Karl Angerstein

Karl Angerstein
Born	4 December 1890 Mühlhausen
Died	Feldkirchen
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1919) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftstreitkräfte (1911-19) Luftwaffe (1935–45)
Years of service	1911–19 1935–45
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	Kampfgeschwader 1 I. Fliegerkorps
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Battle of France Battle of Britain The Blitz Operation Barbarossa Siege of Leningrad Demyansk Pocket
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other work	Police Officer

Karl Angerstein (4 December 1890 – 20 September 1985) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II who commanded the I. Fliegerkorps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Karl Angerstein was captured in May 1945 by American troops and was held until 1947.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Wound Badge (1914)
  • in Black
• Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords (17 April 1918)
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
• Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds
• German Cross in Gold on 16 July 1942 as Generalmajor in Kampfgeschwader 1
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 2 November 1940 as Oberst and Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg"
• Mentioned twice in the Wehrmachtbericht (19 August 1943 and 9 October 1943)

Wehrmachtbericht references

The daily Wehrmachtbericht (Wehrmacht propaganda report) noted the following:

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
19 August 1943	An diesem Abwehrerfolg find deutsche, unter Führung des Generalleutnants Angerstein stehende Luftwaffenverbände und rumänische, von General Gheorghiu befehligte Fliegerkräfte beteiligt.	German Luftwaffe units under the leadership of Generalleutnant Angerstein and Romanian air forces commanded from General Gheorghiu participated in this defensive success.
9 October 1943	Die unter dem Befehl des Generalleutnants Angerstein stehenden Verbände der deutschen Luftwaffe haben an den erfolgreichen Abwehrkämpfen des Heeres und an der reibungslosen Rückführung größten Anteil.	The German Luftwaffe units under the command of Generalleutnant Angerstein take a great part in the successful defensive battles of the Army and in the smooth retreat.

External links

• Ritterkreuztraeger 1939-1945
• World War 2 Awards.com
• Lexikon der Wehrmacht

Military offices
Preceded by none	Commander of Sturzkampfgeschwader 3 July 1940 – 18 July 1940	Succeeded by Oberstleutnant Georg Edert
Preceded by Oberst Josef Kammhuber	Commander of Kampfgeschwader 1 18 July 1940 – 1 March 1942	Succeeded by Major Herbert Loch
Preceded by Generalleutnant Alfred Mahnke	Commander of I. Fliegerkorps 26 June 1943 – 6 November 1943	Succeeded by General der Flieger Paul Deichmann