Erhard Milch

Erhard Milch

March 1892 – January 1972

Overview

Erhard Milch was born in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, in March 1892. He began his military career in the German Army during World War I and later transferred to the newly formed Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Service). After the war, he worked in civil aviation and became a key figure in the development of German air transport.

During the war

In the early 1930s, Milch joined the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Reich Aviation Ministry), where he played a central role in the reconstruction of German air power. He became a close associate of Hermann Göring and was instrumental in organizing the Luftwaffe. Milch was appointed Inspector General of the Luftwaffe and later Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal) during World War II.

He oversaw aircraft production and logistics, striving to increase output despite resource shortages and Allied bombings. Milch was also involved in the use of forced labor in the aviation industry, which became a major issue during the post-war trials.

After the war

After Germany’s defeat, he was arrested and tried at the Ministries Trial (one of the Nuremberg, where he was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1947, but his sentence was later commuted to 15 years, and he was released in 1954.

Erhard Milch died in January 1972 in Düsseldorf.