1. Martin Becker was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 58 aerial victories making him the tenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare.
22 Facts About Martin Becker
1. 2.
Martin Becker, who flew approximately 110 combat missions, died on 8 February 2006 in Oberneisen.
3.
Martin Becker was born on 12 April 1916 at Wiesbaden at the time in Hesse-Nassau, a province of the Kingdom of Prussia.
4.
From 10 May 1940, Martin Becker flew reconnaissance missions in the Battle of France and Battle of Belgium.
5.
Martin Becker was promoted to Leutnant der Reserve on 1 July 1940.
6.
In September 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain, Martin Becker transferred to the flight training school at Merseburg, which acted as a fighter pilot school for Jagdgeschwader 51.
7.
Martin Becker received basic and advanced training as a night fighter pilot while based there.
8.
Martin Becker was promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve on 1 April 1942.
9.
Martin Becker scored his first victory on the night of 23 September 1943 at 23:21 south of Hameln.
10.
In October 1943 Martin Becker was appointed to Staffelkapitan, 2.
11.
Martin Becker claimed seven Halifax bombers shot down between 00:20 and 03:15; the first was claimed southwest of Cologne.
12.
One of Martin Becker's victories was Lancaster ND535 ZN-Q, of No 106 Squadron RAF.
13.
Martin Becker was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 1 April 1944 for 26 bombers shot down.
14.
Martin Becker continued to fly and at 00:58 on 25 April 1944 southwest of Karlsruhe, he accounted for another Halifax.
15.
Martin Becker was awarded the German Cross in Gold later that same day.
16.
Martin Becker accounted for two bombers around Luneville at 01:25 and 01:35.
17.
Martin Becker was promoted to Hauptmann der Reserve on 1 August 1944.
18.
Martin Becker claimed another three bombers between 20:39 and 20:47 around Worms to achieve his 48th victory.
19.
West of Goppingen at 23:15 and southwest of Baiersbronn at 23:37 Martin Becker claimed his 57th victory.
20.
Hauptmann Martin Becker received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 20 March 1945, the 792nd serviceman so honoured.
21.
Martin Becker died on 8 February 2006 in Oberneisen near Limburg an der Lahn.
22.
Martin Becker flew approximately 110 combat missions, 83 as a night fighter pilot and 27 as an aerial reconnaissance pilot.