Wolfgang Thonke

Wolfgang Thonke ( born December 28, 1938 in Pila ) is a German journalist and military scientist and former Major General of the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic. He was the last representative of the Chief of Air Force / Air Defense ( LSK / LV) for training of the Air Force (G3).

Life

Wolfgang Thonke was born into a working class family in Pila, West Pomerania. In January 1945, the family fled from Pomerania and found in armor in the calibration field ( Thuringia) a new home. In 1950 the move to Heiligenstadt. There he attended high school, today's high school " Johann Georg Lingemann " and put 1957, the High School with a grade of " very good".

Military career

After high school located Thonke competed as a professional soldier of the armed forces of the GDR. On August 5, 1957, Convening of the National People's Army and promptly carried to the commanding officer training at the former flying school of the NVA air forces, Kamenz, later Officer College of the Air Force / Air Defense for military aviator Otto Lilienthal. 1957 cadets Thonke candidate and 1959 member of the SED.

Training and first uses

After completion of officer training in December 1959, and the appointment of an officer of the NVA lieutenant Thonke received his first troops use as a flight instructor in the former fighter pilot training squadron 15 ( JAG -15). From 1961 to 1964 was followed by a connection as Head air tactics / air shooting also in the JAG -15 at the airfield Rothenburg / Görlitz.

Service as a teaching and staff officer

His proficiency in the previous activities as an experienced pilot and tactician, aspiring military pilot ( student pilot ) to train on the ground and in the air, were the use of recommendation for Lieutenant Thonke as head of air shooting and air tactics and from 1965 as head combat training at the now well recognized Officer College of the Air Force / air Defense Franz Mehring Kamenz until 1968. This was followed up in 1970 to use as a deputy to the commander of the military academy of the LSK / LV for flight training.

Then he showed excellent performance even here he was delegated 1970-1973 to university studies at the Military Academy, Friedrich Engels to Dresden. Here he completed his studies at the Department of Air Force / Air Defense as Dipl.rer.mil. with distinction and the Special Diploma of the Minister of National Defence from.

After studying Lieutenant Colonel Thonke was used from 1973 to 1975 as commander of JG- 1 in Cottbus.

Promotions

  • August 5, 1957 yunkers
  • December 1, 1959 Second Lieutenant ( appointment )
  • November 1, 1960 Lieutenant
  • October 7, 1962 First Lieutenant
  • October 7, 1965 Captain
  • 1 Mar 1969 Major
  • 1 Mar 1973 Lieutenant Colonel
  • 1 Mar 1978 Colonel
  • October 7, 1987 Major General ( appointment )

Subsequently, he was delegated from 1975 to 1977 for general staff education at the General Staff Academy of the USSR " Kliment Voroshilov " in Moscow. After successful studies W. Thonke was employed as Head of Flight Inspection in command LSK / LV. It use as a training manager JFK / LV joined to 1981, also at the command LSK / LV. He then became the head of the fighter pilot in command forces LSK / LV. He was pilot / fighter pilot performance class I with more than 1,500 flying hours.

Service as General

In 1986 Colonel Thonke was given the task of the officer's High School of the Air Force / Air Defense for military aviators ( from 1989 Officer College of the Air Force / Air Defense ( LSK / LV) for military aviators "Otto Lilienthal " ) to form in Bautzen and was its first commander.

On the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the GDR, he was appointed on 24 September 1987 to Major General. In 1989 he received his doctorate at the Military Academy " Friedrich Engels " to Dr.rer.mil.

His last general use in 1990 was W. Thonke deputy-head LSK / LV for training the Air Force in command LSK / LV in Strausberg.

Dismissal

With resolution of the NVA Major General Thonke was dismissed with effect from 2 October 1990.

Orders, decorations and awards

  • Patriotic Order of Merit in bronze
  • Battle Order "For Services to the people and the fatherland " in silver and bronze
  • Honored military pilot in the German Democratic Republic ( 1982)
  • Medal of Merit of the National People's Army in Gold, Silver and Bronze
  • Medal of the brotherhood of arms in silver
  • Medal " strengthening the brotherhood of arms "
  • Medal for faithful service in the NVA

Private

Thonke is married to Karin and has three children. Since 1990 he works as a freelance journalist and member of the flyer Stammtisch Strausberg.

National People's Army Heilbad Heiligenstadt Kommando LSK/LV Distinguished Service Medal of the National People's Army
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