Baagoe Sophus

Sophus Baagoe (4 March 1915 – 14 May 1941) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Baagoe claimed 14 aerial victories, 13 over the Western Front and 1 over the Mediterranean Front. He is one of the two pilots credited with the kill of the RAF top ace Pat Marmaduke Pattle, on 20 April 1941, in Greece, with Theodor Rossiwall.

Sophus Baagoe was a member of the Luftwaffe at the beginning of the war and participated in the Battle of France, where he claimed his first four victories. As a member of Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel" (ZG 26—26th Destroyer Wing) he exclusively flew the Messerschmitt Bf 110, twin engine heavy fighter. He scored 9 more during the Battle of Britain against the Royal Air Force (RAF), bring his total to 13 and his final victory was during the Battle of Greece.

He and his aerial gunner, Oberfeldwebel Becker, were killed 14 May 1941 during the Battle of Crete. There is some dispute over how he died; he was either killed by anti-aircraft fire from the ground or by RAF pilots. He may have been shot down by the New Zealand Gladiator pilot D.F. Westenra of No. 112 Squadron RAF. Baagoe was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 14 June 1941.

Awards

• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (13 May 1940) and 1st Class (30 June 1940)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 June 1941 as Oberleutnant and pilot in the 5./Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel"