Karl-Gottfried Nordmann
| Karl-Gottfried Nordmann | |
|---|---|
Nordmann as a Luftwaffe officer
|
|
| Born |
22 November 1915 Gießen, Germany |
| Died | 22 July 1982 (aged 66) Greenwich, Connecticut, USA |
| Occupation | President of Mercedes-Benz of North America and Canada |
| Employer |
 Mercedes-Benz
|
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe
|
| Years of service | 1936–45 |
| Rank | Oberst (Colonel) |
| Unit | JG 51 |
| Commands held |
JG 51 1st Fighter Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Karl-Gottfried "Karlfried" Nordmann (22 November 1915 – 22 July 1982) was a German Luftwaffe pilot during World War II and, after the war, a president of Mercedes-Benz in North America. As a fighter ace he was credited with 78 enemy aircraft shot down in over 800 combat missions. He claimed the majority of his victories over the Eastern Front, with one during the Invasion of Poland and eight during the Battle of France and Britain.
Born in Giessen, Nordmann volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe of the Third Reich in 1936. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 132 (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing) in October 1938. After a series of redesignations his unit was subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing). He fought in the aerial battles over Poland, France and Britain, claiming nine victories. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of the IV. Gruppe (4th Group) of JG 51. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 1 August 1941 following his 31st aerial victory and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 16 September 1941 after 59 victories. The Oak Leaves grades to the Knight's Cross was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Nordmann.
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