Ludwig Becker (pilot)

rdf:langString Ludwig Becker (pilot)

rdf:langString Robert-Ludwig Becker

rdf:langString Robert-Ludwig Becker

rdf:langString North Sea, off Schiermonnikoog, German-occupied Netherlands

rdf:langString Aviation

rdf:langString Military of Germany

rdf:langString World War II

rdf:langString Biography

rdf:langString Hauptmann

rdf:langString Robert-Ludwig Becker (22 August 1911 – 26 February 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 44 aerial victories claimed in 165 combat missions, making him one of the more successful nocturnal fighter pilots in the Luftwaffe. All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in Defense of the Reich missions against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command. Born in Dortmund-Aplerbeck, Becker grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school and university, he joined the military service in 1934. In 1935, he left the military and worked as a civilian pilot and flight instructor. In August 1939, he was again drafted into service and with Zerstörergeschwader 26 (ZG 26–26th Destroyer Wing), flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter during the Battle of France. In June 1940, the Luftwaffe created its first night fighter wing, Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1–1st Night Fighter Wing), and Becker transferred to this unit. There he claimed his first nocturnal aerial victory on the night of 16/17 October 1940, the first ground-radar controlled victory by the Luftwaffe. His second aerial victory on 8/9 August was the first airborne-radar assisted claim by the Luftwaffe. Becker was appointed squadron leader of 6. Staffel (1st squadron) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2–2nd Night Fighter Wing) in December 1941. On 1 July 1942, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after his 25th aerial victory. In October 1942, Becker was given command of 12. Staffel of NJG 1 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 26 February 1943. That day, he was killed in action on a daytime intercept mission against the United States Army Air Forces over the North Sea.