Friedrich Wilhelm Magnus Heinrich Walter von Eberhardt
(07.01.1862 - 07.01.1944)
place of birth:  Berlin
Königreich Preußen:  IdFlieg,  Stellv KG,  Generalleutnant (Verk.)


Prussian General Walter von Eberhardt was a founding father of German military aviation, having served during the pre Great War years as  Inspekteur der Fliegertruppen, or "IdFlieg." Walter was the son of Prussian General Heinrich von Eberhardt (1821–1899).  His two older brothers, Magnus and Gaspard, were also generals in the Prussian Army. To better coordinate the buildup of military air power, the Imperial German Army Air Service was launched in October 1913, with inspectorates established for fixed-wing aircraft (IdFlieg) and airships (IdLuft). Oberst von Eberhardt was thus brought to Berlin at that time in order to serve as Prussia's first IdFlieg and sit on the Military Transport Assessment Board (Verkehrstechnische Prüfungskommission).

Following a comprehensive restructuring of German military air forces in October 1916, Eberhardt was returned to a line unit and placed in command of the 20th Landwehr Division. He later headed up the 45th Reserve Division and 37th Infantry Division, before closing out the War as deputy commander of XX. Army Corps in Allenstein. After the War, Eberhardt continued his military service as a Reichswehr brigade commander.

	Generalleutnant	18.08.1918