Date of birth:

January 2nd, 1914 (Schwedt/Brandenburg, Germany)

Date of death:

October 3rd, 2000 (Bargum/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)

Nationality:

German

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 31st, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 11. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1941

Awarded for his achievements during the battle of Crete. During the battle he and his Kompanie were dropped around the city of Heraklion, and they played a major role in the combat around the city. He and his men particularly distinguished himself during the assault on Hill 491 on the 23.05.1941. Here they were heavily involved in the capture of the British gun positions located here.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 5, 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

June 29th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 29th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 5, 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

March 12th, 1945

At the start of January 1945 he and his Regiment fought against the massively superior 1st US Infantry Division near Faymonville. When US armour thrust into his unit’s flank, Becker was able to prevent his frontline from collapsing. After this he pulled off a successful fighting withdrawal through Bullange, Honsfeld and Buchholz before stabilizing the front at Berk. He would be awarded the Oakleaves for this notable defensive achievement.

780th Award.

• Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
• Photo: Wilco Vermeer collection, the Netherlands
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1986.
  - Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, 2001
  - Fallschirmjägerkameradschaft Düsseldorf "Dr. Heinrich Neumann"