World War II German Field Marshal. He joined the German Army in 1913 and served on both the Western and Eastern Fronts during the First World War. In March of 1918, Richthofen, who was a cousin of Germany's leading flying ace "The Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen, qualified as a pilot with the German Army Air Service. At the end of the war, he studied engineering before rejoining the German Army in 1927. When the Luftwaffe was formed in 1933, Richthofen joined and immediately became one of its chief technical assistants. During the Spanish Civil War, he served with the Condor Legion and by May of 1938, became its commander, where he developed tactics of close air support for ground units. After the outbreak of World War II, Richthofen would command air units in Poland, Belgium, and France. During the Battle of Britain, his 8th Air Corps had the mission of winning air superiority over the Royal Air Force. Richthofen was surprised that the elite British planes could outmatch German aircraft during the battle. His air corps would also provide air cover for German troops in Greece, Crete, and the Soviet Union. As Commander of the Fourth Air Fleet on the Russian Front, on October 17, 1943, Richthofen became Germany's second youngest Field Marshal. From June 1943 to November 1944, he commanded the Second Air Fleet in Italy. He would develop a brain tumor in mid 1944, which would cause his retirement from active duty. As the war was coming to a close, he was arrested and on July 12, 1945, passed away while in American captivity in Austria.
World War II German Field Marshal. He joined the German Army in 1913 and served on both the Western and Eastern Fronts during the First World War. In March of 1918, Richthofen, who was a cousin of Germany's leading flying ace "The Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen, qualified as a pilot with the German Army Air Service. At the end of the war, he studied engineering before rejoining the German Army in 1927. When the Luftwaffe was formed in 1933, Richthofen joined and immediately became one of its chief technical assistants. During the Spanish Civil War, he served with the Condor Legion and by May of 1938, became its commander, where he developed tactics of close air support for ground units. After the outbreak of World War II, Richthofen would command air units in Poland, Belgium, and France. During the Battle of Britain, his 8th Air Corps had the mission of winning air superiority over the Royal Air Force. Richthofen was surprised that the elite British planes could outmatch German aircraft during the battle. His air corps would also provide air cover for German troops in Greece, Crete, and the Soviet Union. As Commander of the Fourth Air Fleet on the Russian Front, on October 17, 1943, Richthofen became Germany's second youngest Field Marshal. From June 1943 to November 1944, he commanded the Second Air Fleet in Italy. He would develop a brain tumor in mid 1944, which would cause his retirement from active duty. As the war was coming to a close, he was arrested and on July 12, 1945, passed away while in American captivity in Austria.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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