Ludwig Heilmann

Ludwig Heilmann (9 August 1903 – 26 October 1959), was a German Fallschirmjäger and general during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Military service
Ludwig Heilmann entered the Reichswehr in early 1921. In 1933, having now served for twelve years, left the military service, but after taking a number of courses he was reactivated on 1 July 1934 as an Oberleutnant and commander of the 5th Company, 20th Infantry Regiment. During the Battle of France he won the Iron Cross first class with III Battalion of the 91st Infantry Regiment.

Heilmann joined the parachute troops on 18 June 1940. After various courses and postings Major Heilmann became commander of III Battalion, 1st Parachute Regiment. His battalion was dropped into Crete on 20 May 1941 as part of the first wave. Heilmann's battalion played a part in the German success on the island.

In late autumn 1941 Heilmann and his battalion were sent to Russia, where they fought as infantry. Among the unit's actions was the defense of the Vyborgskaya bridgehead. Heilmann was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 20 April 1942. On 20 August 1943 he became commander of IV Battalion, 3rd Parachute Regiment and on 15 November regimental commander.

After the Allied landing in Sicily Heilmann and his regiment parachuted into the Catania Plain to reinforce "Battle Group Schmalz" of the Fallschirm-Panzer Division 1 "Hermann Göring". His battalion fought near Francoforte and Centuripe near Regalbuto, Bronte and Maletto. On 1 December 1943 Heilmann was promoted to Oberst.

On the Italian mainland Heilmann's regiment fought near Ortona, where on 15 December it ran into an assembly of enemy forces. His I and II Battalions, led by Major Rudolf Böhmler and Hauptmann Gotthart Liebscher, and took Villa Grande. Ortona was held until 28 December.

Heilmann's regiment also took part in the defensive Battle of Monte Cassino. The third battle of Cassino saw it in the focal point of the battle for the monastery mountain.

On 17 November 1944 Ludwig Heilmann became commanding of the 5th Parachute Division, which subsequently fought in the Ardennes. It was here in the south of battlezone where the 5th was ordered to defend the flank from attacks by the U.S. 3rd Army. Heilmann was captured by the Americans just prior to the end of the war and was released in 1947.

Awards

 * Wound Badge in Black
 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th and 3rd Class (2 October 1936)
 * Luftwaffe Parachutist Badge
 * Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross
 * 2nd Class (2 October 1939)
 * 1st Class (14 June 1941)
 * Cuff title "Kreta" (20 May 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold on 26 February 1942 as Major in the III./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
 * Knight's Cross on 14 June 1941 as Major and commander of the III./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3
 * 412th Oak Leaves on 2 March 1944 as Oberst and commander of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3
 * 67th Swords on 15 May 1944 as Oberst and commander of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3