Johann Baur
SS-Gruppenführer Johannes Baur began his military career as a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He became Adolf Hitler's personal pilot in the 1930s. During World War II, he rose to the rank of Generalleutnant.[1]
Johann Baur | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Hans |
| Born | 24 April 1897 Mühldorf, Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany |
| Died | 17 February 1993 Herrsching |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service/ | Aviation |
| Years of service | 1915 - 1918, 1939 - 1945 |
| Rank | SS-Gruppenführer |
| Unit | FA 295 |
| Awards | Iron Cross |
| Other work | Became Adolf Hitler's personal pilot |
World War I service
In 1918, Baur served in FA 295 as an Unteroffizier pilot of two-seater Hannover CL.III ground attack aircraft. His observer was Leutnant Georg Ritter von Hengl. Baur was credited with six confirmed and three unconfirmed victories against French aircraft beginning 17 July 1918. Vizefeldwebel "Hans" Baur was awarded the Iron Cross First Class and the Bavarian Silver Bravery Medal for attacking a French formation of seven and downing two of the Spads that day. Baur would score his last victories on 29 October 1918.[2]
Post World War I
During the 1930s, Baur became Adolf Hitler's personal pilot, at the control of Junkers 52s and Focke-Wulf 200s. From 1939 to 1945, Baur rose to become a SS Generalleutnant. He was captured by the Russians at war's end and spent ten years in the Siberian gulag. He survived having a gangrenous leg amputated by a dental technician virtually without anesthetic.[3]
Johann "Hans" Baur died 17 February 1993, age 95.[4]
Decorations & awards
- 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class [5]
- 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class [5]
- Military Merit Cross (Bavaria) 3rd Class with Crown and Swords [5]
- Ehrenbecher für den Sieger im Luftkampf [6] wiki Germany
- Bavarian Military Merit Medal in Silver, July 1918 [5]
- Pilot/Observer Badge [6]
- SA Sports Badge in Bronze, 1 December 1937 [6]
- Degen (SS), 1 December 1937 [6]
- Anschluss Medal [6]
- Sudetenland Medal [6]
- Danzig Cross 2nd Class, 24 October 1939 [6]
- Golden Party Badge [6]
- SS Ehrendolch [6]
- Honour Chevron for the Old Guard [6]
- Order of the Crown (Romania), April 1942 [6]
- Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir, 1943 [6]
Notes
- The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/baur.php
- Franks et al 1993, p. 67.
- Franks et al 1993, pp. 67-68.
- Franks et al 1993, p. 68.
- Miller 2006, p. 74.
- Miller 2006, p. 75.
References
- Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Norman Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
- Miller, Michael (2006). Leaders of the SS and German Police, Vol. 1. San Jose, CA: R. James Bender. ISBN 978-93-297-0037-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)