Hugo Sperrle

Hugo Sperrle (1885-1953) was a Generalfeldmarschall of the Nazi Luftwaffe. He flew in the First World War, and, after the armistice, joined right-wing groups in the Weimar Republic, and then reentered the Army after German aviation was proscribed by the Treaty of Versailles.

When the Luftwaffe was formed, he immediately transferred from the army and made a major general. In 1936, commanded the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War, then returned in 1937 to take command of Luftflotte 3. It was effective in the Battle of France but less so in the the Battle of Britain. Had Operation Sea Lion been carried out, he would have commanded one of the two air fleets supporting German ground troops.

Rising to Luftwaffe commander for Western Europe, Sperrle, was dismissed for failure to stop the Allies after the Normandy invasion.

Tried during the High Command Case of the Nuremberg Military Tribunals, he was acquitted of all charges of war crimes.