Hans Ferdinand Geisler
| Hans-Ferdinand Geisler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
19 April 1891 Hanover, Province of Hanover, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died |
25 June 1966 (aged 75) Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire.svg.png){kind=small} Weimar Republic.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Kaiserliche Marine.svg.png){kind=small} Reichsmarine Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1914–1942 |
| Rank | General der Flieger |
| Unit | X. Fliegerkorps |
| Commands held | X. Fliegerkorps |
Hans-Ferdinand Geisler was a Luftwaffe commander during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Career
Born in Hanover in April 1891, Geisler joined the Imperial German Navy prior to World War I and served during the entire conflict. He joined the newly formed Luftwaffe in September 1933.
Reaching the rank of Oberst in March 1934, he became Generalleutnant in April 1939 and General der Flieger in July 1940. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 May 1940.
As commander of Fliegerkorps X from October 2, 1939 to August 31, 1942, he used his background as a sailor to specialise in anti-shipping aerial operations.
He retired in October 1942 and died in June 1966 in Cologne.
Awards
- Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
- German Cross in Gold (20 October 1942)[1]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 May 1940 as Generalleutnant and commading general of the X. Fliegerkorps[1][2]
- Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 10 April 1940
References in the Wehrmachtbericht
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 10 April 1940 | Die militärischen Maßnahmen zum Schutz der Neutralität von Dänemark und Norwegen wurden am 9. April von starken Einheiten des Heeres, der Kriegsmarine und die Luftwaffe unter dem Oberbefehl des Generals der Infanterie von Falkenhorst, von Seestreitkräften unter dem Befehl des Generaladmirals Saalwächter und des Admirals Carls und von zahlreichen Verbänden der Luftwaffe unter Führung des Generalleutnants Geißler in engster Zusammenarbeit durchgeführt.[3] | The military measures for the protection of the neutrality of Denmark were carried out on 9 April from strong units in close cooperation of the Heer, the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe under the high command of General of the Infantry von Falkenhorst, of naval forces under the command of Generaladmiral Saalwächter and Admiral Carls and from numerous Luftwaffe units under the leadership of Generalleutnant Geißler (sic). |
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Patrick, Facon (2009). Malte, 1940-1943: Comment Rommel fut vaincu. Le Fana de l'Aviation Hors-Série n°42
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, 1. September 1939 bis 31. Dezember 1941 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 1, 1 September 1939 to 31 December 1941] (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2.