Kurt-Bertram von Döring
German flying ace (1889–1960)
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Generalleutnant Kurt-Bertram von Döring (18 February 1889 in Ribbekardt – 9 July 1960 in Medingen) was a German World War II Generalleutnant of Luftwaffe. He began his career as a flying ace in World War I, became a flying soldier of fortune during the 1920s and early 1930s, and then joined the resurgent German air service and served through World War II.
Kurt-Bertram von Döring | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 February 1889 |
| Died | 9 July 1960 (aged 71) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
Branch | Luftstreitkräfte Luftwaffe |
Service years | 1907–1920 1934–1945 1923-1927 1927–1929 |
Rank | Generalleutnant Instructor Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Dragoon Regiment Nr. 17 Festung Flieger-Abteilung Flieger-Abteilung 38 Sonderstaffel Nr. 2 Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 227; |
| Commands | Jagdstaffel 4 Jagdstaffel 66 Jagdstaffel 1 Jagdgruppe 4 |
Conflicts | World War I World War II |
| Awards | House Order of Hohenzollern Iron Cross |
Early life
Born 18 February 1889 at Ribbekardt, Döring joined the Dragoon Regiment Nr. 17 on 14 March 1907. In mid 1913 he transferred to the Air Service, and in May 1914 joined Festung Flieger-Abteilung in Cologne.[1]
World War I
In late 1914, he was assigned to Flieger-Abteilung 38, and was commissioned on 1 February 1915. Döring then served with Sonderstaffel Nr. 2 in 1916. An able administrative Officer and leader, as well as being considered a steady and reliable pilot, meant after service with Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 227 Döring took command of Jagdstaffel 4 on 8 April 1917, before he had claimed an air victory. However, he scored his first victory a few days later, on 14 April 1917; he continued to collect wins through 4 October, when he scored his eleventh and last. On 14 December 1917, he was awarded the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern to accompany his Iron Cross First Class.[2]
Döring also gained the trust of Jagdgeschwader 1 commander Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen, who assigned command of Jagdgeschwader 1 to Döring when Richthofen was away from the front.[citation needed]
Promoted to Rittmeister on 28 November 1917, Döring remained in command of Jagdstaffel 4 until 19 January 1918, after which he took over Jagdgruppe Nr. 4. In August he took over Jagdstaffel 66, and then a few days later Jagdstaffel 1.[2]
Between the world wars
He rejoined the Dragoons on 1 December 1918. He became an advisor with the Argentinian Air Force from 1923 to 1927 and the Peruvian Air Force until 1929. From 1930 to 1932, he was a member of the German aviation mission to China.[1]
Döring rejoined the Luftwaffe on 1 July 1934, as a major. He commanded the flying School at Celle in 1936, and became a Gruppenkommandeur of JG 2. He commanded the Horst Wessel Squadron in April 1936.[1]
World War II and after
From 15 December 1939 to 1 December 1940 he was a major general commanding Jagdfliegerführer 2. From August 1941 through January 1942, he was a Jagd Division commander with the rank of lieutenant general (Generalleutnant), his seniority dating from 1 November 1941.[1]
Döring died on 9 July 1960 at Medingen, administrative district of Uelzen, Lower-Saxony, Germany.
Awards
- Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class
- House Order of Hohenzollern (26 November 1917)
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
- German Cross in Gold on 30 December 1942 as Generalleutnant in the 1. Jagd-Division[3]