Pilot in World War I, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite (Blue Max). After the was he became the leader of Freikorps Gerth and fought in the civil war of 1919. He joined the NSDAP in the late 20's and rose to the rank of SA Obersturmfuhrer. He was also Sports Director of the SA group Berlin-Brandenburg and aide/adjutant to Ernst Roehm. Arrested in 1934 during the Roehm putsch, he was offered the opportunity to commit suicide rather than execution by firing squad. Protesting his innocence, he refused and was returned to prison where he was executed by the SS. His last words were reported to be "Comrades, aim well".
Pilot in World War I, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite (Blue Max). After the was he became the leader of Freikorps Gerth and fought in the civil war of 1919. He joined the NSDAP in the late 20's and rose to the rank of SA Obersturmfuhrer. He was also Sports Director of the SA group Berlin-Brandenburg and aide/adjutant to Ernst Roehm. Arrested in 1934 during the Roehm putsch, he was offered the opportunity to commit suicide rather than execution by firing squad. Protesting his innocence, he refused and was returned to prison where he was executed by the SS. His last words were reported to be "Comrades, aim well".
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
