Wilhelm Godtfredsen

Wilhelm Godtfredsen is one of two officers of the Army Air Force who are on 9 April 1940 when Luftwaffe attacks the Værløse airfield north of Copenhagen.

Wilhelm Godfredsen is born in Odense on 31 October 1914. He is trained as a clerk in the early 1930's.

During his national service he is posted to 9. Artilleriafdeling (9th Artillery Unit) and on 12 May 1936 he is appointed Kornet (Lance Corporal) at this unit.

On 1 April 1939 he is accepted at the Army Air Force Flying School. He is then posted at 3. Artilleriafdeling (3rd Artillery Unit). At the end of training, he is posted to the Army Air Force and is appointed Sekondløjtnant (Pilot Officer) on 9 October 1939 and is further promoted to Løjtnant af Reserven (Lieutenant of the Reserve) on 1 April 1940.

On 9 April 1940 at 0510 hrs. the commanding officer at Værløse airfield is noticed by Head Quarters that German troops has occupied central military installations in Copenhagen. At 0520 hrs. Wilhelm Godtfredsen and observer, Pilot Officer Gustav F. Brodersen take off in Fokker CV M/33 (II R) 'R-49' from the airfield. They are ordered to carry out a reconnaisance mission covering the roads from Copenhagen to Værløse. During take of they are attacked by incoming German aircraft. The aircraft is hit, bursts into flames, and crashes killing both men.

Wilhelm Godtfredsen is buried on 14 April 1940 at Garnisons Kirkegård, Copenhagen (N.4.12A).

(Schrøder, 2002)