This is an extensive grouping of documents and photographs belonging to the General of the Aviators (General der Flieger) and founding father of German Aviation, Hermann von der Lieth-Thomson.
Included here is a transcript of a speech Thomsen gave to Major Wilhelm Siegert in 1916 on occasion of him being awarded the Knight’s Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords. As a token of Thomsen’s appreciation, he adds a small private award of his own, a commemorative coin with the words Work – Will – Persistence on one side and Intelligence – Bravery – Strength on the other. Also included are four letters about a delivery of a flag. The first letter is from Aug 18th, 1936. It was sent to General of the Aviators Erhard Milch (1892–1972) and is not signed, but was sent by Thomsen. He thanks Milch to be selected to deliver a flag to the coast aviation group in List on the island of Sylt. Thomsen, who lives on Sylt, in Westerland, is only asking that, if at all possible, the delivery should not take place in September. The second letter is sent to Thomsen on Sep 18th, 1936 and signed on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Göring. Thomsen is instructed that he will deliver the flag to the coast aviation group 106 on Oct 28th, and that he is supposed to state the flag slogan in advance. The third letter is sent and signed by Ulrich Keßler (1894–1983), commander of the coast aviation group, to Thomsen, thanking him for his moving speech. He states that it is an honour to have Thomsen associated with his group, and since he lives so close, he invites him and his wife to their bi-weekly lectures on Wednesdays. The fourth letter is sent by Thomsen to Göring, informing him that the flag has been delivered.
Also included are several documents concerning the Lilienthal Company for Aviation Research (Lilienthal-Gesellschaft für Luftfahrtforschung), being 1) An invitation to the initial meeting of chair and senate of the Lilienthal Company on June 12th, 1936, including a speech by State Secretary of Aviation, General of Aviators Erhard Milch. 2) A signed letter by Thomsen to High Councillor Dr. Wüllenweber, Aug 21st, 1936. Thomsen says that he was informed by Undersecretary Adolf Baeumker (1891–1976) that the former members of the staff of aviation of WWI are supposed to become consultants for the Lilienthal Company. He is all for that, but the sheer number would mean that only those should be chosen that served for a longer time and were of senior rank. He thinks that he himself will probably not be able to come, because the difficulties for such an undertaking for him are extraordinary. This most likely refers to his blindness. 3) A letter by Thomsen from the same day was sent to Adolf Baeumker, informing him that even though Thomsen can’t yet say with certainty if he will attend the upcoming conference of the Lilienthal Company, he will most likely not be able to come. He says that these undertakings are extremely difficult for him. He goes on to tell Baeumker what he told Wüllenweber about the huge number of former staff members that are supposed to consult for the company. 4) Baeumker answers to the above letter on Aug 28th. He regrets that Thomsen will most likely be absent from the conference, but is understanding. He then talks about how the creation of a new Luftwaffe is more difficult than setting up another navy fleet or army, mostly because of the vast technological differences compared to WWI, and also because personnel has to be young by default. Baeumker is convinced that the Luftwaffe doesn’t need to be as much a free part of the military as navy and army are, and predicts that in the future at least parts of it will be subordinated to these entities. He asks that Thomsen will at least come to the opening act of the conference where there will be music by Swiss pianist Edwin Fischer, and the former members of the Kogenluft (Kommandierender General der Luftstreitkräfte = High Command of Aviation during the First War) will most likely get their own private table in a smaller room, so that Thomsen would not be overwhelmed.
The above documents are accompanied by 1) An invitation to a Kogenluft dinner (14.2 x 20.9 cm) on Dec 12th, 1936 in Berlin, sent by Dr. Wüllenweber on Nov 17th. 2) A photo (23.9 x 18.1 cm), possibly of the Kogenluft get-together, showing a large group of seated military officers and two wives. Thomsen is the bald gentleman in the front row. 3) A Magazine “Deutsche Luftwacht” (German Air Guard) from Mar 1937, edition “Luftwissen” (Air Knowledge). It features a page-long article about Thomsen, congratulating him on his 70th birthday.
Also included in this collection are eight photographs, depicting 1) Thomsen smoking a pipe in WWI headquarters, 2) Meeting with Fritz von Falkenhayn, a friend of the “Red Baron” Manfred von Richthofen, and son of Erich von Falkenhayn, Chief of the German General Staff during the First War from 1914 to 1916, 3) 1935 picture showing Thomsen saluting another officer, 4) 1937 picture showing Thomsen with the Ministerpräsident Göring and adjutant von Brauchitsch 5) A small picture of Thomsen’s grave and tombstone, 6-8) Pictures of Thomsen’s state funeral, showing several of his family members on a balcony.
Overall, this is a fine collection of documents into the private life of the man considered by many to be the father of modern aviation, with some signs of aging, but overall extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Thomsen began his military career in 1887. In 1904 he had reached the rank of captain, and in 1907 was commissioned to oversee aviation development. In 1911, he was promoted to major. During the First War, he served at the eastern front, in Russia and Romania, but also participated in the Battle of Ypern. In 1915 he was deployed to the Supreme Army Command and made “Chef des Feldflugwesens” (Chief of Aviation). In 1917 he was awarded the Pour le Merite and in 1918 made colonel. After the First War, Germany was not allowed to have an air force by decree of the Treaty of Versailles, so officially Thomsen retired. However, he was part of the secret development of a rearmament of the air force with the help of the Soviets. During the late 1920s, he developed eye problems that eventually lead to him going blind. He was still actively serving in the Luftwaffe until his death in 1942, though. Thomsen is seen as one of the founding fathers of German military aviation.