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-   -   Kesselring (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=51544)

Jim Oxley 12th July 2018 04:30

Kesselring
 
Was looking online for a book on Kesselring, and came across this title:
'Kesselring. The Making Of The Luftwaffe'; by Kenneth Macksey.

In the blurb it's mentioned "he flew in the forefront of the battles over Poland, Holland, Britain, Russia and the Western Desert and was shot down five times".

Is that true? Did Kesselring actually fly in those campaigns and get shot down? I thought, being a Luftflotte leader he was based in his HQ directing actions, not participating in them.

Chris Goss 12th July 2018 09:29

Re: Kesselring
 
Shot down I find hard to believe like you but crashed or force-landed is feasible as he was very active

VtwinVince 12th July 2018 19:01

Re: Kesselring
 
I've read this book. Keep in mind that Kesselring was awarded the Front Flight Clasp, a decoration not given for vanity purposes, so he would have had to have flown at least 40 combat flights to earn it in bronze, or 60 for the silver grade.

Thomas H 13th July 2018 09:46

Re: Kesselring
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by VtwinVince (Post 254727)
so he would have had to have flown at least 40 combat flights to earn it in bronze, or 60 for the silver grade.

Bronze was for 15 combat flights.

Kesselring wore the bomber clasp with numbered pendant. So he must have flown at least 200 missions. Some websites even state that he wore the “400” pendant. I don’t have any proof to back up the 400, but if he wore it there must be some information avaialble.


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