GENERALLEUTNANT HERMANN PLOCHER (5 January 1901 - 8 December 1980) began his career in the German military service in 1918 as an officer candidate in the 126th Infantry Regiment. He was commissione...visualizza altroGENERALLEUTNANT HERMANN PLOCHER (5 January 1901 - 8 December 1980) began his career in the German military service in 1918 as an officer candidate in the 126th Infantry Regiment. He was commissioned in 1922 in the 13th (Württemberg) Infantry Regiment. He began training as a pilot in 1925 and in 1928 went to the Soviet Union to take special courses in aerial combat and reconnaissance. Following his promotion to Captain in 1934, he attended the Army War College (Kriegsakademie) in Berlin, receiving special air force training, and in 1935 was assigned to the Organization Branch of the Luftwaffe General Staff.
In 1936, then a Major, he was sent to Spain to assist General Franco during the Spanish Civil War. In 1937 he was appointed Chief of Staff of “Legion Condor” and in 1938, by virtue of his record, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.
Prior to the outbreak of WWII he was assigned to the Luftwaffe General Staff as Chief of Plans and Mobilization. He then assumed the post of Chief of Staff of the V Air Corps in 1940, serving during its campaigns in the West and in the Soviet Union. In 1943 he took command and directed the formation of the 19th Luftwaffe Field Division and, following his promotion to Generalmajor, went with his unit to Normandy. He then assumed command of the 4th Air Division, becoming Chief of Staff of the Third Air Fleet (Western Front). He was promoted to Generalleutnant in 1944 and became Commanding General of the 6th Airborne Division (Western Front). On 10 May 1945 he surrendered to Canadian forces in the Netherlands.
From 1953-1957 he assisted the USAF Historical Division’s German Monograph Project in Karlsruhe, Germany. He then returned to active duty in the new Luftwaffe where, as a general officer, he held key positions until his final retirement in 1961.
He died in 1980 aged 79.visualizza meno