# Erich Hartmann

> German officer and fighter pilot during World War II (1922–1993)

**Wikidata**: [Q57194](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57194)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_Hartmann)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/erich-hartmann

## Summary

Erich Alfred Hartmann (1922–1993) was a German military officer and fighter pilot who served during World War II. He is recognized as one of the most successful fighter pilots in aviation history, with an extensive combat record spanning from 1940 to 1970. His service and achievements have made him a notable figure in military aviation history.

## Biography

- **Born**: April 19, 1922
- **Died**: September 20, 1993
- **Nationality**: German
- **Full Name**: Erich Alfred Hartmann (also known as "Bubbles" Hartmann)
- **Aliases**: Μπούμπι Χάρτμαν, Έριχ Άλφρεντ «Μπούμπι» Χάρτμαν, Έριχ Άλφρεντ Χάρτμαν
- **Known for**: Service as a German fighter pilot during World War II
- **Employer(s)**: Military service in Nazi Germany (implied by service period and awards)
- **Field(s)**: Military aviation, fighter pilot operations
- **Work Period Start**: 1940
- **Work Period End**: 1970
- **Citizenship**: Germany
- **Instance Of**: Human

## Contributions

Based on the available source material, specific details about Hartmann's individual contributions, missions, or publications are not explicitly documented in the provided data. The source material indicates his status as a fighter pilot during World War II and his military service from 1940 to 1970, suggesting a lengthy military career that would have included combat operations and related activities.

## FAQs

### What was Erich Hartmann's primary occupation?

Erich Hartmann was a German military officer and aircraft pilot, specifically serving as a fighter pilot during World War II.

### When and where was Erich Hartmann born?

Erich Hartmann was born on April 19, 1922. The specific birthplace is not detailed in the provided source material.

### What awards did Erich Hartmann receive?

According to the source material, Erich Hartmann received the Pilot Badge (Nazi Germany), which was an award in Nazi Germany for pilots after successful training, active from 1935-1945. Additional awards referenced include Q3003470, Q17412908, and Q316270, though specific details about these awards are not provided in the source material.

### What was Erich Hartmann's military service timeline?

Erich Hartmann's work period began in 1940 and ended in 1970, indicating a military career that spanned three decades, encompassing his World War II service and potentially post-war military activities.

### What identifiers are associated with Erich Hartmann in bibliographic databases?

Erich Hartmann is associated with multiple bibliographic and identifier systems, including VIAF (120732658), ISNI (0000000096043240), Library of Congress Control Number (n85125522), German National Library identifier (00468022), and numerous other institutional identifiers.

## Why They Matter

Erich Hartmann's significance stems from his role as a German fighter pilot during one of the most consequential conflicts in modern history—World War II. As a military aviator, he participated in aerial combat operations during a period that saw significant developments in fighter aircraft tactics and technology. The mere fact that his service record spans from 1940 to 1970 indicates a substantial military career that likely extended beyond the war years, potentially including post-war military reorganization or continued service in German armed forces. His recognition through awards, including the prestigious Pilot Badge, indicates acknowledgment of his aviation skills and combat performance. The multiple international identifiers assigned to him in bibliographic systems suggest that his military record has been preserved and studied as part of military history documentation.

## Notable For

- Service as a German fighter pilot during World War II (1939–1945)
- Military career spanning from 1940 to 1970 (30 years of service)
- Receipt of the Pilot Badge (Nazi Germany), the official aviation award for trained pilots in Nazi Germany (1935–1945)
- Recognition with multiple military awards (Q3003470, Q17412908, Q316270)
- Burial at Neuer Friedhof Weil im Schönbuch (final resting place documented)
- Multiple international bibliographic identifiers documenting his historical record

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Erich Alfred Hartmann was born on April 19, 1922, in Germany. As a member of the German population during the interwar and World War II periods, his formative years coincided with significant political and social transformations in Germany, including the rise of the Nazi regime in 1933 and the subsequent militarization of German society. The specific details of his childhood, family background, and pre-military education are not explicitly documented in the provided source material.

### Military Service and Career

Hartmann's military career began in 1940, corresponding with the advanced stages of World War II. As an aircraft pilot, he served in the German military aviation forces, operating as a fighter pilot—a role that placed him at the forefront of aerial combat operations. The nature of fighter pilot operations during World War II involved engaging enemy aircraft, providing air support for ground forces, and participating in strategic air defense missions.

His service continued through the end of the war in 1945 and extended until 1970, indicating that Hartmann maintained a military career in the post-war period. This extended service period is notable, as it suggests his continued involvement in military aviation or related military functions following Germany's defeat and the subsequent restructuring of German armed forces.

### Awards and Recognition

Erich Hartmann received the Pilot Badge (Nazi Germany), an official award instituted on August 12, 1935, for military pilots who successfully completed flight training. This badge was a fundamental qualification marker for German military aviators during the Nazi period and indicated proficiency in aircraft operation and military aviation standards.

Additionally, the source material references three additional awards or decorations identified by their Wikidata codes (Q3003470, Q17412908, Q316270), though specific details about these honors are not provided in the available data. The cumulative recognition through multiple awards suggests sustained excellence in military aviation performance.

### Historical Context and Significance

As a German fighter pilot, Hartmann operated within the context of the Luftwaffe—the German Air Force—during World War II. The conflict, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, represented the largest armed conflict in history and involved significant aerial warfare operations across multiple theaters. Fighter pilots like Hartmann played crucial roles in achieving air superiority, supporting ground operations, and defending against enemy air attacks.

The documentation of Hartmann's service through multiple international identifier systems indicates that his military record has been preserved within historical and bibliographic databases, contributing to the broader documentation of World War II military personnel and aviation history.

### Post-War Life

Following the end of World War II, Hartmann's continued military service until 1970 placed him within the context of post-war German military reorganization. Germany, defeated in 1945, underwent significant political transformation, including the division into West Germany and East Germany and the establishment of new military structures. Hartmann's service during this transitional and post-war period suggests adaptation to new military frameworks and continued contribution to German defense capabilities.

### Death and Legacy

Erich Hartmann died on September 20, 1993. He was buried at Neuer Friedhof Weil im Schönbuch, marking his final resting place in Germany. His life span of 71 years encompassed the entirety of World War II and the subsequent decades of German post-war development. The preservation of his military record through multiple archival and identifier systems ensures his place in the historical documentation of German military aviation.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/23/obituaries/erich-hartmann-german-ace-of-world-war-ii-71.html)
2. TracesOfWar
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Find a Grave
5. Munzinger Personen
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
8. [Source](https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/lager-150)
9. Quora
10. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands