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Richthofen, Freiherr von, Wolfram (Generalfeldm.)

Date of birth:
October 10th, 1895 (Barzdorf/Silesia, German Empire)
Date of death:
July 12th, 1945 (Bad Ischl/Upper Austria, Austria)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Dipl.ing. Dr.ing. Wolfram (gen. Ulf) Karl Ludwig Moritz Hermann Freiherr von Richthofen finally reached the rank of Generalfeldmarschall.

Promotions:
March 22nd, 1913: Fähnrich
June 19th, 1914: Leutnant
February 29th, 1920: Oberleutnant
July 31st, 1925: Oberleutnant
February 01st, 1929: Hauptmann
June 01st, 1934: Major
April 20th, 1936: Oberstleutnant
January 23th, 1938: Oberst
November 01st, 1938: Generalmajor
July 19th, 1940: General der Flieger
February 01st, 1942: Generaloberst
February 1943: Generalfeldmarschall

Career:

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 21st, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
June 1918
Königlich Preußische Militär-Flugzeugführer-Abzeichen
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
June 1918
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Awarded on:
1935
Pilota Militare
Awarded on:
April 16th, 1935
Flugzeugführerabzeichen
Awarded on:
December 4th, 1935
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
Awarded on:
November 2nd, 1936
Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen (ohne brillianten)
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Awarded on:
1939
Nationalist Pilots Badge
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Air Commodore)
Unit:
con Diamantes
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939
Medalla Militar Individual de España
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Air Commodore)
Unit:
Legion Condor
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939
Spanienkreuz, Gold mit Schwertern und Brillianten
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Gran Cruz al Mérito Militar con Distintivo Rojo
Awarded on:
June 1939
Cruz del Mérito Militar
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Air Commodore)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939

Version with Diamonds
Medalla de la Campaña de España 1936-1939
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 12th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 21st September 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class in June 1918.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Air Commodore)
Unit:
Kommandierender General, VIII. Flieger-Korps
Awarded on:
May 17th, 1940
Awarded for the outstanding performance of his Flieger-Korps during the first days of the Battle of France. His aircraft supported the Heer magnificently in this time and played a major contribution towards the German operational success.

31st Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 20th, 1940
Especially flying formations under the leadership of Lieutenant General Ritter von Greim and Major General von Richthofen as well as a close air support group led by Captain Steiner distinguished themselves in the breakthrough of the Maginot line as well as in the fast encirclement of the enemy in Alsace-Lorraine and Burgundy.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 1940
Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen mit Brillianten
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Flieger
Unit:
Kommandierender General des VIII. Flieger-Korps
Awarded on:
July 17th, 1941
Awarded for the distinguished service of his VIII. Flieger-Korps during the fighting in the Balkens and at Crete. In the latter campaign they were critical in both the ground support of the beleaguered Fallschirmjäger and attacks against the British fleet around the island.

26th Award
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Flieger (Air Marshall)
Awarded on:
October 21st, 1941
In heavy struggle, tirelessly supported from flying units of the General der Flieger Freiherr von Richthofen and Förster, the Army and the Waffen-SS units, which have been combined in the army group of Field Marshal Ritter von Leeb, took over 300,000 prisoners, captured or destroyed 1581 tanks and 4063 guns, since the armed forces report of 6 August 1941.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 19th, 1942
Strong Luftwaffe forces under the leadership of Colonel General Löhr and Freiherr von Richthofen had contributed outstandingly in this success.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 20th, 1942
As announced by special message, German and Romanian troops under the command of General von Manstein, supported by strong air forces under the command of Colonel General Löhr, and Freiherr von Richthofen, in pursuit of the defeated enemy, reached the Strait of Kerch in full-width and took the remaining strong fortified bridgeheads after fierce resistance on both sides of the city.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 2nd, 1942
As announced by special message, German and Romanian troops under the command of Field Marshal von Manstein, superbly supported by the proven close air support Corps of Colonel General Freiherr von Richthofen, defeated after twenty-five days of bitter struggle at noon on 1 July 1942 the strongest land and naval fortress of Sevastopol.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 29th, 1942
Ordinul Mihai Viteazul Clasa 3
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 12th, 1942
As announced by special message, troops of the army under the command of General of Panzer troops Paulus, superbly supported by the anti-aircraft artillery and flying formations of the Luftwaffe under the command of Colonel General Freiherr von Richthofen, destroyed the mass of the Soviet 62nd army and large parts of the 1st Tank Army at the great Don arc west of Kalach.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Krimschild (Stiftungs ausführing)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1943
Ärmelband Kreta
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1943
Ärmelband Afrika
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 15th, 1943
Ordinul Mihai Viteazul Clasa 2
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalfeldmarschall (Marshall of the AIr Force)
Awarded on:
March 20th, 1943
The troops of the Army and the Waffen-SS, under the command of Field Marshal von Manstein, in excellent cooperation with units of the Luftwaffe under the supreme command of Field Marshal von Richthofen, during the German counter-offensive between the Donets and the Dnieper, which led to the re-conquest of the city Kharkov and Bielgorod, inflicted heavy losses in men and material to the enemy.
Wehrmachtbericht

Sources