The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Luftwaffe
Hanna Reitsch (1912–1979): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 29 March 1912, Hirschberg |
|---|---|
| Died | 1979 |
| Key roles | Glider record pilot; Luftwaffe civilian test pilot (from 1937); Iron Cross First Class (1943) |
| Documents bearing her name | Signed photographs, letters and books, many post-war |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Hanna Reitsch was a record-breaking glider pilot and the Luftwaffe’s best-known test pilot. In April 1945 she flew into besieged Berlin. Her post-war signatures are common; wartime ones are rarer.
Who Was Hanna Reitsch?
Reitsch was born in Hirschberg in Silesia in 1912. A gliding record-holder, she became a Luftwaffe civilian test pilot in 1937 and, in February 1938, flew a helicopter indoors in Berlin. She was badly injured testing the Me 163 rocket fighter in 1942 and received the Iron Cross First Class in late 1943. On 25 April 1945 she flew Robert Ritter von Greim to Hitler’s bunker.
What Documents Bear Reitsch’s Signature?
Signed photographs, letters and copies of her memoirs exist, mostly post-war. See original signature or facsimile.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Most signatures are post-war.
- Wartime items need provenance.
- Check photographs for period printing.
Later Life
After the war Reitsch lectured abroad and ran a gliding school in Ghana, but her wartime ties kept her controversial. She died in 1979.
Collector’s Note
Reitsch’s fame as a pilot attracts collectors of aviation as well as of the war. Her post-war letters are often generous in content and worth reading closely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Hanna Reitsch fly into Berlin in 1945?
Yes, on 25 April 1945 with Robert Ritter von Greim.
When did she receive the Iron Cross First Class?
In late 1943, according to HistoryNet.
When did she die?
In 1979.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the National Socialist period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of the regime.
References & Further Reading
- Van Patten, R. E. (2017) Hanna Reitsch: Hitler’s Female Test Pilot, HistoryNet.