Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp

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Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp
Military Order of Saint Henry;
Iron Cross
RelationsHarry Kurt Ernst von Bülow-Bothkamp
Conrad Gustav von Bülow-Bothkamp
Friedrich Conrad Eugen von Bülow-Bothkamp

Walter Kuno Reinhold Gustav von Bülow-Bothkamp (alternate spelling Bothcamp) (24 April 1894 – 6 January 1918),

Pour le Merite, on 8 October 1917. He was also transferred to a more prestigious command, Jagdstaffel 2
, on 13 December 1917. On 6 January 1918, he was killed in action.

Early life

Walter

Nazi general in latter years.[2]

Walter Bülow-Bothkamp graduated from the Baccalaureate High School in Plon, Schleswig-Holstein in 1912. He then traveled for six months in

University of Heidelberg. He also joined a student corps there.[2]

In August 1914, he and his younger brother Conrad joined Braunschweige Hussars Regiment 17 (the Deaths Head Hussars). In January 1915, he accompanied his unit to the front in southern Alsace.[2]

Early Flying Service

See also: Aerial victory standards of World War I and List of aerial victories of Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp

Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp was commissioned as a leutnant (lieutenant) in April 1915 and applied for pilot's training in the Luftstreitkräfte (German air service). Along with his brother Conrad, he trained in Replacement Division 5 in Hanover through 15 September 1915.[2]

Bülow-Bothkamp was originally posted to Feldflieger Abteilung 22, which was an aviation squadron organized for aerial reconnaissance, observation, and direction of artillery on the Western Front. Although flying an AEG G.II two-seated observation plane, he managed to down enemy two seaters on consecutive days, 10 and 11 October 1915.[3]

After an award of the Iron Cross First Class

dueling scar suffered at university.[2]

After his discharge from hospital, he won twice more near

El Arish, with a fifth victory unconfirmed.[3][1]

He earned a transfer to piloting fighter planes. He left Flieger-Abteilung 300 and joined a Prussian fighter squadron on the Western Front,

Military Order of Saint Henry while with the squadron.[3]

Appointed to Leadership

He was then appointed Commanding Officer of

Pour le Merite.[3] On 29 October, he went on leave until 7 November, leaving Hans Hoyer in temporary command of the squadron.[5]

On 2 December, he killed Lieutenant Harry G. E. Luchford of No. 20 Squadron RAF when he shot down his Bristol F.2 Fighter. This was Bülow-Bothkamp's 28th and final victory.[3]

On 13 December 1917, he was transferred to being Commanding Officer of a more prestigious unit,

William M. Fry are believed to be his conquerors.[3]

Walter was buried in his family chateau's cemetery. He joined his brother Friedrich, killed in action in 1914. Within the year, Conrad would join them.[2]

Decorations and awards

  • Iron Cross of 1914, 1st class (October 1915)[3] and 2nd class (April 1915)[citation needed]
  • Gallipoli Star - Harp Madalyası (1916 during service in Palestine)
  • Pour le Merite
    (8 October 1917)
  • Knight's Cross of the
    Military Order of Saint Henry[3]

Endnotes

  1. ^ a b The Aerodrome website page on Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/bulow-bothkamp2.php
  2. ^ a b c d e f frontflieger website page on Bülow-Bothkamp http://www.frontflieger.de/3buelow0t.html
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Franks, Bailey & Guest 1993, p. 90.
  4. ^ Note: German policy called for award of the Second Class as a prerequisite for the First Class award; therefore Bülow-Bothkamp had already won the Second Class Iron Cross.
  5. ^ Franks, Bailey & Guest 1993, p. 132.

References

  • ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1
    .
  • ISBN 978-1-904010-76-0
    .

External links
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