Kesselring, Albert (1885-1960), was a German military commander in World War II (1939-1945). He led air fleets early in the war, then rose to command operations in the Mediterranean and northwestern Europe.
Kesselring was born on Nov. 20, 1885, in Marktsteft, near Wurzburg, Bavaria. He joined the Bavarian army in 1906 and distinguished himself during World War I (1914-1918).
In the 1930’s, under the Nazis, Kesselring held high posts in Germany’s air force. He commanded air fleets in the German conquest of Poland in 1939 and defeat of France in 1940. Kesselring then helped direct the Battle of Britain, Germany’s attempt to destroy the United Kingdom’s air force. From 1941 to 1945, Kesselring commanded military operations in the Mediterranean region, including North Africa. His defensive strategies helped slow the Allied advance through Italy. In 1945, he returned to Germany and led German forces in northwest Europe prior to the collapse of Nazi Germany.
Kesselring was convicted of war crimes for ordering the killing of Italian hostages. He was sentenced to death, but the sentence was reduced to life in prison, then to 20 years. He was released in 1952 because of ill health. He died on July 16, 1960, in Bad Nauheim.
See also World War II .
