Hitler's Commanders (31 page)

Hugo Sperrle, the first commander of the Condor Legion and later commander-in-chief of the 3rd Air Fleet (1940–1944). Although he performed well until 1940, he grew lazy and indolent as Luftwaffe commander in France and was sent into involuntary retirement after the German defeat in Normandy.
Source:
United States National Archives

Colonel General Alexander Loehr, commander of the Austrian Air Force (1934–1938) and later commander of the 4th Air Fleet on the Eastern Front (1941–1942). He later commanded the 12th Army (late 1942) and Army Group E (1943–1945). He was executed by the Yugoslavs after a show trial in 1947.
Source:
United States National Archives

Field Marshal Ritter Robert von Greim, veteran air fleet commander who succeeded Goering as commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe in the last days of the war.
Source:
Imperial War Museum

A German 88mm anti-aircraft gun, destroyed in Normandy.
Source:
United States National Archives

The German Army on parade in the late 1930s.
Source:
United States Army Institute of Military History

Colonel General Heinz Guderian, father of the Blitzkrieg.
Source:
United States National Archives

A Jadgpanzer self-propelled anti-tank gun.
Source:
U.S. Army War College

A German panzer during German Army maneuvers, 1920s.
Source:
United States Army Institute of Military History

Lieutenant General Walter Wever, the first chief of the General Staff of the Luftwaffe—and a military genius. He died in an air accident in 1935.
Source:
Courtesy of John Angolia

Erich Hartmann (right), the highest scoring ace of all time.
Source:
Author’s personal collection

Army Field Marshal Walter von Reichenau and Luftwaffe Field Marshal Erhard Milch, two military officers who were very friendly to the Nazis.
Source:
United States National Archives

Wilhelm Balthasar, the highest scoring German ace during the battle of France. A gallant gentleman who believed in chivalry, he was a throwback to an earlier era. He was killed when one of his wings collapsed during a dogfight in 1941.
Source:
Courtesy of John Angolia