Camel Script error: No such module "convert". south of Pervijze 20 12 August 1918 20:50 Sopwith Camel[2] Ramskapelle
8 26 March 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel Avekapelle
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		12 August 1918 20:50 Sopwith Camel Diksmuide
9 23 April 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel north of Ostend
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		12 August 1918 21:00 Martinsyde G.100 north of Oostkerke
10 25 April 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SPAD S.VII Pervijze
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		15 August 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Martinsyde G.100 Ostend
11 11 May 1918 17:02 Sopwith Camel[3] over sear near Bredene 21 16 August 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Airco DH.9[4] Blankenberge
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		5 June 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SPAD S.VII Pervijze 22 21 August 1918 14:00 Airco DH.9 over sea near Bredene[5]
12 7 June 1918 13:10 Sopwith Camel Ramskapelle 23 23 August 1918 12:10 Sopwith Camel Pervijze
13 12 June 1918 11:50 Airco DH.4 southwest of Pervijze
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		30 August 1918 14:40 Airco DH.9 Ostend
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		12 June 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel De Panne 24 16 September 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel Koksijde
14 27 June 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel over sea near Wenduine 25 16 September 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel Koksijde
15 28 June 1918 20:55 Sopwith Camel southwest of Lake Blankaat 26 20 September 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Sopwith Camel[6] Praatbos
16 29 June 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Bristol F.2 Fighter southeast of Pervijze 27 28 September 1918 12:30 Sopwith Camel Woumen
17 20 July 1918 10:25 Sopwith Camel[7] east of Nieuport 28 28 September 1918 18:10 Bréguet 14 Pierkenshoek
18 25 July 1918 20:53 Sopwith Camel south of Nieuwpoort 29 29 September 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Bréguet 14 west of Zarren
19 29 July 1918
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Airco DH.4[8] south of Oudekapelle
World War II
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 51 –Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
1 12 May 1940
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Fokker G.I SoesterbergScript error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		31 May 1940
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Hawker Hurricane DunkirkScript error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		22 May 1940
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Hawker Hurricane RoubaixScript error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		1 June 1940
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Bristol Blenheim?Template:Refn DunkirkScript error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
– Stab of Jagdgeschwader 51 –Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
At the Channel and over England — 26 June – 23 July 1940
2 13 July 1940
—
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Supermarine Spitfire DoverScript error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Awards and decorations

Publications

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Notes

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  1. ↑ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.

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References

Citations

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Sopwith Camel (D9507)17th Aero Squadron 1Lt R D Gracie
  3. ↑ Sopwith Camel (B7192) 213 Squadron Lt J Reid
  4. ↑ D.H.9 (D7708) 218th Squadron
  5. ↑ [https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/151634-202-squadron/ RAF 202 Sqn DH4 D8420 damaged (Lt GR Hurst OK/Sgt LA Allen WIA)
  6. ↑ Sopwith Camel (D8205) 204 Squadron 2Lt CL Kelly
  7. ↑ Sopwith Camel (D1938)17th Aero Squadron, 1Lt G P Glenn.
  8. ↑ D.H.4 (D8402) 202 Squadron

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Bibliography

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Military offices
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Commander of Jagdgeschwader 51 Mölders
25 November 1939 – 23 July 1940 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Commander of Jagdfliegerführer 1
22 July 1940 – 1 January 1941 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Commander of Jagdfliegerführer 2
1 December 1940 – 1 August 1941 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Acting Commander of Fliegerführer Afrika
April 1942 – 12 April 1942 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Commander of Jagdfliegerführer Sizilien
5 April 1943 – 15 June 1943 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

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