Erhard Milch (Milch)

Milch, Erhard (Milch), (1892-1972), Field-Marshal Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering's deputy. Born March 30, 1892 in Vilgelmshavene. During the 1-st World War II was a pilot, and after its completion - the pilot of civil aviation. In 1923 he worked in the aviation company "Junkers", in 1926-33 he. - Director of Financial Management Lufthansa. By this time, Milch has been closely linked with the growing power of the Nazi movement.

In 1933, Goering, who knew tsenivshy Milch and his organizational ability, appointed him State Secretary, Ministry of Aviation. In addition, Milch was chief weapons Luftwaffe. In this position he had to place orders for the manufacture of aircraft armament among different companies. The credit belongs entirely to the creation of the Luftwaffe worked together to Goering and Milch. However, there was a very complicating factor: Milch's mother was Jewish - a situation unthinkable for an official state entity under the Nazi regime. Goering originally solved this problem, having obtained his own mother Milch signed a document saying that Erhard is the illegitimate son of his father, not her child. So Milch escaped the "arienizatsii". For Goering was in the order of things, because he never perceived anti-Semitism as seriously as did the Fuhrer. Goering often gathered in Luftwaffe officers, non-Aryans, if you feel that they can bring tangible benefits to. Milch was a skilled organizer, selfish and demanding, he could have determined to overcome bureaucratic red tape and get to the heart.

In 1938 he was awarded the rank of Oberst (Army General). The following year he commanded V Air Force during the Norwegian campaign. After the capitulation of France in 1940, Milch was one of three senior officers of the Luftwaffe (along with Albert Kesselring and Hugo Shperle), which was given the rank of Field Marshal. During the Battle of Britain Milch commanded the 3 rd Air Force. In 1941-44. Milch was Luftzeugmeister - Chief Aviation Inspector. In a constantly occurring in the environment Fuhrer intrigues Milch supported grouping Goebbels, Speer, who opposed the Martin Bormann. In 1942 Hitler was temporarily appointed Speer and Milch responsible for the way the message of the Third Reich. In 1943, Milch unsuccessfully warned about the dangers Goering in connection with the increase in output growth of American aviation industry, but Reich Marshal did not heed this warning. In 1947, Milch brought before the International Military Tribunal and was sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1954 released. Milch died in 1972