Ernst Wilhelm Arnold von Hoeppner 
(14.1.1860 - 25.9.1922)
place of birth:  Tonnin-Wollin Island  (Unin - Pomerania)


Commanding General of the Imperial German Air Service (Kogen-Luft) during the Great War. Von Hoeppner came up through the ranks as a cavalry officer, serving in several Prussian dragoon and hussar regiments. He was recognized early on for his excellent organizational skills and thus quickly advanced to staff work. At war's outbreak, he was von Hausen's chief of staff in the Third Army, and he later became von Below's chief of staff in the Second Army. 

Von Hoeppner's most important role was as the commanding general of the German Air Force, a position he held during the last two years of the war. He reorganized the fragmented Fliegertruppe (Flying Service), which had been distributed throughout the various Army units, and doubled the number of Jagdstaffeln (fighter units) from 40 to 80 by the time of the Spring Offensive of 1918. Although not of noble birth, Kaiser Wilhelm II beknighted him in June 1913 in recognition of his pre-war contributions as a staff officer and brigade commander. After the war, von Hoeppner attained the honorary rank of general of cavalry. He died on 25 September 1922 in Großmockratz on Island of Rügen.