Ludwig Gaim

Ludwig Gaim
Born	1 April 1892 Deggendorf, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire
Died	10 January 1979
Allegiance	Germany
Service/branch	Artillery, then flying service
Years of service	1914 - ca 1943
Rank	Vizefeldwebel
Unit	FA(A) 293, Jagdstaffel 39
Awards	Iron Cross Second and First Class, Austro-Hungarian Silver Medal for Bravery, Military Verdeinst Cross Third Class with Swords
Other work	World War II service with the Nazis

Standartenführer Ludwig Gaim (born 1 April 1892, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He ended the war as a Vizefeldwebel.

Gaim would return to his nation's service in World War II after joining the Nazi Party. He rose to a colonelcy in the Schutzstaffel as a pilot with Hitler's personal bodyguard.

Early life and service

Ludwig Gaim was born in Deggendorf, the Kingdom of Bavaria, on 1 April 1892. He joined an artillery unit in the Imperial German Army during August 1914. He served on the Verdun Front and was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class on 21 October 1914. He continued artillery duty until July 1916. He then transferred to the Luftstreitkräfte for aviation duty with Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 293 (Flier Detachment (Artillery) 293). He flew artillery direction missions and other reconnaissance with this unit until wounded on 6 January 1917. He was promoted to Vizefeldwebel on 25 May 1917. After recovery from his wound, he trained as a single-seater fighter pilot. Upon graduation, he was shipped to Italy to join Jagdstaffel 39 (Fighter Squadron 39) on 27 June 1917. Between 25 October and 30 December 1917, he shot down five Italian aircraft. He was again wounded in action, while scoring his fifth victory.

Gaim accompanied Jasta 39 upon its return to service on the Reims sector of the Western Front in March 1918. He would not score again before he left the squadron on 4 April 1918.

World War II service

Gaim also served in World War II in the Schutzstaffel with the Reichssicherheitsdienst. Gaim was a pilot in Hitler's personnel air unit led by Hans Baur. He joined the Nazi Party as member number 763,780 and the Schutzstaffel as member number 279,441. He ultimately achieved the rank of SS-Standartenführer (Colonel), on 9 November 1943, and Oberleutnant der Reserve.

Honors and awards

• Iron Cross Second Class: 21 October 1914
• Military Verdeinst Cross 3rd Class with Swords: 7 April 1917
• Iron Cross First Class: 8 November 1917
• Austro-Hungarian Silver Medal

References

• Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. 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 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.