The reports reaching Chancellor Ludwig Erhard at his vacation bungalow on Bavaria's Tegernsee were deeply disturbing. First, the commanding general of the Luftwaffe resigned in a huff. Then, in rapid succession, came two more walkouts, including that of West Germany's highest-ranking officer.
The generals were angry with Defense Minister Kai-Uwe von Hassel, 53. Luftwaffe Lieut. General Werner Panitzki publicly charged that Von Hassel had delayed making needed improvements in Germany's F-104 Starfighter fleet, of which 61 have crashed, killing 35 pilots. Four-star General Heinz Trettner, the West German equivalent to the...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
