That is Ernst Udet with Messerschmidt. (April 26, 1896 – November 17, 1941) He was the second-highest scoring Germanflying ace of World War I. He was one of the youngest aces and was the highest scoring German ace to survive the war (at the age of 22). His 62 victories were second only to Manfred von Richthofen, his commander in the Flying Circus.

Though not interested in politics, Udet joined the Nazi party in 1933 when Göring promised to buy him two new US aeroplanes, the Curtiss Export Hawk II. The planes were used for evaluation purposes and thus indirectly influenced the German idea of dive bombing aeroplanes, such as the Junkers Ju 87 (Stuka) bombers. They were also used for aerobatic shows held during the 1936 Summer Olympics. Udet piloted one of them, which luckily survived the war and is now on display in the Polish Aviation Museum.

Udet became a major proponent of the dive bomber, taking credit for having introduced it to the Luftwaffe, which was already interested in such designs. By 1936 he had, due to his political connections, been placed in command of the T-Amt, the Reich Air Ministry's development wing. However, he had no real interest in this job, especially the bureaucracy of it, and the pressure led to his addiction to alcohol (brandy and cognac). When the Second World War began, his internal conflicts grew more intense. Aircraft production requirements were much more than the German industry could supply, given limited access to raw materials such as aluminium. Göring responded to this problem by simply lying about it, which further upset Udet. After the Luftwaffe's defeat in the Battle of Britain, Göring tried to deflect Hitler's ire by blaming it on Udet. Hitler's attack on the Soviet Union drove Udet further into despair. On November 17, 1941 Udet committed suicide, shooting himself in the head while speaking on the phone to his girlfriend.

Just a note: I don't believe that to be Himmler in the background. Very close resemblence but that individual is wearing a Luftwaffe cap.

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!