Hagen, Walter, Adolf, Christian (Generalmajor)

Date of birth:: March 16th, 1897 (Kiel,Schleswig-Holstein)
Date of death:: November 24th, 1963 (Kiel,Schleswig-Holstein)
Nationality:: German

Biography

19.05.1915: entered the Heer - volunteered for Husarenregiment 13
23.11.1917: pilot training - I. Seeflieger-Abt.
31.05.1918: training - Flieger-FortbildungsSchule Holtenau
07.07.1918: training - Kampfeinsitzerschule Putzig
02.08.1918: Kommando der Flieger - Marinekorps Flandern
01.09.1924 - 30.06.1928: pilot for Junkers Luftverkehr and Severa Company
1924-1926: joined the Stahlhelm
01.07.1928: Flugkapitän for the German airline industry and test pilot for the test establishments at Travemünde und Rechlin
01.04.1935: entered the Luftwaffe as Hptm - Infanterie Lehrgang in Königsbrück 01.06.1935: Erprobungsstelle Travemünde as flight operations director for the testing of aircraft
01.04.1936: RLM as Referent für Flugsicherheit
01.01.1938: Staka of Erprobungsu.Lehrstaffel (See)
01.02.1938: Major
15.09.1939 - 02.07.1940: Kdr. I.(St.)/ Tr.Gr. 186
22.06.1940: Kommodore III./ St.G. 1 then St.G. 1
01.07.1940: Oberstleutnant
01.04.1942: Oberst
01-15.01.1943: provisional Fliegerführer 1 - Luftflotte 1
15.01.-30.03.1943: provisional Fliegerführer 1 - Tunisia
15.03.1943: provisional Fliegerführer 3 - Gabes
09.04.1943: Oberst, Fl.Fü. 3 - WIA in Fi 156 crash at Grambalia in Tunisia and sent to hospital in Kiel
24.06.1943: Frontflieger-Sammelgruppe - then Führerreserve Ob.d.L.
17.09.1943: Lw.-Kdo Südost for temporary duty
09.1943 - 13.06.1944: Fliegerführer Albanien
30.04.1944 - 29.08.1944: concurrently Fliegerführer Kroatien
01.07.1944: Generalmajor
29.08.1944 - 31.01.1945: Fliegerführer Nordbalkan
01.02.1945 - 08.05.1945: Kdr. 17.Fliegerdivision
08.05.1945: US POW
1947: released from U.S. custody.
24.11.63: death in Kiel following a long illness.
Pilot credited with sinking 210,000 GRT of shipping and damaging another 306,500 GRT.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)

Abzeichen für Marine Flugzeugführer auf Seeflugzeugen

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)

Königlich Preussisches Flieger Erinnerungs-Abzeichen

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)

Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:: 1934

Flugzeugführerabzeichen

Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre

Awarded on:: October 2nd, 1936

Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 3.Klasse, 12 Jahre

Awarded on:: October 2nd, 1936

1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: September 17th, 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: June 9th, 1940

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major (Squadron Leader)
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Gruppe, Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: July 21st, 1940

The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Hagen received the Knight’s Cross…

“Major Hagen, who previously flew as a leader of Jagdstaffeln during the Polish campaign, has now achieved decisive results with his Stukagruppe in the West. Gruppe Hagen was successful in missions against French airfields, attacks in support of friendly forces advancing towards Sedan and over the Meuse as well as in airstrikes against enemy tanks. He and his Gruppe continued to support friendly troops in their advance to the coast, where the unit would go on to attack the Boulogne roadstead as well as the citadel and forts at Calais. The Gruppe later destroyed the Loire bridges at Cosne as well as important railway facilities and an ammunition train at Beaune.”

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: November 10th, 1940

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Wing Commander)
Unit:: Kommodore, Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: February 17th, 1942

Awarded for the success of his Geschwader on all fronts, including the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the East. Up until the 10.11.1940 the unit had sunk 210000 GRT of shipping and heavily damaged another 306500 GRT. Also destroyed were 1 monitor, 4 destroyers and 3 lightships. Also damaged were 6 cruisers, 1 anti-aircraft cruiser and 10 destroyers.

77th Award.