Schmidtmann, Fritz (Kampf-Geschwader 55)

Date of birth:: July 8th, 1915 (Dortmund, Germany)
Date of death:: March 11th, 1988 (Lippstadt, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Career:
01.07.1934: entered the Luftwaffe
07.1934: transferred to Funkerschule at Essen-Mülheim
01.11.1934-01.10.1935: Heeresnachrichtenschule Jüterbog
1935: trained as an air force radio operator in Fassberg
07.04.1936: transferred to LKS Berlin-Gatow for officertraining
1937: began basic flying training
29.02.1938: became a student at (B) in Halberstadt
1938: attended FFS C Perleberg and attended BFS Neuburg am Donau
1938: briefly with KGr.z.b.V. 5 (1.formation)
01.08.1938: promoted to Leutnant
22.10.1938: transferred to 3./KG 155
09.1939: with 3./KG 55
1940: appointed Techn.Offz. of I./KG 55
01.07.1940: promoted to Oberleutnant
10.1941: with I./KG 55
01.04.1942: promoted to Hauptmann (advanced from 01.01.43)
01.05.-30.09.1942: appointed Staka 1./KG 55
08.05.1942: WIA - his He111 H-6 (G1+MH) was rammed by a Russian fighter over the salt marshes in northern Crimea 4 km W of Tulumshek
18.09.1942: transferred to IV./KG 55
1942-43: Staka 4./KG 55
01.01.1943: appointed Techn.Off. for Stab/KG 55
01.04.-31.08.1943: appointed Staka 4./KG 55
08.09.1943: for health reasons assigned to General der Kampfflieger to war's end
1944: Hptm., Ia/Gen.d.Kampfflieger
29.02.1944: Hptm., awarded Ritterkreuz for service as Staka 4./KG 55
Credited with 320 missions