Friedrich-Karl Freiherr von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels

Friedrich-Karl Freiherr von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels
Born	1 April 1907 Torgau
Died	over the English Channel
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1933–40
Rank	Major (Posthumously)
Unit	Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
Commands held	I./StG 77
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Battle of Britain
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Friedrich-Karl Freiherr von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels (1 April 1907 – 9 July 1940) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Upon the opening stages of the Battle of Britain—known as the "Kanalkampf"—Friedrich-Karl Freiherr von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels was shotdown by Royal Air Force fighters on 9 July 1940, both he and his radio operator were killed. He was posthumously promoted to Major and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 July 1940.

Awards and decorations

• Aviator badge
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 July 1940 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77

Footnotes

• ^a Regarding personal names: Freiherr is a former title (translated as Baron). In Germany since 1919, it forms part of family names. The feminine forms are Freifrau and Freiin.

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Luftwaffe 39-45

Military offices
Preceded by Unknown	Gruppenkommandeur of I. Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 1 May 1939 – 9 July 1940	Succeeded by Hauptmann Meisel