Born in 1912 in Hirschberg, Silesia, Hanna Reitsch was one of the most remarkable figures in female aviation history.

Just over five feet tall and weighing less than ninety pounds, she became a record-setting glider pilot, test pilot, and military pilot for the Luftwaffe during World War II, and was decorated several times for her achievements by Herr Hitler himself.

In 1934, at the age of just twenty-two, Reitsch broke the women's world record for long-distance soaring with a flight of over 100 miles. She soon moved on to powered aircraft, and in 1938 became a research pilot for the Fa-61. In 1938, Reitsch was one of three German pilots to participate in the National Air Races in Cleveland.

During the war, Hanna flew just about every type of military aircraft the Luftwaffe had, including the fast but extremely dangerous Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet. After four successful tests, the plane crashed on its fifth trial and Hanna was severely injured; she hovered on the brink of death for five months in a hospital until she recovered, and undeterred, took up her flight career right where she had left off.

Her most famous wartime exploit came during the very last days of the war, in April 1945, when she volunteered to fly German Colonel-General Robert Ritter von Greim into Berlin-then surrounded by Soviet troops-to meet with Adolf Hi:ler. Flying in a slow-moving observation aircraft, the Fieseler Storch, Hanna piloted the aircraft into the besieged capital, skillfully dodging Soviet defenses. A few days later, she flew herself and von Greim out completely unscathed-just before its fall.

Unfortunately, despite her impressive exploits and distinguished career as an aviatrix, Reitsch's place in history is overshadowed by her devotion and unwavering service to Hitler and the Nazi regime.

 

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