Photo of Himmler, Messerschmidt and unknown officers taken at Wunstorf Airbase during war.

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Messerschmitt,Himmler + Unknown.jpg (31.5 KB, 18 views)

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!

you're right that is not the idiot Himmler.

Hmm, it's hard to identify the other ones. My guess would be to check pictrues of WWI airforce vets. They all look like older airmen to me.

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Thanks for your quick reply. A German friend of mine thought that it was Albert Kesselring, but his photo did not quite match. I thought for sure that was Himmler in the background.

There were really only two Generals that Messerschmidt would have had contact with, Udet and Milch (who took over after Udet's death).

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!

I have found another picture from 1937. French and German airforce delagations are together on a picture.Among the Germans I recognize Goering, Udet , Von Donat and Milch. The only one I do not recognize and who is also on this pic is : the same guy who looks like Himmler. He's got the same glasses, a luftwaffe uniform and is really skinny. I really wonder who he is. If interested, I can scan the pic for you.

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You've got me intrigued Skipper. Do it.

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!

Here you go!

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Looks to be taken at the same event. I can tell he was not a General officer, perhaps a colonel but still not recognizable.

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!

note the presents the Germans offered to their French guests on visit: they are all wearing Luftwaffe badges!

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He could be one of two officers that were colonels in Udets dept. Col Max Pendele who was his adjutant or Col. Wolfgang Vorwald who was chief of the technical dept. But can't find any photos to confirm. I would hedge my bets on Pendele since all other dept heads were Major Generals.

Eagles of the Third Reich: Men of ... - Google Book Search

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!

The plane that crashed: JU88 R2 serial 751132

Pilot Ernst Jochens was okay
Radio Operator Siegfried Nabel: KIA
Gunner name unknown : okay.
Both survivors bailed out.

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Please, I'd love to see the picture that you have.

Thanks for the picture. Any chance you could post it without the red circle ?