Werner Panitzki – Luftwaffe Personalamt – Inspekteur der Luftwaffe (BW) (DKIS)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Werner Panitzki. Generalleutnant der Luftwaffe Werner Panitzki (27 May 1911, Berthelsdorf † 6 April 2001, Bonn) was a German officer whose career spanned both the Luftwaffe of the Second World War and the Bundeswehr of postwar West Germany. He rose to the rank of Generalleutnant and served as the Inspector of the Air Force (Inspekteur der Luftwaffe), making him the highest-ranking officer in the Bundeswehr’s Luftwaffe during the early Cold War.

Award:

• German Cross in Silver (Deutsches Kreuz in Silber) – 10 May 1945, as Oberstleutnant i.G., X. Abteilung, Luftwaffen-Personalamt

Career Highlights:

• Entered the Luftwaffe before the outbreak of the Second World War, serving as an officer during the conflict.

• After the founding of the Bundeswehr in 1955, he resumed his career in uniform and quickly rose through the new West German Air Force’s command structure.

• In 1962, appointed Inspector of the Luftwaffe (Inspekteur der Luftwaffe), responsible for rebuilding, modernizing, and integrating the new German Air Force within NATO.

• Promoted to Generalleutnant, serving as one of the Bundeswehr’s senior-most officers.

• Retired from service in 1966.

• Passed away in Bonn in 2001.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of Generalleutnant Werner Panitzki.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.