Hugo Sperrle (1885 - 1953), was a German field marshal of the airforce Luftwaffe during World War II.
He led the German Air Fleet 3 against France from May to June 1940. In July 1940, he was made a general field marshal of the Luftwaffe. Sperrle advised that Britain's Royal Air Force had to be destroyed to ensure successful bombing against it. Air Fleet 3, stationed in northern France, played a major role in the Battle of Britain, from June 1940 to April 1941.
Field Marshal Sperrle was captured by the Allies and charged with war crimes in the High Command Trial at the Subsequent Nuremberg Trials but was acquitted. He died in Munich in 1953.
Last updated: 10-08-2005 03:41:03