Hermann Becker

Hans Ritter
Birth name	Hermann Hugo Walter Becker
Birth date	9 August 1893 (1893-08-09)
Place of birth	Niederglauchau, Kreis Delitzsch, Regierungsbezirk Merseburg, Province of Saxony, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Death date	6 February 1945 (1945-02-07) (aged 51)
Place of death	Torgau, Province of Halle-Merseburg, German Reich
Allegiance	German Empire Weimar Republic National Socialist Germany
Service/branch	Kaiserliche Marine Freikorps Reichsmarine Reichswehr Luftwaffe
Rank	Lieutenant General
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Iron Cross Ehrenpreis der Marineflieger
Relations	Married, two children

Hermann Hugo Walter Becker (9 August 1893 – 6 February 1945) was a German officer of the Imperial German Navy, the Freikorps, the Preliminary Reichsmarine, the Reichswehr and the Wehrmacht, finally Lieutenant General of the Luftwaffe in World War II.

Life

Hermann Becker joined the Imperial Navy on 1 April 1912. He completed his basic training on board the large cruiser SMS "Victoria Louise" and was then assigned to the Naval Academy in Mürwik. When the First World War broke out, he became an officer on duty on board the battleship SMS "Kaiser Wilhelm II" on 5 August 1914. From February 1915, he trained as a pilot at the Norderney naval aviation station. After completing his training, he was deployed as a pilot at the Norderney, Borkum and List naval aviation stations. From December 1916, he was a torpedo and fighter pilot at the Zeebrugge naval aviation station. In July 1917, he was taken prisoner by the British, from which he was released at the end of the war. After returning to Germany, he joined a Freikorps unit. Becker was discharged from military service with the preliminary Reichsmarine on 9 September 1920.

Until 1933, he stayed with aviation and became a flight station manager. Between 1 January 1925 and 31 December 1933, he worked as a flight trainer and head of the German Commercial Pilot School (DVS) Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule Warnemünde. On 1 January 1934, he joined the not yet unveiled Luftwaffe of the Reichswehr and became commander of the Warnemünde pilot school. On 1 August 1934, he was appointed commander of the See air park in Kiel-Holtenau and on 1 November 1934, he was appointed commander of the Kiel flying group and commandant of the Kiel air base. On 1 March 1936, Becker became commander of the See pilot school in Püttnitz and also commandant of the Püttnitz air base. On 1 March 1938, he was promoted to colonel and a month later he was appointed commander of the See air service units. From 18 December 1939, Hermann Becker served as inspector of the air service units in the Reich Aviation Ministry. On 30 September 1943, he was transferred to the Führer or leader reserve (OKL).

At this point, he was already tarnished by suspicion of disobedience through military embezzlement. It concerned the misuse of a military fuel voucher for a vacation trip with his wife and daughter. Not really a big deal, but it was war and military laws were strictly interpreted. In March 1944, he was written to in the name of Hermann Göring by Bruno Loerzer, head of the Air Force Personnel Office. He gave him an honorable way out: Becker was to retire "in favor of rejuvenating the officer corps", would receive pay until 31 July 1944, after that the lawful pension. But Becker did not agree. On 27 June 1944, he was discharged from military service with effect from 31 June 1944. But on 29 June 1944, this decision was withdrawn. The Reich Military Court decided on 18 August 1944 to indict.

In the meantime, Becker had written to four people who were considered valuable witnesses for the prosecution and instructed them on what they should say if necessary. This was considered a serious incitement to perjury. On 7 November 1944, an arrest warrant was issued. The trial began on 21 November 1944 by the Reich Military Court in the headquarters of the Zieten Barracks in Torgau. On 1 December 1944, he was sentenced to death on two counts of undermining military morale and inciting perjury.

Death

On 6 February 1945 at the Wehrmacht prison "Fort Zinna" in Torgau, Hermann Becker, on the same day as General der Flieger Bernhard Anton Waber in Spandau, was executed by firing squad.

Awards and decorations (excerpt)

• Naval Pilot Badge (Abzeichen für Marine-Flugzeugführer auf Landflugzeugen)
• Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class
• Ehrenpreis der Marineflieger
• Comemorative Badge for Naval Aircraft Pilots and Observers (Erinnerungsabzeichen für Marine-Flugzeugführer und -Beobachter)
• The Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords
• Wehrmacht Long Service Award (Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung), 4th Class

Promotions

• 1 April 1912: Seekadett (Officer Candidate)
• 12 April 1913: Fähnrich zur See (Officer Cadet)
• 22 March 1915 Leutnant zur See (2nd Lieutenant)
• 17 November 1919 Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant) with Rank Seniority (RDA) from 7 January 1917
• 1 January 1934 Major with Rank Seniority (RDA) from 1 December 1933
• 1 December 1935 Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)
• 17 February 1938 Oberst (Colonel) with effect and RDA from 1 March 1938
• 1 November 1940 Generalmajor (Major General)
• 1 November 1942 Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General)

Gallery

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