Eduard Ritter von Schleich

Eduard Ritter von Schleich
Schleich wearing his Pour le Mérite on his neck.
Nickname(s)"The Black Knight"
Born(1888-08-09)9 August 1888
Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire
Died15 November 1947(1947-11-15) (aged 59)
Dießen am Ammersee, Bavaria, Allied occupied Germany
AllegianceGerman Empire
Nazi Germany
BranchInfantry,
Luftstreitkräfte,
Luftwaffe
Years of service1909–1919, 1935–1944
RankLieutenant General
UnitFlieger-Abteilung 2,
Jagdstaffel 21,
Jagdstaffel 32,
Jagdgeschwader IV,
Jagdgruppe 8,
Schutzstaffel 28
AwardsPour le Mérite,
Iron Cross 1st & 2nd Class,
Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Max-Joseph

Eduard-Maria Joseph Ritter von Schleich (9 August 1888 – 15 November 1947), born Schleich, was a high scoring Bavarian flying ace of the First World War. He was credited with 35 aerial victories at the end of the war. During the Second World War he served in the Luftwaffe as a general.