Wilhelm Antrup

Who was Wilhelm Antrup?

Wilhelm "Willy" Antrup was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Wilhelm Antrup was captured by American troops in May 1945.

In 1956, joined the post war Luftwaffe of the new founded Bundeswehr as an Oberst. In 1964, he became commander of the Höhere Technische Schule der Luftwaffe, which was reorganized to the Technische Akademie der Luftwaffe on June 1, 1966. His rank was Brigadegeneral. Antrup was retired in March 1968.