Erhard Milch, German field marshal (b. 1892)

Erhard Milch (30 March 1892 – 25 January 1972) was a pivotal figure in the re-establishment and expansion of German air power in the 20th century. A highly influential German field marshal general, known by his rank of Generalfeldmarschall, Milch played a critical role in the clandestine and then overt development of the German air force, the Luftwaffe, during the period of re-armament under Nazi Germany following the limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles after World War I.

Milch's career path was unusual for a high-ranking military officer of his time. Before his significant contributions to the Luftwaffe, he had a strong background in civilian aviation. He began his service in the German Imperial Army during World War I, initially as an artillery officer and later transferring to the nascent air service. After the war, with Germany prohibited from possessing an air force, Milch moved into commercial aviation. He joined the Junkers aircraft company and rose through its ranks, eventually becoming the managing director of Deutsche Luft Hansa AG, the national airline of Germany, in 1926. This extensive experience in logistics, administration, and aviation infrastructure proved invaluable for his later military roles.

Architect of the Luftwaffe's Resurgence

Upon the rise of the Nazi regime and the decision to openly defy the Treaty of Versailles, Hermann Göring, who was tasked with building the new air force, brought Milch into the fold. Milch quickly became instrumental in this ambitious project. From 1933, he served as the State Secretary in the newly formed Reich Ministry of Aviation (Reichsluftfahrtministerium – RLM). In this powerful administrative role, he was responsible for the strategic planning, organization, and rapid expansion of the Luftwaffe. His duties encompassed overseeing aircraft design and production, establishing training programs for pilots and ground crews, and developing the extensive logistical framework required for a modern air force. By 1937, he was also appointed Inspector General of the Air Force, further consolidating his authority over the Luftwaffe's operational readiness and internal affairs.

Wartime Leadership in Aircraft Production and Supply

As World War II progressed, Erhard Milch's responsibilities intensified. For the majority of the conflict, he was placed in effective charge of all German aircraft production and supply. This was a monumental task, encompassing everything from securing raw materials, managing manufacturing facilities, and allocating resources, to ensuring the timely delivery of aircraft, parts, and fuel to operational units across various fronts. He was instrumental in efforts to rationalize and increase production efficiency, especially as Allied bombing campaigns began to target German industrial capacity. Despite these efforts, the immense demands of a multi-front war and the increasing scarcity of vital resources posed significant challenges to maintaining aerial superiority.

The Milch Trial and Post-War Conviction

Following Germany's defeat in World War II, Erhard Milch was apprehended by Allied forces. He became one of the high-ranking Nazi officials prosecuted during the Subsequent Nuremberg Trials, a series of twelve military tribunals conducted by the United States authorities in their occupation zone in Nuremberg, Germany, after the main International Military Tribunal trial of the major war criminals. The trial against him, known as the "Milch Trial," or officially "United States of America v. Erhard Milch," took place in 1947.

Milch was specifically charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The accusations included:

On 17 April 1947, the U.S. military court found Erhard Milch guilty on two counts and sentenced him to life imprisonment. He was initially imprisoned at Landsberg Prison. However, his sentence was commuted to 15 years in 1951 by John J. McCloy, the U.S. High Commissioner for Germany, as part of a broader clemency program for numerous convicted war criminals. Milch was subsequently released on 4 June 1954, having served less than seven years of his reduced sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Erhard Milch

Who was Erhard Milch?
Erhard Milch was a prominent German military officer and aviation administrator, reaching the rank of Generalfeldmarschall. He was instrumental in building the Luftwaffe, Germany's air force, during the Nazi era and later managed its aircraft production and supply during World War II.
What was Milch's role in the development of the Luftwaffe?
As State Secretary in the Reich Ministry of Aviation and later Inspector General of the Air Force, Milch oversaw the clandestine and then rapid re-armament of Germany's air capabilities, including aircraft design, production, and the establishment of training and logistical infrastructure, defying the Treaty of Versailles.
What was the Milch Trial?
The Milch Trial was one of the Subsequent Nuremberg Trials conducted by the United States after World War II. It was held in 1947, and Erhard Milch was prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically involving the exploitation of forced labor and plunder of property.
What was Erhard Milch convicted of?
He was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, primarily for his involvement in using slave labor from concentration camps and occupied territories in aircraft factories and for the plunder of industrial resources.
When was Erhard Milch released from prison?
After being sentenced to life imprisonment in 1947, his sentence was commuted in 1951, and he was ultimately released from Landsberg Prison on 4 June 1954.