Friedrich Christiansen
Encyclopedia
Friedrich Christiansen was a World War I
German
seaplane ace
who claimed shooting down twenty planes and an airship
; thirteen of those victories were confirmed. During World War II
, he was the commander of the German Wehrmacht
in the Netherlands
.
, Province of Schleswig-Holstein
, into an old sea-faring family, the son of a sea captain. The generations-long sea-faring tradition within his family charted an obvious course for his future. In 1895 he joined the merchant marine, serving for 7 years and volunteering in 1901 for MTBs. After one year, he returned to the merchant marine, serving several years aboard the 5-masted Preussen (at the time, the largest sailing ship in the world,) as Second Officer. In 1913 he decided to deviate from this career, and learned to fly. Having graduated and gaining licence No. 707, he became a flying instructor at a civilian flying school.
as Naval Aviator. He flew Hansa-Brandenburg W.12
seaplanes over the North Sea, the English Channel, and Britain. For his bombing missions on Dover and Ramsgate, he was awarded the Iron Cross
Class 2. From 1915-1916 Christiansen went on numerous reconnaissance and bombing missions, helping to make his unit at Zeebrugge
one of the most successful in the German Naval Air Service. On 27 April 1916, as Leutnant der Matrosen Artillerie (Lieutenant of Naval Artillery,) Christiansen was awarded the Iron Cross
Class 1 and Knights Cross with Swords of the House Order of Hohenzollern
.
Christiansen claimed his first air-to-air victory 15 May 1917 by shooting down a Sopwith Pup
off Dover. On 1 Sept 1917 he took command of Naval Air Station at Zeebrugge, and being promoted to Oberleutnant, shot down a Porte FB2 Baby
off Felixstowe the same day. On the 11 December 1917 he shot down the non-rigid coastal class
airship C-27, Cdr. Flight Lieutenant John Francis Dixon, DSC
, near the Belgian coast.
Christiansen continued to carry out reconnaissance, rescue, and bombing missions, such that by December 1917, he had completed 440 missions, including shooting down Airship C27. At this time he was also awarded the Pour le Mérite ("Blue Max")
, the first of only three given to naval aviators and the only one to a seaplane pilot. He was promoted to Kapitänleutnant in 1918.
On 15 February 1918 Christiansen shot down a Curtiss H12B flying boat
off Felixstowe, followed by 2 more on 24 April and 25 April. In June he claimed three more Felixstowe F2As
. On 6 July he surprised and damaged British submarine HMS C25
in the Thames estuary, killing its captain and five crewmen (the submarine reached harbour). By November 11, 1918, he raised his personal tally to 13, as well as some shared victories, which cumulatively may have brought his total to 21.
on its maiden Atlantic flight to New York in 1930.
Christiansen's distinguished career led him eventually to being called to a post in the Reich aviation ministry from 1933 to 1937, and in 1936 he was promoted to Generalmajor. In 1937 he was appointed Korpsführer of the National Socialist Flyers Corps
, or NSFK, and was promoted to Generalleutnant. On January 1, 1939 he was named General der Flieger
.
After the war Christiansen was arrested for war crime
s. On 2 October 1944 he had ordered a raid on the village of Putten in Gelderland
, the Netherlands, in retaliation, after one of his officers, a Leutnant Sommers, was killed there by the Dutch resistance. When he heard about the actions of the resistance near Putten, Christiansen is reported to have said, „Das ganze Nest muss angesteckt werden und die ganze Bande an die Wand gestellt!" ("Put them all against the wall and burn the place down!") In compliance with this retributive sentiment, several members of the civilian population were shot, the village was burned, and 661 of the males of the town were deported to labor camps, the vast majority of whom never returned.
Christiansen was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in 1948 in Arnhem
for war crimes but was released in December 1951. He died in Aukrug
in 1972.
His release from imprisonment in 1951 was an occasion for his native town, Wyk auf Föhr, to renew Christiansen's honorary citizenship and reinstate a street name in honor of him, which had been changed by the British military administration in 1945. These honors sparked controversies in Germany and the Netherlands and they were revoked in 1980 by the town counsel.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
seaplane ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
who claimed shooting down twenty planes and an airship
Airship
An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...
; thirteen of those victories were confirmed. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was the commander of the German Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
Early life
He was born in Wyk auf FöhrWyk auf Föhr
Wyk auf Föhr is the only town on Föhr, the second largest of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea. Like the entire island it belongs to the district of Nordfriesland...
, Province of Schleswig-Holstein
Province of Schleswig-Holstein
The Province of Schleswig-Holstein was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Free State of Prussia from 1868 to 1946. It was created from the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which had been conquered by Prussia and the Austrian Empire from Denmark in the Second War of Schleswig in 1864...
, into an old sea-faring family, the son of a sea captain. The generations-long sea-faring tradition within his family charted an obvious course for his future. In 1895 he joined the merchant marine, serving for 7 years and volunteering in 1901 for MTBs. After one year, he returned to the merchant marine, serving several years aboard the 5-masted Preussen (at the time, the largest sailing ship in the world,) as Second Officer. In 1913 he decided to deviate from this career, and learned to fly. Having graduated and gaining licence No. 707, he became a flying instructor at a civilian flying school.
Service during World War I
In August 1914, Christiansen was called up and posted to ZeebruggeZeebrugge
Zeebrugge is a village on the coast of Belgium and a subdivision of Bruges, for which it is the modern port. Zeebrugge serves as both the international port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and a seafront resort with hotels, cafés, a marina and a beach.-Location:...
as Naval Aviator. He flew Hansa-Brandenburg W.12
Hansa-Brandenburg W.12
|-See also:-External links:* *...
seaplanes over the North Sea, the English Channel, and Britain. For his bombing missions on Dover and Ramsgate, he was awarded the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
Class 2. From 1915-1916 Christiansen went on numerous reconnaissance and bombing missions, helping to make his unit at Zeebrugge
Zeebrugge
Zeebrugge is a village on the coast of Belgium and a subdivision of Bruges, for which it is the modern port. Zeebrugge serves as both the international port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and a seafront resort with hotels, cafés, a marina and a beach.-Location:...
one of the most successful in the German Naval Air Service. On 27 April 1916, as Leutnant der Matrosen Artillerie (Lieutenant of Naval Artillery,) Christiansen was awarded the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
Class 1 and Knights Cross with Swords of the House Order of Hohenzollern
House Order of Hohenzollern
The House Order of Hohenzollern was an order of chivalry of the House of Hohenzollern. It was both a military and a civil award...
.
Christiansen claimed his first air-to-air victory 15 May 1917 by shooting down a Sopwith Pup
Sopwith Pup
The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
off Dover. On 1 Sept 1917 he took command of Naval Air Station at Zeebrugge, and being promoted to Oberleutnant, shot down a Porte FB2 Baby
Felixstowe Porte Baby
-References:*Bruce, J.M. "". Flight, 2 December 1955. pp.842—846.*Bruce, J.M. "". Flight, 16 December 1955. pp.895—898.*Bruce, J.M. "". Flight, 23 December 1955. pp.929—932.* accessed 1 February 2007....
off Felixstowe the same day. On the 11 December 1917 he shot down the non-rigid coastal class
Coastal class blimp
The Coastal Class were a class of blimp used by the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I. The C class blimp operated by the United States Navy after the war was a completely unrelated design. In total 35 Coastals were built, all at RNAS Kingsnorth, Kent...
airship C-27, Cdr. Flight Lieutenant John Francis Dixon, DSC
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
, near the Belgian coast.
Christiansen continued to carry out reconnaissance, rescue, and bombing missions, such that by December 1917, he had completed 440 missions, including shooting down Airship C27. At this time he was also awarded the Pour le Mérite ("Blue Max")
Pour le Mérite
The Pour le Mérite, known informally as the Blue Max , was the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order for German soldiers until the end of World War I....
, the first of only three given to naval aviators and the only one to a seaplane pilot. He was promoted to Kapitänleutnant in 1918.
On 15 February 1918 Christiansen shot down a Curtiss H12B flying boat
Curtiss Model H
The Curtiss Model H was a family of classes of early long-range flying boats, the first two of which were developed directly on commission in the United States in response to the ₤10,000 prize challenge issued in 1913 by the London newspaper, the Daily Mail, for the first non-stop aerial crossing...
off Felixstowe, followed by 2 more on 24 April and 25 April. In June he claimed three more Felixstowe F2As
Felixstowe F.2
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bruce, J.M. Flight, 2 December 1955, pp. 842–846.* Bruce, J.M. Flight, 16 December 1955, pp. 895–898.* Bruce, J.M. Flight, 23 December 1955, pp. 929–932....
. On 6 July he surprised and damaged British submarine HMS C25
HMS C25
HMS C25 was a British C class submarine built by Vickers, Barrow. She was laid down on 27 February 1908 and was commissioned on 28 May 1909.-Service history:...
in the Thames estuary, killing its captain and five crewmen (the submarine reached harbour). By November 11, 1918, he raised his personal tally to 13, as well as some shared victories, which cumulatively may have brought his total to 21.
Activity between wars
Following the German Revolution of late 1918, Christiansen was a member of the 3rd Marinebrigade commanded by Wilfried von Loewenfeld. In 1922 Christiansen was active again in the merchant marine, as ship's captain. He continued in this pursuit until 1929, when he was employed as a pilot by the Claude Dornier Company. While with Dornier, he flew what was at the time the largest seaplane in the world, the Dornier Do XDornier Do X
The Dornier Do X was the largest, heaviest, and most powerful flying boat in the world when it was produced by the Dornier company of Germany in 1929. First conceived by Dr. Claudius Dornier in 1924, planning started in late 1925 and after over 240,000 work hours it was completed in June 1929...
on its maiden Atlantic flight to New York in 1930.
Christiansen's distinguished career led him eventually to being called to a post in the Reich aviation ministry from 1933 to 1937, and in 1936 he was promoted to Generalmajor. In 1937 he was appointed Korpsführer of the National Socialist Flyers Corps
National Socialist Flyers Corps
The National Socialist Flyers Corps was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party that was founded in 1937 as a successor to the German Air Sports Association, during the years when a German Air Force was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles...
, or NSFK, and was promoted to Generalleutnant. On January 1, 1939 he was named General der Flieger
General der Flieger
General der Flieger was a General’s rank of the German Luftwaffe.The rank was equivalent to the long established General der Kavallerie, General der Artillerie and General der Infanterie...
.
Service during World War II
From 29 May 1940 until 7 April 1945 Christiansen was Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber in den Niederlanden (Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht in the Netherlands,) and from 10 November 1944 until 28 January 1945 supreme commander of the 25th Army.After the war Christiansen was arrested for war crime
War crime
War crimes are serious violations of the laws applicable in armed conflict giving rise to individual criminal responsibility...
s. On 2 October 1944 he had ordered a raid on the village of Putten in Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
, the Netherlands, in retaliation, after one of his officers, a Leutnant Sommers, was killed there by the Dutch resistance. When he heard about the actions of the resistance near Putten, Christiansen is reported to have said, „Das ganze Nest muss angesteckt werden und die ganze Bande an die Wand gestellt!" ("Put them all against the wall and burn the place down!") In compliance with this retributive sentiment, several members of the civilian population were shot, the village was burned, and 661 of the males of the town were deported to labor camps, the vast majority of whom never returned.
Christiansen was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in 1948 in Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
for war crimes but was released in December 1951. He died in Aukrug
Aukrug
Aukrug is a municipality in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated approx. 13 km west of Neumünster, and 35 km southwest of Kiel.-Overview:...
in 1972.
His release from imprisonment in 1951 was an occasion for his native town, Wyk auf Föhr, to renew Christiansen's honorary citizenship and reinstate a street name in honor of him, which had been changed by the British military administration in 1945. These honors sparked controversies in Germany and the Netherlands and they were revoked in 1980 by the town counsel.
Sources
- T. C. Treadwell & A. C Wood, German Knights of the Air, 1914-1918; The Holders of the Orden Pour Le Merite, Barnes & Nobel Books (UK) Ltd, 1997.
- K. Munson, Fighters- Attack and Training Aircraft, 1914-1919, The MacMillian Company, 1969, (first published Blandford Press, Ltd, 1968)
- O'Connor, M. Airfields & Airmen of the Channel Coast. Pen & Sword Military, 2005 ISBN 1-84415-258-8
- Franks, Norman L. R. et al. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918 Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0948817739, 9780948817731.
External links
- http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/christiansen.php {biography & credits}
- http://membres.lycos.fr/asduciel/marine.htm