Johann Raithel

Johann Raithel (11 March 1897 – 29 January 1961) was a German general of the Luftwaffe, who commanded the Kampfgeschwader 77 during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Johann Raithel
Born	(1897-03-11)11 March 1897 Munich, German Empire
Died	29 January 1961(1961-01-29) (aged 63) Hamburg, West Germany
Allegiance	German Empire  Weimar Republic  Nazi Germany
Service / branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1914–45
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands	Jagdgeschwader 132 Kampfgeschwader 77
Battles / wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

On 1 April 1936, Raithel was tasked with the creation of Jagdgeschwader 132 "Richthofen" (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing) and appointed its first Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander).^{[1][Note 1]}

His daughter Anneliese married Hubert Greim, son of Generalfeldmarschall Robert Ritter von Greim.^[2]

Awards and decorations

• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 October 1941 as Oberst and Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 77^[3][4]

Notes

1. On 1 November 1938, JG 132 was renamed to Jagdgeschwader 131 which then became Jagdgeschwader 2 on 1 May 1939.^[1]