The Life of Dr Ernst Kupfer

A biography of ground-attack pilot and Sturzkampf-geschwader 2 commander Dr. Ernst Kupfer. He joined the Reichwehr in autumn 1928, serving several years in the cavalry before transferring to the Luftwaffe just after the outbreak of the Second World War. Kupfer ended up becoming a successful leader and eventually being the first to be appointed General der Schlachtflieger.
He transferred to the front just as the Battle of Britain was ending, but continued to fly against the British in the Balkans, and later on the Eastern Front in the ferocious battles at Stalingrad and Kursk in 1942 and 1943 – flying more than 600 combat missions throughout his wartime career.

This 17-page article uses many primary and secondary sources, including a personal letter exchange, to tell the story of Ernst Kupfer. It also features fifteen photographs, four maps and two colour profiles by Claes Sundin of Kupfer’s personal aircraft.