Alfred Keller: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
C/e lead
npov
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
|birth_date={{birth date|1882|9|19|df=y}}
|birth_date={{birth date|1882|9|19|df=y}}
|death_date={{death date and age|1974|2|11|1882|9|19|df=y}}
|death_date={{death date and age|1974|2|11|1882|9|19|df=y}}
|birth_place= [[Bochum]]
|birth_place= <!--- [[Bochum]] ---->
|death_place= [[Berlin]]
|death_place= [[Berlin]]
|image=Alfred Keller.jpg
|image=[[File:Alfred Keller.jpg|200px]]
|caption=Keller as NSFK Korpsführer
|caption=Keller as NSFK Korpsführer
|nickname
|nickname
Line 22: Line 22:
|laterwork=}}
|laterwork=}}


''' Alfred Keller ''' (19 September 1882 – 11 February 1974) was a general in the [[Luftwaffe]] of [[Nazi Germany]] during the [[Second World War]]. His career in the Imperial German Armed Forces began in 1897; he retired after the [[Second World War]] as one of the most decorated generals of the former Luftwaffe.
''' Alfred Keller ''' (19 September 1882 – 11 February 1974) was a general in the [[Luftwaffe]] of [[Nazi Germany]] during the [[Second World War]] who commanded the ''[[Luftflotte 1]]''. His career in the Imperial German Armed Forces began in 1897; he became one of the most decorated generals of the former Luftwaffe.


==World War II==
==World War II==
[[Image:Arrival of Alfred Keller.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Keller arrives at Mensuvaara, Finland]]
[[Image:Arrival of Alfred Keller.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Keller arrives at Mensuvaara, Finland]]
In September 1939, when the Second World War begun, the then General Alfred Keller commanded the [[4th Air Corps (Germany)|IV. Fliegerkorps]] during [[Invasion of Poland (1939)|Campaign in Poland]], assuming this command on 13 October 1939. The following campaigns, during campaigns against Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and the [[Battle of France]], he commanded [[Luftflotte 2]] with General der Flieger [[Albert Kesselring]] as his superior.
In September 1939, when the Second World War begun, the then General Alfred Keller commanded the [[4th Air Corps (Germany)|4th Air Corps]] during the [[invasion of Poland]], assuming this command on 13 October 1939. The following campaigns, during campaigns against Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and the [[Battle of France]], he commanded [[Luftflotte 2]] with General [[Albert Kesselring]] as his superior.
By his superlative performance during these campaigns, Alfred Keller was decorated by Hitler with the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]] on 24 June 1940 as General Kommandierender of the IV Fliergerkorps. Shortly afterwards, on 19 July 1940, he was promoted [[Generaloberst]].
Keller was awarded the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]] on 24 June 1940 as commander of the 4th Air Corps. Shortly afterwards, on 19 July 1940, he was promoted [[Generaloberst]].
On 19 August 1940, during the [[Battle of Britain]], Alfred Keller was appointed as the commander of [[Luftflotte 1]] and Air Force commander - East. Keller led this formation very energetically during the invasion of the [[Balkans Campaign (World War II)|Balkans Campaign]] and later during the [[Operation Barbarossa]] where he predominantly supported [[Army Group North]].
On 19 August 1940, during the [[Battle of Britain]], Alfred Keller was appointed as the commander of [[Luftflotte 1]] and Air Force commander - East. Keller led this formation very energetically during the invasion of the [[Balkans Campaign (World War II)|Balkans Campaign]] and later during the [[Operation Barbarossa]] where he predominantly supported [[Army Group North]].
Keller remained with [[Luftflotte 1]] until 12 June 1943, when he retired from active service at the age of 61, replaced by the 16 years younger [[Günther Korten]]. However he continued to perform important functions in NSFK (Nationalsozialistische Fliegerkorps – Organisation of Aerial National Socialist, a paramilitary unit that he organised to form a civil reserve of pilots). He was Korpsführer of the NSFK from June 26, 1943, until the German surrender on May 8, 1945. Towards the end of the war Keller was the responsible one for the [[Anti-tank warfare#Aircraft|antitank]] weapons department of the Luftwaffe.
Keller remained with [[Luftflotte 1]] until 12 June 1943, when he retired from active service at the age of 61, replaced by the 16 years younger [[Günther Korten]]. However he continued to perform important functions in NSFK (Nationalsozialistische Fliegerkorps – Organisation of Aerial National Socialist, a paramilitary unit that he organised to form a civil reserve of pilots). He was Korpsführer of the NSFK from June 26, 1943, until the German surrender on May 8, 1945. Towards the end of the war Keller was the responsible one for the [[Anti-tank warfare#Aircraft|antitank]] weapons department of the Luftwaffe.
Line 54: Line 54:
===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Fellgiebel
|first=Walther-Peer
|authorlink=Walther-Peer Fellgiebel
|year=2000
|origyear=1986
|title=Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile
|trans_title=The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches
|language=German
|location=Friedberg, Germany
|publisher=Podzun-Pallas
|isbn=978-3-7909-0284-6
}}
* {{Cite book
* {{Cite book
|last=Scherzer
|last=Scherzer

Revision as of 02:20, 7 March 2017

This article is about the general. For the sculptor of insects,, see Alfred Keller (sculptor).
Alfred Keller
File:Alfred Keller.jpg
Keller as NSFK Korpsführer
Born(1882-09-19)19 September 1882
Died11 February 1974(1974-02-11) (aged 91)
Berlin
Allegiance German Empire
 Weimar Republic
 Nazi Germany
Service/branchLuftwaffe
Years of service1902–45
RankGeneraloberst
Commands heldLuftflotte 1
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsPour le Mérite
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Alfred Keller (19 September 1882 – 11 February 1974) was a general in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany during the Second World War who commanded the Luftflotte 1. His career in the Imperial German Armed Forces began in 1897; he became one of the most decorated generals of the former Luftwaffe.

World War II

Keller arrives at Mensuvaara, Finland

In September 1939, when the Second World War begun, the then General Alfred Keller commanded the 4th Air Corps during the invasion of Poland, assuming this command on 13 October 1939. The following campaigns, during campaigns against Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Battle of France, he commanded Luftflotte 2 with General Albert Kesselring as his superior. Keller was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 June 1940 as commander of the 4th Air Corps. Shortly afterwards, on 19 July 1940, he was promoted Generaloberst. On 19 August 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Alfred Keller was appointed as the commander of Luftflotte 1 and Air Force commander - East. Keller led this formation very energetically during the invasion of the Balkans Campaign and later during the Operation Barbarossa where he predominantly supported Army Group North. Keller remained with Luftflotte 1 until 12 June 1943, when he retired from active service at the age of 61, replaced by the 16 years younger Günther Korten. However he continued to perform important functions in NSFK (Nationalsozialistische Fliegerkorps – Organisation of Aerial National Socialist, a paramilitary unit that he organised to form a civil reserve of pilots). He was Korpsführer of the NSFK from June 26, 1943, until the German surrender on May 8, 1945. Towards the end of the war Keller was the responsible one for the antitank weapons department of the Luftwaffe.

Later life

With the German capitulation on 8 May 1945, Keller became a British prisoner, being kept as a POW until 1947. In the 1950s he became one of the first presidents of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients. Keller died in Berlin.

Awards

References

Citations

  1. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 435.

Bibliography

  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
Military offices
Preceded by
Generalmajor Hellmuth Bieneck
 Commander of 4. Flieger-Division
1 February 1939 – 11 October 1939 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of IV. Fliegerkorps
11 October 1939 – 19 August 1940 		Succeeded by
General der Flieger Kurt Pflugbeil
Preceded by Commander of Luftflotte 1
20 August 1940 – 12 June 1943 		Succeeded by
Generaloberst Günther Korten
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alfred_Keller&oldid=769015544"