Erwin Clausen

Erwin Clausen (5 August 1911 – 4 October 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 132 aerial victories—that is, 132 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in 561 combat missions.

He was "ace-in-a-day" four times, shooting down five or more aircraft on a single day.

Clausen was born on 5 August 1911 in Berlin-Steglitz, the son of a master craftsman (Meister) joiner.

Before joining military service, he worked in his father's company.

Born in Berlin-Steglitz, Clausen volunteered for military service with the Reichsmarine in 1931.

He joined the Reichsmarine, the German Navy during the Weimar Republic, in 1931.

During his service with the Reichsmarine, he went on cruises on board of SMS Hessen and the school ship Gorch Fock.

He transferred to the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1935.

Following flight training, he was posted to Lehrgeschwader 2 (LG 2—2nd Demonstration Wing).

In 1935, Clausen transferred to the newly emerging Luftwaffe of the Nazi Germany.

Holding the rank of Unteroffizier (subordinate officer or lance sergeant), he received flight training.

He flew his first combat missions in the invasion of Poland, claiming his first aerial victory on 9 September 1939.

Clausen then fought in the Battle of France, Battle of Britain, invasion of Yugoslavia and Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland.

Clausen, now a Feldwebel (sergeant), had been assigned to the 3.(Jagd)/ LG 2, the 3.

Staffel (3rd squadron) of Lehrgeschwader 2 (LG 2—2nd Demonstration Wing) before the outbreak of hostilities.

This squadron was subordinated to I.(Jagd) Gruppe (1st group) of LG 2.

On 9 September 1939, I.(Jagd) Gruppe was ordered to relocate to an airfield at Lauenburg west of Bydgoszcz.

On the afternoon (16:06 – 17:10) of that day, the Gruppe flew a combat air patrol mission, and for the first time of the war 3.

Staffel had enemy contact.

In this encounter, Clausen claimed his first aerial victory when he shot down a PWS-26 biplane trainer.

The unit relocated multiple times and was flying in defense of the Reich from Esbjerg on 10 May 1940, the start of the Battle of France.

On 14 May, I.(Jagd) Gruppe transferred to Essen-Mülheim for operations against France.

On 23 May, they transferred again, this time to Ferme Montecouvez, an airfield approximately 15 km south of Cambrai.

Two days later, I.(Jagd) Gruppe was tasked with providing fighter escort for German transports resupplying the 4th Army in the vicinity of Cambrai.

On this mission, Clausen claimed an Armée de l'air Potez 63 twin-engined aircraft shot down.

In this encounter, his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E was also damaged, resulting in a forced landing near Cambrai.

On 15 June, I.(Jagd) Gruppe was moved to Saint-Omer, the armistice was signed on 22 June, ending the Battle of France on 25 June.

The unit was given three days of rest, some of the pilots were sent on home leave.

On 30 June, I.(Jagd) Gruppe was scrambled to intercept a flight of Royal Air Force Bristol Blenheim bombers resulting in combat southwest of Saint-Omer.

In this encounter, Clausen claimed a Blenheim from No. 110 Squadron shot down which was not confirmed but was himself shot down in his Bf 109 E. Clausen was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse) on 4 July 1940 and was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 February 1941.

In June 1942, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 6.

One month later, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross followed by the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 23 July 1942 after 101 victories.

In June 1943, Clausen was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing), tasked with defense of the Reich missions.

He was posted as missing in action after aerial combat over the North Sea on 4 October 1943.

He was promoted to Major (major) posthumously.

Staffel (6th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing).

On 17 September, he received the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse).

Following the Battle of the Bzura on 20 September, I.(Jagd) Gruppe was ordered to relocate to Graz-Thalerhof.

On 30 September, the Gruppe moved to an airfield at Uetersen, flying defensive missions over the German Bight.