Kurt Student

Kurt Arthur Benno Student was a high-ranking German general in the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe was the air force used by Germany during the Second World War.

Student is most famous as a pioneer of airborne forces. He was responsible for developing the Fallschirmjäger, which were specialized German paratroopers. As their most senior leader, he commanded these units throughout the war. His work changed how militaries used aircraft to move soldiers directly into combat zones.

Student began his military career long before the Second World War. He entered the Prussian Army in 1910 and became a lieutenant in 1911. By 1913, he had qualified as a pilot. During World War I, he served in several aerial units. He achieved the status of a flying ace. This means he recorded at least five air-to-air victories. Between 1916 and 1917, he scored six victories against French aircraft.

After the war, he worked in military research and development. He studied military gliders, which are aircraft that fly without engines. This research helped him understand how to conduct airborne operations.

In the late 1930s, Student's role expanded significantly. After the Luftwaffe was re-established, he was appointed to lead training schools. In July 1938, he became the commander of airborne and air-landing troops. By September of that year, he led the 7th Air Division. This was Germany's very first paratroop division. This division would become the foundation for his future airborne strikes. His leadership helped transform the concept of air-landing troops into a functional fighting force.

Student led several major historical operations during the war. In May 1940, he directed the Battle for The Hague. This was the first large-scale airborne operation in history.

During this battle, paratroopers seized crucial bridges in the Netherlands. They also conducted a successful raid on the Eben-Emael fort in Belgium. Only 85 soldiers were used to take this massive fort. It took the assault group only a few hours to gain control. This success allowed German armies to move into Belgium more easily.

In May 1941, Student directed Operation Mercury, the invasion of Crete. This operation involved attacking forces from Britain, Greece, and the Commonwealth.

While the Fallschirmjäger won the island, they suffered very high casualties. The German troops faced unexpected resistance from the local civilian population. Some paratroopers were killed by civilians using knives and clubs. Because of these heavy losses, Adolf Hitler forbade future major airborne operations. This changed the way Germany planned its military strikes for the rest of the war.

Student remained active in other specialized missions. In 1943, he helped plan Operation Oak. This was a mission to rescue the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini. The mission used gliders and STOL aircraft, which are planes that can take off and land on very short runways.

Later in the war, Student served in France and near Arnhem. He was involved in the battles of Normandy in 1944. He also fought on the Eastern Front in Mecklenburg. Eventually, British forces captured him in Schleswig-Holstein in April 1945.

Student's actions led to serious legal consequences after the war. In 1947, he was tried for war crimes.

The charges included the mistreatment and murder of prisoners of war in Crete. He was also accused of crimes against the Cretan civilian population. These crimes included massacres in places like Kondomari, Alikianos, and Kandanos. The court found him guilty of three charges regarding prisoners of war. He was sentenced to five years in prison but was released early in 1948 for medical reasons. He died in 1978 as the last surviving Luftwaffe Generaloberst.