Date of birth:

December 31st, 1916 (Darmstadt, Germany)

Date of death:

November 12th, 1996 (Hamburg/Lowersaxony, Germany)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Elimar Meyer-Wehner
W.B.K. Hamburg V
00.00.1937: Obertruppführer, Fluglehrer, NSFK-Gruppe 3, NSFK Gruppe-West
28.08.1939: entered the Luftwaffe as a Gefreiter
00.05.1941: Lastenseglerpilot, 12. Staffel, Luftlandegeschwader 1
19.10.1942-19.12.1942: attended the 13. Lehrgang für Kriegsoffiziersnachwuchs in LKS 4
01.07.1943: Oberfeldwebel, promoted to Leutnant (Kr.O.), 12. Staffel, III. Gruppe, LLG 1
12.09.1943: pilot, DFS 230 coded 'LC+1-8' in the Gran Sasso raid to liberate Mussolini, carrying the troops including Skorzeny landed his glider closest to the hotel at the time which allowed the Germans to facilitate the rescue
17.09.1943: Leutnant, awarded Ritterkreuz, 12. Staffel, III. Gruppe, LLG 1, received
on site of the Gran Sasso mission
15.06.1944: assigned to the Fallschirmarmee

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Sergeant)

Awarded on:

July 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (Pilot Officer)

Unit:

Lastenseglerpilot, 12. Staffel, Luftlandegeschwader 1

Awarded on:

September 17th, 1943

Awarded for:

Operation Eiche

Awarded for his role in the rescue of Benito Mussolini on 12.09.1943. As the commander of the 10 gliders assigned to the mission, he not only commanded these units towards the eventual successful outcome of the mission, but also proved to be the outstanding flyer of the lot. His glider, which contained some of the most important men involved in the mission including SS-Hauptsturmführer Skorzeny, was the first to touch down near the Gran Sasso hotel, landing only 40 meters from the building. The additional element of surprise bought by such an impressive landing proved crucial, as it enabled the Germans to enter the hotel almost immediately. The Italian guards gave up without a fight, and Mussolini was rescued as planned.

In recognition of his accomplishments this day, as well as those of the glider pilots under his command, Meyer would receive the Knight’s Cross shortly afterwards.

• Photo: Axis History Forum - Search
  
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - MÖBIUS, INGO & HUß, JÜRGEN, Stille Adler, Eigenverlag Ingo Möbius, Chemnitz, 2019.
  - Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
  - Axis History Biographical Research via Axis History Forum
  - German Crosses in Gold for the Gran Sasso raid? - Axis History Forum