[citation needed] After the German defeat, he joined the Freikorps forces of Franz von Epp, fighting against the communist Bavarian Soviet Republic.

Deßloch took part in the fast build-up of the Luftwaffe after the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, from 1 December 1934 as commander of a Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (flight training school).

He provided air support to the Heer Army Group B in the 1940 Battle of France and from 1941 commanded Luftwaffe units on the Eastern Front.

On 11 June 1943 Deßloch succeeded Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen as commander-in-chief of Luftflotte 4 in the rank of Colonel general.

When in the summer 1944 the Western Front collapsed, Deßloch was appointed commander of Luftflotte 3 by Hermann Göring to replace dismissed Hugo Sperrle.