Josef Veltjens
Josef "Seppl" Veltjens (2 June 1894 – 6 October 1943) was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 35 victories. In later years, he served as an international arms dealer, as well as a personal emissary from Hermann Göring to Benito Mussolini. He was awarded Pour le Mérite, the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, and the Iron Cross.
Josef Veltjens | |
|---|---|
Josef Veltjens in 1918 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Seppl" |
| Born | 2 June 1894 Geldern, German Empire |
| Died | 6 October 1943 (aged 49) Monte Cervellino, Northern Italy |
| Buried | Piacenza, Italy Reinterred at Travemünde, Germany |
| Allegiance | German Empire (to 1918) Nazi Germany |
| Service/ | Infantry Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 1940–1943 |
| Rank | Oberst d. R. (Colonel reserves) |
| Unit | Guards Regiment 4, Infantry Regiment 8, Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 23, Jagdstaffel 14, Jagdstaffel 18, Jagdstaffel 15 |
| Commands held | Jagdstaffel 15 Jagdgeschwader II |
| Awards | Pour le Mérite, House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross Commander Cross First Class with Swords of the Order of the White Rose of Finland |
| Other work | International arms dealer, and Hermann Goering's financial confidant |
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