Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg facts for kids

Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg (born Schiller; January 3, 1903 – April 8, 1945) was a brave aviator. She worked as a test pilot for the German Air Force, called the Luftwaffe. This was before and during World War II.

She was one of the top test pilots in the Luftwaffe. Melitta was the second German woman to earn the special title of Flugkapitän (flight captain). She flew over 2,500 test flights in dive bomber planes. This was the second highest number of flights for any Luftwaffe test pilot. She received important awards for her work. These included the Iron Cross Second Class and the Gold Front Flying Clasp for Bombers with diamonds. She earned these for completing over 1,500 test flights.

In 1944, Melitta was arrested. This happened because her brothers-in-law were involved in a plan. They tried to assassinate Adolf Hitler. She was later released to continue her important test flights. Countess von Stauffenberg died on April 8, 1945. An American fighter plane shot down her aircraft.

Early Life and Education

Melitta Schiller was born in Krotoschin, Prussia. Her father was Michael Schiller, and her mother was Margaret Eberstein. She grew up with four siblings: Marie-Luise, Otto, Jutta, and Klara.

After World War I, Krotoschin became part of Poland. In October 1919, Melitta started boarding school. It was across the border in Hirschberg, Silesia.

Melitta finished high school in 1922. She then went to the Technical University of Munich. There, she studied mathematics, physics, and engineering. She chose to focus on aeronautical engineering. In 1927, she graduated with honors.

Becoming a Pilot and Engineer

In 1927, Melitta began working for the Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt (DVL). This was an experimental aviation institute in Berlin. She started flying lessons in July 1929. Within a few months, she got her first flying license. By mid-1930, she had her full license.

In 1936, she faced difficulties at work. This was because her paternal grandfather had Jewish origins. Even though her father had become a Christian, she was forced from her job.

On August 11, 1937, Melitta married Alexander Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. He was a historian. On October 28, 1937, she received a special honor. She was given the rank of Flugkapitänin, or "flight captain." This rank was only for test pilots in Germany. She was only the second woman in Germany to achieve this. The first was Hanna Reitsch. Melitta eventually earned licenses for all types of powered aircraft. She also got licenses for aerobatic flying and gliders.

Serving During World War II

When World War II began, Melitta wanted to help the Red Cross. However, she was ordered to become a test pilot for the Luftwaffe. She worked at the main test facility in Rechlin, Mecklenburg. She was still a civilian but was assigned to the Luftwaffe.

Her job involved testing warplanes. She would perform test dives up to 15 times a day. These dives started from a height of 4,000 meters (about 13,000 feet).

From 1942, Melitta continued her test flights. She worked at the Luftwaffe's technical academy in Berlin-Gatow. On January 22, 1943, she received the Iron Cross Second Class. Hermann Göring himself presented her with the medal. In 1944, she completed her master's degree. She received an "A" grade. Later that year, she became the technical chief. She led another test institute called Versuchsstelle für Flugsondergeräte.

The 20 July Plot and Its Aftermath

In July 1944, a plan to remove Adolf Hitler failed. This was known as the 20 July plot. Melitta was arrested along with her Stauffenberg family members. Her two brothers-in-law, Claus and Berthold, were killed. She and her husband, along with other adult family members, were imprisoned.

However, Melitta was released on September 2. This was because her work was very important to the military. The name "von Stauffenberg" was not popular with the Nazis. So, she was officially called "Gräfin Schenk." Her sisters-in-law, including one who was pregnant, were also imprisoned. The Stauffenberg children were taken away from their mothers. Melitta used her position to help her family as much as she could.

Melitta felt loyal to Germany. But she did not support the Nazis. She helped the Luftwaffe, but she wrote in her diaries that this conflict bothered her.

Melitta stayed in touch with her imprisoned family members. Her status helped ensure they were treated reasonably well. She flew several times to Buchenwald concentration camp. She learned in March 1945 that her husband was there. As Soviet forces advanced, research facilities moved. Melitta's work moved to Wurzberg. There, she found her house had been destroyed.

Final Flights and Death

On April 4, Melitta and her assistant pilot, Hubertus, flew to Buchenwald. From the air, she saw the special prisoner area was empty. The prisoners had been moved to Regensburg. She flew back to Weimar.

They flew some personnel from Weimar to Pilsen. There, they exchanged their plane for a two-seater Bü 181 Bestmann trainer. At Marienburg, Hubertus left her. Melitta flew on to Straubing and then Regensburg. She was looking for her husband. By then, her husband and other prisoners had been moved again. Melitta got permission from the Gestapo to visit the commandant at Schönberg. This is where they had been taken.

She took off early on April 8, 1945. She flew low to the ground, following the railway line to navigate. An American fighter plane was looking for trains to attack. It attacked her plane near Straßkirchen, Bavaria. She crash-landed the aircraft. She was conscious when civilians arrived to help. She asked for help to get out of the plane. The civilians reported her most serious injury was a broken leg.

A local doctor arrived, but military doctors were already there. Melitta was taken away in an ambulance. Her injuries did not seem life-threatening. However, she died two hours later. Her remains were taken to the hospital in Straubing. The cause of death was listed as "skull base fracture, tearing of the left thigh, fracture of the right ankle." Her husband learned of her death a few days later. She was buried on April 13 in St Michaels Cemetery.

In September 1945, Alexander arranged for her body to be moved. She was transported to the Stauffenberg estate at Lautlingen. She was buried in the family crypt on September 8, 1945.

Awards and Honors

• Iron Cross Second Class
• Gold Front Flying Clasp for Bombers with Diamonds

See also

In Spanish: Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg para niños