General-majorHans-Eberhardt Gandert (2 September 1892 – 24 July 1947) was a German professional soldier who began his 33-year military career in 1912. He learned to fly in the early days of World War I, went on to become a flying ace credited with eight aerial victories, including killing British ace Edwin Benbow, and ended the war in command of a fighter group. In the wake of Germany's defeat, he would serve in the German Army until 1934. He would then transfer into the newly established Luftwaffe and serve in increasingly responsible posts until mid-World War II. He retired on 28 February 1945.
Early life
Hans-Eberhardt Gandert was born in Sandberg on 2 September 1892. On 22 March 1912, he entered military service by joining Jäger Battalion Nr. 8 as a Fähnrich. He was commissioned as a leutnant on 16 June 1913. He then attended aviation training at Niederneuendorf from 2 June to 18 August 1914.[1]
World War I
Activities
Gandert then began service as a pilot in two-seater units of the Luftstreitkräfte. During these postings, he served on the Russian Front; he was shot down on 10 October 1914, but evaded capture and returned to German lines on 13 October.[2]
Gandert continued to serve in two-seaters, being often transferred. He was promoted to oberleutnant on 18 August 1916. Gandert finally scored his first two victories while serving in Romania in November 1917. At some point during his service on the Eastern Front, probably while he was in Romania, Germany's ally, Austria-Hungary, awarded him its Military Merit Cross.
On 9 January 1918, he moved out of two-seaters into a fighter unit, Jasta 51, which was stationed on the Western Front in France. He was assigned to command the squadron until being promoted to command a fighter group. He would lead from the front, scoring five confirmed victories and one unconfirmed,[3] including killing British ace Edwin Benbow.[4] In August 1918, he was awarded the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern;[5] he had previously been awarded both classes of the 1914 Iron Cross.
Gandert returned from captivity with his Wound Badge to find German aviation being dismantled in the wake of Germany's defeat. He remained in the German military, serving in ground units. After a short spell in motor transport, he began infantry service on 1 October 1920. As he filled increasingly consequential positions, he was promoted to Hauptmann on 1 August 1923, and to Major on 1 July 1933.
Shortly after the Luftwaffe was established, Gandert transferred into it, on 1 October 1934. While performing staff duties in the Reich Air Ministry, he underwent refresher training in aviation; it is probable that he earned his Luftwaffe Pilot's Badge at this time. Following schooling, he served again in motor transport. He was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 July 1935. Reassignment to command of an air station and its aviation training regiment was next. His promotion to Oberst on 1 August 1937 was followed by elevation to command of flying schools. One of his students was Robert Heuer.[22]
Gandert received his final promotion, to Generalmajor, on 1 December 1939. Starting on 19 July 1941, his prior experience in logistics was utilized supplying food and clothing to the entire Luftwaffe. His next posting was also Luftwaffe-wide. After a transfer to the reserves, he retired on 28 February 1945. After 33 years of service, he also earned his Wehrmacht Long Service Award.
Hans-Eberhard Gandert died in Augsburg, Germany on 24 July 1947.
Duty assignments
19 July 1941: Appointed as Inspector of Clothing and Food Supplies for the Luftwaffe
1 May 1942: Placed in charge of the Luftwaffe Exercise Grounds at Zingst
Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN0-948817-73-9, ISBN978-0-948817-73-1.
Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I: Volume 79 of Aircraft of the Aces: Volume 79 of Osprey Aircraft of the Aces. Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN1-84603-201-6, ISBN978-1-84603-201-1.