Viktor Bauer

Infobox Military Person
name=Viktor Bauer
born=birth date|1915|9|15|df=y
died=death date and age|1969|12|13|1915|9|15|df=y
placeofbirth=Löcknitz, Germany
placeofdeath=Bad Homburg, Germany


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
branch=
serviceyears=1935–1945
rank=Oberst
commands=9./JG 3
unit=JG 2 and JG 77
battles=World War II
*Battle of Britain
*Eastern Front
awards="Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub"
laterwork=

Viktor Bauer was a World War II Luftwaffe German flying ace.

Military career

Viktor Bauer was born on 19 September 1915 in Löcknitz. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 as a Fahnenjunker. His first operational deployment was with I./JG 2 where he was promoted to "Leutnant". On 1 March 1940 he is transferred to the 2./JG 77. Bauer claims his first aerial victory on 15 May 1940 west of Bruges.

In December 1940 he is again transferred, this time to lead 9./JG 3 in the Battle of Britain. In preparation for Operation Barbarossa he and his unit are transferred to what would become the Eastern front. Here on the Eastern front that Bauer distinguishes himself.

Severely wounded on 23 July 1941 he returns to combat duty in February 1942. The "Oberleutnant" and "Staffelkapitän" is honored with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 July 1941 after claiming his 34th aerial victory. One year later on 26 July 1942 he receives the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for 102 aerial victories.

Later promoted to "Hauptmann" and followed by his promotion to Major in early August 1943, Bauer is put in command of "Ergänzungsgruppe Ost" in southern France on 9 August 1942. Promoted to "Oberstleutnant", and "Geschwaderkommodore" he led "Ergänzungsjagdgeschwaders 1" until the end of hostilities in May 1945. "Oberst" Bauer was taken prisoner of war and released in July 1945.

Oberst Viktor Bauer is credited with 106 aerial victories, achieved in over 400 combat missions, all but four claimed on the Eastern front.

Viktor Bauer died on 13 December 1969 in Bad Homburg.

Awards

* "Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung" IV. Class
* Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
* Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots
* Combined Pilots and Observer Badge
* Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (22 June 1942)
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
** Knight's Cross (30 July 1941)
** Oak Leaves (26 July 1942)

References

*cite web | title=Aces of the Luftwaffe|work=Viktor Bauer| url=http://www.luftwaffe.cz/bauerv.html|accessdate=14 February| accessyear=2008
*cite web | title=Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS 1939 - 1945 |work=Viktor Bauer| url=http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Luftwaffe/B/Ba/Bauer-Viktor.htm| accessdate=13 February| accessyear=2008
* Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945". Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.