Anton Benning
Dr. Anton Benning
|
|
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Toni, Fliegender Zahnarzt ("flying dentist") |
Born | Hakenberg (near Fehrbellin), Prussia, German Empire |
15 May 1918
Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Recklinghausen, Germany |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ |
Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1938–45 |
Rank | Leutnant |
Unit | JG 106 JG 301 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Anton Hermann Benning (15 May 1918 – 29 September 2013) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.[1] The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Career
Benning joined the Luftwaffe in 1938 and was initially posted as a flying instructor. As a transport pilot flying the Junkers Ju 52, he took part in supplying the Stalingrad pocket in early 1943, before retraining as a single engined fighter pilot with Jagdgeschwader 106 (JG 106). In June 1943 Oberfeldwebel Benning was transferred to 2./Jagdgeschwader 301 (JG 301) to operate as a "Wilde Sau" night fighter. He was transferred to 2./Jagdgeschwader 302 (JG 302) as a Leutnant, before becoming Staffelkapitän of 10./JG 301 in late 1944.
He received the Ritterkreuz on 13 April 1945.
Benning was credited with 28 victories (inc. 18 four engined bombers, of which 3 were RAF Lancasters), all on the Western Front.
Death
He died 29 September 2013, aged 95 in Recklinghausen.[2]
Awards
- Flugzeugführerabzeichen
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (1 September 1940)
- 1st Class (31 January 1942)
- German Cross in Gold on 1 January 1945 as Oberfeldwebel in the 2./Jagdgeschwader 302.[3]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 13 April 1945 as Leutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 1./Jagdgeschwader 301[4]
References
Citations
- ↑ Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45 - Anton Benning (German language) Retrieved 5 October 2013
- ↑ Notice of Death Anton Benning. Retrieved 5 October 2013
- ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 35.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 110.
Bibliography
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