Pumpenmeister (mil. rank: Maat) Wilhelm Heidkamp (1883 – 1931) was a German sailor who fought in World War I.
Heidkamp was born in Herkenrath and joined the German Navy as a machinist in 1902. He transferred to SMS Seydlitz in 1912.
He was a Petty Officer (equiv) on SMS Seydlitz during the Battle of the Dogger Bank in January 1915. During the battle, the ship was hit by gunfire from HMS Lion that knocked out both rear turrets and caused a cordite flashover. Heidkamp prevented his ship from exploding by flooding the magazines. He turned the valves even though they were glowing red-hot. During this action his hands and lungs were severely injured, and he eventually died of consequent lung disease in 1931.
After the war Heidkamp took over his father's grocery store in Untereschbach. Heidkamp was married and had four children.
The World War II German destroyer Z21 was named Wilhelm Heidkamp in his honour.
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“The first glance at History convinces us that the actions of men proceed from their needs, their passions, their characters and talents; and impresses us with the belief that such needs, passions and interests are the sole spring of actions.”
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831)