Kurt-Bertram von Döring

Generalleutnant Kurt-Bertram von Döring (18 February 1889 in Ribbekardt – 9 July 1960 in Medingen) was a German World War II Generalleutnant of Luftwaffe. He began his career as a flying ace in World War I, became a flying soldier of fortune during the 1920s and early 1930s, and then joined the resurgent German air service and served through World War II.

Early life

Born 18 February 1889 at Ribbekardt, Döring joined the Dragoon Regiment Nr. 17 on 14 March 1907. In mid 1913 he transferred to the Air Service, and in May 1914 joined Festung Flieger-Abteilung in Cologne.

World War I

In late 1914, he was assigned to Flieger-Abteilung 38, and was commissioned on 1 February 1915. Döring then served with Sonderstaffel Nr. 2 in 1916. An able administrative Officer and leader, as well as being considered a steady and reliable pilot, meant after service with Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 227 Döring took command of Jagdstaffel 4 on 8 April 1917, before he had claimed an air victory. However, he scored his first victory a few days later, on 14 April 1917; he continued to collect wins through 4 October, when he scored his eleventh and last. On 14 December 1917, he was awarded the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern to accompany his Iron Cross First Class.

Döring also gained the trust of Jagdgeschwader 1 commander Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen, who assigned command of Jagdgeschwader 1 to Döring when Richthofen was away from the front.

Promoted to Rittmeister on 28 November 1917, Döring remained in command of Jagdstaffel 4 until 19 January 1918, after which he took over Jagdgruppe Nr. 4. In August he took over Jagdstaffel 66, and then a few days later Jagdstaffel 1.