Ralph Von Rettberg
Ralph von Rettberg (1 March 1911 – 25 February 2004) was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and wing commander. As a fighter ace, he claimed eight enemy aircraft shot down. Early life and career On 7 April 1931, he began his pilot training at the ''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule'' (DVS—German Air Transport School) at Schleißheim. He and 29 other trainees were part of ''Kameradschaft'' 31 (camaraderie of 1931), abbreviated "K 31". Among the members of "K 31" were future Luftwaffe staff officers Bernd von Brauchitsch, Günther Radusch, Günther Lützow, Wolfgang Falck and Hannes Trautloft. von Rettberg graduated from the DVS on 19 February 1932. On 1 March 1937, von Rettberg was appointed adjutant to ''Oberst'' Kurt-Bertram von Döring, the '' Geschwaderkommodore'' (wing commander) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 134 "Horst Wessel" (JG 134—134th Fighter Wing). On 1 April 1938, he was appointed ''Staffelkapitän'' of 1. '' Staffel'' (1st squadron), a squadron of I. '' Gruppe ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Bad Homburg
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe () is the district town of the Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, on the southern slope of the Taunus mountains. Bad Homburg is part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Regional Authority, Frankfurt Rhein-Main urban area. The town's official name is ''Bad Homburg v.d.Höhe'', which distinguishes it from other places named Homburg (other), Homburg. The town has become best known for its mineral springs and spa (hence the prefix ''Bad'', meaning "bath"), and for its casino. Bad Homburg was one of the wealthiest towns in Germany (while the Hochtaunuskreis itself and the Starnberg (district), Landkreis Starnberg in Bavaria regularly vie for the title of the wealthiest district in Germany). the town used the marketing slogan ''Champagnerluft und Tradition'' (Champagne air and tradition). History Medieval origins Local tradition holds that Bad Homburg's documented history began with the mention of the ''Villa Tidenheim'' in the Lorsch codex, associated with the year ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule
The Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (DVS), German Air Transport School, was a covert military-training organization operating as a flying school in Germany. It began during the Weimar Republic in Staaken, Berlin in 1925 and its head office was transferred in 1929 to Broitzem airfield near Braunschweig. The DVS was outwardly a flying school for commercial pilots, but in fact became a secret military arm training military aviators for the future Luftwaffe. This training facility grew in importance in the initial stages of Nazi Germany, while camouflaging as a harmless civilian organization (''Tarnorganisation''), at the time of Germany's rearmament in violation of the Versailles Treaty. On May 31, 1945, after Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II, the American Military Government issued a special law outlawing the Nazi Party and all of its branches. Known as "Law number five", this Denazification decree disbanded the ''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegschule'' and its facilities were taken o ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Organization Of The Luftwaffe (1933–1945)
Between 1933 and 1945, the organization of the Luftwaffe underwent several changes. Originally, the German military high command, for their air warfare forces, decided to use an organizational structure similar to the army and navy, treating the aviation branch as a strategic weapon of war. Later on, during the period of rapid rearmament, the Luftwaffe was organized more in a geographical fashion. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919), Germany was prohibited from having an air force, with the former German Empire's ''Luftstreitkräfte'' disbandment in 1920. German pilots were secretly trained for military aviation, first in the Soviet Union during the late 1920s, and then in Germany in the early 1930s. In Germany, the training was done under the guise of the German Air Sports Association (german: Deutscher Luftsportverband (DLV)) at the Central Commercial Pilots School (german: Zentrale der Verkehrs Fliegerschule (ZVF)). Following its 15 May 1933 formation in secret, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Staffelkapitän
''Staffelkapitän'' is a position (not a rank) in flying units ( ''Staffel'') of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a ''Staffelkapitän'' is of ''Oberstleutnant'' or ''Major'' rank. In the ''Luftwaffe'' of the Wehrmacht the ''Staffelkapitän'' usually held the rank of an ''Oberleutnant'' or ''Hauptmann''. For the first weeks of his assignment he was known as a ''Staffelführer'' (Squadron Leader), until he was confirmed in this position. If a Non-commissioned officer was tasked with this role, he was also referred to as a ''Staffelführer''. This title is not to be confused with ''Staffelführer'', a rank in the SS. See also *Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945) Between 1933 and 1945, the organization of the Luftwaffe underwent several changes. Originally, the German military high command, for their air warfare forces, decided to use an organizational structure similar to the army and navy, treating the ... Refere ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jagdgeschwader 134
''Jagdgeschwader'' 134 (JG 134) "Horst Wessel" was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing prior to World War II. JG 134 was formed on 4 January 1936 with III. ''Gruppe'' in Döberitz. The ''Geschwader'' was given the honorific name Horst Wessel on 24 March 1936. II ''Gruppe'' was formed on 15 March 1936 in Werl and was followed by the ''Geschwaderstab'' and I. ''Gruppe'' on 1 April 1936 in Dortmund. It would later become one of the premier ''Zerstörer'' wings of the Luftwaffe, as ''Zerstörergeschwader 26''. Commanding officers ''Kommodore'' * ''Oberstleutnant'' Kurt-Bertram von Döring, 15 March 1936 – 1 November 1938 ''Gruppenkommandeure'' ;I. ''Gruppe'' * ''Major'' Josef Kammhuber, 15 March 1936 – 1 March 1937 * ''Oberstleutnant'' Hermann Frommherz, 1 March 1937 – 1 November 1938 ;II. ''Gruppe'' * ''Major'' Theo Osterkamp, 15 March 1936 – November 1937 * ''Major'' Friedrich Vollbracht, November 1937 – 1 November 1938 ;III. ''Gruppe'' * ''Major'' Oska ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Geschwaderkommodore
{{unreferenced, date=May 2019 ''Geschwaderkommodore'' (short also ''Kommodore'') is a ''Luftwaffe'' position or appointment (not rank), originating during World War II. A ''Geschwaderkommodore'' is usually an OF5-rank of ''Oberst'' (colonel) or Kapitän zur See (naval captain). A ''Geschwaderkommodore'' will command a ''Geschwader'' (Wing), which in turn contains ''Gruppen'' (Groups) each commanded by a '' Gruppenkommandeur'' (Group Commander). See also * Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945) Between 1933 and 1945, the organization of the Luftwaffe underwent several changes. Originally, the German military high command, for their air warfare forces, decided to use an organizational structure similar to the army and navy, treating the ... Luftwaffe Air force appointments German Air Force ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Kurt-Bertram Von Döring
Generalleutnant Kurt-Bertram von Döring (18 February 1889 in Ribbekardt – 9 July 1960 in Medingen) was a German World War II Generalleutnant of Luftwaffe. He began his career as a flying ace in World War I, became a flying soldier of fortune during the 1920s and early 1930s, and then joined the resurgent German air service and served through World War II. Early life Born 18 February 1889 at Ribbekardt, Döring joined the Dragoon Regiment Nr. 17 on 14 March 1907. In mid 1913 he transferred to the Air Service, and in May 1914 joined ''Festung Flieger-Abteilung'' in Cologne.Franks 1993, p. 99. World War I In late 1914 he was assigned to ''Flieger-Abteilung 38'', and was commissioned on 1 February 1915. Döring then served with ''Sonderstaffel Nr. 2'' in 1916. An able administrative Officer and leader, as well as being considered a steady and reliable pilot, meant after service with ''Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 227'' Döring took command of ''Jagdstaffel 4'' on 8 April 19 ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Adjutant
Adjutant is a military appointment given to an officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly the management of human resources in an army unit. The term is used in French-speaking armed forces as a non-commissioned officer rank similar to a staff sergeant or warrant officer but is not equivalent to the role or appointment of an adjutant. An adjutant general is commander of an army's administrative services. Etymology Adjutant comes from the Latin ''adiutāns'', present participle of the verb ''adiūtāre'', frequentative form of ''adiuvāre'' 'to help'; the Romans actually used ''adiūtor'' for the noun. Military and paramilitary appointment In various uniformed hierarchies, the term is used for number of functions, but generally as a principal aide to a commanding officer. A regimental adjutant, garrison adjutant etc. is a staff officer who assists the commanding officer of a regiment, battalion or garrison in the details of regimental, g ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Hannes Trautloft
Johannes "Hannes" Trautloft (3 March 1912 – 11 January 1995) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, and general in the postwar German Air Force. As a fighter ace, he is credited with 58 enemy aircraft shot down, including 5 in Spain, 8 on the Western Front and 45 on the Eastern Front of World War II. Born in Großobringen, Trautloft volunteered for military service in the ''Reichsheer'' of the Weimar Republic in 1931. In parallel, he was accepted for flight training with the ''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule'', a covert military-training organization, and at the Lipetsk fighter-pilot school. Following flight training, he served with ''Jagdgeschwader'' 134 "Horst Wessel" (JG 134—134th Fighter Wing) and was one of the first German volunteers to fight in the Spanish Civil War. From August to December 1936, he claimed five aerial victories. For his service in Spain he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords. Foll ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Wolfgang Falck
Wolfgang Falck (19 August 1910 – 13 March 2007) was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and wing commander and one of the key organisers of the German night fighter defences. As a fighter ace, he claimed eight enemy aircraft shot down in 90 combat missions. Born in Berlin, Falck volunteered for military service in the ''Reichsheer'' of the Weimar Republic in 1931. In parallel, he was accepted for flight training with the ''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule'', a covert military-training organization, and at the Lipetsk fighter-pilot school. Early life and career On 7 April 1931, he began his pilot training at the ''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule'' (DVS—German Air Transport School) at Schleißheim. He and 29 other trainees were part of ''Kameradschaft'' 31 (camaraderie of 1931), abbreviated "K 31". Among the members of "K 31" were future Luftwaffe staff officers Bernd von Brauchitsch, Günther Radusch, Günther Lützow, Ralph von Rettberg and Hannes Trautloft. Falck graduated ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Günther Lützow
Günther Lützow (4 September 1912 – 24 April 1945) was a German Luftwaffe aviator and fighter ace credited with 110 enemy aircraft shot down in over 300 combat missions. Apart from five victories during the Spanish Civil War, most of his claimed victories were over the Eastern Front in World War II. He also claimed 20 victories over the Western Front, including two victories—one of which was a four-engined bomber—flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. Born in Kiel, Lützow volunteered for military service in the ''Reichswehr'' of the Weimar Republic in 1931. In parallel, he was accepted for flight training with the ''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule'', a covert military-training organization, and at the Lipetsk fighter-pilot school. Following flight training, he was posted to ''Jagdgeschwader'' "Richthofen" (Fighter Wing "Richthofen") in 1934. In 1937, he volunteered for service with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War where he was appointed ''Staffelk ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Günther Radusch
Günther Radusch (11 November 1912 – 29 July 1988) was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and wing commander. As a fighter ace, he claimed 65 enemy aircraft shot down in over 140 combat missions. He claimed one victory in the Spanish Civil War. During World War II, he was credited with 64 aerial victories in Defense of the Reich all of which claimed at night and includes the destruction of 57 four-engined bombers. Born in Schwetz, Radusch volunteered for military service in the ''Reichsheer'' of the Weimar Republic in 1931. In parallel, he was accepted for flight training with the ''Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule'', a covert military-training organization, and at the Lipetsk fighter-pilot school. Following flight training, he served with ''Jagdgeschwader'' 134 "Horst Wessel" (JG 134—134th Fighter Wing) and volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War where he claimed one aerial victory. For his service in Spain he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords. ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |