Ludwig Heilmann

Infobox Military Person
name=Ludwig Heilmann
lived=birth date|1903|8|9|df=y — death date and age|1959|10|26|1903|8|9|df=y
placeofbirth=Würzburg
placeofdeath=Kempten


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|Germany Weimar Republic (to 1933)
flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
branch=Luftwaffe
serviceyears=1921-1945
rank=Generalmajor
commands=
unit=
battles=World War II
*Battle of Crete
*Battle of Monte Cassino
awards=Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
laterwork=

Ludwig Heilmann (9 August 1903 – 26 October 1959), was a highly decorated German Fallschirmjäger and general during World War II.

Military service

Ludwig Heilmann entered the Reichswehr in early 1921. In 1933, having now served for twelve years, left the military service, but after taking a number of courses he was reactivated on 1 July 1934 as an Oberleutnant and commander of the 5th Company, 20th Infantry Regiment. During the Battle of France he won the Iron Cross first class with III Battalion of the 91st Infantry Regiment.

Heilmann joined the parachute troops on 18 June 1940. After various courses and postings Major Heilmann became commander of III Battalion, 1st Parachute Regiment. His battalion was dropped into Crete on 20 May 1941 as part of the first wave. Heilmann's battalion played a part in the German success on the island.

In late autumn 1941 Heilmann and his battalion were sent to Russia, where they fought as infantry. Among the unit's actions was the defense of the Vyborgskaya bridgehead. Heilmann was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 20 April 1942. On 20 August 1943 he became commander of IV Battalion, 3rd Parachute Regiment and on 15 November regimental commander.

After the Allied landing in Sicily Heilmann and his regiment parachuted into the Catania Plain to reinforce "Battle Group Schmalz" of the Hermann Göring Panzer Division. His battalion fought near Francoforte and Centuripe near Regalbuto, Bonte and Maletto. On 1 December 1943 Heilmann was promoted to Oberst.

On the Italian mainland Heilmann's regiment fought near Ortona, where on 15 December it ran into an assembly of enemy forces. His I and II Battalions, led by Major Rudolf Böhmler and Hauptmann Gotthart Liebscher, and took Villa Grande. Ortona was held until 28 December.

Heilmann's regiment also regiment also took part in the defensive Battle of Monte Cassino. The third battle of Cassino saw it in the focal point of the battle for the monastery mountain.

On 17 November 1944 Ludwig Heilmann became commanding of the 5th Parachute Division, which subsequently fought in the Ardennes. Heilmann was captured by the Americans just prior to the end of the war and was released in 1947.

Awards

* Wound Badge in Black
* "Kreta" Cuffband (20 May 1943)
* German Cross in Gold (9 March 1942)
* Armed Services Long Service Award, 3rd Class (2 October 1936)
* Armed Services Long Service Award, 4th Class (2 October 1936)
* Luftwaffe Parachutist Badge
* Luftwaffe Ground Combat Badge
* Iron Cross
** 2nd Class (2 October 1939)
** 1st Class (14 June 1941)
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
** Knight's Cross (14 June 1941)
** 412. Oak Leaves (2 March 1944)
** 67. Swords (15 May 1944)

References

* Berger, Florian, "Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges". Selbstverlag Florian Berger, 2006. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
* Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945". Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
* Kurowski, Franz. "Knights of the Wehrmacht Knight's Cross Holders of the Fallschirmjäger". Schiffer Military. ISBN 0-88740-749-8.

External links

* [http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/H/HeilmannL.htm Ludwig Heilmann @ Lexikon der Wehrmacht]
* [http://www.specialcamp11.fsnet.co.uk/Generalmajor%20Ludwig%20Heilmann%20(LUFTWAFFE).htm Ludwig Heilmann @ ISLAND FARM SPECIAL CAMP: XI POWS HELD AT BRIDGEND]