Heinrich Bartels

Infobox Military Person
name=Heinrich Bartels
lived=13 July, 1918 – 23 December, 1944


caption=Heinrich Bartels
placeofbirth=Linz, Austria
placeofdeath= Bad Godesberg
allegiance=flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
branch= Luftwaffe
serviceyears=
rank=Oberfeldwebel
commands=
unit=Erg./JG 26, JG 1, JG 5, JG 27
battles=World War II
awards=Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
laterwork=

Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Bartels (born 13 July, 1918 in Linz, Austria – killed in action 23 December, 1944 near Bad Godesberg) was German World War II Luftwaffe 99+ victories Flying ace. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and had been recommended for the Oak Leaves.

Awards

* Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (5 October 1942)
* German Cross in Gold (20 October 1942)
* Iron Cross
** 2nd Class (22 June 1940)
** 1st Class (18 June 1941)
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (13 November 1942)

Early life

Bartels was working as a baker in Austria. When Hitler came to power and completed his unification of Austria, Bartels was drafted by Hitler. Bartels' wife's name was Margo, and they had one son Heinz.

Military

Bartels was credited with over 99 victories during World War II while serving in the German Luftwaffe. On 23 December 1944 Heinrich Bartels took off for his last and fatal mission. Most likely he was shot down by P-47 Thunderbolt fighters of the USAAF 56th Fighter Group. 24 years later, on 26 January 1968, Bartels Bf 109 G-10 (W.Nr. 130 359) "Yellow 13" was found in Villip near Bad Godesberg. In the cockpit was the intact parachute, which is currently on display at the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin.

References

*cite web | title=Aces of the Luftwaffe|work=Heinrich Bartels|url= http://www.luftwaffe.cz/bartels.html| accessdate=21 May| accessyear=2007
* Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945". Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.