Franz Beyer (pilot)

Franz Beyer
Born	22 April 1918 Berlin
Died	near Venlo, Netherlands
Buried	Ysselsteyn German war cemetery Plot L-row 11-grave 263
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1940–44
Rank	Major
Unit	JG 3
Commands held	IV./JG 3
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of France Battle of Britain Operation Barbarossa Italian Campaign Defense of the Reich
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Franz Beyer (22 April 1918 – 11 February 1944) was a Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Franz Beyer was killed on 11 February near Venlo, the Netherlands after dog-fighting with British Spitfires. During his career he was credited with 81 aerial victories, 4 on the Western Front and 77 on the Eastern Front.

Awards

• Flugzeugführerabzeichen
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 August 1941 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 8./Jagdgeschwader 3

External links

• Luftwaffe 1939–1945 History
• World War 2 Awards.com

Military offices
Preceded by None	Commander of IV. Jagdgeschwader 3 1 June 1943 – 11 February 1944	Succeeded by Hauptmann Heinz Lang