Martin Harlinghausen, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetMartin Harlinghausen
German general
Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Rheda, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
About Martin Harlinghausen
- Martin Harlinghausen (17 January 1902 – 22 March 1986) was a German military aviator and general.
- Harlinghausen specialised in maritime interdiction and anti-warship operations.
- During World War II Harlinghausen was the leading exponent of anti-ship warfare with the destruction of 22 ships credited to him.Born in 1902 Harlinghausen joined the Reichsmarine, the Weimar navy.
- In 1931 he transitioned from sailor to pilot.
- After formation of the Third Reich in 1933, Harlinghausen was compelled to join the Luftwaffe.
- In 1936 he was selected to command an anti-shipping unit in the Condor Legion and subsequently served in the Spanish Civil War.
- Harlinghausen developed effective combat tactics and was highly decorated by Nationalist Spain.
- Harlinghausen was appointed chief of staff of the anti-shipping Fliegkorps X in 1939. During World War II Harlinghausen flew combat missions even while a staff officer.
- On 5 May 1940 he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for commanding anti-shipping units in the Norwegian Campaign.
- In mid–1940 Fliegerkorps X transferred to German-occupied France.
- The command supported the Kriegsmarine in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Battle of Britain.
- In January 1941 he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross.
- In February 1941, Harlinghausen was appointed commanding officer of the newly established FliegerfĂĽhrer Atlantik.
- Harlinghausen lobbied hard for the expansion of his forces but other military theatres received priority.
- In October 1941 he was wounded in action while attacking a convoy leaving the command leaderless. On 5 January 1942 Ulrich Kessler replaced Harlinghausen.
- Harlinghausen was simultaneously appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 26 and Bevollmächtigten for das Lufttorpedowesen (Plenipotentiary for airborne torpedoes).
- In January 1943 Harlinghausen was given command of Fliegkorps II and relieved five months later on 10 June.
- He returned to duty in October 1943 as chief of staff to the General der Kampfflieger.
- His last command was Luftgau XIV from 21 August 1944 through to April 1945.
- During the appointment Harlinghausen was promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 December 1944. Harlinghausen was captured in 1945 and remained a prisoner of war until 1947.
- He served in the Bundesluftwaffe from 1957 to 1961.
- Harlinghausen either resigned his commission or was forced into retirement after disputes with superiors.
Read more at Wikipedia
See Also
- Famous People's Birthdays on 17 January, Germany
- Famous People's Birthdays in January, Germany
- Famous military personnel's Birthdays on 17 January, Germany
- Famous military personnel's Birthdays in January, Germany
- Famous aircraft pilot's Birthdays on 17 January, Germany
- Famous aircraft pilot's Birthdays in January, Germany