Karl-Gottfried Nordmann
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.
Karl-Gottfried Nordmann | |
|---|---|
Nordmann as a Luftwaffe officer in 1943 | |
| President of Mercedes-Benz of North America and Canada | |
| In office January 1971 – January 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Heinz Hoppe |
| Succeeded by | Walter Bodack |
| Inspector of the Day Fighters, East | |
| In office 9 February 1945 – 8 May 1945 | |
| Preceded by | Hannes Trautloft |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 November 1915 Gießen, Germany |
| Died | 22 July 1982 (aged 66) Greenwich, Connecticut, USA |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch/service | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1936–45 |
| Rank | Oberst (Colonel) |
| Unit | JG 51 |
| Commands | JG 51 1st Fighter Division |
| Battles/wars | See battles World War II
|
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
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.
Nordmann was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of JG 51, which he led for two years, on 10 April 1942. Injuries sustained in a midair collision on 17 January 1943 grounded him from further combat flying. He surrendered command of JG 51 on 1 April 1944 and was appointed Jagdfliegerführer Ostpreussen (fighter leader Eastern Prussia). Nordmann then served further fighter command positions with Jagdabschnittsführer 6 (leader of the 6th fighter sector) and the 1st Fighter Division, a position he held until the end of World War II. Following World War II, Nordmann joined Mercedes-Benz in sales. He worked as the president of Mercedes-Benz in North America and Canada from 1971 until shortly before his death in 1982.