Heilmann, Ludwig (Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3)

Date of birth:: August 9th, 1903 (Würzburg/Bayern, Germany)
Date of death:: October 26th, 1959 (Kempten/Bayern, Germany)
Service number:: SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:: German

Biography

Generalmajor Ludwig Sebastian Heilmann

Promotions:
01.11.1924: Oberschütze
01.12.1924: Gefreiter
01.05.1925: Unteroffizier
01.10.1927: Unterfeldwebel
01.07.1929: Feldwebel
01.07.1934: Leutnant - RDA 01.04.1928
01.07.1934: Oberleutnant - RDA 01.04.1932
01.12.1935: Hauptmann - RDA 01.12.1934
01.08.1940: Major - RDA 01.12.1939
01.04.1942: Oberstleutnant - RDA 01.03.1942
01.12.1943: Oberst - RDA 01.03.1943
22.12.1944: Generalmajor - RDA 01.12.1944

Career:
03.02.1921: entered the Reichswehr, Infanterie-Regiment 21
01.07.1934: reactivated as Oberleutnant, Chef, 5. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 20
27.08.1939: Stab, II./ Inf.-Rgt. 91 then Hauptmann, Führer, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 91
03.05.1940: appointed Kp.-Chef in Inf.-Rgt. 423
18.06.1940-13.07.1940: detached to the 12th Parachute Rifleman Course at the Parachute School Wittstock
14.07.1940: appointed Kdr., III./ Inf-Rgt. 423
01.08.1940: transferred from the Heer to the Luftwaffe and appointed
Kdr., III./ Fallschirmjäger-Rgt. 1
20.05.1941: Major, Führer, III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1 - Kreta
20.04.1942: promoted to Oberstleutnant
20.08.1943: Oberstleutnant, Kdr, IV. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3
15.11.1943: Oberstleutnant, Kdr, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3
00.00.1943: dropped in Catana, Sicily to reinforce "Kampfgruppe Schmalz", Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1 "Hermann Göring"
01.12.1943: promoted to Oberst
15.12.1943: fightings near Ortona and Villa Grande then Monte Cassino
17.11.1944: Führer, 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
12.03.1945: captured at Adenau - British POW
00.08.1947: released

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Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre

Awarded on:: October 2nd, 1936

Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 3.Klasse, 12 Jahre

Awarded on:: October 2nd, 1936

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Stab, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 91
Awarded on:: October 2nd, 1939

Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: July 1940

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3
Awarded on:: June 14th, 1941

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: June 14th, 1941

On the 20.05.1941, during the fighting at Crete, Major Heilmann was able to capture the hill south of Galatas with his Bataillon staff and the remnants of his 9. Kompanie. Two days later, he along with 100 men succeeded in breaking the encirclement ring of New Zealand forces near Stalos. The same day the group made contact with the Fallschirmjäger and Gebirgsjäger that were now coming from the west.

For his actions during this battle Heilmann would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.

Nr. 203

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: February 26th, 1942

Ärmelband Kreta

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: May 20th, 1943

Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:: Kommandeur, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3, 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: March 2nd, 1944

Awarded for his actions during the battle of Sicily. Here Heilmann and his troops were able to escape destruction in enemy territory by fighting their way across the Malati bridge (heavily trafficked by Allied forces) on the night of the 15./16.07.1943. Thereafter they were able to reach friendly territory on the Catania plain.

412th Award.