Carl Gustaf von Rosen

Carl Gustaf von Rosen
Carl Gustaf von Rosen (right) receiving a decoration from Bengt Nordenskiöld.
Born	Carl Gustaf Ericsson von Rosen August 19, 1909 Helgesta, Sweden
Died	July 13, 1977(1977-07-13) (aged 67) Gode, Ethiopia
Nationality	Swedish
Occupation	Pioneer aviator, humanitarian, mercenary pilot
Spouse(s)	Stina Maria Theresia (Mille) Wijkmark (1932–1936) Johanna (Hanny) Franciena Krijgsman (1938–1943) Gunvor Lilian Martin (1943–1977)
Children	6
Parent(s)	Eric von Rosen Mary Fock

Count Carl Gustaf Ericsson von Rosen (August 19, 1909 – July 13, 1977) was a Swedish pioneer aviator, humanitarian, and mercenary pilot. He flew relief missions in a number of conflicts as well as combat missions for Finland (whose first military aircraft his father had donated in 1918) and Biafran rebels. His flights for the Biafran rebels were notable for using the small Malmö MFI-9 in a ground attack role.

Von Rosen was born in Helgesta, Flen Municipality, Södermanland, Sweden and grew up on Rockelstad Castle. He was the son of the explorer, count Eric von Rosen (1879–1948), co-founder of National Socialist Bloc, and baroness Mary Fock (1886–1967). He was nephew of Carin Göring, wife of Hermann Göring. Throughout his upbringing, Carl Gustaf appeared to have had serious differences in opinion with his family, with one author referring to him as the "black sheep of his family." One brother, Björn (1905–1989), was a writer, graphic artist and painter. The sister Birgitta Wolf (1913–2009) was a writer and human rights activist. At an early age, Carl Gustaf was interested in mechanics; his subsequent fascination with flying machines was likely influenced by his uncle, who was a fighter ace during World War I (and later head of the German Luftwaffe).

He was a student at Lundsbergs boarding school from 1920 to 1926 and at AB Aeromateriel's flight school in 1929 and took the pilot's license test in the same year. Von Rosen took the airline pilot exam in 1934. Von Rosen himself started his flying career as a mechanic before becoming an aerobatic stunt pilot in a travelling circus.

When the Italians under Benito Mussolini attacked the independent empire of Ethiopia, von Rosen joined the Swedish Red Cross ambulance mission. He also repeatedly flew casualties out from the battlefield under extremely dangerous conditions. This activity resulted in him receiving mustard gas burns due to the use of the gas by the Italian Air Force.