Hans-Jürgen Stumpff
Hans-Jürgen Stumpff | |
|---|---|
| File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R77799, Berlin - Karlshorst, die deutsche Kapitulation.jpg Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (sitting left) at the unconditional surrender of Germany in Berlin Karlshorst | |
| Allegiance |  German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
| Service | Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Generaloberst |
| Commands | Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff, Luftflotte 5 |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Template:Foreignchar Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (15 June 1889 – 9 March 1968), was a German general of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.
Early life
Born in Kolberg, Stumpff entered the Brandenburgisches Grenadierregiment Nr. 12 "Prinz Karl von Preußen" as an ensign in 1907. Promoted to lieutenant in 1908, by the start of the First World War, Stumpff served in the general staff. At the end of the war Stumpff had reached the rank of captain. During the Weimar Republic, Stumpff served as a staff officer in the Reichswehrministerium.
Luftwaffe service
On September 1, 1933, Stumpff, with rank of lieutenant colonel, became head of personnel in the then still illegal Luftwaffe. After the Luftwaffe became formally legal in Germany, Stumpff served as its chief of staff from 1 June 1937 until 1 January 1939. In 1938, Stumpff was promoted to the rank of General der Flieger.
During the Second World War, Stumpff commanded various Luftflotten. In 19 July 1940, Stumpff was promoted to the rank of Generaloberst and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Until the end of 1943 Stumpff commanded Luftflotte 5, with which he took part in the Battle of Britain, operating out of Norway against Scotland and Northern England.
In January 1944, Stumpff was made commanded Luftwaffe forces in the Defense of the Reich campaign against the allied bombing attacks. On 8 May 1945, Stumpff served as the Luftwaffe representative at the signing of the unconditional surrender of Germany in Berlin.
Stumpff was released from British captivity in 1947 and died in Frankfurt am Main in 1968.
References
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
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