Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf

Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf (born February 2, 1881 in Trumpfsee-Warnitz; died May 4, 1945 in Berchtesgaden) was a German aviator who served in the Luftwaffe during the first and second World Wars.

Early years

In 1899, he became a member of the Burschenschaft Hevellia Berlin. Kirdorf occurred on February 5, 1904, as Fahnenjunker in the Infantry Regiment Lutzow Nr. 25. There he was first a company officer, later an adjutant of the first battalion and last regimental adjutant until March 21, 1914. Then he was from March 22, to August 3, 1914, company officer in the infantry regiment Graf Barfuß No. 17. Here he made in July 1914 a pilot training.

World War I

With the outbreak of First World War Kirdford acted from August 4 to September 10, 1914 as General Staff Officer and leader of the flyer Detachment Deputy of the XIV Corps (German Empire). He acted on several positions and was not wounded. From January 1919 to June 1919 he was commander of the Neuruppin airport. He left the army on June 8, 1919.

Reichswehr

On August 1, 1927, Kirdorf was employed by the Reichswehr as a civilian employee and graduated in that capacity until the end of September 1930 a secret aviator training in the Soviet Union. After returning to Germany, he became the head of the advertising department of the German Air Sports Association. He held this function from October 1, 1930, until the end of March 1934.

Air Force and World War II

From April 1, 1934, to the end of June 1938 Kirdorf became head of the flight readiness of the Ministry of Aviation (Nazi Germany). After some other positions he became on February 1, 1939, head of the staff-office of the Luftwaffe. In April 1943 he received another position. On May 4, 1945, Kastner-Kirdorf committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. In his book, Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters, Richard Winters recounts finding Kastner-Kirdorf's body in Goering's private compound at Berchtesgaden.

Promotions

• February 19, 1904, Fahnenjunker - Gefreiter
• May 30, 1904, Fahnenjunker - Unteroffizier
• September 15, 1904, Fähnrich
• November 15, 1904, Lieutenant
• November 19, 1911, Lieutenant
• November 28, 1914, Captain
• October 20, 1919, as a character Major
• April 1, 1934, Lieutenant Colonel
• October 1, 1935, Colonel
• June 1, 1938, Major general
• January 1, 1940, Lieutenant General
• July 1, 1941, General der Flieger