 On 1 February 1939, Jeschonnek replaced Hans-Jürgen Stumpff as the Chief of the General Staff ("Chef des Generalstabs der Luftwaffe") of the Luftwaffe.On 14 August 1939, he was promoted to "Generalmajor" (Brigadier General).Jeschonnek had the intelligence to hold such a senior rank, but his lack of experience of higher command, in either peace or wartime, in an increasingly complex and large organisation, meant he could not control it.