Smiling albert kesselring family tree

German military officer (1885–1960)

Albert Kesselring (30 November 1885 – 16 July 1960) was a German military officer and convicted war criminal who served in the Luftwaffe during World War II.

In a career which spanned both world wars, Kesselring reached the rank of the Generalfeldmarschall (Field marshal) and became one of Nazi Germany's most highly decorated commanders.

Kesselring joined the Bavarian Army as an officer cadet in 1904, serving in the artillery branch.

Albert kesselring children

Albert kesselring children

Why was kesselring called smiling albert

Brian kesselring wife

Kesselring blue angels

Albert kesselring cause of death

He completed training as a balloon observer in 1912. During World War I, he served on both the Western and Eastern fronts and was posted to the Army Staff, despite not having attended the War Academy. Kesselring served in the Reichswehr after the war, but was discharged in 1933 to become head of the Department of Administration at the Ministry of Aviation, where he became involved in the re-establishment of the German aviation industry and the laying of the foundations for the Luftwaff