Luftgaukommando Munchen about 1938
Senger,  WW2

Luise Senger WW2 and after

Now that my mother is no longer with us, I think it is safe to share her WW2 and post-WW2 military career(s). This written remembrance of Luise Senger’s Military Service was related to Mark Rabideau by Luise (Senger) Rabideau in December of 2005 and was approved by her for publication in our family history after her death.

Luftgaukommando Munchen about 1938
Luftgaukommando Building München about 1938

Luise Senger was a Lieutenant in the Deutsche Luftwaffe during WWII. (This is extraordinarily rare as there are essentially “no records” of female officers in the WW2 Deutsche Luftwaffe.)

  • She served in Berlin, Bromberg, Munich as well as other German Air Force bases.
  • On January 14, 1945, she departed Fliegerhorst Bromberg and was transferred to Luftgaukommando VII München.
  • Shortly after arriving in München (Munich), Luise was allowed to take her typewriter out near their offices and issue military release papers for all those who wanted them, per permission and direction of her superior officer. (Note: the thought was that those who had been released from their military service would be non-combatant, non-military personnel when the American forces arrived.)
  • Many German Army/ Air Force personnel were released from duty in this manner during and before May 1945.
  • Following her release from duty with Luftgaukommando VII, Luise observed the White Russian Army (Vlasov Armee) as they were being loaded on trains and for their ‘repatriation’ and for many execution by the Soviets. This ‘repatriation was conducted under the direction and authorization of the US Army.
  • At this same time Luise met US Army Major Friedrich Wilhelm Teich who was a guard to Goering and Ribbentrop during their Nüremberg trials.

Following her Deutsche Luftwaffe service, Luise was employed by the US Army Intelligence as a secretary. She ended up serving in Oberammergau, Bayern where she met Frederick Rabideau, her husband.


ManyRoads Creator, Professional Genealogist, Family Historian, ManyRoads Podcast co-host, Old Guy and most importantly 'opa'