| 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 | |
| Born | 15 June 1889 |
| Died | 9 March 1968 (aged 78) |
| Place of birth | Kolberg, Province of Pomerania, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire (now Kołobrzeg, Poland) |
| Place of death | Frankfurt am Main, West Germany |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany Flensburg Government |
| Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Generaloberst |
| Commands held | Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff, Luftflotte 5 |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Relations | Horst Stumpff (brother) |
Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (15 June 1889 – 9 March 1968), was a German general of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War and was one of the signatories to Germany's unconditional surrender at the end of the war.
Early life[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
On 1 September 1933, Stumpff, with rank of lieutenant colonel, became head of personnel in the (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.
Stumpff was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
In January 1944, Stumpff 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.
Awards and decorations[edit | edit source]
- Iron Cross (1914)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Wound Badge (1914)
- in Black
- Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Swords
- Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg
- Hanseatic Cross of Lübeck
- Cross of Honor
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th to 1st Class
- Combined Pilots-Observation Badge in Gold with Diamonds
- Anschluss Medal
- Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 September 1941 as Generaloberst and Chief of Luftflotte 5 and Befehlshaber Nord (commander-in-chief north)
References[edit | edit source]
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
External links[edit | edit source]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by none |
Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office 1 September 1933 – 31 May 1937 |
Succeeded by Robert Ritter von Greim |
| Preceded by Generalleutnant Albert Kesselring |
Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff 1 June 1937 – 31 January 1939 |
Succeeded by Generaloberst Hans Jeschonnek |
| Preceded by Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring |
Commander of Luftflotte 1 12 January 1940 – 10 May 1940 |
Succeeded by General Wilhelm Wimmer |
| Preceded by Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch |
Commander of Luftflotte 5 10 May 1940 – 27 November 1943 |
Succeeded by General Josef Kammhuber |
| Preceded by Generaloberst Hubert Weise |
Commander of Luftwaffen-Befehlshaber Mitte 23 December 1944 – 5 February 1945 |
Succeeded by Luftflotte Reich |
| Preceded by Luftwaffen-Befehlshaber Mitte |
Commander of Luftflotte Reich 5 February 1945 – 8 May 1945 |
Succeeded by none |
| Preceded by General der Flieger Karl Koller |
Acting Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff 8 May 1945 – 23 May 1945 |
Succeeded by none |
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