Early Life
Graf von Kageneck was born in Bonn, one of four sons of Generalmajor Karl Graf von Kageneck and Freiin Maria von Schorlemer, daughter of Clemens Freiherr von Schorlemer, an Imperial Secretary of Agriculture. His brothers included:
- Clemens-Heinrich Graf von Kageneck (1913–2005), Captain of the panzer troops
- ∞ Countess Caroline Henckel von Donnersmarck
- Franz Joseph Graf von Kageneck (1915–1941)
- ∞ Princess Elisabeth Maria of Bavaria
- August Graf von Kageneck (1922–2004), journalist and writer
After passing his Abitur in 1936, Kageneck immediately joined the German air force, the Luftwaffe. At the outbreak of World War II, he served with Jagdgeschwader 1 and flew his first missions of war during the invasion of Poland. Kageneck scored his first victory during the first days of the Blitzkrieg in the Netherlands and soon claimed 4 kills in the skies of Western Europe. He claimed a further nine victories during the Battle of Britain and on 18 September 1940, he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of Staffel 9, Jagdgeschwader 27. Kageneck also gained four victories over Hawker Hurricanes during his spell supporting the offensive against Malta.
Read more about this topic: Erbo Graf Von Kageneck
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