6. Hitler Was Very Pleased With Richthofen for Guernica Massacre
Hitler was personally delighted with what had happened at Guernica. He saw it as a sign that Germany had a powerful air force and was the equal of the British, French, Russians and Americans. He saw the massacre of innocent men, women, and children as a great victory. He personally commends Richthofen on his great success. So impressed was the Fuhrer that he immediately drew up plans that would allow the Luftwaffe to repeat the ‘success’ at Guernica again. When WWII was declared Richthofen based upon his role in Guernica was promoted to a leading role in the invasion of Poland.
Hitler personally appointed him to take command of the Luftwaffe attacks on Warsaw. Here the Luftwaffe using the lessons they had learned at Guernica managed to destroy much of Warsaw. The devastation caused by the Luftwaffe was repeated in Warsaw but on a much greater scale. The German airforce was able to inflict tens of thousands of casualties, (mostly civilians) during their attacks on Warsaw. Hitler was once again very pleased with Richthofen.