The background of Erich Hellsfritsch is unrevealed at this time. It is known that he began to operate publicly on August 17, 1941 ("The Day"). During those events, the Cloak of Darkness sarcastically referred to him as "Dr. Faustus" after the character of the Christopher Marlowe play, and the name has stuck. He subsequently became a founding member of the U.S. Aces. It is unknown whether he operated prior to that time, though there is some evidence that he was involved in the "White Event" that occurred in Jerusalem in late 1940. He is considered to be one of the two or three most powerful American XOs.