A thesis presented t o the Faculty of the U.S.

Army Comnand and General Staff College i n partial f u l f i l l m n t of the requirements for the degree

MASTER OF HILITARY ART AND SCIENCE

by

FRENCH L. i.IAcLEAN, MAJ, USA B.S. ,United States Military Academy, 1974

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 1988

Approved for public release; di.stribution is unlimited

M A S T ! Z X OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE

THESIS APPROVAL PAGE Nane of candidate

T i t l e of Thesis

French L. MacLean

- The UnknaJn Generals -- German Corps

Comnanders i n World War I1

Approved by :

sis Ccmni.ttee Chairman

, Member,

Graduate Faculty

Graduate Faculty

Accepted chis 3rd day of June 1988 by:

, Di.rector, Graduate ikgree Programs

PhiliplJ. arwkes, Ph.D.

The opi.nions and conclusions expressed .herein are those of the student author and do not necessarily represent che vi.ews of the U.S. Army Comnand and General Staff College or any other govermntal agency. (References t o t h i s study should include the foregoiqq staternent. )

ii

; 1 B s m a

GERMAN CORPS CCkLIMANDERs I N W0X.D WAR 11: A Leadership Ana1ysi.s of German Army Corps Comnanders by Major French L. MacLean, USA, 169 pages.

TtE UtKNOl4N GENEIWLS

This study is an historical ana1ysi.s of the background and demnstrated 1eadershi.p attributes of 332 World W a r I1 German corps comnanders on the Eastern, Italian, and Western Fronts. Overall characteristics are determined based on each o f f i c e r ' s experience and performance based on avai.lable histori.cal recozds. These records focus on age, nobili.ty, background, education, branch, previous cornnand and staff positions, rrenhrship i n the General Staff, damnstrated military achievement, promotion, and subsequent higher
Comnand.
the many conclusions which could be d r a m from this investigati.on are: mst successful corps COIIpnanders possessed an excellent educational background, perfomed well i n previous si.gnificant cornnand and staff positions, and demonstrated the capability for independent action; and,' political factors played a minor role i n the selection of officers for corps c m n d .
Among

The study concludes that the Eastern, Western, and I t a l i a n Fronts a l l had competent German corps comnanders conducting operations; no Front had a preponderence of successful comnander's t o the detriment of the other two.

i.i i.

TABLE OF CONTEXTS

Chapter

Page

Chapter 1

- Defining the Problem

- Review of Literature

Chapter 2

10

Chapter 3

The German Corps System

26

Chapter 4

- Background, Education, and

Experience 38

Chapter 5

- Performance, Promotion, and

Totential
73

Chapter 6

Overall Characteri.stics

103

Appendi.x A

Abbreviations

118

Appendix B

List of Comnanders

123

Bib1 iography

164

iv

LIST OF TABLES

Table

Ti.tle

Page

Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8 Table 9 Table 10 Table 1 1 Table 1 2 Table 13

Army Strength

3 26 29

Corps Headquarters Strength

Parent Army Headquarters

Corps Assigned t o Army Headquarters

Divisions Assigned to Corps General Officer Grades Age of Comnanders Newly Prcnoted Xajors Newly Pronoted Lieutenant-Colonels Xewly Promoted Colonels Camriders of Noble Descent
Camrider ' s Background

30
32 38 40 43

44
44 46 47

Corps Ccmanders w i t h
Police i3ackgounds
49

Table 14

Panzer Corps (hmancIers with Police Backgrounds

51

Table 15

Austrian Army and Army

Group Cuimanders
Table 16 Table 17 Table 18

52 53 54

Newly Promoted Generalmajor

Newly Pronoted Generalleutnant

Newly Promoted General der

Infanterie, etc.

54
56

Table 19

Branch Affi1i.ation

Table 20 Table 21 Table 22

Corrrnanders from the General Staff

Pri.or Xvision b.mand Experience Corps Gnmmnders coining Out of Reti.rement

58
6i.

67
68
-

Table 23 Table 24

Corps Cor;manders from the Poli.ce Panzer Corps Ccmnanders from Panzer Divisions

70

Table 25

Arny Reci.pients of the

Knight's Cross Table 26

77

Highest Decorati.ons Received

by the Corps Comnanders 78

Table 27

Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords for Corps Cornnand

79
83

Table 28 Table 29

General Officers i n Service Corps Ccmnanders Promoted t o Generalfeldmarschall

84
89 89 90
90

Table 30 Table 31 Table 32 Table- 33 Table 34

German Dead 1939-1944

General 0ffi.cer Fatali t i e s by Grade General Officer Fatalities by Cause Cor?s Corranander Fatalities National Comnittee for a Free Germany

93

Table 35 Table 36 Table 37 Table 35

Generaloberst Generalleutnant
Army Group Comnanders

99
100

100

Corps Comander Baseline Character i sti c s 106

Table 39

Corps Comnanders by Front Canparison vi

108

CHAFTEX1

DEFINIiqG THE PROBLM

INTRODUCTION

The purpose

of

t h i s study i.s t o examine the background and i.n World W a r 11. I t

i.s

proficiency of

German corps colrnnanders

evident that these E n , the links between operational

and t a c t i c a l

levels, were key components i n the resulting successes and failures of

the Wehrmacht.

Present United States AirLand Battle doctrine

draws extensively on the German experience i n t h i s confli.ct.

Current examination of

German genera1shi.p i n World W a r I1

suffers from two deficiencies: identi.ficati.on and generalization. idthou& nost high level comnanders ( a n y and above) have been

identi.fied and their proficiency analyzed, such i.s not the case with

the colrananders of the ninety-three German corps.

Xesearch a t both the German Army Xilitary Archives a t Freiburg, West Germany, and a t Fort Leavenworth, reveals
that

no
by

single complete

l i s t i n g of

corps comnanders exists. However,

combi-ning sources found a t both places, a comprehensive l i s t can be documented identifying these corps c m n d e r s .

The second major

deficiency concerns generalization of too often categorizes German general

leaders. officers military

Current as s t i f f

literature

Prussian aristocrats with almost superhuman Naturally, they varied i n background, the

expertise.
and

proficiency,

potential.

With the identification of

comnanders completed,. one can conduct an examination of

individual

careers.
the

This i.s especially cri.tica1 for further investigation of on which so m h of U.S. doctrine
is

G e m military tenets

based.

This study will focus on the background, previous comnand

and staff experience, demonstrated military achievement, and

subsequent

pramtion t o hi.gher comnand t o identi.fy prominent

characteristics of these individuals. " k analysis w i l l conclude by canparing corps commders on the Eastern Front with those on the Western Front.

HISTURICAL EACKCuKUN!J

'Tne German A m y

in World War

I1 was an extremly large,

two

multifaceted

organization

which conducted operations on

continents. Personnel strength numbered in the millions.

The A m y

was divided into two major sub-organizations, the Field Army and the Replacemnt Amy. Personnel figures through the war 1 S h below. for both are

Table 1
Amy Strength

(in millions)

JUne

JUne

JUne

JUne

JUne

December
1944

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

Field Army

3.7

3.8

4.1

4.5

4.0

3.8

Replacement
Army

.9

1.2

1.9

1.8

2.3

2.6

MTAL

4.8

5.0

6.0

6.3

6.3

6.4

To control t h i s echelons of c&.

large force, the Germans developed several b was the army group.

The highest f i e l d c

Eighteen army groups were created during the war with the mission t o control two t o four armies i.n a single theater of operations for a

single campaign. A f i e l d marshal mst frequently comnanded an army 2 group.

1rmedi.ately subordinate t o the army groups were the armies.

An army was a mre permanent couxnand and was not formed for just a
speci.fic campaign. Twenty-seven armies were established betwsen 1939 and 1945. Each army theoretically directed two t o six corps. An army was comnanded by a fi.eld marshal, a colonel general, or a general of 3 infantry, panzer, a r t i l l e r y , etc.

Tne ninety-three corps and their ccrrmanders are the major

subject of this thesis. They will be discussed i n detail i n chapters three, two t o

four, and five. Each corps directed the a c t i v i t i e s of from

s i x di.vi.si.ons and was comaanded by a general of infantry,'

panzer, etc., a lieutenant general, or a major general.

The lowest general offi.cer c

s were

the divisions.

Wi.thi.n the Army, the number of di.visi.ons peaked i.n June 1944 a t 283. In additi.on, both the Waffen SS and Luftwaffe provided ground 4 divisions for combat.

Pare than

2400

personnel served as general officers i.n the

German Amy. David Darni.ng, author of

that

The kvil's K r m s o s ,

staces

"The German generals were the finest thi.nki.ng and fighting 5 The level of competence of corps and soldiers of modern history."

division comnanders was high. However, there was a wide variance i n prospects for advancement. Some officers had potential for promotion

t o higher comnands, some l o s t favor personally or poli.tically, and

were not vi.ewed as professionally competent for future major 6 operational responsibi.li.ty. It i.s the purpose of t h i s study t o
some

examine these factors of capabi1i.ty.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Tne major research questions this study will focus on

are:(l)
W h a t were

the

prominent background, experience,

and

achievement characteri-stics exhibited by German corps cocmanders in World W a r II? and (2) Gi.ven these characteristics
the
as

a whole, were

Gelman corps comnanders faced by the British and Anericans on

less or more

the Kestern/Italian Fronts

proficienr: chan those

fighti.ng the Soviets on t h e Eastern Front?

SIGNI?'ICAiiCE OF THE STUDY

The compi.lation of

a definitive

l i s t of corps cclimnanders

should add t o the body of infonuatlion concerning G e m leadership i n World War

11.

Conclusi.ons concerning background, education, achievement

camand and staff experience, and demonstrated military

may assist our

cxyn e f f o r t s

at senior leader development.

The methodology used prominent characteristics for

for

this study is three-fold. F i r s t ,

officers -.dl be

German general

identified f r m post-war published sources. Second, each comnander

will be analyzed according t o background, education, previous

comnand and staff experience, demonstrated n i l i t a r y achievemnt, and subsequent promotions. With these baselines established, the c o q s cOmnanders on the Eastern Front will then be compared and contrasted with those on t h e Italian and Xestern r'ronts.

ClAFl'ER 1 is a

definition of

the problem central t o the

as well

thesis. The historical background of the study is presenced

as the methodology t o be followed.

CHAPTER 2 presents a detailed review of literature. Sources

essential U.S. t o the study t o be discussed include manuscripts of
the

Foreign Military Studies of the Historical Division,

United

States Army Europe (USAREUR); captured German records microfilmed a t Alexandria,

Virginia;

G e m records

at

the

Bundesarchiv-

blilitaerarchiv, Freiburg, West Germany; and postwar German, a r i t i s h , and American l i t e r a t u r e .

CHAPTER 3 provides a

background study of the German corps

system.

This chapter will assi.st i n putting l a t e r personnel

issues

i n perspective.

CHAPTER 4 is an in-depth presentation of prominent factors

of background, education, and previous c d and staff experience.

QiAlTE3

presents

factors

of

demonstrated military

achievanent, p r m t i o n , and subsequent higher level c

ClWFCER 6 establishes baseline characteristics.determined by

c r i t e r i a presented in chapters 4 and 5. Overall t r a i t s for a l l corps c d e r s are presented, and a final comparison and contrast of c d r s on the Eastern Front with those on : h e I t a l i a n and

Western Fronts information.

is made. Conclusions are based on the evaluated

A " M A explains abbreviations used throughout the study and

presents a concise l i s t of German terms and definitions t o future researchers w i t h the many untranslated sources. assi.st

ANNM B is a comprehensive l i s t i n g of a l l German Army corps

comnanders.

ENDNaES W. Victor Y i d e j , German Army Order of (Allentown, Pennsylvania: Garrae Marketiw-wai$

L

, = Vol

Battle

1939-1945, 1, p.4.

Ibid., p.37. Ibid., p.3a.

Ibid., p. 15.

3
4

..
:
i

.::

David Darning, The Devil's Virtuosos: German Generals a t W a r 1940-45, (New Yak: S r V k r t i n ' s Press), 1 9 / / , .
Telford Taylor, The March of Conquest: The German Victories in Western Europe, 1940, (NewYork:-%mn and S c G t e r ) , 9 5 8 , p.20.
"

--

. .,

.... .

.. '!

cxmTR2

REVIEW OF L I " U E

The purpose for presenting a detailed review of l i t e r a t u r e

for this thesi.s i.s two-fold. First, i t w i l l familiarize the reader with the wide variety of both English and German material available. Second, i t provides succeeding researchers with a synopsis of the i.nformation relating
Xor Id War 11.

to

the German corps and corps comnanders i n

The review of literature for this thesis consists of books,

manuscripts of the U.S. Forei.gn Yi.li.tary Studies of the Historical Division USAREUR., Alexandria, and captured German records ni.crofilmed a t
The research process

Virginia.

entails exami.nation,

analyzati.on, contrast, and comparison of the information from these sources.

a t e r i a l ori.ginated from many locations. The German Army Archives a t the hdesarchi.v-?lilitaerarchiv, Freiburg, primary source for documenti.% the l i s t of
FRG was the

corps and corps at the United

comnanders. The Combined Research Library

(CARL)

10

States Army Leavenworth,

Camand and General

Staff

College

(CGSC),

Fort

Kansas, provided the foundation for documenting the

remainder of the thesis.

The research material used i n t h i s thesis was unclassified.

The sources range from those written during World !Jar

I1 t o

the

present. author

Re-1945 material consists of primary sources with l i . t t l e interpretation. Sources written imnediately after 1945

include i.nterviews with senior German c m d e r s . Recent l i t e r a t u r e includes wmirs and recently opened archive fi.les.

The review of

1i.terature applicable t o this thesis

is

divided into two sections. Part I concentrates on i.nformation about the corps and corps c&ers. Part I1 focuses on those prominent

leadership characteristics emphasized by the &rmans, the p r m t i o n and awards systems, and the General S t a f f . For nontranslated German works
I

have provided an English translation of

the t i t l e i n

parentheses.

Other l i t e r a t u r e i.s included i n the bibliography.

T h e

following sources were the mst useful.

11

PART I

John Angolia's work On the Field of Honor, A Historv of the 1-2) is an excellent source of Knight's Cross Bearers (Volume -

--_-

information on Geman military personaliti.es i n World W a r 11. These

two works provide short bi.ographies of the winners of Germany's

highest military awards, i.ncluding many corps comnanders. The two

books are the f i r s t of a planned seven volume series. General career information is excellent, although not a l l dates of assignrent are accmate.

3. James Bender

and Warren W. Odegard are the authors of

Uniforms, Organization and History of the Panzertruppe.

--

This work

provides a wealth of information related t o German panzer equipment, and ; m i f o m .

units,

The section concerning personalities

provides li.sts of co~lpnanders of panzer armies, corps, and di.visions with only a few discrepancies.

kmt Bradley

and Richard Schulze-Kossens are the editors

of the Taetigkei.tsbericht des Chefs des Heerespersonalamtes General

---

der Infanterie
the Chief Scl-mIundt:

Rudolf Schmundt: 1.10.42-29.10.44.

(Daily Reports of

of the Army Personnel 0ffi.ce General of Infantry Rudolf October 1, 1942 t o October 29, 1944) Thi.s massive work

contains a l l of the dai.ly ccmimunications from the Army Personnel

Office.

Promotions and demoti.ons are covered

along with valuable

information on r e l i e f s of connmders, details of ki.l?ed i n action reports,

and the involvement of officers i n the 20 July 1944 plot

against H i tler

Hitler's Generals by Ri.chard Brett-Smith i s an excellent work on many of eighty-two other Germany's mili.tary leaders. The author presents

short biographies

of general officers, more than any

these indi.viduals by

contemporary works.

H e categorizes

branch, loyalty t o Hitler, and other i n f o m t i v e chapters.

David Downing's work The Devil's Virtuosos: German Generals

at War

1940-5 is an exaninati.on of several European campaigns from

the viewpoints of the German generals i n comnand. I t srrmnarizes the impact of a few of the more notable German comnanders but omits the campai.gns i n Poland, Scandinavia, North Africa, Italy and the

Balkans. The book is good for a qui.ck overview but not for serious deTth.

3ie Traeger des- Ti; tter!aeuzes -

des E i sernen Kreuzes ?9?9-1?b5 -

(The Wearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) by Walter-Peer

Fellgiebel is an comprehensi.ve l i s t i n g of a l l winners of this award.

The book organizes this task alphabetically and presents the name,
unit, and date of each awardee. R o analysis is given as t o total

numbers by rank, branch, etc.

13

Hemam Geyer author of

Das IX

Armeekorps im Ostfeldzq

1941 ('The I ' X Corps

excellent account comander

i n the Eastfront Campaign 1941) has presented an of a German corps i n acti.on. Geyer served as

of t h i s uni.t from 1939 t o 1942. X ' e committed suicide i n

1946 and t h i s book w a s saved and published by a fonrrer

staff

officer. Most post-war literature concerning units has been written

on a division level; thi.s is a good insight into a di.ffi.cult

campaign for a veteran unit.

One

of

the

primary

quick

reference

works

a t the

Bundesarchiv-Xilitaerarchiv

is Wolf

Keilig' s three volume Das

Deutsche Heer 1939-1945 (The German Army 1933-1945). First published i.n 1956, it presents a wealth of factual data on army organizations, campaigns, and persona1iti;es. M o s t informati.on is presented i n chart and table format. Long out of p r i n t , it has not been translated t o English and is di.ffi.cult t o locate i n the United States. In 1983 the author published Die General des Heeres (Tne Generals of the Army). This work, essenti.ally a reprint of the third volume of the above, contains very short bi.ographies of the 2600 German generals i.n the

Arry. These are good overviews with oniy a few omissions concerning
awards s t d n g from incomplete German records i n provides thesis.
the

1956. Thi.s work the

foundation for the biographi.ca1 information of

Keilig's third work Rangliste des kutschen Heeres

1944145

(The German Army 1944/45 Rank L i . s t ) presents the date of rank for
a l l majors and above as of M a y 1, 1944. In addition, i.t lists the

14

last works

peactime unit should be

of

assignment for each indivi.dua1. A l l

three

purchased by C A E to f a c i l i t a t e further detailed

research.

Erwin Lenfeld and Franz Thomas have compi.led an excellent

guide t o the winners of Germany's highest military decorati.ons i n

their

Die Ei.chenlaubtraeger

1940-1945 (The Oakleaves Bearers

1940-

1945). This work devotes an enti.re page t o the military career of

each of Germany's 882 winners of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves. Dates of assignment t o units are accurate and very complete. It has not been translated yet t o English.

An excellent

guide t o G e m m t a i n units i.s Alpine Elite

The book

- German Mountain centers on engagements but personali.ties.

Troops ---of World War I1 by J m s Lucas.

several descriptive narratives of

mtain

unit

also provides background on organizati.ons and

Tnis work provided mst of the informati.on on

m t a i . n corps used i n the thesis.

F.W. von Yeilenchin presems an inside view or' fourteen

prominent ccmanders in German Generals of World -W a r 11: As I Saw

Them.
staff

The author, a t corps,

a General Staff officer, served as a chief army, and army group level.

of

Von Mellenthin Russi.a, and

campaigned with many of these comnanders i n Africa,

France. The biographies he presents are clear, factual, and provide an excellent insight into the careers of several corrmanders.

15

K l a u s Chri.stian Richter is the author of Die Geschichte der

deutschen Kavallerie, 1919-1945, (The ili.story of the German Cavalry 1919-1945). This work is a comprehensive study of the organization, training, personalities, and operations of cavalry units i.n both study

the Weimar Rei.chswehr and the Third Rei.ch Wehrmacht. For t h i s

i.t provided mst of the information on the cavalry and Cossack corps

of

the Army. It has not been translated, but remains an excellent

work on German cavalry during the war.

Sylvester Stadler presents an excellent account of the I1 Waffen SS Panzer Corps a t Kursk i n his Die Offensive

Kursk
a

1943

(The Offensive against Kursk 1943). M o s t beneficial t o this

thesis was the i.nformation on corps combat support attachments,

subject often overlooiced i n other orders of battle. Other

excellent

features of t h i s work include detailed hourly division reports

and

sumnaries of German and Soviet combat losses. Machine produced

situation maps are excellent; however, photograph reproductions of origi.na1 G e m u n i t maps are not.

tleeresei nteilung

1939

(Army

Classification

1939) by

Friedri.ch Stahl is the G e m order 1939. Units down t o battalion

of

b a t t l e effective January 3, listed with haw stations

level are

and corrrmanders. l3i.s guide is useful i n locating personnel prior t o the s t a r t of World W a r 11.

16

Georg Tessin,

in his

thirteen volume w r k , Verbaende und

der deutschen Kehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten !Jeltlaieg Truppen 1939-1945 Waffen-SS detail (Formations and Units of the German i\rmed Forces i n the Second Xorld !Jar 1939-1945), and

descri.bes i.n great

the organization and campaigns of a l l German ground troops

during the war. This work is another mai.nstay of the German A r q Archives with no detail spared concerning employment. subordinate unit l i s t i n g s are provided B y month

for each army and corps,

while units organic t o division are also extensi.vely covered.

Units

are grouped acc0rdi.x t o numerical designation i.nto categories of army, corps, military d i s t r i c t , infantry, mobile troops, a r t i l l e r y ,

engineers, signal, supply, security, naval ground, a i r force ground, Waffen-SS, and allied. These volumes are invaluable the organizati.on of the i n the study of

German Army

i n World Xar 11. Although

should be

currently an expensive acquisi.ti.on, these volumes purchased by CARL t o a s s i s t future research.

Heer- und --

Flottenfuehrer -der Welt (Amy and Navy Leaders of presents and a comprehensive
MW

the World) by Georg Zikovic

li.st of

European, Japanese, and American ariny

comnanuers from the

early 1800s t o the 1970s. Wi.thin the scope of t h i s

lists mst

thesis,

Zikovic

permanent

corps conmanders but none of the acting or

temporary c m n d e r s .

17

"Generals

of

the Third Reich" by retired General Bernhard

von Claer i s one of an extensive series of the U.S. Army Xistorical Division post-war stuclies. These works were c d s s i o n e d by the Army as after offi.cers. acti.on reports wri.tten by fonrer German high ranking

This a r t i c l e gi.ves s t a t i s t i c a l data on the general

offi.cer

officers, providing extremely useful information on general

casualties. Von Claer served w i t h many rear area comnands during the war.

"Bi.ographica1 Sketch of Officers of

High ;(anking

German and Russi.an

the Second World War", Intelligence Research Project

2346 prxoduced i n 1946 a t Fort Leavenworth, provides excelIent page-

long biographi.es of
biographies present

52 German and 21 R u s s i a n officers.

excellent detail of the pre-1939

Gem

careers of

these individuals.

Order of Battle -of the German Army October 1942, April 1943, -February

1 9 4 4 ,

and Narch

-1945

are four Gar Departrent describi.q the

Military perceived

Intelligence

Divisi.on

documents

organization of comnanders and

the G e m Army.

Only

incomplete l i s t i n g s

of

s t a f f s are l i s t e d , but the works provide

excellent

infomti.on on wartime organization.

18

BUNDESXCHIV-XILITrZERARCHIV LOCNWS

Several German Army Archive documents provided important information on dates of rank and assignments and are listed below along:

-9

1937

vom 12. Oktober Dienstaltersliste _ A -zur Stellenbesetzung -(Service Officer Date of Rank Li.st as of October 12, 1937)

(National Archives Microcopy No. 78, Roll No. 512). This work, as

well as those sham below, lists seniority by date of rank.

1938, Dienstaltersliste A zur Stellenbesetzung des Heeres -

(Service Officer Date of Rank List as of 1938) (National Archives Microcopy No. 78, Roll No. 512).

-9

1940

Di.ensta1tersliste A z u r Stellenbesetzung des Heeres 1. May (Service Officer Date of Rank List as of Nay 1, 1940)

(National Archives Kicrocopy No. 78, Roll No. 513).

-9

1941

Di.enstaltersliste _ A _ zur Stellenbesetzung des Heeres 1. Xay (Service Officer Date of Rank List as of Yay 1, 1941)

(National Archives Microcopy No. 78, Roll No. 514).

-9

1942

1. Dienstaltersliste A zur Stellenbesetzung des Heeres (Service 0ffi.cer Date of Rank List as of May 1, 1942)

(National Archives Microcopy No. 78, Roll No. 514).

19

Di.enstaltersli.ste I

ZUI

Stellenbesetzung des Heeres 1. Nay

X a n k L i s t as of

1943,

--

(Service Officer Date of

flay

I,

1943)

(National Archives Mi.crocopy No. 78, Roll No. 515).

Stellenbesetzung des Heeres 1938, (Officer Positions i n the

Army 1938) (National Archives Microcopy

No. 78, Roll No. 512). This to i.nclude company

work li.sts a l l officer

comnanders.

corrmand

positions

Stellenbesetzung von Staeben,

HPA, Agr. P3 (Staff 0ffi.cer

Positions i n the Army) (National Archives Plicrocopy No. 78, Roll No.

55).

This card f i l e lists division and hi.gher staff

posi.ti.ons

concentrating on 1944-1945.

PART I1

BOOKS

jo'm 2 . Argolia,

in 5 s book

For 'uehrer

and Tacheriand;

Military Awards of the Third Reich, descri.bes the German awards and decorati.ons system 1933-1945. For thi.s study, the section concerning the various grades of the award of the Knight's Cross is most

----

beneficial. The author is widely considered t o be one of the leading authori.ti.es i n t h i s field.

20

The -

Eastern

Front,

1941-45,

German

Troops
an

and the -

of IJarfare by Wr Bartov, presents 3arbari.sation social

analysis of

and political

factors

in

three divi.sions on the Eastern bacwound material concerring

Front. The author provides valuable

the extent of nobility in the German Army.

Matthew Cooper's The German Army

1933-1945 i s one of the

standard works on the overall picture of German Army operations.

Cooper presents many novel conclusions concerning the "Blitzkrieg",

the role of Hitler. and the strategic d e v e l o p n t of the Army. I t is an excellent general history.

One of the mre unusual

but i.nformati.ve works is Fighting

Power, German Military Performance, 1914-1945 by Martin van Creveld. The author presents i n detail the contrasti.ng organizational and

leadership aspects of German and American forces during this period. For this thesis he provides extensive casualties, infornation on doctrine, and other leader related

promotions,

decorations,

subjects. Hi.s premise is that the German system produced units with greater fighting p d e r than like h-erican ones.

21

T.N. hpuy

i.s the author of two works on the General Staff:

A Genius --for gar: The German and General Staff, 1307-1945 and -German General Staff, 1nstituti.on The of Demonstrated Excellence for

National

Camand,

Planni.ng, Coordi.nation, and Combat Performance, the General S t a f f , i t s

hpuy discusses the origins and mission of

historical development and its stormy relationship with Hitler.

D e r deutsche
the General

Genera1stabsoffi.zier (Tne German General Staff selection and training of

0ffi.cer) by Hansgeorg Model addresses the Staff

i n the Reichswehr, LJetumacht and Ekmdeswehr.

Especially valuable are several appendices l i s t i n g a l l General Staff officers i n 1939 and 1944.

Telford Yaylor,

in his .book The Phrch

- - of Comjuest: .The 1940,

describes the 1940

German Victori.es i a GJestern Europe, C q i g n i n France.

He addresses organi.zati.on, retired officers

recalled t o active duty, and the canpetence of the generals. Tnis is

one of the better works concerning the early war years of the Army.

Bod0 Scheuri.g

tackles

the delicate

subject of

Geman

pri.soner of war officer collaboration with Soviet forces i.n his Free Germany, The National Cornnittee -and the L e a w of

German Officers.

Post war literature on thi.s subject is extremely limited. The author provides an excellent discussi.on of the subject t o i-nclude a l i s t i n g

of

the

senior offi.cers involved and their scope of partici.pati.on.

Several were previ.ous corps comnanders.

22

Guenther

Blumentritt,

the

former

Chief of Staff for k m y

Group D and Comnander of the 25th Army,

compiled "The Gernan .Armies

of 1914 and 1939" for the U.S. Army Historical Divi.sion. H e compares

and contrasts the two G e r m a n Armies i n this work.

Most helpful are

his views on retired officers recalled t o active duty and officers

l a t e r a l l y transferred from the German police t o the army i n the mid 1930s.

Another Histori.ca1 Division study i s "Cannnents on P-041a

PMlhh" by

Heinz Guderian and Kurt Zeitzler.

Guderian served as and

Comnander 2nd Panzer Amy, Inspector General Panzer Troops,

Chief'of Staff of the Army, while Zeitzler

also served as Chief of

Army

S t a f f of the Army after a tour as Chief of, Staff

Group D. In

this work they c m n t on the Army promotion system.

The Guides to
Virginia.

German Records Microfilmed

a t Alexandria,
sumnaries of

Nos 46, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61, and

62 provi.de

captured German war docunents mi.crofilmed a t the Xati.onal Archives.

These particular guides cover German corps units.

I t has swmaries

of the material photographed, a quick l i s t i n g of campaigns, and some carmanders.

The

rolls

of

microfilm

include operations reports, and enemy order of battle

1ogisti.cs sumnaries, i.nformation. Not a l l

personnel

lists,

The guides are i n Engli.sh, the microfilms

i n German. the

unit records were captured, but

those that

were are

23

single most

important primary sources available i n thi.s country. xkrofilm,

their

CARL o m s a smil percentage of the

but

the National on

Archives

i s reluctant t o lend copies of

m microfilm

inter -i i.brary loan.

German officer

efficiency reports are discussed by Rudolf another Historical the reporting system

Hofmann in "German Effidency Report System"

Division study. The author presents the history of

system, its importance t o prmti.ons, d i f i c a t i . o n s t o the

during the war,

and the impact of

awards and decorations on 15th

promoti.ons. Hofmann was the Chief of Staff t o the 9th Army,

Army and Army Group H.

"The hmy Personnel Office" by Helmut Kleikamp provided the Historical Division with an in-depth
the

look a t officer performance,

and Nazi Party
two

selecti.on system,

d training courses,

influence. years

The author served i n the Amy Personnel 0ffi.ce for

before assming comMnd of the 36th Infantry Division in the

closing months of the war.

Hasso von Manteuffel t o the U.S.

Army

presented another detailed manuscript Mobile and Xrmored Troops". H e the

with "Fast,

describes the opposing branch vi.ews toward the creation of panzer branch,

special attributes of armored comnanders, and the

i.nfluence Guderi.an had on a l l matters concerning a m r e d troops. Von Manteuffel cmanded the 5th Panzer Army and the 3rd Panzer Army.

24

The l i t e r a m r e

reviewed i n t h i s chapter was essential t o the

research of corps c
d

thi.s

thesis. Yore l i t e r a t u r e was used t o corroborate and is referenced i n the bibliography.

assi-nts

With the survey complete i.t i.s beneficial t o review the German corps system of World War 11.

25

The German corps system served as a flexible cornnand and

control headquarters for combat divisions i n a l l theaters of

war.

the

The corps headquarters i t s e l f was a tactical and operational

the headquarters a t division and army 1 which included logistic and administration functions.

headquarters only,

unlike

Personnel personnel

staffing was limited but effective. The following was typical of

strength 2 headquarters:

mst f u l l strength corps

Table 2 Corps Headquarters Strength

Officers

C i v i l Servants

Enlisted

Total

Corps Staff

27
0

11
0 0
0
3

157
16 31
16

195
16
33 22 738

-Flapping Department Military Police Artillery Staff Headquarters Troops

6
31

704

Total

66

14

924

1004

26

During the course of the war the G e m Amy fielded eight different types of corps: infantry, panzer, mountain, reserve

infantry, reserve panzer, arti.llery, corps headquarters employment, designated and cavalry/cossack corps. Whi.le a l l but by Roman m r a l s ,

for special three were

each had a somwhat different

organization and function.

Infantry corps (Anwekorps) formed the backbone of the army. Each corps normally had two or three infantry divisions but the

cannand structure was flexible with respect t o di.visions assigned 3 and t o parent army assignment based on operational requi.rements.

Panzer corps group of played

(Panzerkorps) normally were

in cornrand of a di.visi.ons

divisions i n whi.ch panzer or panzer-grenadier

4

a primary role.

During the course of the war there were

eighteen panzer corps.

Eight mountain corps

1945. Specialized to fight

(Gebirgskorps) were raised from 1940two

i n mountainous and rough terrain,

fought

i n Norway, three i.n t5e 8 a l k n s , one rotated jet'dee?

both,

5
one campaigned in Italy, and one fought in southern Russia.
forced t o fight hhen i n non-mountain terrain, a mountain corps would

often assume control of one or two additional infantry divisions due t o the organi.zationa1 shortage of 6 mountain divisions normally assigned. infantry in the two regiment

27

Initially

raised

in September 1942,

reserve i.nfantry

(Reservekorps) and reserve panzer corps (Keserve-Panzerkorps)served as controllimg headquarters for the reserve divisions of the Xeplacemnt Army. In additi.on to replacement and :raining functions, they provided security duty in Poland, the Ukraine, and France. klany were redesignated as actual infantry and panzer corps as the war
7

continued.

In the fall of 1944 several artillery units rimed People's Artillery Corps (Volks-Artillerie Korps) were forned. However, these were actually only reinforced brigades with five or six battalions of artillery of varying caliber. For this study, the cmnanders of these units, lieutenant colonels and colonels, w i l l not be analyzed.
8

Corps headquarters for special employrent (Generalkomnando 2.b.V) were created for operations in secure or quiet fronts and for
9

spcial purpose missions such as V-weapon sites.

These units often

did not have the attached heavy artillery or anti-aixraft units often found in front line organizations. As with reserve corps, many 10 were upgraded io frontline stacus as operations required.

Late in the war the German High cornnand created one cavalry corps (Kavalleriekorps) and one Cossack cavalry corps (KosakenKavallerie-Korps). The cavalry corps controlled a mixture of

infantry, panzer, and Waffen SS divisi.ons,while the Cossack corps 11 contained both Cossack cavalry divisions of Russian volunteers.

28

The first of the named army corps was the German Africa
Corps (Deutsches Xfri.kakorps), f o m d February 19, 1941 from German

expeditionary forces under R m l . Although the overall comnand was upgraded from corps to panzer group in August 1941, the -Her Africa Corps remained in the order of battle until the surrender of 12 German forces in Afri.ca, May 1943.

In the Fall of 1944 the final two named corps were established, Panzer Corps Grossdeutschland (Panzerkorps deutschland) Feldherrnhalle 13 Feldherrnhalle). Both fought on the Eastern Front. and Panzer Corps Gross-

(Panzerkorps

Corps =re

frequently switched from control of one axmy to

another. Subordination to army headquarters for.severa1 sample types 14 of corps are s h m below:

Table 3 Parent Army Headquarters (Assigned at Date)

k r ps

Type

June 4 0

June 41

May 42

July 43

June 44

I
111

Infantry Panzer Infantry Infantry

4th 12th 2nd 12th

18th 6th 9th 6th

18th 1st PZ 9th 6th

AA

18th

16th 1st PZ 4th 8th

Kempf
6th

VI
X V II

3rd PZ

29

Parent Army Headquarters (continued) (ilssi.gned a t Date)

corps

Trpe

June 40

June 41

M a y 42

July 43
-

June &4

xxxv
XXXIX

Special
P-r

12th

4th 3rd PZ 17th

2nd PZ 16th

2nd PZ 4th 17th 2nd PZ

9th 4th

XXXXIX
W X

Mountain

1st PZ

2nd PZ

Reserve

Legend: 4th: 4th Army

1st PZ: 1st Panzer A m y

: Corps not f o m d

AA: Amy k t a c h n t

The distributi.on of corps per army headquarters i.s shown i n the

the existing army headquarters and the 15 number of corps assigned to each by date: followi.ng table of total

Table 4

W e r of Corps Assigned t o A m y Headquarters

(by date shown)

Army

9.9.39

9.6.40

5.6.41

11.5.42

7.7.43

12.6.44

26.12.44

il
1st 1st PZ 2nd 2nd Pz 3rd
2

1 2 2 3

2 4 2 3

3 2

30

N u m b e r of Corps Assigned to Amy Headquarters

(by date shown)
Amy

9.9.39

5.6.41

11.5.42

7.7.43

12.6.44

26.12.44 4 5

3rd PZ 4th 4thPZ

5th
5th PZ 6th 6thPZ

7th 8th
9th 10th

2 -

6 -

2 7 2

3
5

3
3

4 -

3 0

0 3

0 4

1 2

11th

12th 14th 3 15th 16~5 17th 18th 19th 20th KIN -

5 -

4 2 3 2

2 3 1 6 1 2 3

1 5 4 0 2 1
3

21st

25th Total Legend:

51
43

1 2 4 1 2 3 4

2
60

20

52

53

: Army not f o m d

0 : Arny f o m d but no corps assigned

These t o t a l s
transit

are further modified when adding corps i n

another and

from one army area t o

corps d i r e c t l y
to army

subordi.nated t o army group level. The t o t a l corps assigned headquarters i n June 1944 was thus further increased to

seventy-

three with these additional categori.es. Total corps strength peaked 16 i n January 1945 a t seventy-seven.

31

Just as the

number

of

corps varied per army, so did the

17

nmkr

of

ai.visi.ons a s s i p d ro each corps. The following cable

presents a sample of thi.s using the corps shown previ.ously:

Table 5

W e r of Assigned Divisions per Corps

(Infantry Divisions 1 Panzer or other type Divisi.ons)

Corps

Type of
corps

June 40

June 41

M a y 42

July 43

June 44

Infantry
Panzer
'

310 310 410 210

5/0
010

611SS
013 310 210
310

111L
113 310
310

2/0 114

I11

Infantry Infantry Special Mountah Panzer Wtain Xeserve

2/0
510

111
210
510

.xvII

xxxv
XXXVI

210

110
2 ! 0

410
210

210

2/0
410

XXXIX XXXXIX LSIX

112

213
6/0

111
210

310 3/1R

1;1c

L!O

Legend: 110: One i.nfantry, no panzer divi.si.ons assigned

611SS: Six infantry, one Waffen SS divi.si.ons assigned 11lL: One infantry, one Luftwaffe fi.eld divi.sions assigned
3/1R: Three i.nfantry, one Rumanian divisions assigned

1IlC: One infantry, one Cossack division assigned

: Corps not f o m d

32

I n addition t o assigning divisi.ons, the High Comnsnd could

weight combat w

LO

inai.vidua1 corps by attac'ment of s-cialized

units.
the
-

One of the best examples of this technique occurred during

Kursk offensive witkin the 4th Panzer Army and Ar;rry Detac'mnt
The breakdown of specialized units 18 for

Kempf. follm:

two corps was as

I11 Panzer Corps

Rocket Projector Regiuent 54

Heavy Tank Battalion 503 Engineer Regitrent 674 Engi-neer Regiment 601 Engineer Battalion 70 Engi.neer Battalion 127

Flak Regiment 99 Flak Regiment 153

Assault G u n Battalion 228

2nd Bn., A r t i l l e r y Regiment 71 Heavy A r t i l l e r y Battali.on 857 2nd Bn., Arti.llery Regiment 62

Engineer Bridge Battalion 531

XXXXII Corps

deavy rlnti.-Tank 3atcallon 560 Heavy Anti.-Tank Battalion C Mountain Engineer Regiment 620

F!ak

Kegiment 77

Light Observation Battalion 13 Construction Regiment 26

n 800 Construction Battali.on 219 2nd Bty., Heavy Artillery B Construction Battalion 112 Constructi.on Battalion 153

33

In s m r y the German corps system was an efficient,

flexible tactical comnand headquarters whi.ch effectively linked the fighting divisi.ons t o the f i e l d armies. The corps reflected the combined arms doctrine by both the assignment of divisions and by attachment of combat support assets. The variety of corps types

f a c i l i t a t e d the wide range of mi.ssions the German Army was required t o perform i n differing terrai.n and climatic condi.ti.ons. Finally, the system was extremely flexible t o rapidly permit both lower

and

higher reorganization.

With t h i s understanding of

the scope of the corps system, the

thi.s study can now begin t o analyze the characterhtics of c m n d e r s of these significant units.

ENDNOTES

Martin van Creveld, Fi.ghtiw Power, German Xilitarv Performance, 1914-1945. (Potomac, Maryland: C&L Defense Consultants), 1980, p.56. Ibid., p.58. March of Conquest: The German Vi.ctories in Telford Taylor, The -Western Europe, 1940.7ew York: Simon and ScEt-958, p.18.

and History

R. James Bender and Warren W. Odegard, Uniforms, of the Panzertruppe. (San Jose: R. James Be p.60.

5 James h a s , A1 ine Elite 11. (London: J a n e ' h 8 - 1 8 6 . -

- German Mountain Troops of World War

Wehrmacht und

6 Ibid., p.89. 7

Wolf Keilig, Das Deutsche Heer 1939-1945. (Bad Nauhein, Pcdzun Verlag), 1936; v ~ ~ Z T Ibid., Vol 1, p.90/5.

'

mG.:

lo Taylor, The March. p.18.

Tessin, Verbaende. Vol 2, p.14 and Vol 1, p.5.

K l a u s Christian Richter, Die Geschichte der deutschen Kavallerie 1919-1945, ( S t u t t g a r t , FRG: Notorbuch V e r l a x 1982, pp. 267-275 and 374-375.
The X V Cossack Corps was formed from the many disgruntled cossack prisoners of war and volunteers seeking t o gain Cossack i.ndependence from the Soviets. 1ndivi.dual regiments were groupings of t e r r i t o r i a l clans such as from the Don Basin, the Terek Steppe, etc. Prior t o 1945 these units had operated independently i n support of established German units. The X V Cossack Corps was organized February 1, 1945 as follows:

1st Cossack Cavalry Division Don Cossack Regiment 1 Siberian Cossack Regiment 2 Kuban Cossack Regiment 4 Cossack Arti.llery Regiment 1
35

2nd Cossack Cavalry Division Kuban Cossack Regiment 3 Don Cossack X e g k n t 5 Terek Cossack Regiment 6 Cossack Artillery Regiment 2 Plastun (InTantry) Brigade Plastun (Infantry) Regiment 7 Plastun (Infantry) Regiment 8 Reconnaissance Detachmnt

s 3 . -

l2 R. James Bender and Ftichard D. L a w ' , Uniforms, Organization and of the Afrikakorps. ( S a n Jose: R. James Bender), 1 9 r

The Africa Corps was m r e lightly organized than most other German corps of the war. h i n g the campai.gn it had the 5th Light Divisi.on (later the 21st Panzer Division) and the 15th Panzer Division assigned. In addition the following indi.vi.dua1combat units were assigned to the corps:

Anti.-TankBattalion 605 1st Bn. Flak R e g h n t 18 1st B n . Flak X e g h n t 33 Flak Battalion 606 Reconnaissance Company 580
l 3 Tessin, Verbaende. Vol 1, p.18.

Panzer Corps Grossdeutschland had the proposed organization of:

Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland Panzer Grenadier Division Brandenburg Corps Fusili.er Regiment Heavy Tank Battalion One Artillery Regiment Armored Engineer Battalion

Panzer Corps r'eldherrhaile had the proposed organization of: Panzer Division Feldherrnhalle Panzer Grenadier Division Feldherrnhalle 2 Corps Fusilier Regiment Heavy Tank Battalion One Artillery Regiment Armored Engineer Battali.on

Both corps were intended to be a m r e permanent organizati.on than other corps with divi.sions assigned on a m r e permanent basis.

36

l4 Tessin, Verbaende. Vol 2, pp.14, 95, 160; Vol 3, pp.5-6; Vol 4, p.55; V O ~ 5, pp. 43, 53, 78, 155, 225, 246.
Tessin, Verbaende. Vol 2, pp.1-3, 5-7, 54-86, 89-92, 153, 154156, 220-222, 226-227, 281-283; Vol 3, pp.1-9, 50-52, 87-90, 124126, 160-162, 191-194, 227-229, 287-289; V O ~4, pp.1-3, 24-27, 5052, 80-83, 111-112, 129-131, 221. Tessin, Verbaende. Vol 1, pp.17-19.

l7 Tessin, Verbaende. Vol 2, pp.1-3, 5-7, 54-86, 89-92, 153, 154156, 220-222, 226-227, 281-283; V O ~ 3, pp.1-9, 50-52, 87-90, 124126, 160-162, 191-194, 227-229, 287-289; V O ~ 4, pp.1-3, 24-27, 5052, 80-83, 111-112, 123-131, 221.
FRG: &.n

l8 Silvester Stadler, Di.e Offensive Verlag), 1980, p.38.

Kursk 1943, (Osnabrueck, --

37

CHAPTER4
B;1cKGRouND,

EDUCATION, AND EXF'WIENCE

This chapter w i l l be t o examine the background, education,

and experience factors of German corps comnanders i n World W a r 11. 4 total of 332 men served as permanent or acting comnanders for the

ninety-three

German Army corps from 1939 t o 1945. Central t o a

thorough understanding of these factors is a review of the system of general officer grades and their equivalent American counterparts.

The basic grade system is s h m below:

Table 6 General Officer Grades

German Grade

Abbreviation

E n g l i.sh

American Equi.valent

Trans 1ati.on

Gener a1f e ldmar schall

GFM

Field Marschal

General of the Army

Generaloberst General der 1nfanteri.e

Go

Colonel General General of Infantry

General Lieutenant General

G d I

38

G e m Rank

Abbreviation

English
Translation

A m e r ican

Equivalent

General der Artillerie

GdA

General of Arti.llery

Lieutenant General

General der Panzer General der Pionier General der Gebirgs-

GdPz

General of Panzers General of Engineers

I,

GdPi

GdGebTr General of Hountain Troops GdKav

GL

trim=
General der Kavallerie Generalleutnant

General of Cavalry Lieutenant General Major General

Generalmajor

GM

Major General

Brigadier General

In comparing German grades with American ones it should be

noted
that

a G e m generalmajor w a s routinely a corrmander

of

a a

divi.si.on. h i l e h i s . k r i c a n counterpart seldom was.

Movfnp a?.

generalleutnant could camnand ei.ther a di.visi.on or corps, major general Ameri.can counterpart mst often stayed a t

h i i e his

division

1
level. To av0i.d thi.s mental conversi.on of grades I will grade for a l l comnanders.

use German

39

BACKGROND

AGE

Tne f i r s t characteristic t o be examined is age. Yajor

General
J.F.C.

Fuller i n his work Generalship Its Diseases and

Their -Cure:

study -of the Personal Factor i.n Gnunand states that

and energy are important assets of genera1shi.p and 2 are usually found i n younger men. t!espi.te thi.s theory, the German physical vigor corps comnanders were a mature group of individuals and were not young by the standards of the time. The following i.nfonnation shows
the age groups as defined by age on assuming corps comnand.

Table 7
A g e of Comnanders

Mmkr of Officers*

Percentage of Total

40 t o 44 45 to 50

1.8 31.8 49.5 13.4 3.3

104 162
44

51 to 55
56 t o 60

61 t o 65

11

* Note:

Ages were determi.ned for 327 of 332 c m n d e r s

40

The oldest
old &en

individual was GL tIans Schmidt who was 64 years ;iomgest

he assmed c m d of the IX Corps i n 1940. 'I"ne

was GM K u r t von Liebenstein who assmed c January 1943, a t age 43.

d of the Africa Corps,

OFFICER SELECTION

Prior t o World W a r I an i.ndividua1 could become an officer by attending one of ten cadet schools or by applying directly

to a

regimental comnander. Applicants were evaluated for responsi-bili.ty ,

willpower,
secondary.

and character.
The mst

Educational

factors were consi.dered education was the

significant element of

"Abitur", a diploma recognizing nine years of primary and secondary education, university.
and granting the recipient the
The

right

to

enter

s t a t e of

Bavaria demanded the officer candidate 1910 some 637. of a l l Prussian the Abitur were training

possess this c e r t i f i c a t e while by

cadets had earned one. Long tern implications for even mre significant as acceptance 3 depended on i t .

for General Staff

k i n g World W a r

I,

huge demands for

officers caused a offi.cer

di.lution i n the character

and educational standards of

candi.dates. Casualties i.ncreased whi.le replacements were drawn from older reservists and inexperienced young officers. In 1916 the the "old officer
4

Supreme Headquarters began t o transfer members of

corps" from the front 1i.nes to General Staff service i n an attempt t o prevent the total destructi.on of the tradi.tiona1 officer corps.

41

After the

conflict

selecti.on again became diffi.cult. Under

che
was

?rovi.sions of : h e Treaty of Versailles, tne post-war ilei.cnswehr reduced t o 4,000 officers, of w h o m 3,000 were wartime officers

and 1,000 were promoted noncomni.ssi.oned officers. Outside candidates were expected t o have an extensive pre-university education level.

The Abitur was desi.red but not required. In its place, the candidate
could take special equivalency examinations, a system which assisted 5 enlisted candidates lacking i n formal educati.on.

The environment through which the future corps ccnananders entered service fostered candidates with character rather than mre educated, all around excellent

technically oriented

individuals. Additionally, character was often judged by the status of family influence and wealth. One standard was that of nobility

and w i l l be examined next.

42

NOBILITY

Gr%ile most officers were members of the upper and middle classes, officers of noble descent had always f i y e d prominently in German military tradition. k i r g the Reichswehr e r a of 1924-1932, nobility again fared well i n the c m p s i . t i o n of the officer
The

corps. newly

following three tables reflect nobility composition of

promoted majors

(major), lieutenant colonels (oberstleutnant) and

colonels (oberst). Nany of the l a t e r corps comnanders passed through 6 these grades during this time.

Table 8 Newly P r m t e d Ynjors

Year

Promoted

Nobles

Percent Noble

1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931

1932

73
68
74

12

16.4 23.5 25.6

16
19
i7

81 93 65 66 90 73

20.9
29.0 24.6 15.1 18.8 1.3

27
16 10

17
5

Total

683

139 43

20.3

Table 9 Newiy Trmoted Lieutenant Colonels

Year

Promoted

Nobles

Percent Hoble

1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932

43

14

32.5 20.0 30.2 27.8 38.8 23.9 20.0 26.5

,

30
43 61 67
71

6
13

17
26 17 14 22 12

70 83 65

18.4

Total

533

141

26.4

Table 10

Newly Promoted Colonels

Year

Promoted

Nobles

Percent Noble

1924 1925 1926 1927

32 27 29

10

31.2 44.4 44.8 20.5

12 13
7

34

44

Newly Promoted Colonels (continued)

Year

Pronoted

Nobles

Percent Noble

1928 1929 1930 1931 1932

45

13

28.8 37.5 23.9

40.0

40

15

46
55 45

1 1
22

10

22.2

Total

353

113

32.0

However,

the high percentage of nobility during the 19321932,

23.8% of a l l officers were nobles 7 This percentage had with 52% of general officers i n this category.

1945 p r i o d diminished. In

dwindled by 1939. A t the beginning of the war, although the .4rmy had a large number of landed gentry and aristocracy, the percentage of 8 noble general officers had dropped to 33. This percentage decli.ned 9 even further by 1944 when only 19% of a l l generals were nobles.

The

scope

of
the

this

thesis

nust

1imi.t the
1u

thorough

investi.gation of

various

s t r a t a of

nobility. David Nelson

Spi.res' doctoral dissertati.on points out that: as f a r as the Reichswehr is concerned, "old" officer families or those that traditionally had supplied officers t o the army, could be mre significant than "new" noble families.
45

...

C X o e r Bartov i n h i s study of the German hrny on the Eastern

Front defines rmbership i n the nobili.ty "von" and other prefixs of as

a l l officers with a
the

arist0crati.c origin attached t o

1 1
family name. Using

this definici.on, the following pattern of

nobility emerges when examining the - corps COIIpnanders.

Table 11

comnanders of Noble Descent

Year

Comnanders of Noble
Descent i n Corps Ccomand

1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944

1945

8 9
13

21 22 31 31 29 27

Seventy-five (22.69.) of the corps comnanders were members of the nobility. From the results of t h i s analysis it appears as though

this

representation

remained constant

throughout

the

war.

Addi.tionally, thi.s figure corresponds closely with the percentage of t o t a l general officers.
46

EXPANSION OF THE i(EICHS'dm

k i n g the si.ze.

1930s, the German Army dramatically increased i n

I n 1938

This expansion directly affected the Officer Corps.

for example,

the Army expanded by 7,600 officers: 2,000 transfers from the police,

recruits,

2,500
officer

lateral

1,500 noncorrmissioned

prmotions, 1,800 reactivations from inactive service, and 12 1,600 Austrian officers incorporated i.nto the Wehnuacht. The sources for general officers who l a t e r assumed corps

variety of

camand are as shown:

Table 12

Comnander's Background

Category

Number Comnanders

Percentage

Career (Served in WWI

and r a i n e d i n Xeichsweh)

268

80.7

Recalled from iietirement

22

6.6

(In Rei.chswehr, r e t i r e d )

Transferred from Police (Served i n NJI, l e f t Army, returned with Police rank)

27

8.1

47

Comnander's Background (continued)

Category

Number Conananders

Per centage

Joined during 1930s Expansion (Served i n WWI, l e f t Army, rejoined Army i n mid 1930s)

1.2

Incorporated from Austrian Army

11

3.3

Several of

these

sources of officers should be explained.

More than 80 general offi.cers were recalled from active duty in 1939 from the inacti.ve li.st, and wi.th the continued expansion during the

13
war m y more were brought back.

Twenty-two

generals recalled t o active duty later comnancied

two

a t the corps level. &call t o service could be accomplished by mthods. regular

Sme

retired

officers were ternporarily restored

to

the

l i s t , while others were designaced z . V ( m r V e r f u e m ) or 14 "at di.sposa1". A s expected, most recalled officers were among the

oldest of the war,

the cannariders. Seventeen returned t o retirement during

one died i.n comnand, and four remained on active service.
d 1 0

Only one corps comnander

had been recalled 15

from retirement was

selected for higher camand.

48

During the mid

1930s many offi.cers rejoined the Xeichswehr fomr

from the police. As an inducement, these men retained their poli.ce rank ranging from hauptmann (captain) to generalmajor.

Professional competence of

officers h o did not remain in

the Army after World War I was not held i n high regard. Guenther
Blumentritt, a former army group chief of staff and cunnander of the

1st Airborne Army i.n 1945, stated that the performances of officers
who reti.red i n 1919 and rejoined during the mid-1930s was lower as

these officers 16 experiences.

s t i l l believed

in

obsolete

Fi.rst World War

Despite Blumentritt's assertion,

twenty-seven generals who

returned t o the Army i n the mid 1930s fiom the police achieved corps cannard. Nost were absorbed into the infantry. Five at the later conrnanded all 17 corps

army or army group level, representing 19% of

c d e r s with police backgrounds, and are shown below:

Table 13
Corps Gmnanders with Police Backgrounds

Grade Name

Corps Corrmand

Highest Grade

Higher Camands

GdPz Eberbach

m v 1 1 Pz

GdPz

5th Panzer Army 7th Amy

XxxXvIII Pz

xxxx Pz
49

Corps Comnanders with Police Backgrounds (continued)

Grade N a m e

Corps
Gmmland

Highest Grade

Higher Carmands

GdI

Grasser

XXVI

GdI

11th Army

LVI Pz

GL

W l l e r ,F

V
XXXIV 2.b.V LIX LXVIII

GdI

4th Army

18

GdI

Wiese

VIII

G d I

19th Army

xxxv
G d I

von Zangen

LXXXIV
LXXXVII

GdI

15th Amy

In examining Blurent?i.tt's assertion more deepiy, xi find

that seven former poli.ce officers comnanded panzer corps, positions that would seem to require the greatest understanding of modern

mobile warfare. This would seem to undermine che "anti-police" school of thought until we look at durati.on of c m n d . The following table shows that only two (29%) comnanded longer than one mnth. Although Kaellner and Schuenemnn were killed in action it appears as though "police" comnanders were thought of m r e temporary panzer corps comrmders than permanent.
as

50

Table 14 Panzer Corps Comnanders with Poli.ce Bac'kgrounds

Grade Name

Corps

Durati.on of Cornnand

GL

Beyer,F

LVII Pz XxxxVII Pz

8 days
7 days

GdPz Eberbach

XxxXvIII Pz

27 days
9 days 4 months

xxxx Pz
GdPz F r i e s GL

XxxxVI Pz
LVI Pz

Grasser

24 days

GdPz Henrici,S
GL GL

xxxx Pz
XXIV Pz

18 months
29 days

Kaellner

schuenerrmann

m 1 x Pz

1 day

After the

annexation of

Austria

i n i938 ( t h e Anschluss),

three Austrian corps composed of six divisions were incorporated

into

the German A m y ,

with a corresponding conpared and

number

of

senior
Gemn

officers.

i9

Austri.an o f f i c e r s i n conpetency

favorably t o t h e i r The

counterparts

leadership.

following

ten

Austri.an o f f i c e r s achieved corps ccnirnand and were promoted t o higher 20 ccrrmand positi.ons a s s h m :

51

Table 15 Austri.an Army and Army Group Comanaers

Grade Name

Corps

Highest Grade

Bigker C m n d s

cornnand

GdI

Fiendulic

XXXV

Go

2nd Panzer Army 20th 4lountain Army

Army Group Kurland Army Group North

Army Group South

GdPz b u s

XxxXvII Pz

Go

1st Panzer Amy

3rd Panzer Army 4th Panzer Army
Ll

GI,

Eibl Yiterna kyer,E Marti-nek

XXIV Pz

G d I (Post.) G d I

None (KIA) None

GdI

XX
XVIII XXXIX Pz UII Lxx
LI Mtn

GdI
GdA

G d I
GdA

None (Died) None (KIA) None

GL

Feurstein

GdGebTr

GL

Eglseer

XVIII Mtn

GdGebTr

None ( K i l l e d i n plane crash)

GL GL

Ringel von Nagy

LXIX Mtn

GdGebTr GdI
W Z

None None
NOW

WI
W I X Pz

GdPz Hubicki.

52

5RAiV.X AFFILIATION

Branch r i v a l r i e s relationships

played

large

role

in

comnand

i n the A m y during both the expansion e r a and actual

w a r t i m e . David Nelson Spires again presents baseline data f o r branch

promotion i n the Reichswehr e r a as shown for 22 generalmajor, generalleutnant, and general.

composition for

Table 16 Newly Promoted Generalmajor

Year

Promoted

Infantry

Cavalry

Artillery

Technical

11

11

7.

;I

11

x
0.0

1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932

13 8
10

30.7 12.5 50.0 46.6 68.7

58.1;

2 15.4
2

7
4 3 5 5
5

53.8 50.0 30.0 33.3 31.2 29.4 36.8 23.5 31.5

1
5
7
11
i0

25.0

1 1.2.5

1 10.0
1

1 10.0
2

15 16
i7

6.6 0.0

13.3 0.0
0.0

0
2

0
0
0
2

i1.7
0.0

19
17

12
10

63.1 58.8 57.8

7
4 6

0.0

1 11.7 2

11.7
0.0

19

11

10.5

Total

134

71

52.9

11

8.2

46

34.3

4.4

53

Table 17
Xewly Romoted Generalleutnanr:

Year

Promoted

Infantry

Cavalry

Artillery

Technical

1 1

II

/I

7 0

c
0 0
0

1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932

4
4

3
2

75.0 50.0

0.0

1 1
0
2

25.0 25.0 0.0 28.5 33.3 33.3 28.5 20.0 33.3

0.0
0.0
0.0

1 25.0
0
0.0

5
7

5 100.0

4
1

57.1 16.6 50.0

1 14.2
3 50.0

0
0

0.0
0.0

6 6
7

2 2
2 1

3
4 3

1 16.6 1 14.2 1 20.0

0 0.0

0
0

0.0 0.0

57.1
60.0 66.6

5
6

0 0

0.0
0.0

Total

50

29

58.0

16.0

13

26.0

0.0

Tabie i 8

Newly P r m t e d General der Infanterie, etc.

Year

Pronoted

Infantry

Cavalry

Artillery

Technical

/I

/I

II

1924 1925

0
2

0.0 50.0

0.0

0.0 0.0

0 0

0.0
0.0

1 50.0

54

Newly Promoted General der Infanterie, etc. (continued)

Year

Promoted

Infantry

Cavalry

Artillery

Technical

I
1926

7.
0.0

t
0
0 0 0 0
0

7.
0.0

t
0

'7.
0.0

I
0
0 0 0
0

0.0
0.0
0.0

1927
1928

2
2

1
1

50.0 50.0

0.0
0.0

1
1

50.0 50.0

1929
1930 1931 1932

1 100.0
0

0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0

0.0

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

1
1

0.0

1 100.0
0

1 100.0
1 100.0

0.0

0 0

0.0

Total

62.5

0.0

37.5

0.0

Older generals viewed

infantry as the dominant branch and

attempted t o control the Army Personnel Branch to the detriment of 23 other branch offi.cers. This was especially so w i t n respect to the formation of the new panzer forces. Hasso von W t e u f f e l stated that
the
the

new 7anzer brancn required speciai leaders anu carmnanaers,

older

but

arms displayed opposing views.

To maintain s t a b i l i t y to

within the

armored force, GO Heinz Guderi.an r e p r t e d directly

Hitler as Inspector-General of b r e d Troops and had full input 24 concerning appointments t o the comnand of armored formations.

55

The distribution of

corps comnanders by branch was

as

follars:

Table 19 Branch Aff i.lia t i on

Branch

Number of Comnanders

Percentage

InfXCTY Artillery Panzer Cavalry b u n t a i n Troops Engineer Luftwaffe

171
63
54

51.5
18.9
16.2
5.4

18
15
9

4.5

2.7 0.6

Another aspect of branch affi.liation concerns the comnanders

of panzer corps and mountain corps. Sixtyone per cent of a l l panzer corps comanders were of the panzer branch, h i l e of
the

forty-one perc.ent

conmanders of

the m t a i n corps were mountain troop

infantry

officers. Artillery and cavalry officers comnanded i n both and panzer corps.

Infantry generals served across the entire

spectnnn of uni ts.

56

GENERAL STAFF SERVICE

The German General

Staff

Corps was

a group of specially to

selected, trained, and educated officers. Its mission was

serve

as a control mechanism t o a s s i s t the ccarmander i n directing large military units.

This included planning, coordinating, supervising, 25 and assuring operational readiness.

were selected based on 26 "character, di.spsition, physi.ca1, and intellectual abilities".

Candi.dates for

the General

Staff

Nemkrship was always select. Fewer than one percent of a l l officers i n the Army were selected as General Staff Corps officers i n the

PNSsian Army. Membership rose t o twenty percent during the Weimar 27 28 Republic. By 1939 this amounted t o 417 officers.

Austri.an General Staff officers had l i t t l e difficulty after

the Anschluss i n obtaining positions on the German General

Staff. A in m a n y

former Austrian officer, respects

General de Sartha, stated that

th Austrian General 29 counter?art.

Staff was the equal of its German

Although the offi.cers by

size of

the General Staff increased t o 1167

1944, their relative importance i n the Amy hierarchy 30 began t o decrease beginning i n 1941. After the failure t o take
Moscow i n December 1941, Hitler unfairly

blamed not only several the lack of

high ranki.ng c m n d e r s , but also the General Staff for 31 adequate winter preparations.

57

In September 1942 Hitler

accused

the General Staff

of

"cowardice" and berated GO Haiaer, Cuef of Army General Staff. This led t o Halder's dismissal and marked the end of the period when the
32

General Staff t r u l y conducted operati.ons.

Many corps ccmmanders were menbers of the General Staff.

Their prominence during the war was
i

significant and will be corps

33

discussed

at

length i n a later chapter. Distribution of

c d e r s with General S t a f f experience is as shown:

Table 20 Comnanders from the General Staff

Year

hnber of Comnanders
from General Staff

Percentage, of Total

1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945

31

66 70

50 61
75 83 82 50

il
57 49 40 36

58

Thi.s trend minors H i t l e r ' s increasing intervention with the

officer corps. 8y January 1943 he ordered the reintegration of General Staff into the regular officer

the

corps and established

performance as the primary c r i t e r i a for promoti.on, not General S t a f f 34 membership.

PREVIOUS COMMAND AND STAFF EXPERIENCE

As i n a l l military organizations, mst corps cmmnders had

established a pattern of successful performance a t previous cornnand and staff assi.gments. In the staff arena,

two General

Staff

positions were considered extremely important: operations officer ( I a ) of a division and chief of staff a t a corps or higher level.

Division operations officers normally held major. the

the rank of

In addition to h i s duties in operations, he also served as

of staff

chief

h e division structure di.d not allocate as t

separate position for one. The division supply officer ( I b ) and the 35 di.vi.sion intelligence officer ( I c ) were subordinated t o him.

Chiefs of other oEficers of

had m h m r e prestige and authority than 36 equal rank. Colonels and lieutenant colonels
staff

59

served as corps chiefs of s t a f f , while army chiefs of staff usually

were

colonels or major generals. Responsibilities for the corys

chief of staff were i n i t i a l l y laid out i n the h s i a n Army i n 1814 37 and formalized i n 1865 i.n a royal order which stated:
When I have given no special i.nstructi.ons on f i l l i n g the post of a general comnanding during his temporary absence, the chi.ef of the General Staff will transact the current duties of the general..

In reviewing prior staff

service, t h i r t y corps comnanders

had been division operations officers, sixty-six served previ.ously as corps chiefs of

staff, and thirty-eight were army chiefs of

s t a f f . m t i p l e staff assignments of service as both corps and army chief of staff

were held by thirty-four l a t e r c d r s .

While future

these staff assignments were not mandatory prerequisites for

comnand, they certai.nly were indicators of excellent performance and potential.

In addition t o previous staff experi.ence, prior division

comnand was essenti.al for elevation t o corps c m n d . This trend is 38 imrplified by the following division comnand s m r y :

60

Table 21 Prior i)ivisi.on camand Experience

Corps Comnanders
who were colnnanders of:

Mmkr

Percentage
-

Infantry Divisions

246

74.1

Panzer Divisi.ons

40

12.0

Reserve Divisions

0.0

Infantry and Panzer Divisi.0-

11

3.3

N o division comnand

35

10.5

A n analysis

of

pri.or division cornnand experience reveals

several

important trends. F i r s t , 89.59. of a l l corps cmmnders had

srior di.visi.on c m n d experience. Yost of the 5irf:r-five not were very senior generals h o comnanded corps a t the the war.

- h o did
s t a r t of

Tnus, their opportunities for division cnrmand were limited

Those less senior

by the smaller size of the army i n the mid-1930s. who did not

comnand a t the divisi.on level frequently were General comnands a t corps, army,

Staff officers who held significant staff and army group level.

61

None of the coIimand as his

corps comnanders had previous reserve division

is

sole division comnanci experi.ence. I t

safe t o

conclude that reserve division colTpnand signalled li.ttle possibility for further conmand progression.

Fifty-one panzer divisions.

corps c m d e r s

(15.4%) previ.ously comnanded thirty-six O f the

In examining the panzer corps,

comnanders (40.9%) had previously comnanded panzer

divisi.ons.

every three panzer division comnanders who l a t e r comnanded a t corps level,

two commded a panzer corps while one comnanded a

corps of a different type. N o single panzer division served as an overwhelming source of future panzer corps c m n d e r s . The 4th and 11th Panzer Divisions each produced four. When an individual proved

' he could successfully covmand division mobile forces,

he was quite

li-kely t o be retained by Guderian and the panzer branch for further panzer corps comnands, rather than be 'transferred t o other

formations.

LNFLUENCE OF

THE

XAZI PARTY

According t o Helmt Kleikamp, author of "The Army Personnel Office",

with

very few excepti.ons the Nazi

party exercised no and

influence on A m y appointmentments.

Army officer promotions

assignrents were based on performance and qualifications, not 39 political considerations.

62

One facet

of party a f f i l i a t i o n was the Nazi Party's highest service, "The Decoration of 9 Xovember 1923" also

decoration for

horn as "The Blood Order". Hitler created t h i s decoration i n b r c h

1934 t o comnemorate the failed Putsch Bavarian government) of November 9,

(attempted overt'mow of

1923 in M i c h . Eligi.bi.lity was

i.niti.ally limited t o persons who had participated i n the events of November 9th and who were Party members by January 1, 1932. These individuals were affectionally known as "Old k a d e s " .

In 1938,

e l i g i b i l i t y was expanded to persons who had rendered outstanding services t o the Party i n the 1920s and had received a W e e i m a r death sentence and served a t l e a s t one year i n j a i l for court

political 40 crimes, or been severely wounded or killed i n Party service.

Awards for this f i r s t criterion of eligibili.ty totaled 1500. t o Freikorps troopers, and

O f these 810 went t o Party members, 500

140 t o Reichswehr and Poli.ce members. Seven Reichswehr recipients

went on t o become general officers: Johannes Block, Curt-Ulrich von Gersdorff, Wolfdietrkh von Xylander , Edurd lorn,
41

Robert a c h e r ,

Paul Hermann, and Theodor i(retschwr. Only one went on to become a corps cnrmander.

Although Party o f f i c i a l s may have had no influence on appointments and promotions, indirect pressures existed i n the

presence of several senior Army o f f i c i a l s who sympathized with the 42 Nazi.s and could affect personnel issues. Generalfeldmarschall
W i l h e l m Keitel, General der Infanterie Rudolf

Schmundt, and General

der Infanterie W i l h e l m Burgdorf were three of these men.

63

W i . l h e l m Keitel

served as Chief

of

Staff of the Combined

Services (OKW) from 1938 to the end of the war. Xichard Brett-Smith, author of Hitler's Generals, states that Keitel did mre than anyone t o "bring about the domination of the Xeichswehr by the Nazis."
he was i n

Married t o Generalfeldmarschall von Blomberg's daughter, addition the brother of

the Chief of the Army Personnel Office

some

Bodewin Keitel and undoubtedly had

influence i n appointxents. funneling Hitler's orders

H i s duty assigrrment can be sumnari.zed as

dam t o the Army

and passing up, with a dose of interpretation, 43 their complaints and questions t o the Fuehrer.

Rudolf Schmndt was Chief of the Army Personnel Office f r m Bodewin Keitel's departure in 1942 t o his am death as a r e s u l t of

injuries

suffered i.n the July 20 bombing a t Hitler's .headquarters.

Again Brett-Smith categorizes S c M t as an avowed Nazi who was

h a m throughout the Officer Corps as "John the Disciple".

Schmundr

influenced a wide range of appointmnts t o include even army group comnand and probably speeded the rise of 44 officers. several like-minded

Wilhelm Burgdorf

served faithfully

as chief

Wehrmacht

adjutant t o Hitler pri.or t o assuming the postion of Personnel Chief from Rudolf Sctrrrmndt i n 1944. He was "hated for hi.s brutality by 99 per cent of
the officer

corps"

stated Manfred R m l , son of t o general he did not

Generalfeldmarschall R m l .

Frcm colonel

64

d troops but did show loyalty and discretion toward Hi.tler and .*ith the choice of suicide or
45

was entrusted wi.th v i s i t i n g R-1

arrest for involvement i n the July 20 Plot.

The influence of these mn on the Army Personnel Office was

probably

i.n the

line of what they did not do mre than what

they

did. I t would have been very d i f f i c u l t t o explain that officer was selected for

a particular

a position because he was a National

Socialist. But for officers seeking t o return t o active duty from retirement or volunteering for frontline

service

from

the

Replacement Army bureaucratic delays and refusals were 46 order for chronic complainers against the Nazis.

surely i n

The background i.nformation i n t h i s chapter shows the corps

comnanders generally t o be mature indi.viduals of approximately 50-57

years of age. About 23 7. were members of the nobili.ty, generally the

same as for general offi.cers as a whole. Most corrmanders were career

soldiers with m i n t e r r u p t e d service from "'Or?d ':Jar I , sore encerec

the Army from the police, the Austrian Army after the Anschluss, and
some were

recalled from reti.rement. Concerning branch a f f i l i a t i o n ,

52 7. were infantry officers, 19 % a r t i l l e r y , and 16 7. panzer. A l m o s t

50 % of the corps comnanders were General Staff officers with many having staff experience as division operations officers chiefs of staff. and corps

More than 89 7. had been d i v k i o n ccmnanders.

Finally, Nazi Party influence was minimal i n their ri.se. 65

Ri.chard Brett-Smith, Hitler's Generals, ( S a n Rafael, Cali.fornia: Presidi.0 Press), 1937, p.12. 2 J.F.C. Fuller, Generalship Its Diseases --and Their Cure: A Studv of the Personal Factor i n Comnand,-(Harrisburg, PennsyTvania: Military Servi.ce U m n g x . ) , , p.70. 3 Martin van Creveld, Fi.ghti.ng Power, G e m Militar Performance, 1914-1945, (Potanac, Maryland: C&L Associates)* pp. 150-152. 4 Martin van Creveld, Fightiw, Power , p. 152. 5 Martin van Creveld, Fi.&tirg Power, p. 152.

The selection process for Eduard Zorn, a later generalmajor, w a s a typical one and worthy of review. Late i n 1920 Zorn applied i n writing to the comnander of Infantry Regiment 19 Colonel Ritter von Haack for admission for officer training. In his application Zorn included informati.on on: date of bi.rth, s t a t e a f f i l i a t i o n , religion, level of educati-on, profession of father, and personal history. In addition he furnished two r e c m n d a t i o n l e t t e r s from prominent citizens of his comrmnity. During the ensuing background investigation, Zorn underwent a physical aptitude and mdical t e s t . With these complete, he participated i n a one t o three day personal interview with Colonel von Haack and selected members of hi.s staff. The results of this process r e f l e c t Zorn's aptitude for service. H e was a candidate for the Abitur which f u l f i l l e d educati.ona1 requirements. H i s character was exemplary as he was the son of an officer killed i n action during World W a r I. Additionally, hi.s brother Hans was already a juni.or officer i.n the regiment and had an excellent service record himself. In sum, Eduara Zorn was i.ntellisent, physically f i t , motivated, and apli.tica1. Davi.d Nelson Spi.res, "The Career of the Reichswehr Offi.cer", ( k c t o r of Philosophy ilissertation: Universi.tjr of iqasningtcn), iY79, pp.3-iZ. David Nelson Spires, p.508.
I

"The

Career of the Rei.cnswetu Officer",

her Bartov, The Eastern Front, 1941-45, German Troo s and Barbarisation of W a z r m Y o r k : S t . Martin's P r e s s d 6 z . 4 3 .

a
9
10

Richard Brett-Smi.th, Hitler's Generals, p.5.

her Bartov, The Eastern

David Nelson Spires,

E , p.43.

"The Career of the Reichswehr Officer",

p.27. 66

11 12

C k n e r Bartov, The Eastern Front, p.172.

Michael Geyer, "The Transformation of the German Officer Corps"

(Ann Arbor, Echigan: Uni.versi.ty of Michigan), p.44.

and.
14

-- of Conauest: The German Victories i n Telford Taylor, The March 1958, p p . z Western Europe, 1 9 4 0 , T e w York: Simon and Schus-

13

Telford Taylor, The March, p. 409. Table 22 Corps Comnanders Coming G u t of Retirement

Grade Name

Corps Comnanded

Date 0ri.gi.nally Retired 31.3.33 31.1.31 30.9.35 30.4.39 30.9.33 31.12.29 30.9.32 30.9.37 30.9.32 28.2.38 30.9.31 31.3.32 1.4.31 31.12.35 28.2.38 1.2.31 28.2.30 31.1.31 1934 31.3.39 31.7.32 1935

Date Fi.nally R e t i red 28.2.43 31.8.42 30.6.42 31.12.43 30.6.43 31.8.42 Did not 28.2.45 30.6.42 Did not 31.5.42 Did not 31.1.43 31.1.43 31.5.42
30.5.42

GdI GL
GL

Boehm-Tettelbach Brandt ,G Feige Geyer von Gienanth von Grei.ff Haenicke Heinemann Kaupi sch von Kleist Koch,F Lucht
Met2.H von Nagy von Pomell von G g e r

XXXII XXXVII
77

11

XXXII

m
IX
XXXVI

GdI
GL

GdI GdI GL
GdA GdK

I11
xiMx7I

m 1 1

L X v
XXXI XXI I XXXXIV XI11

GdI
GdA

GdI GdI
GdK G d I

LXXI XXXI I
XXV

XXVII
~~~ ~

GdI GdI GdI

GdA

GM GdI
15

von Schenckendorff Schmidt,H Sctiwandner Ulex .~~~~ von Unger Wiktorin

xIc(v

IX LIX X XXXIII XXVIII

Died 6.7.43 31.10.43 30. a .42 31.12.41 Did not 30.11.44

Erwin k n f e l d and Franz Thomas, Die Eichenlaubtraeger, p.91.

G d K Ewald von Kleist comnanded the XXII Corps from 1939-1940. He continued h i s ri.se wtth the comnands of Panzer Group Kleist, 1st Panzer Army, Army Group A, and Army Group South Ukraine. H e was dismissed from the service March 30, 1944 and died i n 1954 i n a

Soviet Pri.soner of War Camp. 67

Guenther Blurrentri.tt, The German Armies of 1914 and 1939, .Amy 9istori.cal Division Study 6 1 1 8-296, (Washington, 9.C.: Office of the Chief of a l i . t a r y History), 1947, p.46. 17 Die Generale des Heeres, pp.76,113,232,370,379. Wolf Kei.lig, -

16

U.S.

The following corps

comnanders transferred frcm the Police t o

the Army:

Table 23 Corps Comnanders from the Police Grade

Name
Abraham

Corps

Date Transferred Grade retai.ned from Police from Police

GdI GL

Seyer ,F

W I I XVII xxxxIX

15.10.35 1.4.35

N aj or Oberstleutnant

Lxxx
LVII
GL

chill
Eberbach
Fries Grasser

XXVI

1.10.36 1.7.35 1936 1935 6.10.36 1.10.35 1.9.35 22.11.35 1935 1.7.35 15.3.35 16.3.36

i4ajor Major Major Er,jor Major

LV
GdPz
GdPz

XxxXvII Pz

xxxx Pz rn Pz
XXVI. LVI XIX

XxxxVIII Pz

GdI

GdGbT vonHengl
GdPZ

LIX
GL GL

Henrici,S Hohn

xxxx Pz
xv

Jahr
.Kaellner Lasch von Leyser
Weller ,F

GL GL GdI
GZ

IX XXIV XXIV LXIV

X X I

Oberst Xauptmann Ober stleutnant Hauptmann Major Oberstleutnant :.laj or

XXVI V XXXIV LIX LXVIII

XXX

GL

15.10.35 15.3.35 1.10.35 1.10.35 1.10.35 16.3.36 16.3.36

Oberstleutnant Oberstleutnant Oberstleutnant Oberst Oberst Major Oberst

GdI
GdA

GL
GdPi.
GL GL

von Oven Pf e i.f f er Roe tt i.g Sack Schuenenmann Sponheimer

XXXIII IXXXIX XXXXIII VI LXVI LXIV XXXIX Pz XXVIII X LIV

LXVII
68

Corps Corrmanders from the Police (continued) Grade

G d I
G L G d I
"ame

Corps
XI XVII I VIII

Date Transferred Grade retained from Police from Poli.ce 14.6.35 1.10.35 1.8.35 1.4.36 15.10.35 1.8.35 Generalnaj or Major Major

Strec'ker Usinger Wiese Witthoeft Wolpert von Zangen

xxxv
XXVII IXXXVIII

GdI GM G d I

IXXXIV LXXXVII

Oberst Oberstleutnant Oberstleutnant

Erwin Lenfeld and Franz Thomas, Die Ekhenlaubtraeger 1940-1945. (Wiener Neustadt, Cesterrei.ch: Weirburg Verlag), 1952, d I Friedrich W i . l h e l m Nueller mde the mst rapid rise of the p.105. G "Police" cOmnanders. Laterally transferri.ng frm the Hamburg Police i n March 1936, he was a b a t t a l i o n ccmnander from 1938-1940, a regimental comnander 1940-1942, and a division comuander from 19421944. In 1944 he served as both temporary and permanent corps camnander before assuming cornnand of the 4th Army January 29, 1945. After the w a r he was condenmed for war crines and hanged i n Athens, Yay 1947. 19 Friedrich Stahl, Heereseinteilung -9 1939 (Friedberg, FRG: Podzun-Pallas-Verlag), 1953, p.145. 20 Wolf Keilig, Die Generale des Heeres. (Friedberg, FRG: PodzunPallas-Verlag) , 1 9 8 3 , p ~ 8 0 , 8 9 , 1 5 2 , 2 1 8 , 2 3 7 , 2 7 3 , 2 7 8 .

18

des Chefs des

Dernot Bradley and Richard Schulze-Kossens, Taetigkeitsbericht Heerespersonalamtes General & Infanterie 3udolf Schdt: 1 1 .0 4 .2 c k , FRG.: Biblio Verlag), 19W, ~ . 4 2 . GL Eibl became the onlv corm comnander t o be k i l l e d by h i s bwn troops when he was seriously wbundea by a handgenade t h r k by a soldier i n a passing I t a l i a n truck column as he was s i t t i n g on the fender of h i s s t a f f car. H e undemenr: emrgency surgery, h3chour: anathesi.a, whi.cn resulted i n the amputation of a leg, but died. 22 David Nelson Spi.res, "The Career of the Reichswehr Officer", pp.508-509. 23 Hei.nz Guderian and K u r t Zeitzler, "Comnents on P-041a-P-O4lhh", U.S. Army Histori.ca1 Di.vision Study MSI/ P-04111, (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Mili.tary Hi.story), 1953, p.2. 24 Hasso von Manteuffel, "Fast Mobile and Armored Troops", U.S. Army Hi.storica1 Division Study MSll 8-036, (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Military History), 1945, pp.3,10,19. 69

L J .

zation), 1984, p.6.

26 Franz Halder, "Control of the German Army General Staff", U.S. Army ilistorical Divi.si.on Study M S d P-O41d, (Washington, D.C. : Office

of the Chief of Y i l i t a r y History), 1952, p.3.

27 Trevor N. ~ e p u y ,General

~ t a f f ,pp. 6

and B-1.

W. Victor Madej, German Army Order of Battle 1939-1945, (Allentown, Pennsylvania: Garre Y t r k e t i n g c O m p a n ~ 9 8 1 , Vol 1, p.37.

29 de Bartha, "Austro-Hungarian General Staff", U.S. Army Historical Division Study bS# C-063, (Washington, D.C. : Office of the Chief of .Military History), 1946, p.5. 30 Walter Goerli-tz, Histo of the G e m General (New York: Praeger), 1 3, p.4n.-

staff 1657-1945.

31 Walter Goerlitz, History, p.405. 32 Hansgeorg i.lodel, deutsche Generalstabsoffizier , (Frankfurt, E R G : Bernard & Graefe Verlag),8, p.127.

33 ~ c h a e e lyer, p.47.

" ~ b _ e Transformation

of the ~ e r m a n o f f i c e r . corps"

34 Helmt Kleikamp, "German Army High Cannand: The Central Branch of the Army General Staff", U.S. Army Hi.stori.ca1 Division Study z/s# P-O41x, (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Military History), 1952, p.7.

Power, German X i l i t a r 35 p h r t i n van Creveld, Perfornance, 1914-1945, (Potomac, Mary and: c&L Defense Cosu tants
1980, p . 3 .

==f

d
-

36 %chard Brett-Smith, Hitler's Generals, p.13.

37 Bronsart von Schellendorf, Tne h t i e s of the General Staff (Volume 1 ) . (London: C. Kegan Paul&Co?@$, n772.160.

38 Tne following individuals comnanded both panzer divisions and panzer corps.
Table 24 Panzer Corps Cannarulers frm Panzer Divi.si.ons Grade Name
GdF'z

Corps Gmnanded

Divi si on Comnanded 17th Pz

von Amim,H

XXXIX Pz
70

Panzer Corps Comnanders from Panzer Divisions (continued) Grade Name

GdPz
Corps Gnnnanded

Divi si.on Comnanded 11th Pz 3rd Pz 11th Pz 5th Pz 4th Pz 24th Pz 2nd Pz,llth Pz 15th Pz 5th Pz 7th Pz 3rd Pz 12th Pz 4th Pz 14th Pz 13th Pz 16th Pz 19th Pz 20th Pz 1st Pz 19th Pz 1st Pz 4th Pz 5th Pz 26th Pz 2nd Pz,2Oth Pz 18th Pz 6th Pz 7th Pz 4th Pz 10th Pz 116th Pz 17th Pz 6th Pz,l7th Pz 20th Pz 15th Pz 23rd Pz 11th Pz

Balck

XxxXvIII Pz XIV Pz GdPz Breith,H I11 Pz GdPz Cruewell Africa GdPz Decker XXXIX Pz m 1 Pz GdPz Eberbach XxxxvIII Pz XXXX Pz m 1 1 Pz GdPz von Edelsheim LVII Pz GdPz von Esebeck,H m Pz xxxx Pz GdPz Fehn,G Africa m 1 Pz GdPz von Funck 111 Pz GdPz Gey von xxxx Pz Schweppenburg XXXXI Pz GL Harpe XXIV Pz Oberst Heidkaemper m 1 1 Pz GL Heim LXXVI Pz GdPz Herr XIV Pz GdPz Hube XXIV Pz GL , Kaellner VII Pz GdPz von Kessel LVII Pz GdPz Kirchner GdPz von hobelsdorff XXIV Pz xxxx Pz XxxxvIII Pz LVIII Pz GdPz Krueger,W XXIV Pz GdPz vonLangemann und Erlencinnp m 1 1 Pz GdA Lemelsen GL von Luettwitz,S m Pz 1 Pz GL von Luettwitz.H m :a1v JZ GdPZ Ne'mi ng XxxxVIII Pz Africa XxxXvII Pz bus GdPZ Africa K 1 GdPZ XXXIX Pz von Saucken GdPZ Gross Deutschland I11 Pz LVI Pz Schaal GdPZ LVI Pz von Schwerin,G GdPZ XIV Pz von Senger und W Z Etterlein Africa von Thm GdPZ

xxxx Pz

GM
GL GL

von Vaerst Africa von Vormann XxxXvII Pz von Wi.etersheim,W XXXXI Pz 71

39 Helmut Kleikmp, "The Army Personnel Office", U.S. Army Historical Division Study YSf! P-O4lhh, (Washington, D.C. : Office of : h e LXef of Xilitary History), 1952, 2.37.

the Third Reich

John R. Angolia, For Fueher Fatherland; Military Awards of ( V o l m T - m n Jose: R. James Sender), 1 9 7 6 , V x 2, p x -

4o

41 Klaus Patzwall, Blutorden der -' W A P Patzwall Verlag), 1985, p p . 1 -

(Hamburg,

FRG.:

Block was dismissed from the Xeichswhr M a y 31, 1924. H e reentered i n 1934 and served as a battalion comnander from 19371940, and a regimental comnander from 1940-1942 prior t o connnand of the 294th Infantry Division. k i n g the l a s t two years of the war he commnded three different corps before being killed i n action January 26, 1945 near Lask Poland. H i s "Blood Order" medal number was 111393. Source: k n f i e l d and Thonas, Die Eichenlaubtraeger, p.353.

42 Dr. S.A. Lewis, Combat Studies Institute, U.S. Army Coxnand and General Staff College, F t . Leavenworth, Kansas, i n a private discussion circa October 1987.

43 Richard Brett-Smith, Hitler's Generals, pp.188-190.

44 Richard Brett-Smith, Hitler ' s Generals, pp. 193-194.

45 Richard Brett-Smith, Hitler's Generals, pp.194-195.

46 H e m Geyer, Das I X Armekm s im (Neckargemuend, FRG: Scharnhorst Buchkamera s c h s t )

--%

An excellent example of this is shown i n the career of Herman d positions Geyer. i3orn i n 1882, he served i n both staff and c i n World War I and the Reichswehr before assuming comnand of the V Corps i n 1935. He l e f t active duty i n April 1939 embittered a t the thought of the "injustice" a t having t o retire a t t h i s t i m e . However his r e t i r e w n t ended ar'rer onby four nonths hken he returned :3 service as the conmander of the I X Corps which he led i n the French Campaign winning a Knight's Cross. Geyer was dismissed again i n January 1942 after a serious disagreenent with h i s army comander Generaloberst Hceppner. He attempted t o regain active c m n d but was known t o Post Minister Ohnesorge as a c r i t i c of the Nazi Party. H i s requests went unanswred fron the Personnel Office and he finally c m i t t e d suicide i n 1946.

72

PERFORiiCE, PRCNOTION, AND FQTEWIAL

INIRODUCTION

To t h i s point this study has exmined many of the background

characteri.stics of corps conmanders. This chapter w i l l actual

review the

performance of the generals i.n corps c m n d by examining

four major areas: demonstrated performance, as evidenced by awards and decorations, promotion, by examining the German Army promotion
system, potential, through advancement t o higher c d , and the

final di.spsiti.on of the cclmnanders t o include retirements, r e l i e f s , prisoners of war, and killed i n action.

The

first of

characteri-stic

exanined

is

demonstrated awards and stated

performance decorations.
that heroism

duty through the German system of

J.F.C.

Fuller, i.n h i s t r e a t i s e on generalship, the

is

"soul

of

1eadershi.p" and

is essential t o

1
genera1shi.p.

73

The Germans

apparently

agreed

with

Fuller

as they

established the mst elaborate awards system of any ccnnbatants i n the war, due i n parc t o their experience i n Uorld W a r I. The awards system then was mismanaged, with too few different medals, confusing distinctions between bravery and service, and separate awards for and enlisted men. In addition, the subordinate states of 2 Germany, such as Bavaria, issued their own awards. officers

A t the outbreak of

World War 11, the Iron Cross 1st Class Both medals had originally been

and 2nd Class were reinstituted.

proposed by Colonel Gneisenau to King Friedrich W i l h e l m 111 of Prussia i n 1811, for acts of military bravery. Two years later both

were offici.ally founded and awarded t o Prussi.an soldiers during the

campai.gns against Napoleon. Both awards were reinstituted Wilhelm I i n 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War, by Kaiser

and were open t o

a l l Germans, not only PNssians. In 1914 Kaiser W i . l h e l m

I1 reopened
field

the awards and expanded e l i g i b i l i t y t o include bravery i n the 3 or for service t o the war effort.

On September 1, 1939 Hi.tler rei.nstituted the venerable Iron

Cross 2nd Class t o reward a single act of bravery i n combat beyond
the normal requi.remnts of duty. I t could be awarded t o a l l members

of the Arrred Forces or t o non-mili.tary i.ndivi.duals serving with the mili.tary. The Iron Cross 1st Class, reinstituted the same day, was

74

usually awarded for an addi.tiona1 three t o five si.gni.ficant acts. Although the i.ntent was to l e t an appropriate ti= 2nd Class t o that of the 1st Class, 5 compressed t o one or two days.
-

pass this

between could be

award of

the

Also on September

1,

1939

Hitler

instituted a new

decoration, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for continuous acts of exceptional bravery or i n the case of higher ranks for successful 6 execution of b a t t l e or for formulating oustanding b a t t l e plans. R e c m n d a t i o n for the Knight's Cross required

the endorsement of
decision both

the chai.n of c m d through army c d e r with the f i n a l

made by Hitler.

Prerequisites

included previous award of

classes of the Iron Cross. Enlisted personnel as w e l l

were eligible 8 awarded. for this award.

as officers

Some 7,300 Knight's Crosses were

For conananding offi.cers however,

bravery alone was not

justificati.on for r e c m n d a t i . o n for the Kni.ght's Cross. In addition

the officer had

t o demonstrate several instances of exercising Field

independent decisions. This is best amplified by c m n t s by

Harschall Schoener concerning a r e c m n d a t i . o n for

the award to a lead a

colonel. Schoerner wrote that for a regimental comnander t o

9

counterattack personally with machi.ne-guns and hand grenades was not excepti.ona1 bravery but a "self evident duty".

75

On June 3,

1940 Hitler instituted the next higher grade the

the

of

Knight's Cross,

Knight's Cross of

the Iron Cross wi.th

Oakleaves. individuals,
-

This award was intended t o further recognize those

already winners of the Knight's Cross, for of bravery continued

accomplishrents

and i.niti.ative. Enlisted personnel,

.officers, and foreign military personnel were e l i b l e to receive the 10 Oakleaves and by war's end 882 had.

Gne year

later

on June 21,

1941 Hitler agai.n introduced

the Iron Cross

another higher grade of award the Knight's Cross of

wi.th Oakleaves a n d Swords. This grade was designed t o continue t o reward those previous recipients of the Oakleaves who accomplished

further feats of military achi.evement. Although a l l German mili.tary

personnel were eligible 11 actually did. t o receive t h i s award, only 159 offi.cers

On July 15, 1941 Hitler introduced what was believed t o be

the

f i n a l upgrade,

the

Knight's Cross of

the

Iron Cross with

Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds. Again it was

intended t o reward

further achievemnt and by the end of the war had only been awarded 12 27 times.

B y December
be

29, 1944 Hitler deci.ded that one ultimate award

soldiers, the Knight's

created

for Germany's twelve bravest

Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds.

76

Three days l a t e r the f i r s t of these decorations was bestowed on

Lur'twaffe Stuka p i l o t Colonel Hans Ruciel. 13 were made.

N o other

presentati.ons

Each of the grades of the Knight's Cross except the l a s t was won by Army personnel and are shown below:

Table 25
~rmy Recipients of the ~nigt~i's cross

NLrmbeK

Percentage of Total

Knight's Cross

5070

69

Oakleaves

486

55

Swords

75

47

Diamonds

11

41

Corps cOmnanders figured prominently as reci.pi.ents of a l l of these awards as Hitler used the higher classes of Knight's Cross as 14 an effective motivati.ona1 tool. The following i.s a presentation of

77

those corps cc-armanders as a function of their hi-ghest award received

and the percentage of all corps comnanders receiving each grade:

Table 20

Highest Decorations Received by the Corps Com;landers

N L r m b e r

Percentage of Total

Knipht's cross

133

40.1

Oakleaves

102

30.7

Swords

35

10.5

Diamonds

2.1

Many of the corps comnanders received these

awards for

previous service as regimental and division c d e r s . In reviewing actual corps comnand, we find that none received the D i m n d s for

78

Individuals &IO received the Knight's Cross with 15 Oakleaves and Swords for achievewnt as corps corrnnanders were:

corps comnand.

Table 27 Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords for Corps Ccnrmand

Grade

Name

Decorati.on

corps

Date

GL
GdPz

HUbe

Swords

XIV Panzer
X X X X I Panzer 111 Panzer

21.12.42 15.9.43 21.2.44 13.4.44 20.4.44

Harps Breith

Swords
Swords Swords Swords Swords ' Swords Swords Swords Swords Swords

GdPz

GdGebTr Kreysing
G d I

XVII
VI

Jordan
Wegener v. Knobelsdorff Recknagel v. Obstfelder Wei.dli.ng

GdI
GdPz

L XXXX Panzer
m 1 1

17.9.44 21.9.44
23.10.44 5.11.44 28.11.44 18.12.44

G d I G d I

LXXXVI
X X X X I Panzer

GdA
GdPz

Herr

LXXVI Panzer

It is i.nteresting t o note that of these eleven comnanders,

six received
received the cmnders.

the

award as cnrmanders of panzer corps. Forty-five

Knight's Cross with Oakleaves for service as corps Fifteen of these men were c m d e r s of panzer corps.

Fi.nally, a further forty five individuals earned the Knight's Cross.

79

only

five of

these E n were panzer

corps

camanders.

This

dist.ribution reveals two item. F i r s t , recognition for i n panzer corps came quicker than that i n other types. the
-

achievement Second, by

time

mst

individuals reached corps comnand they had already

been awarded the Knight's Cross for previous subordinate comnand level achievement, although t h i s was certainly not a prerequisi.te.

The importance of the bestowal of the grades of the Knight's

Cross can not be over estimated. Xudolf Hofmann, a former department chief officer i n the Army Personnel Office, i.n h i s descri.pti.on of promotion system stated that
the

Knight's Cross winners

16
"automatically" were given mre generous, preferential prorrmtions. Recipients received favorable publicity Wstcards i n their including honor and

tours among
free gifts.

c i v i l i a n industry,

Interviews with several radianen i n the

12th SS Panzer Regiment They stated

aptly sum up the presti.ge associated with the award.

that after a particularly di.ffi.cult tank assault the following radio

message was transmitted by the battalion cOmnander: "Tanks halt! 17 That should get us the Knight's Cross!" ( I t did).

Although many corps comnanders received the Knight's Cross, others were awarded the German Cross i n Gold. Hitler instituted this award i n September 1941 for repeated acts of valor or outstanding

service not justi.fying the higher Knight's Cross. The recipient had

t o have the Iron Cross 1st Class, but the German Cross was not
the cumulative line as previously described. W i n g the

in

Fried 1941Twenty corps

1945 Army personnel recei-ved 16,876 German Crosses. comnanders had t h i s award as thei.r highest decoration.

18

PROMOTIONS

The basis

for officer promotions i n the German Army was the

officer efficiency reporting system. This program had a t i m e honored tradition, i.niti.ally established i n the Prussian Army by King 19 Frederick W i l h e l m I i.n 1725. Prior t o World W a r I1 the system called for an annual report for each officer. Based on these reports seven categories. were established into which an officer could be classified.
The highest

two classifications were:

(1) Officers

suitable for service a t the H i . & Comnand, and (2) Officers sui.table 20 for General Staff duty.

General offi.cers were arranged on lists

submitted every

three months to t h e A m y Personnel Office. The top chree categories

were: (1) "Born Leaders", ( 2 ) Officers who would perform well in the

next

should be placed 21 temporarily i.n the next hi.gher ccrrmand t o prove their abi1i.ties.
higher
d-10

comnand,

and

( 3 ) Officers

The efficiency report provided the most important

i.nfomtion i n

determi.ni.ng appoinmnts and promotions.

LL

nn

81

The narrative

c m n t s on the report furnished valuable each officer. A promotion reflects

list

insights prepared

into the potential of

i n February 23 observations.

1945 on several officers

these

GdGebTr Jcdl

"Bright w i t h a strong willed

personality, p r d n e n t

tactical ability."

W z Roettiger

"Suitable as a c d i n g general (corps), l a t e r an

army comnander

."
leader. Great achiever
.I'

GdK Westphal

- "Tareri.ng personal
-

GL von' Gyldenfeldt

""Tactical and operational

talent.

Clear

judgement, sure decisi.ons."

GL Foertsch

- "Outstanding tactical

and operational vision..

. steady

i n a crisis."

GL ?lelzer

"Personally valiant..

. god

tactical vision. s:eaay

in a

c r i s i s . Gccd improvisor."

As reflected by the comnents, these individuals represented

the best i n the promotion system and a high level of competency.

a2

Until 1942 the promotion system was oriented on seniori.ty. However officer after this time, under pressure from Hitler losses,

and growing

the system reoriented fron seniority t o frontline

service. In practical terms t h i s meant that General Staff officers , for example, could not qualify for promotion without doi.ng a 24 frontline tour. Wi.th this i n mind Kurt Zeitzler, f o m r Chief of

promoti.ons were handed 25 out too quickly and lavishly during the war. The following table 26 shows this expansion of general offi.cer grades fran 1938 t o 1944: Staff of the Army, stated after the war that

Table 28 General Officers i n Service

Grade

October 1938

May 1942

M a y 1943

May 1944

Gener a1f e l&r schal 1

0
3 '31

8
19 99

15

16 26

Generaloberst General der Infanterie, etc. Generalleutnant Generalmajor

ia
141

170

a7
154

223 465

369 501

473 565

Total

275

814

1044

1250

a3

Eleven corps

ccxnnanders were promoted t o generalfeld-

marschall. They are sharn in the table below:

Table 29

Corps Comnanders Promoted t o Generalfeldmarschall

Grade Name

Corps

Corps Comnander

Date Romoted to G M

from

to

GdA von Brauchitsch

1.10.35-1.4.37 4.2.38-24.10.39 1.5.35-4.2.38 8.39-11.40 1.d.35-1.12.38 1.4.37-8.39 1.2.40-15.3.41 2.41-12.9.41

19.7.40 1.2.43 1.2.43

GdI Busch
GdK von Kleist

VIII

VIII
X X II

GdA von Kluge

GdA von Kuechler

VI

19.7.40 30.6.42 1.7.42

G d I von Manstein

XXXVIII
LVI

GdPz Wdel

X X X X I Pz

1. . l o .41-15.1.42
1.10.35-4.2.38 15.1.42-1.10.43 10.43-4.44 1.10.37-20.10.39 1.12.34-10.11.38

1.3.44 19.7.40 5.4.45

GdA von Rei.chenau GdGbT Schcerner

VI I

XIX

xxxx Pz
GdK von Wei.chs

XI11

1.2.43 19.7.40

G d I von Wi.tzleben

I11

Several poi.nts beccme obvious when examining t h i s data.

F i r s t , eight of eleven

(73%) of these men came from the nobi.lity.

84

Branch representati.on was

led by a r t i l l e r y with four

of

the

comnanders (36%) foilowed 3y infantry .with three (27%). The average

time

span from leaving corps cornnand t o promotion t o G M was twenty-seven months, with von Manstein the fastest forty

approximately

riser

at

ten months and Busch and von Weichs the slowest a t

months each. S i x (55%) were prewar corps comnanders, while two (18%)

were promoted out of this level within two months of the beginning
of
the w a r . Finally, the average corps cDrrmand tom was

twenty-one

months, with Mcdel serving the shortest time, less than four months.

The rank of

generaloberst was the next senior grade i n the

general officer

structure. Twenty-eight corps cOmnanders attained

this rank, with very different results frcm those reaching GFM. Only

six (21%) came from the nobility. Branch representation was led t h i s
time

by infantry with thirteen of the cnrmanders (46%) followed by

eight panzer (29%), three a r t i l l e r y (11%), three cavalry

(1172, and

one engineer
conmand

(3.5%). The average

time

span from leaving corps

Only

t o prcmoti.on t o GO was less than twelve months.

two

(7%) served entirely

as prewar corps comnanders. The average corps

comnand

tour was fourteen month, with GdPi Jaenec'ke serving :he IV

a t only two an a half months i.n comnand of the 27 Corps i n the surrounded 6 t h Army a t Stali.ngrad.
shortest time

85

The great majority

of

corps comnanders served a t

the

General der Infanterie, etc., level

and were not promoted hi.gher.

This was not a reflection of unsatisfactory performance but rather a result of

the personnel needs of the Army. B y May 1944 there were

seven requirements for ! te

rank of general der infanteri.e for every

need for a generaloberst. N i n e officers served as cdrmanders a t the generalleutnant grade and were p r a t e d t o the G d I level.

28

HIGHER COMMAND

rln even mre

important factor than prmoti.on was selection

for higher level comnand, army and army group. As mentioned before, general officers with the highest ratings could be categorized as those who would perform well

in

efficiency reports cdrmands or ccmnand

i n higher

who should be placed temporarily i n the next higher

their abi.liti.es.

t o prove

As only twenty-seven armies

selection

existed during

the w a r ,

and not a l l simultaneously,

cri.teri a was i.ntense.

Ei.ghty-two corps comnanders were elevated t o army comnand with twenty-two (27%) members of the nobility. Seventy-six (93%) had served as career officers through the Rejchswehr period, five had transferred from the police, (6%)

and two (1%)returned from earlier

80

retirant.

m i n i n g branch affiliati.on, thirty-five (43%) were and thirteen

from the infantry, twenty-one (26%) from the panzer,

(16%) from the a r t i l l e r y . Sixty-two (73%) were General Staff.

Concerning awards m n t y - e i g h t recipients,

(34%) were Knight's Cross

thirty-one (389.) Oakleaves, eighteen (22%) Swords,

and

five (6%) Diamonds. N o army c d e r failed t o receive one of the above awards.

In examining actual corps c

d factors, twenty-two of the

army comnanders had been panzer corps c d e r s , four were mountain

corps comnanders and sixty-three were infantry corps comnanders. The average time of service as a corps comnander was eighteen months

before elevati.on t o army ccnnnand.

The hi.ghest f i e l d c n d

i n the German Army was the army

group. Eighteen existed during the course of the war with selection t o cannand being even mre stri.ngent than that a t armylevel. Twenty-five corps comnanders were ultimately elevated t o army group camand after successful army comnand. The remaining army group

cmnanders were very senior officers who had started the war a t army level or higher. Ten (40%) of a l l army group comnanders were members of the nobility. Twenty-three (92%) had served completely
through

the Kei.chswehr period as career soldiers, one (4%) had transferred

from Austrian Army.

and only one (4%) returned from reti.rement.

Concerni.ng branch a f f i l i a t i o n , eleven (44%) were from the infantry, six (24%) were panzer offi.cers, four (16%) came from the a r t i l l e r y ,

87

three

(12%) from the

cavalry, these

and one ( 4 % )was a mountain troop

indi.viduals were General Staff

officer. officers

Nine

(36%) of

.
In the f i e l d of
awards,

three

(12%) were Kni.ght's Cross

(12%)

recipients, ten (40%) Oakleaves, nine (36%) Swords, and three

Diamonds. S i x (24%) of the army group ccmnanders had been panzer corps comnanders, one (4%)a m t a i n corps comnander and eighteen The average time of service as a 29 corps comnander was twenty-one months.

(72%) infantry corps c m d e r s .

FINAL DISPOSITIONS OF THE CORPS cGU4ANDER.S

In the previous segplent many corps comanders Were promoted

t o higher grades and ccmnand positions. This section will exmine i n action as corps comnanders, taken

those individuals killed

prisoner during the war and joined the National Camittee for a Free Germany, or who were retired or dismissed from conmand.

G e m losses during World W a r n o were staggering. A yearly

breakdam of casualti.es by t o t a l dead and offi.cer dead shown on the

next page reveals the scope of t h i s statement:

88

Table 30
G e m Dead 1939

1944

Year 1939-1940 1940-1941 1941- 1942 1942-1943 1943-1944 1944-12.44 Total

Total Dead 73,829 138,301 445,036 418,276 534,112 167,335 1,776,889

0ffi.cer Dead 4,357 7,831 16,960 16,484 20,696 5,304 71,614

Officer % of Total 5.9 5.6 3.8 3.9 3.9 3.2 4.0

Losses amng general o f f i c e r s was a l s o high. Bernhard von

Claer, i n his study "Generals of the Third Rei.ch", stated that 342
general o f f i c e r s died during the war as s h m . 31

Table 31 General Officer F a t a l i t i e s (By Grade)

G r aae

h b e r Died

Generalfeldmarschall Gener alober st General der Infanterie,etc. Generalleutnant Generalmajor Total

7 11

62 126 136 342

89

Table 32 General Officer Fatali.cies (By Cause)

Fate

General Officers

Killed i n Action Missing i n Action ( F - r e s d Dead) Accidental Death Died of Natural Causes (On Duty) Died of Natural Causes (After Discharge) Suici.de Executed Total

169

45 25 46 12 25 20 342

Corps comnanders also suffered heavily. Tne following is a

l i s t i n g of a l l corps comnanders killed while i n c d :

Table 33

Corps Comnander Fatali.ties

Grade Name

Cornnand

Date Killed

Location

GL

Baa&

IXXXI
LVI Pz
L

8.5.45 26.1.45 2.5.45(S)

Segeberg
Lask

GdI
GL

Block,J
von Bodenhausen

Kurland

90

Corps comnander Fatalities (continued)

Grade Name

corranand

Date Ki.lled

Location

GclI

von Briesen,K

LII XXXIX Pz IXXIII XVIII XXIV Pz

20.11.41 21.4.45(S) 2.5.45 23.6.44(A) 21.1 .it3 8.5.45 5.6.45 22.7.44 20.1.43 (S) 18.4.45 16.3.45. 3.10.42 12.6.44 28.6.44 2.9.44 21.10.44 23.1.45 29.6.44 15.6.40 18.2.44 14.1.43 24.9.44 23.6.44(A)

Deri jewka

GdPz Decker

Braunschwei g Italy Salzburg

GdI

Dostler

GdGbT Eglseer
GL

Eibl

Don
Laibach

GdI
GdPz

von Erdmannsdorff,W XCI

Fehn,G
XV

Yugos 1 avi.a
%ai.ne Storoshewoje Sokolnica Kurland Storoshewoje Normandy
Beresi now

GdI
GL
GL

Hauffe
Jahr

XI11 XXIV Pz XXIV Pz

XVI

Kaellner
von Krosigk

GdI

GdPz von Langermann

XXIV Pz LXXXIV XXXIX Pz IV Pz

GdA GdA

Marcks,E
Martinek Mieth Priess Recknagel Schuenemnn von Speck Stemnermann,W Wandel Megener von Wickede

GdI GdI GdI

GL

Jassy
Easr: Prussia

XXXXII XXXIX Pz XVIII XI XXIV Pz

Petrikau Pagost France Tscherkassy Chilino Kurland Salzburg Krassnaj a

GL
GdA
GdA

GdI GdI
GdPZ

L X
m 1 Pz
91

Zorn

2.8.43

This information provides several important conclusions.

Twenty-seven corps comnanaers were killed while i n comnana. O f these mnty-two suicide
(817.1 were killed

in acti.on, three (11%) comni.tted

(S), and two (7%) were :killed in a i r accidents (A). Eleven

(41%) were killed while comnanding panzer corps.

individuals

As

expected losses increased l a t e r i n the war after the tide had turned against Germany. only three comnanders (117.) were killed during 1942, while four di.ed (15%) i n (747.) during the each

Germany's offensive years of 1939 t o 1943, a year of transition,

and twenty f e l l

defensive fighting of 1944 and 1945. Examining locations for

fatali.ty reveals that twenty-one (777.) were killed on the Eastern Front against the Soviets and three (11%) were killed on the Western

/ Italian Fronts against the Western Allies.

The Nati.ona1 Corrmittee for a Free Germany was formed in July 1943 from German emigrees and prisoners of war held i n the Soviet Union. Thi.s group published a manifesto which called on the German people
t o overthrow Hitler, establi.sh a non-Nazi governmnt, stop 32 the war, and relinquish a l l occupied t e r r i t o r i e s . Membership i n

the comnittee was open co a l l ;

liarever, che Soviets encouraged

hi.gher ranking officers t o j0i.n t o legitimize the m v e n t . 'he High Cornnand and Hitler naturally condemned the members as t r a i t o r s .

Reaction of junior mili.tary personnel seems t o have been mixed, perhaps leaning against the comnittee also. I t would seem that

no

92

personnel as high ranking as corps comnanders would have joined, but

this i s not the case. The following table lists those h o did:

Table 34 Nati.0-1 Gmucittee for a Free Germany -

Grade N

corps cornnand

Date Captured

GdI
GdI
GdA
GL
GL

Buschenhagen

LII LIII VII XXXXI

8.44

Gollwi tzer
Hell
Hoffmeister von Luetzar &Her ,L

28.6.44 8.44

1.7.44
5.7.44

xxxv
XXXXIV xxII,xxvII

GdI
GL

21.8.44 7.7.44
8.44

Mueller ,V
Postel Schloemr von Seydlitz-Kurzbach Strecker Voelckers

GL
GL
GdA

xxx
XIV LI XI ,XI11
WIi

29.1.43 30.1.43 2.2.43

9.i.U

GdI GdI

i n examining thi.s i.nfonnati.on it

is

seen that

tmlve Eleven

gener i s who had been corps comnanders joined the Connittee.

(92%) were career officers; c d e r s

one

(8%) had been in the poli.ce. Four

(33%) were General Staff officers and two

the

(17%) were
(75%) were

members

of

nobility.

i n branch

analysis nine

infantry, two (17%) arti.llery, and one (8%) engi.neer. mountain generals joined. 93

N o panzer or

Twenty corps comnanders were dismi.ssed from the service a t the termination of c m d . Dismissed is a d i f f i c u l t word io define.
Four were probably fired; GdA Behlendorff,

GdE'i

Fcerster,

GL von

33

Spneck,

and GdPz S t u m e .

Sixteen others

were perhaps more

gracefully retired after corps comnand. When exami.ning these sixteen

it is seen that six (38%) were members of nobility and

three

(19%)

were General

Staff

officers.

Not many were recipients of higher

awards, i n fact eleven (69%) di.d not win even the German Cross i n Gold. Eight were infantry offi.cers, three were a r t i l l e r y , three were 34 cavalry, one was an engineer, and one w a s a panzer officer.

In reviewing potential

the

factors of

performance,

promoti.on, and in a

the corps comnanders were well decorated soldiers,

society that valued this characteristic. Two hundred seventy-seven c m n d e r s , (83.4'Z), received one of :he grades of the Knight's

Cross, Germany's highest m i . l i tary decoration. Concerning promotions,

eleven corps comnanders continued their careers t o be Generalfeldmrschall which represents 3 . 3 percent of promoted all to

corps

comnanders. Twenty-eight

reached

the rank of Generaloberst, most

within twelve months of leaving a corps.

94

Eighty-two ccnnnanders l a t e r conrnanded armies and twenty-five went on t o c m n d army groups. i n reviewing both promotions and later

connards these cOmnanders represented a higher percentage of

nobility and General Staff officers t'mn the overall general officer

pop1ation.

Sumnarizing branch affili.ation i.t would appear as though panzer

and

mountain cOmnanders fared well and later comnand

concerning awards

promotions, strength.

i n comparison t o overall branch

Twenty-seven

corps conmanders were killed while i n c

mst on the Eastern Front and mst during the latter course of

the

w a r . Many camanders became prisoners of war with twelve joining the National
Ccmnittee

for

a Free Germany. A further

w n t y were

di.smi.ssed from service after their corps corranand.

In the f i n a l of c m n d will be

chapter a more detailed suamary of a l l factors presented and the corps c m n d e r s on t'ne

Eastern, 'Geestern, and I t a l i a n Fronts .xiil be measured against t h i s standard.

95

of the
L

Fuller, Generalship Its Diseases ---and Their Cure: A Personal Factor & Comnand,(Harrisburg, Pa.: Mili.tary Service Publi.shing Co.), 1936, p.23.
J.F.C.
ti

Martin van Creveld, F i 1914-1945, ( P o t m c , ?hry m e-*

J
1

Power, German Militar

A

Performance,

C o s u d 1980, p.124.

1980, Vol l , . 1 4 2 2 . 4 John R. Angolia, For Fuehrer and Fatherland; Militar -the Third Keich ( V o l e - k m - & e : R. James Ben r 1, p.337 a n 3 4 3 .

John R. Angolia, On the Field of Honor, Kni-ght's Cross B e a r e r r ( V & m , =an Jose:

RT James B e g e x
Awards of a d 1476,Vol'

History of the

Unpubli.shed award d o c m n t s t o Unteroffizier Karl B i n z , 25th Infantry Division, show the award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class on June 5, 1940 and the Iron Cross 1st Class the following day. John R. Angolia, For Fuehrer, Vol 1, pp.356-357. Martin van Creveld, Fighting Power, p.126. John R. Angolia, On the Field, Vol 1 , p.14. Marti.n van Creveld, Fighting P m r , p.126. lo John R. Angolia, On the Field, Vol 2, pp.108 and 125. Leopold Stei.nbatz, a Luftwxfe Non-Ccrrmissi.oned Officer p i l o t , was posthumously awarded the Swords and promoted t o lieutenant after bei.ng shot dam by Soviet anti-aircraft f i r e near Woltshansk. tie had amassed 99 kills before h i s death. Thi.s is the only i.mtance of an NCO winning the award.
John 9. Angoli.a, For Fuehrer, Vol I , pp.366-367

_--

l2 John R. Angolia, On the Field, Vol 1, p.52.

Vol 1, pp.46-50. Rude1 was a l3 John R. Angolia, On - the Field legend i n World W a r I1 Germany for h i s incredlble feats of dive banbing effici.ency. By war's end he had destroyed 1 battleship, 1 cruiser, numerous smaller naval ships and mre than 519 armored vehicles. He was wounded five times, one resulti.ng i n the loss of a leg.
-9

l4 John R. Angolia, For Fuehrer, Vol 1, p.336.

96

Erwin LenEeld and Franz Thomas, Die Eichenlacbtraeger 1940-1945, (Wiener Neustadt, 0esterrei.ch: Weilburg Verlag), 1Y82 I PP.14, 18, 81, 85, 88, 129, 204, 273, 341, 344, 431.
GL Hube won the Kni.ght's Cross as c m n d e r of the 16th Panzer Division August 1, 1941, and the Oakleaves as cOmnander of the same unit January 16, 1942. H e was awarded the Swords for hi.s leadership of the XIV Panzer Corps i n the Stalingrad pocket December 12, 1942, and the Diamonds as comnander of the 1st Panzer Army during the breakout from the Kamnez-Pcdolsk pocket. On April 20, 1944 Hube received this l a s t award a t Berchtesgarden from Hitler and was k i l l e d i n an a i r c r a f t accident the followi.ng day enroute t o the front.
GdPz Harp was awarded the Knight's Cross August 13, 1941 and the Oakleaves December 31, 1941 as corranander of the 12th Panzer Division. He won the swords as comnander of the X X X X I Panzer Corps for actions during the Kursk offensive September 15, 1943.

15

GdPz Breith won the 1;ni.ght's Cross as corrmander of the 5th Panzer Brigade during the French Campaign in 1940. H e assumed c d of the 3rd Panzer Di.vi.si.on and received the Oakleaves i n this position January 31, 1942. H e won the Swords as comnander of the I11 Panzer Corps February 21, 1944 for defensive actions along Dnjepr River.

te
the

GdGebTr Kreysi.ng was awarded the lbight's Cross as c&er of 16th Infantry Regiment May 18, 1940 and the Oakleaves January 18, 1943 as the c m d e r of the 3rd Mountain Division. He received the Swords on April 13, 1944 as colrmander of the X V I I Corps also for acti.ons along the Dnjepr River 1i.m.

. GdI Jordan received the Knight's Cross June 5, 1940 as comnander of the 49th Infantry Regiment and the Oakleaves June 16, 1942 i n the same unit. After a tour as the 7th Infantry Division cmnander, he assured conmand of the 6th Corps and received the Swords for mili.tar7 acnievemnt i n t h i s unit April 20, 1944 as part of the 9 t h Army a t Rshev.
G d I Wegener won the Kni.ght's Cross October 27, 1941 and the Oakleaves January 18, 1942 as colTpnander of the 94th Infantry Regiment. Promoted t o colrrnand the 32nd Infantry Divi.sion l a t e r i n the year, he a s s m d camand of the L Corps and won the Swords September 1 7 , 1944 for actions i.n Kurland with Army Group North. He was ki.lled i n action seven days later.

GdPz von Knobelsdorff earned the Knight's Cross as comnander of the 19th Panzer Division September 17, 1941. On November 12, 1943 he won the Oakleaves as corrmander of the XxxXVIII Panzer Corps. For actions a t Jassy Rumania he was awarded the Swords as corrrmander of the XXXX Panzer Corps.
97

GdI Recknagel won the Knight's Cross as the 54th Infantry Regiment c m d e r August 5, 1940. As comnander of the 111th e recei.ved Infantry Divisi.on he won the Oakleaves November 6, 1943. H the Swords October 23, 1944 as connnander of the XM(xI1 Corps for defensive actions a t Kmel w i t h the 4th Panzer Army. Recknagel was k i l l e d i n action near Lodz Poland January 18, 1945.

G d I von Obstfelder received a l l three grades of the Knight's Cross as a corps ccutnander. As the XXIX Corps cOmnander he won the Knight's Cross on July 27, 1941, and the Oakleaves June 7, 1943. On November 5, 1944 as coamander of the IXXXVI Corps for actions in s t a b i l i z i n g the Western Front near Venlo i n the Netherlands.
GdA Weidling was awarded the Knight's Cross as the 86th Infantry Divi.sion ccutnander January 15, 1943. He received the Oakleaves and X X X I Panzer Corps February 22 and Swords as corrmander of the X November 28, 1944 respecti.vely for acti.ons i n defense of Army Group Center during the massive Soviet Sumner 1944 0ffensi.ve. H e died i n 1955 i n a Soviet prisoner of war camp.
GdPz Herr won the Knight's Cross as comnander of the 13th mtori.zed Brigade, October 2 , 1941 and the Oakleaves whi.le i n e finally c d of the 13th Panzer Division August 9, 1942. H received the Swords a s c m d e r of the IXXVI Panzer Corps December 18, 1944 for the tenacious defense up the Italian peninsula with the 14th Army.

l6 Rudolf H o h , " G e m Efficiency Report System", U.S. h n y Histori.ca1 Division Study M S # P-134, (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Military History), 1952, p. 46.
A n I l l u s t r a t e d and l 7 J o s t W. Schnei.der, Their Honor was Loyalty! the K a f f e n x Docurnentar Histor of the K n i g h t ' s C G s Holders of d 9 = , 7 S a n J o s e , m i m James BendG F u b l i m , 1977, p.167.

l8 Horst Scheibert, Die Traeger des Deutschen Kreuzes i n Gold (Band I , -Das fleer), (Friedberg, FIG: P o & - P a l l a s - V e m 1983, 3p.1115. 19 Rudolf H o h , "German Efficiency Report System", U.S. Army Historical Di.vision Study MS# P-134, (Washington, D.C: Office of the Chief of lulilitary History), 1952, p.3.
2o Kartin van Creveld, F i g h t i W Power, p. 166. 21 Helmut Klei.nkmp, "The Army Personnel Office", U.S. Army Hi.storica1 Di.vision Study MS/I P-O4lhh, (Washington, D.C: Office of the Chief of Military History), 1952. p.21. 22 Rudolf Hofmann, "German Effi.ciency Report System", p.36. 98

23 Oberkomnando des Heeres, Heerespersonalamt, Amtsgmppe P3, Roll U3, Item H 8 l 7 , Series T-78, Records of Headquarters German Army Hi.gh Connand Mi.crofi.lm, (Washi.ngton, 3.C: The National Archives), 196i.
24 Martin van Creveld, Fighting Power, p.167. 25 Heinz Guderian and K u r t Zeitzler, "Comnents on P-41a - P-O4lhh", U.S. azTny Historical Division Study Wl P-04111, (Washi-lgton, D.C: Office of the Chief of Nilitary History), 1953, p.34. 26 Wolf Keilig, D a s Deutsche Heer 1939-1945 (Band 1-1111, (Bad Nauheim, E R G : P o d i % 3 J e ~ 5 6 111, ~ 1 p.203. 27 The following corps cannanders were promoted t o the rank of generaloberst:

Table 35 Generaloberst Grade Name

GdPz von Arnim,H

k P S

Corps Ccmnander from to

11.11.41-30.11.42 1935-1938

Date Promoted to G o
3.12.42 1.10.39 19.7.40 19.7.40 1.7.44 19.7.40 19.7.40 20.4.44 1.1.43 30.1.43 1.5.45

GdI GdA G d I G d I GdPz

GdA

Blaskaritz

Dollmann
von Falkenhorst Friessner Guderian
Haase,C Harpe Heimici

GPz G d I
GdA G d I

Heitz Hilpert

XXXIX PZ I1 IX X X I XXIII XVI XIX I11 X X X X I PZ VII X II X X X X I I I VIII LXIX X X I I I LIV

~ ~~~ ~

1.10.34-8.39

GdK GdI

Hcepner Hol li.dt

G d I
GdPZ

Hoth Hube Jaenecke Lindemann ,G von Mackensen Raus Reinhardt Renduli c Ruoff

GdPi GdK GdK

GdPZ
GdPZ

G d I G d I

8.39-4.40 20.1.43-7.12.43 4.2.38-20.11.38 1.9.39-11.40 19.11.38-13.11.40 15.1.42-15.10.43 1.2.40-8.4.40 9.4.40-16.6.40 18.6.40-20.1.42 25.10.39-31.1.43 22.6.42-25.7.42 25.7.42-20.1.43 20.1.43-1.8.43 VI i3.5.43-11.&3 I 10.11 A3-1.2.44 30.3.44-1.9.44 -m 24.11.38-2.41 XVII 23.1.42-2.4.42 12.6.42-7.12.42 xv 10.11.38-11.40 XIV 15.9.42-17.1.43 5.3.43-22.10.43 IV 1.11.42-16.1.43 L 25.10.40-16.1.42 I11 Pz 15.1.41-31.3.42 20.7.42-2.1.43 XI 1.3.43-10.43 xx)(xvII PZ 5.11.43-25.11.43 X X X X I 15.2.40-30.9.41 xxxv 1.11.42-4.43 V 5.39-12.1.42
~

19.7.40 1.9.43 19.7.40 20.4.44 30.1.44 3.7.42 6.7.43 15.8.44 1.1.42 1.4.44 1.4.42

99

Generoberst (continued) Grade Nane von Salmth GdPz Schidt,R GdI von Schobert GdI Strecker
GdPz von Vietlnghoff

Corps

Corps Ccmnander from to

Date Promoted to G o

GdI

xxx

GdI
28

Weiss

VII XVII XI XIX XI11 XxxXvI XXVII

m 1 x

Pz

10.5.41-27.12.41 1.2.40-10.11.41 4.2.38-25.10.40 2.4.42-6.5.42 6.5.42-2.2.43 1.39-8.39 26.10.39-25.10.40 1.11.40-10.6.42 31.8.42-2.2.43

1.1.43 1.1.&2 19.7.40 30.1.43 1.9.43 1.2.44

Each of the following comnanders served his entire tour as a generalleutnant and w a s promoted after leaving corps conmand: Table 36 General leutnant Grade Name
GL GL
GL

Corps

Promoted To

Date Promoted

von Choltitz Graeser .

G L GL
GL

Jahn myer Rcetti.g

von Scheele Stapf von Vormann Ziegler

lxXxIV XxxxvIII Pz XVII XXIV XxxXvIII Pz LXXXVIII I1

~

GdI
GdPZ

1.8.44 1.9.44 1.10.44 1.4.45 1.8.43 1.12.43 1.10.42 27.6.44 1.1.44

GdA

IXVI ~~

LII LIII
XXXXIV

GdI GdI G d I GdI

~~~

GL G L GL

GdI
GdPZ GdA

XxxxvII Pz I11 Pz

The f o 1 l o w i . q cor?s group level:

29

cormnanders went on t o c m n d z t :he axmy

Table 38 Army Group Comnanders Grade Name

GdFz GdPz
Army Group

Dates Carrmanded

GdI
GdA

von Arnim,H Balck Blaskowitz von Brauchitsch Busch

Tuni.s G G

H
GdI
4 Center Northwest
100

9.3.43-12.5.43 9.44-12. 44 12.44-1.45 28.1.45-7.4.45 1937-1939 12.10.43-27.6.44 20.3.45-23.3.45

Army Group Conmanders (continued)

Grade Nane
G d I
GL

m Group
North South Ukraine
A Vistula

Dates Comnanded
1.7.44-25.7.44 25.7.44-22.12.44 28.9.44-16.1.45 20.3.45-29.4.45 24.3.45-30.4.45 10.9.42-9.3.43 9.3.43-31.3.44 19.12.41-10.43 2.7.44-17.8.44 2.7.44-17.8.44 17.1.42-9.1.44 31.3.44-1.7.44 22.11.42-31.3.44 9.1.44-31.3.44 31.3.44-27.6.44 28.6.44-16.8.44 17,8.44-21.4.45 1.12.41-17.1.42 16.8.44-25.1.45 15.1.45-27.1.45 27.1.45-10.3.45 10.3.45-24.3.45 25.3.45-8.5.45 31.3.44-20.7.44 25.7.44-18.1.45 18.1.45-30.4.45 2.4.45-8.5.45 29.1.45-10.3.45 10.3.45-30.4.45 15.7.42-10.7.43 26.8.43-25.3.45 12.3.45-5.4.45 26.10.40-15.3.42 28.12.44-25.3.45

Friessner
tIarpe Heinrici. Hilpert von Kleist von Kluge von Kuechler Lindemann , G von Manstein Model

G d I

GdI
GdK
GdA
GdA GdK G d I
GdPZ

bland A South Ukraine Center

D
B North North

GdA
GdPZ

GdI

von Reichenau Xeinhardt ,G Rendul ic

GdGbT Schoerner

b r . 1 South North North Ukraine Center B South Center Kurland North bland South South North Center
G KUKland

G d I
GdPZ

Schulz,F von Vietinghoff von Wei.chs Weiss von Witzleben Woehler

GdK

GdI
G d I G d I
30

C B F North D South

Martin van Creveld, Fighting Power, p.183.

krnhard von Claer, "Generals of the Thi.rd Rei.ch", U.S. Axmy Historical Division Study WII B-513, (Washington,D.C.: Offi.ce of the Chief of Mili.tary History), 1946, Annex 2.

31

Bod0 Scheurig, Free German The Nati.ona1 Conittee -and the League of German m c e i & k d d E m , Connecticutt: Wesleyan University Ress), 1 3 .

101

des Chefs des

D e m t Bradley and Richard Schulze-Kossens, Taeti.gkei.tsbericht Heerespersonalamtes General Infanterie R d o l f S c h m d t : 1.10.~2-29.10.G4. (Osnabrueck, FRG: B i b l i m , 1 9 8 4 , pp.72,126. _3 4 Wolf Keilig, Die Generale des Heeres, (Friedberg, FRG: PodzunPallas-Verlag) , m 3 , pp. 1 7 , 4 ~ 1 ~ 2 , 1 6 4 , 1 8 6 , 2 3 7 , 2 6 0 , 2 6 2 , 2 9 0 ,
31%,305,318,355,359.

33

102

CtlARFX6
OvERtzLI, CHAl7ACTWISTICS

Taken together, the data relating to various characteristics selected i n this study offer a revealing profile of German corps for comparison of

comnanders. This sumnary w i l l form the "baseline"

the conmanders serving on the Eastern Front and those on the Western

I t a l i a n Fronts.

Although

there

is

no

single

benchrk

characteristic on which t o base degrees of comnand

success, several
Factors

i n combinati.on give new insight t o the thesis question.

considered i n t h i s evaluation include the cmnander's career pattern (career servi.ce, recalled from r e t i r e n t , transferred from p l i c e , etc. 1, branch affi.li.ation, General Staff service, previ.ous comnand

and staff assigrmnts, decorations, and l a t e r promotion t o hig'her

1

rank and higher ccnmand.

The comnander's background

c m n d

i.s a

significant factor

of

success. Career comnanders (individuals with uninterrupted

service in the army from W t o M I ) canposed 80.7% of the total i n

c m n d , while those i.ncorprated from the Austrian Army

after the

Anschluss, 3.3% of the t o t a l , should also f a l l into t h i s category. According t o Blumentri.tt's assertion, therefore,
84% of a l l corps

cdrmanders would possess the mst current professional versus the

conpetence,

1 C L who transferred from the police or returned from

retirement.

103

A review of

branch affili.ation reveals that three major infantry

branches held the l i o n ' s share of corps corranand positions: with 51.5%,

a r t i l l e r y with 18.91, and panzer with 16.2%. Avai.lable

data indicates t'nat panzer generals overall may have fared k t t e r i n awards and promotions, but it is outside the scope of t h i s thesis t o

examine this point fully. Additionally, i.t would be i.ncorrect t o

s t a t e that panzer officers were mre proficient than other branch percentages

officers. HaJever, the relationship between these three

on each front

is significant i n examining the application of

traditi.ona1 t a c t i c s of the infantry, m b i l i t y tactics of the panzer,

and fireparer application of the a r t i l l e r y .

General Staff

service was viewed highly by senior military the selections of corps colrmanders. Although implemented several policies
he

lea&rship
,

who made

Hitler disliked the General Staff and

t o 1imi.t i.ts importance, t h i s study has found no evidence that became deliberately involved i n selection of comnanders a t

COT~S

level.
Staff

Further research must be done as sources indicating General officers are not than complete and complete fi,mes
the

may be

u l t i m a t e l y 'nigher

50% found belonging

t o chis group.

b r o w examples of successful cornnand a t this and higher levels by

non-General Staff officers exist. However, with the German High and education processes, a mark of final

Camand's am special selection, training,

i t i.s evident that General Staff service was considered

success. conpar i son.

Therefore it also w i l l

be

considered i n the

104

Previous comnand and staff experience are addi.tiona1 factors

that w i l l
be

considered for

compari.son. A l m o s t 907. of a l l corps

comnanders had comnandea a t the divjsion level, with 15.3% previous

panzer division conmanders. Concerning prior s t a f f service,

served as divisi.on operations offi.cers,

9% had

207. as corps chiefs of

staff, a n d 11%army chiefs of staff. These three s t a f f positions are closely related t o General S t a f f

service as during both the

Reichswehr, albeit secretly, and the Wehrmacht they were coded for
General Staff officers.

Overall the corps ccmnanders were highly decorated with various military decorations of
their

nation.

Consideri.ng the

emphasis that a l l segnents of government and society placed on these decorati.ons i t would appear that they were indicative a t that time

of military success. Individual examples of cOmnanders not receiving a specific award due t o conflicts with Hitler exi.st but disprove overall results. Combi.ning a l l
do

not

grades of the Knight's t h i s award.

Cross, 83.4% of a l l corps ccmnanders were winners of

Concerning the comanaers,

bestowal of received

awards

for

achi.everent as corps Oakieaves anc

3.X

the Knight's Cross w i . t n

Swords, while 13.6% received the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves.

105

Later promotion to higher rank and higher

d is a

significant indi.cator a l l ami.es use t o reward success and indicate potential.

The Gennan Army was no different with respect

t o corps

comnand. Eleven forner corps ccnnnanders ( 3 . 3 % ) attained the rank of Generalfeldmarschall while twenty-eight former c m n d e r s

(8.4%)

achieved the rank of Generaloberst. Above the corps level were the

armies and army groups. Eighty-five corps ccmanders (25.6%) were

elevated t o army comnand while twenty-five (7.5%) ultimately assumed anny group comnand. Selecti.on for either was a significant indicator of past success and are crucial t o the thesis.

The results

that

will be used for the analysis can also be

displayed i n table format t o f a c i l i t a t e c q a r i . s o n :

Table 38 Corps Carmander Baseline Characteristics

Category

Percentage

Career Officer Branch Affiliation: Infantry Artillery

Panzer

84

51.5

18.9
16.2

106

Corps Com;lander Baseline Characteristics (continued)

Category

Percentage

General Staff Membership

Previous Division Cornnand

49.7

Infantry Panzer Infantry and Panzer Previous Staff e r i e n c e Division Operations 0ffi.cer Corps Chiefs of Staff
Army Chiefs of Staff
Award Recipients A l l Grades of Knight's

77.4 15.3
3.3

9.0 19.8 11.4

Cross

83.4 3.3 13.6

Swords as Comnander Oakleaves as Comnander Later Promotion

To Generalfeldmarschall
To Generaloberst

3.3
8.4

Later Cornnand

To Army Gmnander To Army Group Comnander

25.6 7.5

107

Before i.nferences can be drawn based on the above data, one poi.nt rust be addressed. There is sow built-in inequi.ty i n the

comparison due t o the duration of the war on each front. The German military e f f o r t on the Eastern Front lasted from June 1941 t o M a y
1945, a period of almost four

years. The I t a l i a n Front lasted from

July 1943, with the invasion of Sicily, t o M a y 1945, s o m twenty-two

months.
duration,

The Western Front was

i n operation for an even shorter

from June 1944 t o M a y 1945, only eleven months.

Corps

cdrmanders on the Eastern Front had more time t o be promoted as more higher corrmands became avai.lable i n four years than i n two. However, prior background factors s t i l l exi.sted for a l l ; and the awards

system continued t o the very end of the war.

With these factors can be made:

i n mind the following Front comparisons

Table 39 Carps Comnanders by Front Comparison

Category

Overall

Eastern Front

Xestern Front

Italian Front

7.

Career Officer Branch Affiliation: Infantry

84.0

55.8

84.8

100

51.5 18.9
16.2

53.5 15.6 19.1

55.7 21.7 5.7

16.6
25.0 33.3

Arti.llery
Panzer

10s

Corps Comnanders by Front Comparison (continued)

Category

Over a11

Eastern Front

Western Front

Italian Front

7 0

General Staff Membership

Prior Division cornnand
Infantry Panzer Infantry & Panzer Prior Staff Experience Division I a Corps Chief of Staff
Chief of S t a f f

49.7

49.8

32.6

41.6

74.1 12.3 3.3

75.1
12.0
4.4

82.6

66.6 16.6 16.6

8.7
2.2

9.0 19.8 11.4

5.3 23.1 13.3

4.3 17.3 10.9

8.3 25.0 8.3

Award Recipients
Knight's cross

83.4

93.3 4.0

80.4
4.3

91.7

Swords as Corrmander Oakleaves as Comnander Later Promtion

To G M

3.3 13.6

8.3 8.3

18.7

6.5

3.3

1.3

0.0

0.0
0.0

To GO
Later ccmnand
Army ccmnander Army Group Comnander

8.4

8.9

0.0

25.6 7.5

27.6 8.4

8.7

8.3 8.3

2.2

109

I t is evident,

according t o these c r i t e r i a , that m front was

"stacked" with more cmpetent corps ccrrmanders t o the disadvantage of

the others.

Career officer representation for the Eastern and trend, with the I t a l i a n this category.

Western Fronts closely paralled the overall Front

showing SOmewhat greater representation of such as France

Corps ccmuianders on s t a t i c fronts,

from 1941 t o
less decorated,

before the Normandy invasion, were generally older,

and less likely t o be prromoted or be given army/army group c

Upwardly mobile corps carmanders with more complete credentials were given c

b i n active combat sectors, regardless of front.

Branch affi1i.ation i.s also well represented by the three major branches on a l l three fronts. It is interesting t o note, however,
where a

the relatively high proportion of panzer officers i n I t a l y ,

mre

traditional,

position-

oriented campaign was fought,

rather

than a fluid b a t t l e that such a representation' of panzer cOrrmanders

night

suggest.

Panzer officers did receive a hi.gher proportion of

than a s t r i c t branch allocation would

awards and promotions indicate. Twdve of

eighteen panzer corps fought exclusively i n i n Italy,

Russia, one solely on the Western Front, one exclusively

a n d one only i n Africa. The other three rotated between the Eastern
and WesterdItalian Fronts. With t h i s r a t i o , i.t is obvious that many mre panzer corps comnanders served i n Russia than on other
fronts. the the

The extremely low percentage (8.7%) of corps comnanders of

panzer

branch on the Western Front was partially offset by

presence of Waffen SS panzer corps and panzer comanders during the battles of Normandy and the Ardennes.

110

The two traditional

branches,

a r t i l l e r y and infantry, provided

the

highest overall percentage of comnanders. The preponderance

of

panzer officers i n tile East apparently cut directly into the numbers of artillery corrmanders on this front. In reviewing army command,

representation by branch was highest for infantry (43%), followed by panzer (2673, and arti.llery (16%). As more panzer comnanders served

on the Eastern Front,

i.t is clear that these individuals muld

constitute much of the panzer representation for army comnanders.

The same is t r u e for army group cornnand *re

44% were infantry, 24%

panzer, and 16% a r t i l l e r y .

General Staff reflected

membershi.p declined as the war progressed and i s

i n the reduced General Staff representation a m o w corps

cdrmanders on the Western Front from 1944-1945.' Again more work must
be done

i n thi.s area. The rank lists f r m 1920-1938,

the primary

sources for

this criteri.on, are not complete as by the Versailles

Staff. Staff Ymy by

Treaty Germany was prohibited from'~vi.nga General

individuals could be identified as members of the General examining duty positions tradi.tionally held by General officers, membership. but
Other

Staff

Corps

no

Xeichswetu

l i s t wouid

actually uelineace

officers,

who did not

hold these tradilional

positions may have been General Staff offi.cers also.

M o s t corps c m n d e r s

on a l l

three

fronts had been di.vision

corrmanders. I t is again interesting t o note that a full third of the corps c m n d e r s in Italy had c m n d e d panzer divisions, double the

111

percentage of those i n Xussia, and three tiws that of cOmnanders on

the Western front.

Although many

infantry and

panzer division

c-nders

later

comnanded corps, no reserve division cORnanders

did. Thirty-five corps c m n d e r s di.d not comnand a t division level. Most, however, comnanded corps a t the s t a r t of the war.

Their

opportunity for di.vi.sion comnand, therefore, would have been during the Reichswehr, when the German Army was extremely small. After 1940 almost a l l corps conmanders had served as division comnanders.
At

the other end of the spectnnn, eleven corps comnanders had comnanded

both infantry and panzer divisions.

Some of these

cdi.nati.ons at the

occurred when infantry divisions converted t o panzer status beginning of

the war, although the division headquarters remained

unchanged. Repeated divisi.on conmand could occur, but certainly was not a prerequisite for elevati.on to corps c m n d .

fie results concerning prior staff experi.ence are well-balanced

for

all

three fronts, The slightly higher results for

army level
the

chiefs of longer

staff for the Eastern Front most accuracely relect

durati.on of t h i s caqaign. Again, comnanders i n I t a l y are

well represented i n Division Operations 0ffi.cers and Corps Chiefs of

Staff. These numbers are probably more accurate than overall General Staff representation as the Reichswehr rank assignments for a l l officers. l i s t s included specific

112

Overall award recipients sli.ghtly favor

those on the Eastern

Front, especi.ally i n Winni.n& the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves as a corps comnander. Part of this
i.s due

t o the duration of

the

campaign, and also the offensive nature of t h i s front 1943. The other two fronts, Ardennes Offensive,

Eron 1941 to

with some exceptions such as the 1944 In

were predominantly defensive i n nature.

looking a t any awards system discrepancies do exi.st. Undoubtedly,

some

general but

officers deserved t o wi.n one of ti= hi.gher grades did not.

of

award,

Some may have received awards when ti1ei.r

performance did not truly merit the award. There i.s scant evidence of di.ssati.sfaction with the awards system. If widespread existed, they inequities

surely would have been noted i.n postwar memoirs. keeping i.n mind that

Therefore, overall results are probably valid, any such system is imperfect.

Promtion t o both generaloberst and generalfeldmarschal can only be seen on the Eastern Front. Later camand a t army and army g o u p

level i.s not so one- sided, but sti.11 is clearly represented core by comnanders i n Russia. Again many of these promotions and assigments went to individuals who comnanded a t t'he corps level in 1941 and appear t o be by default. More than cmnd. About 350 became

1942. Late war comnands do not 2400 men reached general

officer

f a t a l i t i e s . Assuming another 500 were tw old or i l l

to take on the

ri.gors of corps c m n d , the German High Gnnnand sti.11 had well over

1000 eligible officers,

from whi.ch t o select. Qualifi.ed alternates

113

did exist. Temporary corps comnanders were often selected from mre readily available officers, cdrmanders wi.thi.n a few days. but could be replaced by penanent

Ideally, inmdiate postwar interviews with High Coomand personnel officers on the relative merits of each cmmnder would establi.sh

exact c r i t e r i a

for promotion.

The USAREUR Historical

Division

undertook a wide ranging interview program, but di.d not include subject matter of t h i s nature. Without such sources this thesis nust turn t o traditi.ona1 military leadership theory t o vali.date the c r i t e r i a used for the study. The Xeichswehr was highly competitive and demanding i n the respect of officer a d v a n c e n t . The High

Camnand leaders, above corps level, were products of this system. Despite the presence of several "politi.ca1" generals i n the Army i.nput t o the selection of

Personnel Office, these leaders had great

corps c m n d e r s . The mst l i k e l y response would have been to select junior individuals "in their own image." That image included

s m

representation by the nobili.ty, an excellent educational background evidenced by selection for

the General

Staff,

demonstrated

excellence i n s t a f f

and comand assignwrics, che potenci.al

for

higher semi ce , and like-minded thi.niti ng.

To deviate sharply from these princi.pals would have opened the possibility of an unfavorable clunge i n the enti.re officer caste

114

system.

To be sure, some radically different indivi.duals, perhaps

were

mre closely ali.gned with prevai.li.ng poli.ti.ca1 conditions,

elevated t o corps c m d . But it was not i n the best a l l the higher military leadership for t h i s t o occur
this

interest of too often. A s

thesis has shown,

men of

high quality were di.stributed

throughout a l l major theaters of the war.

In sumnary, the corps cuunanders on the Eastern Front were not conspicuously mre competent than those on the Western or Italian

Fronts. The German High CQrmand distributed talent well i n a l l three areas, and continued t o select quality indivi.duals for t h i s level of responsi.bility for the duration of the war. Using the evaluation
it does not

system employed here,

appear that corps colrnnanders Quality

gravitated t o any specific front t o get a "ti.cket punched".

indi.vi.duals were selected t o cornnand i n active combat fronts, where dedicated courageous leadership was needed.

115

Concerning age, 49.5% of the comnanders were between 51 and 55 and 31.8% between 45 and 50 upon a s s d n g corrmand. Only 1.8%were younger than 45 and 3.37. older than 60. Other aspects of relative colIpnand success cannot be di.rectly related t o age, so t h i s criterion w i l l not be used i.n comparing various front camanders. Xepresentation of the nobility remai.ned constant throughout

tlze w a r a t approximately 22.6% of a l l corps conmanders. This

percentage dramatically increased t o 73% of a l l corps c d r s prcmoted t o the rank of Generalfeldmarschall, the characteristi.c of nobility i t s e l f i s not a valid b e n c h r k of relative success and will also not be used i n the cumpari.son. Nazi. Party membership and influence wi.11 not be used for canpari.son. More concrete research "St be done in this area t o adequately document the extent of the relati.onship between Amy leaders and the Nazi. Party. This thesis however, w i l l not use unsubstantiated post-war i.nuendo t o categ0ri.z certain officers as Nazi.s

Twenty-seven corps comnanders (8.17.) were killed whi.le i n comnand. k n t y - t w o were killed i n action, three were suicides, and two were killed i n accidents. While this information shows that corps camand w a s hazardous, it does ~t reveal any conclusion concerning proficiency of these i.ndividuals. Additionally, membership i n the National Cornnittee for a Free Germany was solely an Eastern Front phenomenon, with the question of resulting honor versus disloyalty l e f t t o other dissertations.

116

APPENDIX A

ABBREVIATIONS

AF'PmIX A

The following

i.s

glossary

of

Geman terms and

abbreviations used both

in t h i s m u s c r i p t

and related Gernan

sources which w i l l a s s i s t in further research. For t e r n that have

mre than one abbreviation I have used the fi.rst listed.

German term

Abbreviation

Equivalent

Arnee
Arrreekorps Armeeoberkomnando Arti.lleriekLxrmandeur

a q army corps army conmand army level a r t i l l e r y

AK

AOK
Ark0

corrmander
Auszei.chnung Blutorden decor ati.on Blood Order of Nazi Party Deutsches Kreuz i n Gold Division Eisernes Kreuz Gebirgskorps Geboren &fallen
DK

Geman Cross i n Gold

division Iron Cross mountain corps born fallen (killed)

DivlD

E x
GebK geb gef

118

General der A r t i l l e r i e

GdA / Gen.d.Art.

General of Artillery

( 3 s t a r rank)
General der Flieger
GdF / Gen.d.Fl.

General of Flying troops (Luftwaffe

3 star rank)
General der Gebirgstruppen GdGebT/Gen.d.Geb

General of Mountain troops ( 3 s t a r rank)

General der Infanterie

GdI / Gen.d.Inf.

General of Infantry

( 3 star rank)
General der Kaval1eri.e
GdK / Gen.d.Kav.

General of Cavalry

( 3 s t a r rank)
General der Panzer
W z I Gen.d.Pz.

General of Panzer troops ( 3 s t a r rank)

General der Pionier

Wi / Gen.d.Pi.0.

General of Engineers ( 3 s t a r rank)

Generalfeldmarschall

GFM / Feldm

Field &shall ( 5 s t a r rank)

Generalkomnando z.b.V.

GenKdo 2.b.V.

corps for special employment

Generalleutnant

GZ

/ Genlt

Li eutenann-Gener a i
( 2 s t a r rank)

Gener a hj or

Q 1 / Genmaj

Yljor-General

(1 s t a r rank)
Generaloberst
GO / Genobst

Colonel-General

( 4 s t a r rank)
Gener alstab Genstbe / GSt General Staff

119

Heer

the h l y

Heeresgruppe

m
HoehKdo 2.b.V.

army

SOUP

Hoehere Arti.lleriekomandeur Park0

army level arti.llery comnander

Hceheres Komnando z.b.V.

corps for special employrent

Infanterie Division Kavalleri.ekorps

I.D.

infantry divi si.on cavalry corps cossack cavalry corps

Kav.Korps

Kosaken-Kava1leri.ekorps

K o s Kav. Korps

hank Kr i.egsgef angenen Kriegslazarett

kr
Kriegsgef

sick, ill pri.soner of war frontline hospi.ta1

Kr.Laz.
I m.f.b..

m i t der Fuehrung beauftragt m.d.F.b.

charged with cornnand (temporary cdr)

Oberkonmando des Heeres

OKH

High Cannand of the h Y

Oberkorrmando des M e h c h t

OKW

Hi.gh Conmind of the a d Forces

O b e r st

O b i Obst
PZK RK

Colonel a m r e d corps reserve corps Knight ' s Cross

Panzerbrps Reserve-Korps Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuz

Ri tterkreuz des Eisernes

RK

EL I Ei.cn

Knight's Cross with Oakleaves

Kreuz mi t Ei chenlaub

120

Ri.tterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuz nit Eichenlaub und Scllwerten Ritterheuz des Eisernes k e u z nit Eichenlaub, Scl-rwerten und Brillanten
.

sk' I s c h w

Xnight's Cross wi.th Oakleaves and Swords

BR

Knight's Cross with

Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds

Stellvertreter Verfugung Verwundet Volks-Arti.llerie-brps

Stllv

deputy a t disposal wounded Peoples Artillery Corps

vf I vfg
v I vem VAK

Volksturm

vst

Peoples forces Waffen SS

GJaffen SS
Weiurnacht

ss
Web

Arned Forces

121

APPENDIX B

CGYNANDFJS

APPENDIX B

The following is a listing of all corps cnrmanders. Two

ranks are given when the general was pronoted while i.n c o m d .

GL-GdA von Brauchitsch

GdA von Kuechler
GL-GdA Petzel

1.10.35-1.4.37 1.4.37-8.39 8.39-26.10.39 26.10.39-1.4.43 1.4.43-15.8.43 15.8.43-10.11.43 10.11.43-1.2.44 1.2.44-30.3.44 30.3.44-1.9.44 1.9.44-19.1.45 19.1.45-21.2.45 21.2.45-25.4.45

GL-GdI von Both,H

GL-GdI Wcehler

GL-GdI Grase

GdI Hilpert
GL Hartmann,W
G d I Hilpert

GL-GdI Busse
GL Mayer

GL-GdI Fangohr
GL Usinger

25.&.&5-.2.5.&5

GL-GdI Blaskowitz
G d I Strauss,A

1935-1938 10.11.38-30.5.40 123

GdI Stuelpnagel ,K
GL-GdI von Brockdorff-Mefeldt

30.5.40-20.6.40 20.6.40-5.42 5.42 5.42-28.11.42 28.11.42-1.4.44 1.4.44-5.5.44 5.5.44-11.5.44 11.5.44-14.6.44 14.6.44-2.7.44 2.7 .44-14.7.44 15.7.U-9.44 9.44 9.44-15.1.45 15.l.45-1.4.45 1.4.45-8.5.45

GdI von Tippelski.rch

GdI von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt

G d I L a w

GL Mayer ,J
G d I Laux
GL Mayer , J

G d I Laux

GL Yiyer , J

GL-GdI 1Iasse,W
GL xcepke

G d I Hasse,W
GL Mayer , J
GL Gause

I11 ARMEEKORPS (12.34-5.42) / 111 PA"X0WS (6.42-5.45)

GL-GdI von

:.Ji tzleben

1.12.34-10.i1.38 19.11.38-13.11.40 13.11 .P0-15.1.41 15.1.41-31.3.42 31.3.42-19.7.42 20.7.42-22.11.42 22.11.42-2.1.43

GdA-GO b a s e ,C

G d I von Greiff
GdK von Mackensen
W z von Schweppenburg

GdK von Mackensen

GdSS Steiner

124

GdPz Breith
GL Ziegler
GL,

2.1.43-20.10.43 20.10,. L3-25.11 .L3 27.11.43-9.1.44 9.1.44-31.5.44 1.6.44-29.6.44 29.6.44-5.5.45

Schulz,F

GdPz Breith
GL von Saucken

GdPz 6rei.th

I V ARMEFKORPS (10.35-9.44)

/ I V PAICEFXSPS (10.44-11.44)

PAHZEFXW'S~W X R R " E ( 11.44-1.45)

G d I Lht

1.10.35-4.2.38 4.2.33-13.10.42 1.11.42-16.1.43 17.1.43-31.1.43

G d I von S c h e d l e r
GL-Gdpi Jaenecke

GdA Pfeffer

(Corps destroyed a t Sta1ingrad;reforr;led) G d I Mieth

1.3.43-2.9.44
(Corps destroyed Gnjestr;reformd)

GdPz Kleenann

2.9.44-5.5.45

GL-GdI Geyer

16.5.35-29.4.39 29.4.39-12.1.42 12.1.42-1.7.43

G d I Ruoff
GL-GdI Wetzel

125

G d I Allnendinger
GL Mueller,?

1.7.43-4.5.44 4.5.U-2.6.44 2.6.44-19.7.44

GL-GdI Beyer,F

(Cor?s destroyed Crima;reformed)

GdA Waeger

26.1.45-5.45

GL-GdA von Kluge

1.4.35-24.11.38 24.11.38-12.41 12.41-31.10.42 1.11.42-20.5.44 20.5.44-26.6.44 26.6.44-1.7.44

GdPi Foerster

G d I Bieler

GL-GdI Jordan
GdA Pfei.ffer ,G

GdA Wei.dlirg

(Corps destroyed Witebsk;refomd)

GL-GdI Grossmann

11.8.44-8.5.45

V I I ARXLKOKPS (10.35-8.44) / VII PANZERKORPS.(12.U-5.&5)

GL-GdA von Reichenau

1.10.35-4.2.35 4.2.38-1.2.40 1.2.40-8.4.40 9.4.40-25.10.40 25.10.40-8.1.42

GdI vOn Schobert

GL Heinri.ci.,G
GdI-GO von Schobert
GdA Fahrmbacher

126

GL-GdA Hell

8.1.42-5.10.43
5.10. L.3-30. li .43

G d I Dostler
GdA Hell

30.11.43-8.44
(Corps destroyed a t Jassy;reformed)

GbCdPz von Kessel

27.12.44-8.5.45

VIII A R m E K o R P s

GL-GdK von Kleist

21.5.35-4.2.38 4.2.38-24.10.39 25.10.39-31.1.43

G d I Busch
GdA-Go Heit2

(Corps destroyed a t Sta1ingrad;refonned) G d I Hcehne 20.7.43~1.4.44 1.4.44-14.4.44 15.4.44-12.5.44 12.5.44-4.8.44 4.8.44-24.8.44 24.8.44-20.3.45 20.3.45-19.4.45 19.4.45-8.5.45

GL Block
GL Schlemner

GdI H c e h n e
GL Mueller,J

GdA Hartmann,W

GdI Wiese
GdA von Xellenthin

127

IX ARMEEKWS

a-GdA Dollmann
a 1 Geyer

1.10.34-8.39 8.39-31.12.41 1.1.42-15.10.43 15.10.43-3.12.43 3.12.43-20.4.45 20.4.45-8.5.45

GL-GdI Schmidt,H G d I Cloessner

a - G d A WUthmaM
GL Dr Hohn

GL-GdK Knochenhauer

16.5.35-28.6.39 8.39-15.10.39 15.10.39-'1.7.43 1.7.43-1.8.43 1.8.43-4.10.43

G d A Ulex
GL-GdA F ! e n , C

GdI Sponheimer
GdA Hansen,C

GL-GdI von Wicicede GdI Koechling

LL-GdI Foertsch,H
GL

4.10.43-23.6.44 25.6.44-3.9.44 3.Y.U-20.12.U 20.12.44-27.12.44 27.12.44-8.5.45

Wyer

a-GdA Thcmlaschki.

128

GL-GdA Ulex
GdA Leeb,E

6.10.36-1.4.39 1.b.39-1.3.40 1.3.40-6.10.41 6.10.41-10.12.41 10.12.41-6.5.42 6.5.42-2.2.43

.

GL-GdI von Kortzflei.sch

G d I Ott

GdI von Kortzfleisch

GdI Strecker

(Corps destroyed a t Stali.rgrad;reformed)

GdPz
;(aus

1.3.43-10.43 10.43-5.12.43

GdA Stemmmann,W

5.12.43-18.2.44

(Corps destroyed a t Tscherkassy;reformed)

G d I von Euenau
GdA von Hellenthin

20.3.44-16.3.45 16.3.45-19.4.45 19.4.45-8.5.45

GdK Kress von Kressenstein

6.10.36-28.2.38 1.3.38-9.4.40 9.4.40-16.6.40 16.6.40-12.41 12.41-17.2.42

GdI Schroth
G d I Heimici.,G

GdI Schroth
GL Heinemann

129

GL-GdI Graessner
G d I Tippe1ski.rcn

18.2.42-15.2.43 15.2.43-6.44 6.44-7.7.44

GL k l l e r , V (Corps destroyed a t Xogi.lew)

GdK von Weichs

GL-GdF'z von Vietinghoff

1.10.37-20.10.39 26.10.39-25.10.40 25.10.40-13.1.42 14.1.42-21.4.42 21.4.42-20.2.43 20.2.43-7.9.43 7.9.43-25.4.44 25.4.44-5.6.44 5.6.44-22.7.44

GdI Felber
GL Ottenbacher

GL-GdI Straube
GL-GdI Siebert

GL-GdI Hauffe
GL Block

GdI Hauffe

(Corps destroyed a t Ercdy;refonned)

GdI Felber LL von Oriola

GL Park

6.12.44-12.2.45
?2.2.L5-1.4.45

1.4.45-15.4.45 15.4.45-18.4.45 18.4.45-20.4.45 20.4.45-1.5.45

GdI Hatun
GL Tolsdorff

GdA Lucht

130

XIV ARNZEK3RPS (4.38-5.42) / XIV PAL~ZEFXORPS (6.42-5.45)

G d I von Wietersheim
GL-GlPz Hube

1.4.38-14.9.42 15.9.42-17.1.43 18.1.43-29.1.43

GL Schloener

(Corps destroyed a t Stalingrad ; reformed)

GdPz h b e

5.3.43-2.9.43 2.9.43-2.10.43 2.10.43-22.10.43 23.10.43-2.5.45

GL Balck
GdPz W e

GL-GdPz von Senger und Etterlia

XV AREFKORPS (11.38-11.40)

/ XV GEBIRGSKORPS (8.43-5.45)

GdI tioth

10.11.38-11.40

(Corps converted t o Panzer Group 3 ;reformed)

G d I Lueters
*

25.8.43-10.10.43 1.11.43-1.8.44 1.8.44-8.5.45

G d I von Leyser

W z Fehn

X V I ARMFEKORPS

GL-GdPz Guderian

4.2.38-20.11.38 24.11.38-2.41

GL-GO Hoepner

(Corps converted t o Panzer Group 4;refo-d)

131

GdK Kleffel

4.7.44-20.10.44 20.10.44-2O.ll.U 20.11.44-7.4.45 7.4.45-8.5.45

GL von Mellenthin

GdI von k o s i g k
GL Weber

GdI Kienitz GdI Holli.dt GdI Strecker

1.4.38-23.1.42 23.1.42-2.4.42 2.4.42-6.5.42 6.5.42-7.12.42 7.12.42-5.3.43 5.3.43-7.9.43 7.9.43-21.11.43 21.11.43-27.4.44 27.4.44-25.5.44 25.4.44-28.12.44 28.12.44-8.5.45

GdI Hollidt
a G L von Cholitz

GL-GdI Schneckenburger
GdPz Brandenberger

GdGbT Kreysing
GL Beyer,F

GdGbT Kreysing
GdPi. Tiemann

XVIII ARMEEKORPS (4.38-11.40) / XVIII Gl3RGSKORPS (12.40-5.45)

GdI Beyer
GL von Speck

1.4.38-5.6.40 5.6.40-15.6.40

132

GL-GdI B o e k , F
GL-CdGbT Eglseer

15.6.40-10.12.43 10.12.43-23.6.44 24.6.44-8.5.45

GL-GdI Hochbaum

XIX ARNEEKOWS (1.39-11.40) / XIX GEBIRGSKWS (1.42-5.45)

GL von Vietinghoff

1.39-8.39 8.39- 11.40

GdPz Guderian

(Corps converted t o Panzer Graup 2;reformed)

GL-GdGbT Schoerner
GL-GdGbT von Hengl GL-GdGbt Jodl 15.1.42-1.10.43 1.10.43-15.5.U 15.5.44-5.45

GL-GdI Materna
GL-GdA von i(0man

1.10.40-10.9.42 10.9.42-14.2.43
1&.2.L2-i0.3.4?

M I Vierow
GdA von Xornan

10.3.43-3.45 3.45-5.45

GdK Koehler

133

XXI A R i o R p S (8.39-4.40) / XXI GEBIRGSKORPS (8.43-5.45)

GL-GdI von Falkenhorst

8.39-4.40

(Corps converted to Group 21;refoma)

(3.A Bader

25.8.43-10.10.43 10.10.43-1.8.44 1.8.44-ll.i0.44 11.10.44-25.10.44 25.10.44-29.4.45 29.4.45-5.45

GdPz Fehn,G

GdI Leyser

GL Baier
GdI Leyser

GL von W g e r

XXII ARMEEKORPS (8.39-11.40) / XXII GEBIRGSKORPS (2.43-5.45)

GdK von Kleist

8.39-11.40

(Corps converted to Panzer Group 1;refo-d)

GdGbT Lanz

22.2.43-8.5.45

~mm.Iw DER

G?,i3lZ?RlJPPN EIFEL (8.39-iO.39)

'XXIII MWEKOFS'S (10.39-5.45)

G d I Raschirk

8.39-21.10.39 26.10.39-25.7.42

GdI Schubert

134

GL-GdI Hilpert
G-GdI Fri.essner
G i von Funck

25.7.42-20.1.43 20.1.43-7.12.43 7.12.43-2.2.44 2.2.44-12.10.44 12.10 .&-a. 5.45

-

GL-GdPi Tiemann
G L C d I Plelzer

KCHMNIX DER Q(EN2'RUPPF.N

SAARPFALZ (8.39-10.39)

XXIV ARIEEKOPSS (10.39-6.42) . / XkV PANZERKORPS (6.42-5.45)

GdPi. Kuntze
GL-Gdpz Geyr von Schweppenburg

1.10.38-14.2.40 15.2.40-7.1.42 8.1.42-3.10 ..42 10.10.42-30.11.42 1.12.42-14.1.43 15.1.43-20.1.43 20.1.43-21.1.43 21.1.43-9.2.43 10.2.43-27.0.44 28.6.44-19.8.44 20.8.44-19.3.45 20.3.45-18.4.45 19.4.45-8.5.45

GL-GdPz von Langermann

und Erlencamp

GdPz von Knobelsdorff

GL-GdA Wandel
GL Jahr

G d I Eibl

Oberst Heidhenper
GdPz Nehring

GL Graeser
G d F ? Nehring
GL Kaellner

GdA HartlllaM

135

GL-GdI Waeger ,A
G d I von Prager GdA Fahrmbacher

8.39-6.11.39 6.11.39-1.5.42 1.5.42-12.6.44 12.6.44-15.6.44 15.6.44-5.45

GL von Choltitz
GdA Fahmbacher

Koi(pS

WODFiIG (8.39-10.39) / X X V I KMF.EKOFPS (10.39-5.45)

GL-GdA W c d r ig

8.39-1.10.42 1.10.42-1.7.43 1.7.43-19.8.43 19.8.43-11.43 11.43-1.1.44 1.1.44-3.7.44 3.7.44-12.4.45 1?.4.L5-4.45 4.45-5.45

GL-GdI von kyser

GdPz Fehn,G

G d I Hilpert

CdI Grase GL-GdI Grasser

GL-GdI Matzky
GL Chill
GdI Hatzky

136

G d I von F-rager

8.39-6.11.39 6.11.39-23.12.41 23.12.41-13.1.42 13.1.42-31.8.42 31.8.42-4.2.43 4.2.43-1.3.43 10.3.43-8.6.43 8.6.43-21.10.43 21.10.43-26.10.43 26.10.43-9.7.44 27.7.44-21.10.44 26.10.44-14.4.45 14.4.$5-8.5.45

GdI Waeger
GL von Gablenz

GL-GdI Witthoeft
G d I kiss
GL Jaschke
GL Burdach

G L G d I Voelckers

GL W l l e r ,V

GdI voe1ckers
GL-GdI Priess
GL-GdA F e l z m m

GdI Hcernlein

a von %-ockdorff-.Ahlefe?dt
GL Weyer

1.6.!+0-20.6.40

20.6.40-26.10.40 26.10.40-30.1.42 30.1.42-25.5.43 25.5.43-1.7.43 1.7.43-28.3.44 28.3.44-28.5.44 28.5.44-5.45 137

GdI Wikt0ri.n
GdA Loch
GL Sponheimr

GdA Loch
GL Matzky

GdI Gollnick

GdI von Obstfelder

1.6.40-21.5.43 21.5.43-30.6.44 2.7.44-9.44 9.44-5.45

GdPz Brandenberger
GL vqn Mauchenheim
GL-GdI Roepice

GL-GdA Hartmann,o
GL O t t

8.39-25.3.41 25.3.41-10.5.41 10.5.41-27.12.41 27.12.41-18.7.44 18.7.44-8.44

G d I von S a l m t h
GL-GdA Fretter-Pi.co,M
GL Postel

(Corps destroyed hjestr;reformed)

GL von TresckaJ

15.11.44-23.11.U 23.11.44-15.12.44 15.12.44-20.3.45

GL Xeumann,tW

GdK Kleffel

GRENZSCWTZ A B S C H N I T M 3 W 1 ( 8.39-9.39 )

KORPS 1;AupISCH (9.39-11.39)

HOMERES

KmW

2.b.V.

X X X I (11.39-6.42)

GdF-GdA Kaupisch

25.8.39-10.4.42 10.4.42-6.42

GdA Gallenkamp

(Corps converted t o LXX Armeekorps) 138

CRENZSCHUTZ ABSCHNITTKMMANW 2 (8.39-10.39)

HGEEERES K O M X A i 2.5.11.

XXXII (10.39-5.42)

GL Buechs,F
GL Boetun-Tettelbach

26.5.39-10.1.40

10.1.40-1.3.40 1.3.40-1.4.42 1.4.42-5.42

GdK von Pogrell

GdPz Kuntzen

(Corps converted t o U r n 1 Armeekorps;reformed)

GL-GdI Schack

26.3.45-5.45

GKKZSCHUTZ A 6 S C H N I T R O ~ 3 (8.39-10.39)

HOMERES KCMMNKI z.b.V

XXXIII (10.39-1.43)

XXXIII ARMEEKORPS (L.43-4.45)

GL-GdK Brandt,G

26.8.39-30.4.42 1.5.42-15.6.42 15.6 .42-24.12.43 25.12.43-8.44

S .L4-3.45

GdI Fischer von Neikersthal

GL-GdA Engelbrecht

G d I Volff ,L

GL-GdK Kcehler,K
GI von Urger

3.45-15.4.45 15.4.45-5.45

GL Reeumann

139

GRExzsm A B s c H N 1 T r K m

12 (9.39)

H O m S K C i P C O z.5.V XXXIV (10.39-12.41)

XXXIV ARMEEKORPS (9.44-5.45)

GL-GdI vet2
GL Schaal

1.9.39-1.9.41 1.9.41-12.9.41 12.9.41-23.12.41

(Corps destroyed Jelez ; reformed)

a 1 Met2
GdI Mueller,F
GL von Ludwiger

9.44-11.44 11.44-12.44 12.44-5.45

GdF Felmy

GRENZSCHUTZ A B s C l I N I l T K ~ ~ N l X 13 l (9.39)

HOEYFKFS l<QVANM) z.b.V XXXV (10.39-1.44)

xx'w aRPEEKORPS (1.44-7.44)

GL-GdI von Schenckendorff

GdK Kwh-Erpach
Gii-CdA Kaempfe

10.39-15.3.41 15.3.41-15.5.41 ij.j.<i-30.9.42

(Corps destroyed;refomd)

GL-GdI Rendulic

1.11.42-4.43 4.43-5.8.43

G d I Wiese
GL Grossmann

5.8.43-1.44 1.44 1.44-29.6.44 29.6.4-5.7.44

G d I GJiese
GL von Luetzow

(Corps destroyed a t Bobruisk)

140

G R E N Z S m Z AEXXNIITKO~Ai14 (9.39)

kiOEHEES K O P M W 2.b.V M

I (10.39-11.41)

XXXIV GEBIRGSARNEFKOWS (11.41-5.45)

GL von Gienanth

1.9.39-13.5.40 13.5.40-20.11.41 20.11.41-10.8.44 10.8.44-5.45

GL-GdI Feige GdI Weisenberger

GL-GdGbT Voge1,E

GRENZSCHUTZ ABScHNIiTKcPPUUW3 30 (9.39)

H O E H E X E S KO~lANKl 2.b.V X X X V I I (10.39-5.42)

GdI k c h i c k GL-GdI Boemn-Tettelbach

20.10.39-1.3.40 1.3.40-27.5.42

(Corps converted t o W I I Anneekorps)

M I 1 1 ARMEEKWS (2.40-1.45) / XXXVIII PANZERKOTSS (1.45-5.45)

GL-GdI von Y m t e i n
GdI von Chappuis
GdI Haenicke
GL-GdA Herzog
GL von Mellenthin,H

1.2.40-15.3.41 15.3.41-29.3.42 29.3.42-29.6.42 30.6.42-9.1.45 9.1.45-15.3.45 15.3.45-8.5.45

GdA Herzog

141

MIX AWFEKOFPS (2.40-7.42) / M I X PANZFRXOPSS (7.42-5.45)

GL-GdPz Schmidt,R GdPz von Arnim

1.2.40-10.11.41 11.11.41-30.11.42 1.12.42-13.11.43 14.11.43-18.4.44 19.4.44-28.6.44 28.6.44-29.6.44 29.6.44-8.7.44 8.7.44-15.10.44 16.10.44-21.4.45 21.4.45-8.5.45

GL Martinek
GL Puechler

GdA ivlartinek
GL schuenenmann

GL Mueller,V
GL-cdpz von Saucken

GL-GdPz Decicer
GL Arndt

XXXX AXHEEKORSS (2.40-7.42) / XXXS PANEFXOFPS (7.42-5.45)

GL Stumne
GL Zorn

15.2.40-14.1.42 15.1.42-15.2.42 16.2.42-20.7.42 20.7.42-30.9.42 1.10.42-14.11 A 2 15.11.42-24.11.42 25.11.42-30.9.43 1.10.43-11.11.43 12.11.43-15.11.43

GdPz stumne
Gdpz Gey

von Schweppenburg

GL-GdPz Fehn
GM Eberbach GL-GdPz Henri.ci ,S

GdGbT Schoerner
GdPz Balck

142

GdGbT Schoerner
Gdpz von i(nobe1sdorff

16.11.43-31.1.44 1.2.44-2.9.44 3.9.44-8.5.45

GdPz Henrici.,S

hRMEEKoRpS

(2.40-7.42) I S X I PANZERKORPS (7.42-5.45)

GL-GdPz Reinhardt
W Z

15.2.40-30.9.41 1.10.41-6.10.41 6.10.41-13.10.41 14.10.41-25.10.41 26.10.41-14.1.42 15.1.42-15.10.43 16.10.43-1.2.44 1.2.44-10.3.44 10.3.44-19.6.44 19.6.44-1.7.44

M c d e l

GL Ottenbacher
GL Ki.rchner

GdPz Model

GL Harp

GL-GdA Wei.dling
GL Boege

GdA Weidling
GL Hoffmister

(Corps destroyed a t b b r u i s k ; r e f o m d )

G d A Weidling
GL von Wietersneim,X

2.7.44-10.4.45 10.4.45-i9.4.&5 20.4.45-8.5.45

GL Holste

143

XXXXII ARYEEKWS

GdPi Kuntze,Gj

15.2.40-24.10.41 24.10.41-11.41 11.41-31.12.41 1.1.42-22.6.43 22.6.43-4.43 4.43-3.44

GdI Bieler
GL von Sponeck,H

GdI Nattenklott
GL Dostler

GdI % t t e n k l o t t

(Corps destroyed a t Tscherkassy;reforrred)

GdI Mattenklott GdI Recknagel

(Corps destroyed a t Baranow)

3 .44-15.6.44
15.6.44-1.45

XXXXIII

m i s
1.5 .LO-31.5.40
31.5.40-20.1.42 20.1.42-24.1.42 24.1.42-28.6.~ 28.6.42-15.8.42 15.8.42-27.1.43 27.1.43-25.3.44 25.3.44-5.9.44 5.9.44-14.4.45 14.4.45-8.5.45

GL von Speck

GdI Hei.nrici
G! Berthold

GdI BKeMeCke
G d I von Kortzfleiscn

GdI Brennecke GL-GdI von Oven

GL-GdI Ekege
GL-GdGbT Versock
GL Kullmer

144

GL-GdI i(och, F
GL Stapf
GdA de Angelis

1.5.40-10.12.41 10.12.41-26.2.42 26.2.42-30.11.43 1.12.43-15.1.44 15.1.44-21.8.44 (Corps destroyed a t Kischinew)

GL Kcechli.ng

GL-GdI W l l e r

H0EHERE.S KOMMANDO 2.b.V XxxXV

G d I von Greiff

10.3.40-14.4.42 14.4.42-21.5.42

GdI Felber

(Corps converted t o LXXXIII Armeekorps)

xXXXVI AFWEKORPS (11.40-6.42) / X X Z X I PAXZEXKOEPS (6.42-5.45)

GdPz von Viet:ngnoff

1.11.$O-iO.6.42 11.6.42-21.11.42 22.11.42-20.6.43 21.6.43-2.8.43 5.8.43-22.3.44 23.3.U-20.7.44

G d I Zorn
GM von Esebeck

C d I Zorn GL-GdI Gollnick

GdI Schulz,F

145

GL von Luettwitz,S

21.7.44-28.8.44 29.8.44-20.9.44 21.9.44-19.1.45 21.1.45-3.5.45

GL Felzmann
GL-GdPz Fri.es

GL-MI Gareis

xXXXVII ARMEEKOReS (11.40-6.42)

/ 1 -

PANZEXORPS (6.42-5.45)

GdA-GdPz Lemelsen

25.11.40-14.10.43 15.10.43-22.10.43 23.10.43-4.11.43 5.11.43-25.11.43 26.11.43-31.12.43 1.1.44-4.3.44 5.3.44-4.9.44 5.9.44-8.5.45

GdPz Eberbach
GdPz k m e l s e n

GdPz Raus
GL von Buenau GL von V o m

GdPz Funck

GL-GdPz von Luettmitz,H

XlcxxvIII AFXZFKCIRPS (1.41-6.42) / XxxXvIII PANZERKORPS (6.42-5.45)

GL-GdPz Kempf ,w
GL-GdPz Veiel

6.1.41-31.1.42 19.2.42-5.5.42 5.5.42-31.10.42 1.11.42-19.11.42 20.11.42-25.11.42

GdPz Kempf ,W

GL Heim

Cramer

146

G X Eberbach
GdPz von Kmbeisdorff

26.11.42-30.11.42 1.12.42-6.5.43 7.5.43-30.8.43 31.5.43-30.9.43 1.10.43-21.10.43 22.10.43-14.11.43 15.11.43-4.8.44 5.8.44-19.8.44 20.8.%-20.9.44 21.9.44-31.3.45 1.4.45-8.5.45

GL von Cholti.tz

GdPz von Wbelsdorff

CL vOn Cholitz

GdPz Eberbach
W z Balck
GdPz Nehring

GL-GdPz Graeser
GL-GdPz von Edelshein
GL Hagemann

XXXXIX aRMEEKoRpS (10.40-12.40) / XXXXIX GEBIRGSKORPS (12.40-5.45)

GdGbT Kuebler,L
GL-GdGbi Konrad

25.10.40-19.12.41 19.12.41-10.5.44 10.5.44-26.7.44 26.7.44-5.8.44

j.a.U-a.j.L5

GdA Hartmann,W

GdI Ekyer ,F
GdGbT von L e Suire

147

GL-GdK LhdenaM GL Kleffel GLGI von Boecla3ann

25.10.40-16.1.42 20.1.42-10.3.42 10.3.42-20.7.42 20.7.42-17.9.43 17.9.43-24.9.44 24.9.44-3.10.44 3.10.44-25.10.44 25.10.44-11.4.45 12.4.45-5.45

GdK -Kleffel

GL-GdI Wegener
GL Boeckh-khrens

GL t.iayer

a-GdGbli Volckamer
GL von Bodenhausen

LI AFCiORE'S (11.40-1.43) / LI GEBIXGSKORPS (8.43-5.45)

GdI Reinhard
GL-GdA von Seydlitz-Kurzbach

25.11.40-8.5.42 8.5.42-30.1.43
August 1943)

(Corps destroyed at Sta1ingrad;refo-d

GdGbT Feurstein
L z - a a ,'lauc:c

25.8.43-2.3.45
2.3. Lj-5. Gj

LII ARMEEKoRes

G d I von Bri.esen,K
G d I Ott

25.11.40-20.11.41 20.11.41-1.10.43

148

GL von Scheele

1.10.43-20.11.43 20.i1.43-3.U

Gz-GdI Buschenhagen

(Corps destroyed at Dnjestr)

LIII f L m E E K o R P s

GdI Weisenberger
GdI Fischer von Weikersthal
G d I Clcessner
GL von Scheele

15.3.41-30.11.41 30.11.41-22.3.42 22.3.42-11.4.43 11.4.43-22.6.43 22.6.43-28.6.44

GL-GdI Gollwitzer

(Corps destroyed at Witebsk;reformed)

GdK von Kothki.rch und Trach
GL Flcerke

3.11.44-10.3.45 10.3.45-29.3.45 29.3.45-5.45

GL Sayerlein

GdK Hansen,E

1.6.41-20.1.43 20.1.43-1.8.43 1.8.43-3.44

G d I Hilpert

GdI Sponheimer

(Corps converted to Ameeabtei.1u-g Narwa)

149

G d I Vierow
Cd4 von X m n

6.1.41-14.2.43 14.2.43-3.3.43 3.3.43-17.10.43 17.10.43-5.44 5.44-5.2.45 5.2.45-12:4.45 12.4.45-5.45

GL-GdI Jaschke G d I Herrlein

GL

Grossmann

G d I Herrlein
GL

chill

GdI Matzky

LVI

& i s

(2.41-6.42)

I LVI PANZERKOWS (6.42-5.45)

GdI von Manstein

GLGdpz Schaal

2.41-12.9.41 13.9.41-1.8.43 2.3.43-14.11.43 15.11.43-9.12.43 10.12.43-14.6.44

GL-GdI Hossbach

GL Grasser
G d I Hossbach
G d I 8lock

15.G.U-26.i.G

(Corps destroyed a t Bara.now;reformed)

GdK Kcch-Erpach
GdA Weidling
16.2.45-10.4.45 11.4.45-2.5.45

150

LVII ARMEEKORPS (3.41-6.42) / LVII PANZEFXOiVS (6.42-5.45)

G L Kmtzen

15.3.41-14.11.41 15.11.41-12.1.42 13.1.42-31.1.42 1.2.42-30.11.43 1.12.43-19.2.44 20.2 .44-24.5.44 25.5.44-2.6.44 3.6.44-8.5.45

G L I(i.rchner
GdPz Kuntzen

GdPz Kirchner
GdPz von Esebeck

GdPz Kirchner
GL !3r. k y e r

GdPz Kirchner

LVIII RESERVE-PANZERKOWS (8.43-7.44)

LVIII PANZEPXORPS (7.44-4.45)

GdPz Geyr von Schweppenburg

5.8.43-30.11.43 1.12.43-9.2.44 10.2.44-24.3.45 25.3.45-17.4.45

G L von Esebeck,H
GL-GdPz Kruegeer,W

GL Botsch

(Corps destroyed i n iluhr pockecet)

LIX ARMEEKORPS

G d I Schandner

16.10.40-28.12.41 28.12.41-22.6.42 151

GL-GdI von der Chevalleri.e,K

GL Hi.lpert

22.6.42-25.7.42 25.7.42-17.1.43 17.1.43-15.3.43 15.3.43-4.2.44 5.2.44-22.3.44 22.3.44-2.6.44 2.6.44-10.6.44 10.6.44-29.1.45 29.1.45-7.2.45 7.2.45-10.4.45 10.4.45-8.5.45

G d I von der Chevalleri.e,K

GL Brandenberger
G d I von der Chevallerie,K

GL Schulz,F

GL-GdI Rcehricht
G L Wller,F

G d I Rcehricht
GdGbT von Hengl
GL von Tresckow

GL Si.eler

GL-GdK Koch-Erpach

1.11.40-1.3.41 1.3.41-31.12.41 31.12.41-5.42

GL-GdI von Viebahn

CdA Behlendorff

(Corps converted t o W I V Anneekorps)

GdA 'ihei.ssen

14.9.42-21.2.44 (Corps destroyed a t Wilna)

152

LXII RESERVEI<ORPS (9.42-8.44) / LXII AXEF.KORPS (8.42)

GdI Neuling

15.9.42-22.8.44

(Corps destroyed a t ihrseiile)

GL Schack

24.11.44-13.12.44 13.12.44-4.45

GL-GdI Abrahm

IXIV RESBVFKORPS (9.42-8.44) I LXIV ARMEEKORPS (8.44-4.45)

GdPi Sachs

20.9.42-29.7.44 29.7.44-2.9.44 2.9.44-25.10.44 25.10.44-15.1.45 15.1.45-24.1.45 24.1.45-4.45 4.45-15.4.45 15.4.45-5.45

GL Hcernlein
GL Lasch

G L a 1 Thulinn
GL

Hauck

GL-GdA Grimnei.ss

GdA X m n
GL Friebe;H

153

GdA Bader

5.5.41-14.3.42
(CorTs disbanded;reformd)

GdA Heinemann

18.11.43-9.44

(Corps converted t o Generalluxmando z. b. V. XXX Ameelcorps)

LXVI RESEEWKOWS (9.42-8.44) I LXVI AaMEE;<oRpS (8.44-4.45)

GL Marcks,E

21.9.42-12.11.42 12.11.42-10.5.43 21.5.43-6.43 6.43-7.7.43 7.7.43-20.12.43 20.12.43-3.4.45 3.4.45-5.45

GL-GdI Kniess

GL Roettig

GdI Kniess
G d I Wetzel GdA Lucht GL Flcerke

GdI Fischer von Weikersthal

G d I Sponheimer
GL Schwalbe

25.9.42-7.6.44 7.6.44-16.12.44 16.12.44-21.12.44 21.12.44-5.5.45

GL-GdI Hi.tzfeld

GENEFXKCHWXXJ 2.b.V.

LXVIII (5.43-9.43)

L X I I & ~ O R P S (9.i3-5.&5)

W Felrny

5.43-8.12.44 8.12.44-29.1.45 29.1.45-5.45

GdI W l l e r , F GdGbT Konrad

M I X RESERVEKORPS (7.43-1.44) / M I X A R i i O R F S (1.44-5.45)

GdI Dehner
GL-GdGbT Ringel
G d I Auleb

15.7.43-1.4.44 1.4.44-24.6.44 24.6.44-8.5.45

HOEHERES K W m 2.b.V.

LXX (4.41-1.43)

LXX ARMEEKORPS (1.43-5.45)

GL-GdGbT Feurstei.n

16.4.41-22.6.43 L2.5.43-5.Lj

cnla Tixel

155

H0EEERE.S KCMUNEO 2.b.V. LXXI (3.42-1.43)

L;MI ARMWW"S (1.43-4.45)

GL-GdI von Xag]

GL-GdA Moser

15.3.42-1.11.42 1.11.42-15.12.44 15.12.44-5.45

GdA von Mauchenheim

LXXII ARMFEKWS

GdI von F W r S t e r
G N Zwade
GL Schmidt,A.

22.7.43-25.9.44 25.9.44-10.44 10.44-4.45 4.45

GL Schmidt-tImr

GENEiULK - @ F i LXXIII PRfEEKWS 2.b.V.

G d I Dostler

9.44-5.45

1.8.43-16.12.44 16.12.44-4.45

156

GdI Dostler
GL-GdGbT S c h l e m r

13.1.44-1.9.44 1.9.44-5.45

LXXVI ARi%EKOlZPS

(6.43-7.43)

I W I PANZEFXOWS (7.43-5.45)

GL-GdPz Herr
von Choltitz
GdPz Herr
GdPz von S c k r i n , G

1.7.43-28.2.44 1.3.44-15.4.44 16.4.44-24.11.44 24.11.44-25.4.45 26.4.45-2.5.45

GL von Graffen

GdA Gallenkamp

27.5.42-7.8.44 10.8.44-8.5.45

G d I Beyer

GdPz Kuentzen

1.4.42-7.9.44 7.9.44-20.9.44

GL Schack

157

GdI Koechling
GL 6aade

20.9.44-10.3.45 10.3.45-5.45

GdI Boetun-Tettelbach
GL-GdI Dehner
~-GdA Sinnhuber

27.5.42-31.10.42 1.11.42-10.7.43 10.7.43-7.9.44 7.9.44-1.12.44 1.12 .U-15.4.45 15.4.45-20.4.45 20.4.45-5.45

G L G d I Hcernlein

GdI Hahm
GdA Lucht
GL Tolsdorff

lxxxIII ARMEEKORPS
21.5.42-15.8.43

G d I Felber

GdA Behlendorff

15.5.42-1.4.43 1.4.43-1.8.43

a-GdI von Zangen

158

GdA Flarcics
GdA r'ahrmiiacher
GL von Choltitz

1.8.43-12.6.44 12.5.44-15.6.3 15.6 .44-30.7.44 30.7.44-20.3.44

GL Elfeidt

(Corps destroyed a t Normandie)

GdI Kniess
GL Schack

10.7.44-15.11.44 15.11.44-16.12.44 16.12.44-26.3.45 26.3.45-8.5.45

GdI Kniess
GdPz von Luettwitz

GdI Bieler
CdPi Jaenecke
GL von r"lauchienheim

16.11.42-1.4.43 1.4.43-3.6.43

3.6.43-;. 7.&3
1.7.43-25.8.43 25.8.43-30.11.44 30.11.44-15.12.44 15.12.44-5.45

W z Fehn,G
G d I von Obstfelder

GdI Fuechler
G d I Straube

159

GdA Ynrcks,E
G d I von Zangen
GL Jahn
-

12.11.42-1.8.43

1 .S .43-5.7.44
5.7.44-9.44

(Corps converted t o hneeabteilung von Zangen)

G d I kinhard
GL-GdI Schwalbe

1.7.42-21.12.44 21.12.44-3.4.45 3.4.45-5.45

GM Wolpert

GdPz von tlubicki

25.10.42-11.6.43 11.6.43-1.12.44
1.12.44-5.45

GL-GdI von und zu Gilsa

MI Hoehe

W z Nehring

14.11.42-9.12.42

(Corps converted t o 5th Panzer Army;refomd) GdF Petersen

160

10.44-5.45

LXMXI ARMEEKORPS

GL-GdI von Erdmannsdorff,W

9.10.44-8.5.45

LxXXXVII A i w E E K O R P s

GdGbT Kuebler,L

9.44-5.45

CI ARMEEKORPS

GdA Berlin
a

27.2.45-18.4.45 18.4.45-5.45

GL Sixt

GdK Harteneck

10.6.44-5.45

15 KOSAKENKORPS

GL von P a d . t z

1.2.45-5.45

161

GdPz von Saucken

GdPz Jauer

12.44-11.2.45 12.2.45-8.5.45

GLCdPz RmEl GL-GdPz CrUew2ll

19.2.41-15.8.41

15. a .41-a. 3.42

8.3.42-31.8.42 31.8.42 31 .a.42-17.9.42 17.9.42-4.11.42 4.11.42-19.11.42 19.11.42-16.1.43 16.1.43-17.2.43 17.2.43-5.3.43 5.3.43-12.5.43

GL-GdPz Nehring

Oberst Bayerlein
GM von Vaerst

GL.-GdPz v m Thoma

Oberst Fiayerlein
GdPz Fehn
GN von Li.ebenstein

GL Zi.egler
GL-GdPz Cramer

162

Angoli.a, John R. For Fuehrer and Fatherland; Military Awards of the Third iiei.ch (Volme 1-2). San Jose: R. Janes

EZE,i97K

--

. On the Fi.eld of Honor, A History of the f f i i h t ' s E e a r ~ s ~ o ~ San l Jose: ~ ) .R. .J~s%n&&%O-

Cross

Bartw, Cmr. The Eastern Front, 1 9 4 1 4 5 ,German Troops and the B a r b a r i . s at i r o m r e . New York: St. Martin s PresC1986.
Bender, R. Jams and Law, %.chard D. Uniforms, Organization, and Histor of the Afrikakorps. San Jose: R. James G d d 3 TBender, R. Jams. and Cdegard, Warren W. Uniforms, Organization and Histo of the Panzertruppe. San Jose: R. Z d r T l m .

Bradley, Dennot and Schulze-Kossens, Richard. Taetj.Pkeitsberi.cht des Chefs des Heerespersonalamtes General der - 1nfanteri.e R u d o m m t : 1.10.42-29.10.44. Osnabrueck, FRG.: Biblio , 1984.

Brett-Smith, Richard. Hixler's Generals. San Rafael, California: Presidio Press, Cooper, H . The German plmy 1933-1945. New York: Stei.n and D a y , m 7 8 . Creveld, Martin van. Fi ti Power, German Yi.litary Performance, 1914-19 Potomac, & : d C&L Defense Consultants, 1980.

--$?

A Genius for Ldar: nx Geman .+.nnv and Ceneral Cupuy, T.N. Staff, 1 S g 7 T E E i j $ % E E d C l i ~ . E - P r F t i c e Hall, 1977.

. The German General Staff. 1nsti.tuti.on of Demonstrated Excexn- National Comnand, Planni.ng, Coordi.nation,

and Combat Perfoxmance. Dunn brine, VA.: Historical Evaluation and *search Organkation, 1984.
The Devil's Vi.rtuosos: German Generals 1940-5. New York: St. Marti.n's Press, 1977.

Downing, David.

-at W a r

Fellgi.ebe1, Walter-Peer. Die Trae er des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kxeuzes, 1 9 3 n 9 4 F r i e E r g , FRG: Podzun%llas -1986.

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164

Fuller, J.F.C. Generalship Its Diseases and Their Cure: ---A Studv of the Personal Factor i n Conmand. Harrisburg, Pa.: Lgu.litaryService Pabli.shiq-Co., 1936.
Geyer, Hemam. -Das I X Armeekorps im O s t f e l d q 1941. Herausgegeben von Generalleutnant a. D. WilhelrnTeyer-Detr icry Neckargecluend , FRG: S c h r n b r s t B u c h r a d s c h a r t , 1969. Goerlitz, Valter. Histor of the German General Staff 1657-1945. Translate by Brian Batters&. New York: Praeger, 1953. Hart, B.H. Liddell. Cassell, 1948.
The Other Si.de of the H i l l . ------

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