Bruno Maaß – Reichsgericht & Flieger-Bodenorganisation

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Bruno Maass. Generalleutnant Bruno Maass (8 October 1893, Insterburg † 24 January 1973, Munich) was a professional officer who began his career in the Prussian Army before transferring to the air service in the First World War. He later became a senior Luftwaffe general, rising to the rank of Generalleutnant during the Second World War.

Career Highlights:

• Entered service in 1911 with the 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment “Königin Viktoria von Preußen” Nr. 2, promoted to Leutnant in 1912.

• Trained as a pilot in 1915, serving with Flieger-Abteilung 15 and Flieger-Abteilung 31 before becoming Adjutant of the Kommandeur der Flieger with Heeresgruppe “Woyrsch” and later 18. Armee.

• Postwar, continued his military career in the Reichswehr, serving with Reiter-Regiment 9 of the 2. Kavallerie-Division. Promoted to Rittmeister in 1921.

• Joined the Luftwaffe in 1933, holding staff and command roles, including Gruppenkommandeur of III./Kampfgeschwader 253.

• Served as Adjutant and later Chief of Staff, Luftgau-Kommando VII before joining the Luftwaffe General Staff.

• Appointed to the German Luftwaffe Mission in Romania in 1941; promoted to Generalmajor in August of that year.

• Later returned to Luftgau-Kommando VII, and from 1942 served as Reichsgericht Judge.

• In 1943, took over the Abteilung Flieger-Bodenorganisation in the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (later titled General der Fliegerbodenorganisation und des Flugbetriebes).

• Promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 January 1945, but released due to illness in February 1945.

• Captured by Allied forces in May 1945.

Postwar Life:

• Contributed to the German Air Force Monograph Project, producing detailed studies and analyses of the Luftwaffe’s organization and wartime operations, now preserved in the Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv.

• Lived in Munich until his death in 1973.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of Generalleutnant Bruno Maass.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear, well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Although not a frontline combat commander, Maass played an important role in Luftwaffe staff, organizational, and training structures. His postwar contributions to the German Air Force Monograph Project make him a figure of enduring historical interest, especially for collectors focusing on Luftwaffe leadership and its postwar legacy.