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Hans-Karl Freiherr Von Esebeck
Hans-Karl Freiherr von Esebeck (10 July 1892 – 5 January 1955) was a German general who commanded the 15th Panzer Division in the Afrika Korps. Esebeck had knowledge of and was sympathetic to the anti-Hitler conspiracy in the military. He was arrested on 21 July 1944 and spent the rest of the war in concentration camps. Liberated at the end of the war he lived the rest of his life in poverty and died on 5 January 1955. Awards * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 July 1940 as ''Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swedish ...'' and commander of the 6. Schützen-BrigadeScherzer 2007, p. 299. References Citations Bibliography * Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). ''Rommel's Desert Commanders — The Men Who Served the Desert Fox, North Africa, 1941–42''. Mechanicsbur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Potsdam
Potsdam () is the capital and, with around 183,000 inhabitants, largest city of the German state of Brandenburg. It is part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. Potsdam sits on the River Havel, a tributary of the Elbe, downstream of Berlin, and lies embedded in a hilly morainic landscape dotted with many lakes, around 20 of which are located within Potsdam's city limits. It lies some southwest of Berlin's city centre. The name of the city and of many of its boroughs are of Slavic origin. Potsdam was a residence of the Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. Its planning embodied ideas of the Age of Enlightenment: through a careful balance of architecture and landscape, Potsdam was intended as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" which would remind its residents of their relationship with nature and reason. The city, which is over 1000 years old, is widely known for its palaces, its lakes, and its overall historical and cultural significance. Landmarks include ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers. World War II was a total war that directly involved more than 100 million personnel from more than 30 countries. The major participants in the war threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. Aircraft played a major role in the conflict, enabling the strategic bombing of population centres and deploying the only two nuclear weapons ever used in war. World War II was by far the deadliest conflict in human history; it resulted in 70 to 85 million fatalities, mostly among civilians. Tens of millions died due to genocides (including the Holocaust), starvation, ma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
11th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)
The 11th Panzer Division ( en, 11th Tank Division) was an armoured division in the German Army (1935–1945), German Army during World War II, established in 1940. The division saw action on the Eastern Front (World War II), Eastern and Western Front (WWII), Western Fronts during the Second World War. The 11th Panzer Division did not participate in the war until the invasion of Yugoslavia. It fought in the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1944 and, in the last year of the war, in southern France and Germany. The formation's emblem was a ghost. History The 11th Panzer Division was formed on 1 August 1940 from the 11th ''Schützen-Brigade'' and the ''Panzer Regiment 15'' removed from the 5th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht), 5th Panzer Division and elements of the 231st Infantry Division (Wehrmacht), 231st Infantry Division, 311th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht), 311th Infantry Division and 209th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht), 209th Infantry Division. Most of its members were from Silesia (Wehr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Walter Scheller
Walter Scheller (27 January 1892 – 21 July 1944) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II, who commanded several divisions. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Scheller was killed at Brest-Litovsk on 21 July 1944, during the Lublin–Brest Offensive. World War II Oberst Walter Scheller served in the capacity of Chief of Staff of Wehrkreis X in Hamburg at the start of World War II, a position he took up on 26 August 1939, and would keep until 26 May 1940. He then took command of 8th Rifle Brigade under 8th Panzer Division, which he led into action during the Battle of France. Scheller took the same command into the Invasion of Yugoslavia in Spring 1941, and led the unit into Operation Barbarossa, still under 8th Panzer Division, as part of Army Group North. On 1 October 1941 Walter Scheller was promoted to Generalmajor. On 20 October 1941 Scheller took command of 11. Panzer-Division until 16 May 1942, when he was called into the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Günther Angern
Günther Angern (5 March 1893 – 2 February 1943) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 16th Panzer Division during the Battle of Stalingrad. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Biography Born in Kolberg, Angern joined the army of Imperial Germany as an ''Fahnen-junker'' (officer cadet). He was commissioned in the infantry and fought in World War I. In the interwar period, he joined the Wehrmacht and by 1938 was commander of the 3rd '' Schützen'' (Rifle) Brigade. The following year he led the 11th ''Schützen'' Brigade. In August 1940, now an ''oberst'', he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross while commanding the brigade. On 15 August 1941, during the later stages of Operation Barbarossa, Angern was given command of the 11th Panzer Division. His time leading the division was brief, for he was wounded nine days later. He had a long period off active duty because of his wounds and duri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
33rd Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)
The 33rd Infantry Division (german: 33. Infanterie-Division) was a German Army infantry division active in World War II. It served in the battle of France and subsequently was converted into the 15th Panzer Division. History The 33rd Infantry Division was formed in 1936, as part of the ''Wehrmachts expansion to 36 divisions. It was mobilized in 1939, but remained on the defensive in the west and did not take part in the invasion of Poland. In May 1940 the division was attached to Panzer Group Kleist, and followed in reserve behind the advance into the Low Countries, through Luxembourg and Bastogne. Marching into France, it reached the battle front near St Quentin, and took up defensive positions along the Somme at PeronneWerner Haupt, Die deutschen Infanterie-division, p134-136 It built a bridgehead across the river, which was used by the armored divisions of XVI motorised Army Corps in the relaunch of the German offensive on 6 June 1940. Attacking alongside the panzers the div ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Walter Neumann-Silkow
Walter Neumann-Silkow (10 April 1894 – 9 December 1941) was a German general during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Neumann-Silkow died of wounds on 9 December 1941 at a military hospital in Italian Libya. He was posthumously promoted to Generalleutnant. Awards and decorations * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 August 1940 as ''Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swedish ...'' and commander of 8. Schützen-Brigade References Citations Bibliography * {{DEFAULTSORT:Neumann-Silkow, Walter 1894 births 1941 deaths German Army personnel killed in World War II German Army personnel of World War I Lieutenant generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht) People from the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heinrich Von Prittwitz Und Gaffron
Heinrich von Prittwitz und Gaffron (4 September 1889 – 10 April 1941) was a general officer in the '' Heer'' (Army) branch of the ''Wehrmacht'' of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was commander of the 14th and 15th Panzer Divisions and was killed in action in the early stages of the Siege of Tobruk. Biography Born in Sitzmannsdorf, Prittwitz joined the Imperial German Army in 1908 as a ''Fahnenjunker'' (officer cadet) and was commissioned into the 3rd ''Uhlan'' (Lancer) Regiment the following year and later on, served as a general staff officer for the Imperial German Army. He fought in World War I and after the end of hostilities, was retained in the postwar ''Reichswehr'' (Imperial Defence). By 1933, he was a major and despite his cavalry background, was developing an interest in a career in armoured warfare. Two years later, he was given command of the 2nd Panzer Regiment, 1st Panzer Division. He participated in the ''Anschluss'' of Austria and the occupation of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Generalleutnant
is the Germanic variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly equivalent to the NATO rank of OF-8. Belgium Germany ''Generalleutnant'', short ''GenLt'', ('lieutenant general') is the second highest general officer rank in the German Army (''Heer'') and the German Air Force (''Luftwaffe''). This three-star rank in other countries is lieutenant general. Rank in modern Germany The rank is rated OF-8 in NATO, and is grade B9 in the pay rules of the Federal Ministry of Defence. It is equivalent to ''Vizeadmiral'' in the German Navy (''Marine''), or to Generaloberstabsarzt, and Admiraloberstabsarzt in the '' Zentraler Sanitätsdienst der Bundeswehr''. On the shoulder straps (Heer, Luftwaffe) there are three golden pips (stars) in golden oak leaves. History German armies and air forces until 1945 =Generalleutnant of the Wehrm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oberst
''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swedish rank '' överste'' is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank ''eversti'' and the Icelandic rank ''ofursti''. History and origins is a German word. Spelled with a capital O, "" is a noun and defines the military rank of colonel or group captain. Spelled with a lower case o, or "", it is an adjective, meaning "top, topmost, uppermost, highest, chief, head, first, principal, or supreme". Both usages derive from the superlative of , "the upper" or "the uppermost". As a family name, ''Oberst'' is common in the southwest of Germany, in the area known as the Black Forest (''Schwarzwald''). The name is also concentrated in the north-central cantons of Switzerland ( Aargau & Zürich). Here the Swiss version of ''Oberst'' is spelled ''Ob ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
German Cross
The War Order of the German Cross (german: Der Kriegsorden Deutsches Kreuz), normally abbreviated to the German Cross or ''Deutsches Kreuz'', was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repeated acts of bravery or military leadership; and in silver for distinguished non-combat war service. The German Cross in Gold ranked higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, while the German Cross in Silver ranked higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords. Eligibility The German Cross was issued in two versions: gold and silver (the color of the laurel wreath around the swastika). The gold version was awarded to military personnel for repeated acts of bravery in combat, or of military leadership, with 6–8 acts as a rule of thumb. The silver version was awarded for multiple distinguished services in the war effort an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross (german: link=no, Eisernes Kreuz, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). King Frederick William III of Prussia established it on 17 March 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars (EK 1813). The award was backdated to the birthday (10 March) of his late wife, Queen Louise. Louise was the first person to receive this decoration (posthumously). Recommissioned Iron Cross was also awarded during the Franco-Prussian War (EK 1870), World War I (EK 1914), and World War II (EK 1939). During the 1930s and World War II, the Nazi regime superimposed a swastika on the traditional medal. The Iron Cross was usually a military decoration only, though there were instances awarded to civilians for performing military functions, including Hanna Reitsch, who received the Iron Cross, 2nd class, and Iron Cross, 1st Class, and Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg, who received ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
