Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Flight Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

stellv. Kommandeur, Kampfgruppe zur besonderen Verwendung 103, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

May 11th, 1940

Awarded for the crucial role he played in securing the Fornebu airport (outside Oslo) during the Norwegian campaign. When German paratroopers failed to land and capture the airfield before the arrival of the reinforcing troops, most German transport planes except those from the Kampfgruppe z.B.V. 103 turned back. The latter transports did not get the order, and proceeded to the airport. Upon arrival, they began to land at the airport anyways despite it being still under Norwegian control. During the descent the commander of the Kampfgruppe, Hauptmann Wagner, was killed by Norwegian AA fire. The second in command, Hauptmann Ingenhoven, thus took over command of the attack. Due to the aggressive German attack and the lack of preparedness of the Norwegian defenders, the airfield was swiftly captured and reorganized to facilitate follow-up German reinforcements.

In the course of the events here Hauptmann Ingenhoven played the crucial role in ensuring the German operation could succeed, and he was recognized for his achievement with the award of the Knight’s Cross.