Background
Wolfram von Richthofen was born in Barzdorf, Silesia, on 10 October 1895.
Wolfram von Richthofen was born in Barzdorf, Silesia, on 10 October 1895.
From 1919 to 1922 Wolfram von Richthofen studied engineering.
After cadet school at Berlin-Lichterfelde, von Richthofen joined the air force in 1917 and served a year later in the famous Richthofen Air Squadron, whose first Commander had been his cousin Manfred, the legendary flying ace.
From 1919 to 1922 Wolfram von Richthofen joinined the Reichswehr and taking part in many air competitions. From 1929 to 1933 he was ‘on leave’ as a member of the German General Staff in Italy. After a period in the Technical Division of the Reich Air Ministry, von Richthofen was appointed Chief of Staff of the ‘Condor Legion" in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, being promoted in September 1938 to Major General and finally to Commander of the Legion. He returned from Spain in May 1939, commanding an air corps on the western front in September and leading his formations with considerable success during the French campaign. In May 1940 he was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted in the same year to General of Fliers.
A year later he received the Oak Leaves of the Knight’s Cross. Involved on the Russian front during 1941-2, von Richthofen was promoted to General Field Marshal in February 1943. Towards the end of the war, he commanded the Fourth Air Fleet in Italy.
He died on 12 July 1945.