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

 MAST!ZX OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE

THESIS APPROVAL PAGE

Nane of candidate - French L. MacLean

T i t l e of Thesis - 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
 ;1Bsma

TtE UtKNOl4N GENEIWLS -

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.

This study is an historical ana1ysi.s of the background and

demnstrated 1eadershi.p attributes of 332 World War 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.
Among 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 .
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 1

Chapter 2 - Review of Literature 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 Army Strength 3

Table 2 Corps Headquarters Strength 26

Table 3 Parent Army Headquarters 29

Table 4 Corps Assigned t o Army Headquarters 30

Table 5 Divisions Assigned to Corps 32

Table 6 General Officer Grades 38

Table 7 Age of Comnanders 40

Table 8 Newly Prcnoted Xajors 43

Table 9 Newly Pronoted Lieutenant-Colonels 44

Table 10 Xewly Promoted Colonels 44

Table 11 Camriders of Noble Descent 46

Table 1 2 Camrider ' s Background 47

Table 13 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 52

Table 16 Newly Promoted Generalmajor 53

Table 17 Newly Pronoted Generalleutnant 54

Table 18 Newly Promoted General der

Infanterie, etc. 54
Table 19 Branch Affi1i.ation 56

Table 20
Corrrnanders from the General Staff 58
Table 21
Pri.or Xvision b.mand Experience 6i.

Table 22
Corps Gnmmnders coining
Out of Reti.rement 67

Table 23
Corps Cor;manders from the Poli.ce 68

-
Table 24
Panzer Corps Ccmnanders

from Panzer Divisions 70

Table 25
Arny Reci.pients of the

Knight's Cross 77

Table 26
Highest Decorati.ons Received
by the Corps Comnanders 78

Table 27
Knight's Cross with Oakleaves
and Swords for Corps Cornnand 79

Table 28
General Officers i n Service 83

Table 29
Corps Ccmnanders Promoted
t o Generalfeldmarschall
84

Table 30
German Dead 1939-1944
89

Table 31
General 0ffi.cer Fatali t i e s by Grade
89

Table 32
General Officer Fatalities by Cause
90

Table- 33
Cor?s Corranander Fatalities
90

Table 34
National Comnittee for a

Free Germany 93

Table 35
Generaloberst 99

Table 36
Generalleutnant 100

Table 37
Army Group Comnanders 100

Table 35
Corps Comander Baseline

Character i sti c s 106

Table 39
Corps Comnanders by Front Canparison 108

vi

 CHAFTEX1

DEFINIiqG THE PROBLM

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of t h i s study i.s t o examine the background and

proficiency of German corps colrnnanders i.n World War 11. I t i.s

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 War 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
single complete l i s t i n g of corps comnanders exists. However, by
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

leaders. Current literature too often categorizes German general

officers as s t i f f Prussian aristocrats with almost superhuman
military expertise. Naturally, they varied i n background,
proficiency, and potential. With the identification of the
comnanders completed,. one can conduct an examination of individual
careers. This i.s especially cri.tica1 for further investigation of
the G e m military tenets on which so m h of U.S. doctrine is
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,

multifaceted organization which conducted operations on two
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 for both are
1

S h below.

Table 1

Amy Strength

(in millions)

JUne JUne JUne JUne JUne December

1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 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 large force, the Germans developed several

echelons of c&. The highest f i e l d c b was the army group.

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, four, and five. Each corps directed the a c t i v i t i e s of from
two t o 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 b 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 -
The kvil's K r m s o s , staces

that "The German generals were the finest thi.nki.ng and fighting
5
soldiers of modern history." The level of competence of corps and
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
some 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
examine these factors of capabi1i.ty.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Tne major research questions this study will focus on

are:(l) What were the prominent background, experience, and
achievement characteri-stics exhibited by German corps cocmanders in
World War II? and (2) Gi.ven these characteristics as a whole, were
the Gelman corps comnanders faced by the British and Anericans on
the Kestern/Italian Fronts less or more 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,

camand and staff experience, and demonstrated military achievement
may assist our cxyn e f f o r t s at senior leader development.

The methodology used for this study is three-fold. F i r s t ,

prominent characteristics for German general officers -.dl be

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.

 C€lAFl'ER 1 is a definition of the problem central t o the

thesis. The historical background of the study is presenced as well

as the methodology t o be followed.

CHAPTER 2 presents a detailed review of literature. Sources

essential t o the study t o be discussed include manuscripts of the

U.S. 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 5 presents factors of demonstrated military

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

 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 :he I t a l i a n and
Western Fronts is made. Conclusions are based on the evaluated
information.

A"M A explains abbreviations used throughout the study and

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

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 Battle 1939-1945,

(Allentown, Pennsylvania: Garrae Marketiw-wai$ ,=Vol 1, p.4.
L

Ibid., p.37.
3
Ibid., p.3a.
4
.. Ibid., p. 15.
5
--
David Darning, The Devil's Virtuosos: German Generals a t War
:
.::
i .
1
1940-45, (New Yak: S r V k r t i n ' s Press), 19//,-.
"
. ., 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 to the German corps and corps comnanders i n
Xor Id War 11.

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., and captured German records ni.crofilmed a t
Alexandria, Virginia. The research process 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, FRG was the

primary source for documenti.% the l i s t of corps and corps

comnanders. The Combined Research Library (CARL) at the United

10

States Army Camand and General Staff College (CGSC), Fort

Leavenworth, 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. Re-1945 material consists of primary sources with l i . t t l e
author 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. The

following sources were the mst useful.

11

 PART I

--_-
John Angolia's work On the Field of Honor, A Historv of the
-

-
Knight's Cross Bearers (Volume -
1-2) is an excellent source of
information on Geman military personaliti.es i n World War 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 units,
equipment, and ; m i f o m . The section concerning personalities
provides li.sts of co~lpnandersof 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 Rudolf Schmundt: 1.10.42-29.10.44. (Daily Reports of
the Chief of the Army Personnel 0ffi.ce General of Infantry Rudolf
Scl-mIundt: 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 Germany's mili.tary leaders. The author presents

eighty-two short biographies of general officers, more than any
other contemporary works. He categorizes these indi.viduals by
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. Ro 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 i n the Eastfront Campaign 1941) has presented an
excellent account of a German corps i n acti.on. Geyer served as
comander 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. Most 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 1956. Thi.s work
provides the foundation for the biographi.ca1 information of the
thesis. 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 May 1, 1944. In addition, i.t lists the

14

last peactime unit of assignment for each indivi.dua1. A l l three

works should be 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

-- German Mountain Troops ----

of World War I1 by J m s Lucas. The book

centers on several descriptive narratives of mtain unit

engagements but also provides background on organizati.ons and
personali.ties. 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 -
War 11: -
As I -
Saw- -
-
T hem. The author, a General Staff officer, served as a chief of
staff a t corps, army, and army group level. Von Mellenthin
campaigned with many of these comnanders i n Africa, Russi.a, and
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
the Weimar Rei.chswehr and the Third Rei.ch Wehrmacht. For t h i s study
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
-
1943 (The Offensive against Kursk 1943). Most beneficial t o this
thesis was the i.nformation on corps combat support attachments, a
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 of b a t t l e effective January 3,
1939. Units down t o battalion level are listed with haw stations
and corrrmanders. l3i.s guide is useful i n locating personnel prior t o
the s t a r t of World War 11.

16

 Georg Tessin, in his thirteen volume w r k , Verbaende -

und

d er deutschen Kehrmacht -
Truppen - und Waffen-SS -
im Zweiten !Jeltlaieg
1939-1945 (Formations and Units of the German i\rmed Forces and
Waffen-SS i n the Second Xorld !Jar 1939-1945), descri.bes i.n great
detail 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. By month
subordinate unit l i s t i n g s are provided 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 i n the study of
the organizati.on of the German Army i n World Xar 11. Although
currently an expensive acquisi.ti.on, these volumes should be
purchased by CARL t o a s s i s t future research.

--
Heer- und Flottenfuehrer --
der Welt (Amy and Navy Leaders of
the World) by Georg Zikovic presents a comprehensive li.st of

European, Japanese, and American ariny and MW comnanuers from the

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

lists mst 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 acti.on reports wri.tten by fonrer German high ranking
offi.cers. 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
officers, providing extremely useful information on general offi.cer
casualties. Von Claer served w i t h many rear area comnands during the
war.

"Bi.ographica1 Sketch of High ;(anking German and Russi.an

Officers of the Second World War", Intelligence Research Project
2346 prxoduced i n 1946 a t Fort Leavenworth, provides excelIent page-
long biographi.es of 52 German and 21 R u s s i a n officers. Gem
biographies present excellent detail of the pre-1939 careers of
these individuals.

-- of the German Army October -

Order of Battle -- 1942, April 1943,
February 1944, --
and Narch
1945 are four Gar Departrent Military
Intelligence Divisi.on documents describi.q the perceived
organization of the G e m Army. Only incomplete l i s t i n g s of
comnanders and 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:

Dienstaltersliste _A -zur Stellenbesetzung --vom 12. Oktober

1937
-9 (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.

Dienstaltersliste - zur Stellenbesetzung d es Heeres -

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

Di.ensta1tersliste -
A - -
zur Stellenbesetzung des Heeres 1. May
1940
-9 (Service Officer Date of Rank List as of Nay 1, 1940)
(National Archives Kicrocopy No. 78, Roll No. 513).

-
Di.enstaltersliste _A _zur Stellenbesetzung des Heeres 1. Xay
1941
-9 (Service Officer Date of Rank List as of Yay 1, 1941)
(National Archives Microcopy No. 78, Roll No. 514).

Dienstaltersliste -
A - -
zur Stellenbesetzung des Heeres -
1.

1942
-9 (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 --
-
1943, (Service Officer Date of X a n k L i s t as of flay I, 1943)

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

Stellenbesetzung -
d es Heeres -
1938, (Officer Positions i n the
Army 1938) (National Archives Microcopy No. 78, Roll No. 512). This
work li.sts a l l officer corrmand positions to i.nclude company
comnanders.

-
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 -
and -
the
3arbari.sation -
of IJarfare by Wr Bartov, presents an analysis of
social and political factors in three divi.sions on the Eastern

Front. The author provides valuable bacwound material concerring

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 infornation on doctrine,

promotions, decorations, casualties, and other leader related

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,
hpuy discusses the origins and mission of the General S t a f f , i t s

. historical development and its stormy relationship with Hitler.

-
Der deutsche Genera1stabsoffi.zier (Tne German General Staff
0ffi.cer) by Hansgeorg Model addresses the selection and training of
the General 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, - - of Comjuest: .The

in his .book The Phrch -
German Victori.es -
ia GJestern Europe, 1940, describes the 1940
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. He compares
and contrasts the two German 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
Comnander 2nd Panzer Amy, Inspector General Panzer Troops, and

Chief'of Staff of the Army, while Zeitzler also served as Chief of

S t a f f of the Army after a tour as Chief of, Staff Army Group D. In
this work they c m n t on the Army promotion system.

-
The Guides -
to German Records Microfilmed -
a t Alexandria,

Virginia. Nos -
- 4 6, -
55, -
58, - 60, -
59, - 6 1, and 62 provi.de sumnaries of
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,

1ogisti.cs sumnaries, personnel lists, and enemy order of battle

i.nformation. The guides are i n Engli.sh, the microfilms i n German.

Not a l l unit records were captured, but those that were are the

23
single most important primary sources available i n thi.s country.
CARL o m s a smil percentage of the xkrofilm, but the National
Archives i s reluctant t o lend copies of their m microfilm on
inter -i i.brary loan.

German officer efficiency reports are discussed by Rudolf

Hofmann in "German Effidency Report System" another Historical
Division study. The author presents the history of the reporting
system, its importance t o prmti.ons, d i f i c a t i . o n s t o the system
during the war, and the impact of awards and decorations on
promoti.ons. Hofmann was the Chief of Staff t o the 9th Army, 15th
Army and Army Group H.

"The hmy Personnel Office" by Helmut Kleikamp provided the

Historical Division with an in-depth look a t officer performance,
the selecti.on system, c d training courses, and Nazi Party
influence. The author served i n the Amy Personnel 0ffi.ce for two

years before assming comMnd of the 36th Infantry Division in the

closing months of the war.

Hasso von Manteuffel presented another detailed manuscript

t o the U.S. Army with "Fast, Mobile and Xrmored Troops". He
describes the opposing branch vi.ews toward the creation of the
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 thi.s thesis. Yore l i t e r a t u r e was used t o corroborate
corps c d assi-nts and is referenced i n the bibliography.
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 the
war. The corps headquarters i t s e l f was a tactical and operational
headquarters only, unlike
the headquarters a t division and army
1
which included logistic and administration functions.

Personnel staffing was limited but effective. The following

personnel strength was typical of mst f u l l strength corps
2
headquarters:

Table 2

Corps Headquarters Strength

Officers C i v i l Servants Enlisted Total

Corps Staff 27 11 157 195

-Flapping Department 0 0 16 16
Military Police 2 0 31 33
Artillery Staff 6 0 16 22

Headquarters Troops 31 3 704 738

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 for special
employment, and cavalry/cossack corps. Whi.le a l l but three were
designated by Roman m r a l s , 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 (Panzerkorps) normally were in cornrand of a

group of divisions i n whi.ch panzer or panzer-grenadier di.visi.ons
played a primary role. During the course of the war there were
4
eighteen panzer corps.

Eight mountain corps (Gebirgskorps) were raised from 1940-

1945. Specialized to fight i n mountainous and rough terrain, two
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. hhen
forced t o fight 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 infantry in the two regiment
6
mountain divisions normally assigned.

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
8
these units, lieutenant colonels and colonels, w i l l not be analyzed.

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 (Kosaken-
Kavallerie-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 Gross-

deutschland) and Panzer CorpsFeldherrnhalle (Panzerkorps

13

Feldherrnhalle). Both fought on the Eastern Front.

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 40 June 41 May 42 July 43 June 44

I Infantry 4th 18th 18th 18th 16th

111 Panzer 12th 6th 1st PZ AA Kempf 1st PZ
VI Infantry 2nd 9th 9th 3rd PZ 4th
XVI I Infantry 12th 6th 6th 6th 8th

29

 Parent Army Headquarters (continued)

(ilssi.gned a t Date)

corps Trpe June 40 June 41 May 42 July 43 June &4

xxxv Special - 4th 2nd PZ 2nd PZ 9th

XXXIX P-r 12th 3rd PZ 16th 4th 4th
XXXXIX Mountain - 17th 1st PZ 17th -
W X Reserve - - - 2nd PZ 2nd PZ

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

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

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 2 1 2 3
1st PZ - 2 4 2
2nd - 2 2
2nd Pz - 3 3
3rd 2 - -
30

 Number 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

B
3rd PZ - 2 3 3 3 4
4th 3 7 3 5 3 5
4thPZ - 2 0 2 - 3 3
5th 2 - - - - -
5th PZ - - - 0 0 2
6th - 6 4 3 4 3
6thPZ - - - - - 1
~

7th 1 4 6
8th . 2
-
2 1
9th 3 2
10th
11th -5 2
-
3
-
12th - - -
14th 3 1 1
15th - 5 2
16~5 - 4 4
17th - 0 1
18th - 2 2
19th - 1 3
20th KIN - 3 4
21st - - -
25th - - 2

Total 20 51 43 52 53 60
Legend:
- : Army not f o m d

0 : Arny f o m d but no corps assigned

These t o t a l s are further modified when adding corps i n

transit from one army area t o another and corps d i r e c t l y
subordi.nated t o army group level. The t o t a l corps assigned to army
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

nmkr of ai.visi.ons a s s i p d ro each corps. The following cable
17
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 June 40 June 41 May 42 July 43 June 44

I corps

I Infantry 310 5/0 611SS 111L 2/0

I11 Panzer 310 010 013 113 114
V I ' Infantry 410 2/0 310 310 111
.xvII Infantry 210 510 210 310 210
xxxv Special - 110 310 410 510
XXXVI Mountah 210 2!0 210 210 2/0
XXXIX Panzer 112 213 111 310 410
XXXXIX Wtain - 6/0 210 3/1R -
LSIX Xeserve L!O 1;1c

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

units. One of the best examples of this technique occurred during

the Kursk offensive witkin the 4th Panzer Army and Ar;rry Detac'mnt

-
Kempf. The breakdown of specialized units for two corps was as
18

follm:

I11 Panzer Corps

Rocket Projector Regiuent 54 Flak Regiment 99

Heavy Tank Battalion 503 Flak Regiment 153

Engineer Regitrent 674 Assault G u n Battalion 228

Engi-neer Regiment 601 2nd Bn., A r t i l l e r y Regiment 71

Engineer Battalion 70 Heavy A r t i l l e r y Battali.on 857

Engi.neer Battalion 127 2nd Bn., Arti.llery Regiment 62

Engineer Bridge Battalion 531

XXXXII Corps

deavy rlnti.-Tank 3atcallon 560 F!ak Kegiment 77

Heavy Anti.-Tank Battalion C Light Observation Battalion 13

Mountain Engineer Regiment 620 Construction Regiment 26

2nd Bty., Heavy Artillery Bn 800 Construction Battali.on 219

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,

thi.s study can now begin t o analyze the characterhtics of the
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.
Telford Taylor, The --
March of Conquest: The German Vi.ctories -
in
Western Europe, 1940.7ew York: Simon and ScEt-958, p.18.
R. James Bender and Warren W. Odegard, Uniforms,
-
and History of the Panzertruppe. (San Jose: R. James Be
p.60.
5 James h a s , A1 ine Elite - German Mountain Troops of World War
-
11. (London: J a n e ' h 8 - 1 8 6 .
6 Ibid., p.89.
7 Wehrmacht und
m x
' Wolf Keilig, Das Deutsche Heer 1939-1945. (Bad Nauhein,
Pcdzun Verlag), 1936; v ~ ~ Z T
mG.:

Ibid., Vol 1, p.90/5.

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 XV 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 XV 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

l2 R. James Bender and Ftichard D. Law', Uniforms, Organization and

of the Afrikakorps. ( S a n Jose: R. James Bender), 1 9 r
s 3 . - -
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 Bn. 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, 154-

156, 220-222, 226-227, 281-283; Vol 3, pp.1-9, 50-52, 87-90, 124-

126, 160-162, 191-194, 227-229, 287-289; V O ~4, pp.1-3, 24-27, 50-

52, 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, 154-

156, 220-222, 226-227, 281-283; V O ~ 3, pp.1-9, 50-52, 87-90, 124-

126, 160-162, 191-194, 227-229, 287-289; V O ~4, pp.1-3, 24-27, 50-

52, 80-83, 111-112, 12’3-131, 221.

l8 Silvester Stadler, -
FRG: &.n
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 War 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

Trans 1ati.on Equi.valent

Gener a1f e ldmarschall GFM Field Marschal General of

the Army
Generaloberst Go Colonel General General
General der 1nfanteri.e GdI General of Infantry Lieutenant
General

38

 G e m Rank Abbreviation English Amer ican

Translation Equivalent

General der Artillerie GdA General of Arti.llery Lieutenant

General
I,
General der Panzer GdPz General of Panzers

General der Pionier GdPi General of Engineers

General der Gebirgs- GdGebTr General of Hountain

trim= Troops
General der Kavallerie GdKav General of Cavalry

Generalleutnant GL 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
divi.si.on. h i l e h i s . k r i c a n counterpart seldom was. Movfnp a?. a
generalleutnant could camnand ei.ther a di.visi.on or corps, h i i e his

major general Ameri.can counterpart mst often stayed a t division

1

level. To av0i.d thi.s mental conversi.on of grades I will use German

grade for a l l comnanders.

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 -
I ts Diseases and -
-
Their --
Cure: A of the Personal Factor -
study -- i.n Gnunand states that
physical vigor 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
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

Age of Comnanders

Mmkr of Officers* Percentage of Total

40 t o 44 6 1.8
45 to 50 104 31.8
51 to 55 162 49.5
56 t o 60 44 13.4
61 t o 65 11 3.3

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

40

 The oldest individual was GL tIans Schmidt who was 64 years

old &en he assmed c m d of the IX Corps i n 1940. 'I"ne ;iomgest
was GM K u r t von Liebenstein who assmed c d of the Africa Corps,
January 1943, a t age 43.

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, and character. Educational factors were consi.dered
secondary. The mst significant element of education was the
"Abitur", a diploma recognizing nine years of primary and secondary
education, and granting the recipient the right to enter a
university. The s t a t e of Bavaria demanded the officer candidate
possess this c e r t i f i c a t e while by 1910 some 637. of a l l Prussian
cadets had earned one. Long tern implications for the Abitur were
even mre significant as acceptance for General Staff training
3
depended on i t .

k i n g World War I, huge demands for officers caused a

di.lution i n the character and educational standards of offi.cer
candi.dates. Casualties i.ncreased whi.le replacements were drawn from
older reservists and inexperienced young officers. In 1916 the
Supreme Headquarters began t o transfer members of the "old officer
corps" from the front 1i.nes to General Staff service i n an attempt
4
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 ?rovi.sions of :he Treaty of Versailles, tne post-war ilei.cnswehr
was reduced t o 4,000 officers, of whom 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 all around excellent
character rather than mre educated, 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 corps.
The following three tables reflect nobility composition of newly
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 73 12 16.4
1925 68 16 23.5
1926 74 19 25.6
1927 81 i7 20.9
1928 93 27 29.0
1929 65 16 24.6
1930 66 10 15.1
1931 90 17 18.8
1932 73 5 1.3

Total 683 139 20.3

43
 Table 9

Newiy Trmoted Lieutenant Colonels

Year Promoted Nobles Percent Hoble

1924
43
14
32.5

1925
30
6
20.0

1926
43
13
30.2

1927
61
17
27.8

1928
67
26
38.8

1929
71
17
23.9

1930
70
14
20.0

1931
83
22
26.5

1932
65
12
, 18.4

Total 533
141
26.4

* Table 10

Newly Promoted Colonels

Year Promoted Nobles Percent Noble

1924
32
10
31.2

1925
27
12
44.4

1926
29
13
44.8

1927
34
7
20.5

44

 Newly Promoted Colonels (continued)

Year Pronoted Nobles Percent Noble

1928 45 13 28.8

1929 40 15 37.5

1930 46 11 23.9

1931 55 22 40.0

1932 45 10 22.2

Total 353 113 32.0

However, the high percentage of nobility during the 1932-

1945 p r i o d diminished. In 1932,

23.8% of a l l officers were nobles
7
with 52% of general officers i n this category. This percentage had
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 this thesis nust 1imi.t the thorough

investi.gation of the various s t r a t a of nobility. David Nelson
1u

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 off-
icers t o the army, could be mre significant than "new"
noble families.

45
 CXoer Bartov i n h i s study of the German hrny on the Eastern
Front defines rmbership i n the nobili.ty as a l l officers with a
"von" and other prefixs of arist0crati.c origin attached t o the
11
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 8

1938 9

1939 13

1940 21

1941 22

1942 31

1943 31

1944 29

1945 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 1930s, the German Army dramatically increased i n

si.ze. This expansion directly affected the Officer Corps. I n 1938
for example, the Army expanded by 7,600 officers: 2,000 recruits,
2,500 lateral transfers from the police, 1,500 noncorrmissioned

officerprmotions, 1,800 reactivations from inactive service, and

12
1,600 Austrian officers incorporated i.nto the Wehnuacht. The
variety of sources for general officers who l a t e r assumed corps
camand are as shown:

Table 12

Comnander's Background

Category Number Comnanders Percentage

Career (Served in WWI 268 80.7

and r a i n e d i n Xeichsweh)

Recalled from iietirement 22 6.6

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

Transferred from Police 27 8.1

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

47

 Comnander's Background (continued)

Category Number Conananders Per centage

Joined during 1930s Expansion 4 1.2

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

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

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

mthods. Sme retired officers were ternporarily restored to the
regular l i s t , while others were designaced z.V ( m r V e r f u e m ) or
14
"at di.sposa1". As expected, most recalled officers were among the
oldest of the cannariders. Seventeen returned t o retirement during
the war, one died i.n comnand, and four remained on active service.

Only one corps comnander d-10 had been recalled from retirement was
15
selected for higher camand.

48

 During the mid 1930s many offi.cers rejoined the Xeichswehr

from the police. As an inducement, these men retained their fomr

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 s t i l l believed in obsolete Fi.rst World War
16

experiences.

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 later conrnanded
at the army or army group level, representing 19% of all corps
17
c d e r s with police backgrounds, and are shown below:

Table 13

Corps Gmnanders with Police Backgrounds

Grade Name Corps Highest Grade Higher Camands

Corrmand

GdPz Eberbach m v 1 1 Pz GdPz 5th Panzer Army

XxxXvIII Pz 7th Amy
xxxx Pz
49
 Corps Comnanders with Police Backgrounds (continued)

Grade N a m e Corps Highest Grade Higher Carmands

Gmmland

GdI Grasser XXVI GdI 11th Army

LVI Pz
18
GL W l l e r ,F V GdI 4th Army
XXXIV 2.b.V
LIX
LXVIII
GdI Wiese VIII GdI 19th Army
xxxv
GdI von Zangen LXXXIV GdI 15th Amy
LXXXVII

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 as

temporary panzer corps comrmders than permanent.

50

 Table 14

Panzer Corps Comnanders with Poli.ce Bac'kgrounds

Grade Name Corps Durati.on of Cornnand

GL Beyer,F LVII Pz 8 days

GdPz Eberbach XxxxVII Pz 7 days
XxxXvIII Pz 27 days
xxxx Pz 9 days

GdPz F r i e s XxxxVI Pz 4 months

GL Grasser LVI Pz 24 days

GdPz Henrici,S xxxx Pz 18 months

GL Kaellner XXIV Pz 29 days

GL schuenerrmann m1x 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 number of senior
i9

officers. Austri.an o f f i c e r s conpared favorably t o t h e i r Gemn

counterparts i n conpetency and leadership. The 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 XXIV Pz GdI (Post.) None (KIA)

GdI Yiterna XX GdI None

GdI kyer,E XVIII GdI None (Died)

GdA Marti-nek XXXIX Pz GdA None (KIA)

GL Feurstein UII GdGebTr

None

Lxx
LI Mtn

GL Eglseer XVIII Mtn GdGebTr None ( K i l l e d i n

plane crash)
GL Ringel LXIX Mtn GdGebTr None

GL von Nagy WI GdI None

GdPz Hubicki. W I X Pz W Z NOW

52
 5RAiV.X AFFILIATION

Branch r i v a l r i e s played a large role in comnand

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

Table 16
Newly Promoted Generalmajor

Year Promoted Infantry Cavalry Artillery Technical

11 % 11 7. ;I % 11 x

1924 13 4 30.7 2 15.4 7 53.8 0 0.0

1925 8 1 12.5 2 25.0 4 50.0 1 1.2.5
1926 10 5 50.0 1 10.0 3 30.0 1 10.0
1927 15 7 46.6 1 6.6 5 33.3 2 13.3
1928 16 11 68.7 0 0.0 5 31.2 0 0.0
1929 i7 i0 58.1; 2 i1.7 5 29.4 0 0.0

1930 19 12 63.1 0 0.0 7 36.8 0 0.0

1931 17 10 58.8 1 11.7 4 23.5 2 11.7

1932 19 11 57.8 2 10.5 6 31.5 0 0.0

Total 134 71 52.9 11 8.2 46 34.3 6 4.4

53

 Table 17

Xewly Romoted Generalleutnanr:

Year Promoted Infantry Cavalry Artillery Technical

11 % II % /I 70 c %

1924 4 3 75.0 0 0.0 1 25.0 0 0.0

1925 4 2 50.0 1 25.0 1 25.0 0 0.0

1926 5 5 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

1927 7 4 57.1 1 14.2 2 28.5 0 0.0

1928 6 1 16.6 3 50.0 2 33.3 0 0.0

1929 6 3 50.0 1 16.6 2 33.3 0 0.0

1930 7 4 57.1 1 14.2 2 28.5 0 0.0
1931 5 3 60.0 1 20.0 1 20.0 0 0.0
1932 6 4 66.6 0 0.0 2 33.3 0 0.0

Total 50 29 58.0 8 16.0 13 26.0 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 % /I % II %

1924 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

1925 2 1 50.0 1 50.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

54
 Newly Promoted General der Infanterie, etc. (continued)

Year Promoted Infantry Cavalry Artillery Technical

I 7. t 7. t '7. I
1926 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
1927 2 1 50.0 0 0.0 1 50.0 0 0.0

1928 2 1 50.0 0 0.0 1 50.0 0 0.0

1929 1 1 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

1930 1 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 100.0 0 0.0

1931 1 1 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

1932 1 1 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Total a 5 62.5 0 0.0 3 37.5 0 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 new 7anzer brancn required speciai leaders anu carmnanaers, but
the older arms displayed opposing views. To maintain s t a b i l i t y
within the armored force, GO Heinz Guderi.an r e p r t e d directly to
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 171 51.5

Artillery 63 18.9

Panzer 54 16.2

Cavalry 18 5.4

b u n t a i n Troops 15 4.5

Engineer 9 2.7
Luftwaffe 2 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 forty-one perc.ent
of the conmanders of the m t a i n corps were mountain troop
officers. Artillery and cavalry officers comnanded i n both infantry
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

selected, trained, and educated officers. Its mission was to 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.

Candi.dates for the General Staff

were selected based on
26
"character, di.spsition, physi.ca1, and intellectual abilities".
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
former Austrian officer, General de Sartha, stated that i n many
respects th Austrian General Staff was the equal of its German
29
counter?art.

Although the size of the General Staff increased t o 1167

offi.cers by 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
high ranki.ng c m n d e r s , but also the General Staff for the lack of
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 significant and will be
i discussed at length i n a later chapter. Distribution of corps
33
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 Percentage, of Total

from General Staff

1939 31 66

1940 50 70

1941 61 il

1942 75 57

1943 83 49

1944 82 40

1945 50 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 the

General Staff into the regular officer 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 the rank of

major. In addition to h i s duties in operations, he also served as
the chief of staff as the division structure di.d not allocate a
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 staff had m h m r e prestige and authority than

36
other oEficers of equal rank. Colonels and lieutenant colonels

59

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

usually 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
these staff assignments were not mandatory prerequisites for future
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 Mmkr Percentage

who were colnnanders of:
-

Infantry Divisions 246 74.1

Panzer Divisi.ons 40 12.0

Reserve Divisions 0 0.0

Infantry and Panzer Divisi.0- 11 3.3

No division comnand 35 10.5

An 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 - h o did
not were very senior generals h o comnanded corps a t the s t a r t of
the war. Tnus, their opportunities for division cnrmand were limited
by the smaller size of the army i n the mid-1930s. Those less senior

who did not comnand a t the divisi.on level frequently were General
Staff officers who held significant staff comnands a t corps, army,

and army group level.

61
 None of the corps comnanders had previous reserve division

coIimand as his sole division comnanci experi.ence. I t is safe t o

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

Fifty-one corps c m d e r s (15.4%) previ.ously comnanded

panzer divisions. In examining the panzer corps, thirty-six
comnanders (40.9%) had previously comnanded panzer divisi.ons. Of
every three panzer division comnanders who l a t e r comnanded a t the
corps level, two commded a panzer corps while one comnanded a
corps of a different type. No 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
influence on A m y appointmentments. Army officer promotions and
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

decoration for service, "The Decoration of 9 Xovember 1923" also
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 (attempted overt'mow of

Bavarian government) of November 9, 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 Weeimar court
death sentence and served a t l e a s t one year i n j a i l for
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.
O f these 810 went t o Party members, 500 t o Freikorps troopers, and
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, Robert a c h e r ,
Paul Hermann, and Theodor i(retschwr. Only one went on to become a
41
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."
Married t o Generalfeldmarschall von Blomberg's daughter, he was i n

addition the brother of the Chief of the Army Personnel Office

Bodewin Keitel and undoubtedly had some influence i n appointxents.
H i s duty assigrrment can be sumnari.zed as funneling Hitler's orders
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 several like-minded
44
officers.

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
Generalfeldmarschall R m l . Frcm colonel t o general he did not

64

c d troops but did show loyalty and discretion toward Hi.tler and
was entrusted wi.th v i s i t i n g R-1 .*ith the choice of suicide or
45
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 a particular
officer was selected for 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 surely i n
46
order for chronic complainers against the Nazis.

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 and corps
chiefs of staff. 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
 1

Ri.chard Brett-Smith, Hitler's Generals, ( S a n Rafael,

Cali.fornia: Presidi.0 Press), 1937, p.12.

-
2
of -
J.F.C. Fuller, Generalship Its Diseases ---
the Personal Factor i n Comnand,-(Harrisburg,
and Their Cure: A Studv
PennsyTvania:
-
Military Servi.ce U m ng 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.

-
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. He 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 War 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.
6
David Nelson Spires, "The Career of the Rei.cnswetu Officer",
p.508.
I
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 Richard Brett-Smi.th, Hitler's Generals, p.5.
9
-
her Bartov, The Eastern E,
p.43.
10
David Nelson Spires, "The Career of the Reichswehr Officer",
p.27.

66

11

Ckner Bartov, -
The Eastern Front, p.172.

12
Michael Geyer, "The Transformation of the German Officer Corps"
(Ann Arbor, Echigan: Uni.versi.ty of Michigan), p.44.
13
Telford Taylor, The March-- of Conauest: - The German Victories i n
Western Europe, 1 9 4 0 , T e w York: Simon and Schus- 1958, p p . z
and.

14 -
Telford Taylor, The March, p. 409.
Table 22

Corps Comnanders Coming Gut of Retirement

Grade Name Corps Date 0ri.gi.nally Date Fi.nally

Comnanded Retired R e t i red

GdI Boehm-Tettelbach XXXII 31.3.33 28.2.43

XXXVII
77
11

GL Brandt ,G XXXII 31.1.31 31.8.42

GL Feige m 30.9.35 30.6.42
GdI Geyer IX 30.4.39 31.12.43
GL von Gienanth XXXVI 30.9.33 30.6.43
GdI von Grei.ff I11 31.12.29 31.8.42
xiMx7I
GdI Haenicke m 1 1 30.9.32 Did not
GL Heinemann LXv 30.9.37 28.2.45
GdA Kaupi sch XXXI 30.9.32 30.6.42
GdK von Kleist XXI I 28.2.38 Did not
GdI Koch,F XXXXIV 30.9.31 31.5.42
GdA Lucht XI11 31.3.32 Did not

GdI Met2.H 1.4.31 31.1.43

GdI von Nagy LXXI 31.12.35 31.1.43
GdK von Pomell XXXI I 28.2.38 31.5.42
GdI von G g e r XXV 1.2.31 30.5.42
XXVII

~~~ ~

GdI von Schenckendorff xIc(v 28.2.30 Died 6.7.43

GdI Schmidt,H IX 31.1.31 31.10.43
GdI Sctiwandner LIX 1934 30. a .42
GdA Ulex
.~~~~ X 31.3.39 31.12.41
GM von Unger XXXIII 31.7.32 Did not
GdI Wiktorin XXVIII 1935 30.11.44
15 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. He was
dismissed from the service March 30, 1944 and died i n 1954 i n a
Soviet Pri.soner of War Camp.

67
 16
Guenther Blurrentri.tt, “The German Armies of 1914 and 1939”,
U.S. .Amy 9istori.cal Division Study 6 11 8-296, (Washington, 9.C.:
Office of the Chief of a l i . t a r y History), 1947, p.46.
17
Wolf Kei.lig, - -
Die Generale des Heeres, pp.76,113,232,370,379.
The following corps comnanders transferred frcm the Police t o
the Army:
Table 23

Corps Comnanders from the Police

Grade Name Corps Date Transferred Grade retai.ned

from Police from Police
GdI Abraham W I I 15.10.35 Naj or
GL Seyer ,F XVII 1.4.35 Oberstleutnant
xxxxIX
Lxxx

LVII
GL chill XXVI 1.10.36 i4ajor
LV
GdPz Eberbach XxxXvII Pz 1.7.35 Major
XxxxVIII Pz
xxxx Pz
GdPz Fries rn Pz 1936 Major
GdI Grasser XXVI. 1935 Er,jor
LVI
GdGbT vonHengl XIX 6.10.36 Major
LIX

GdPZ Henrici,S xxxx Pz 1.10.35 Oberst

GL Hohn IX 1.9.35 Xauptmann
GL Jahr XXIV 22.11.35 Ober stleutnant
GL .Kaellner XXIV 1935 Hauptmann
GL Lasch LXIV 1.7.35 Major
GdI von Leyser xv 15.3.35 Oberstleutnant
XXI
XXVI

GZ Weller ,F V 16.3.36 :.laj or

XXXIV
LIX
LXVIII
GL XXX 15.10.35 Oberstleutnant
XXXIII

IXXXIX
GdI von Oven XXXXIII 15.3.35 Oberstleutnant
GdA Pf e i.f f er VI 1.10.35 Oberstleutnant
GL Roe tt i.g LXVI 1.10.35 Oberst
GdPi. Sack LXIV 1.10.35 Oberst
GL Schuenenmann XXXIX Pz 16.3.36 Major
GL Sponheimer XXVIII 16.3.36 Oberst
X

LIV

LXVII

68

 Corps Corrmanders from the Police (continued)

Grade "ame Corps Date Transferred Grade retained
from Police from Poli.ce
GdI Strec'ker XI 14.6.35 Generalnaj or
XVII
GL Usinger I 1.10.35 Major
GdI Wiese VIII 1.8.35 Major
xxxv
GdI Witthoeft XXVII 1.4.36 Oberst
GM Wolpert IXXXVIII 15.10.35 Oberstleutnant
GdI von Zangen IXXXIV 1.8.35 Oberstleutnant
LXXXVII

18
Erwin Lenfeld and Franz Thomas, Die Ekhenlaubtraeger
1940-1945. (Wiener Neustadt, Cesterrei.ch: Weirburg Verlag), 1952,
p.105. GdI Friedrich W i . l h e l m Nueller mde the mst rapid rise of the
"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 1942-
1944. 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 -91939 (Friedberg, FRG:
Podzun-Pallas-Verlag), 1953, p.145.
20
Wolf Keilig, Die Generale des Heeres. (Friedberg, FRG: Podzun-
Pallas-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 .
LJ.
Dernot Bradley and Richard Schulze-Kossens, Taetigkeitsbericht
-
des -
Chefs-des Heerespersonalamtes General & Infanterie 3udolf
S c h d t : 11.04.2-ck, 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. He 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

 zation), 1984, p.6.

26 Franz Halder, "Control of the German Army General Staff", U.S.
Army ilistorical Divi.si.on Study MSd 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.

e
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,
ERG: Bernard & Graefe Verlag),8, p.127.
33 ~ c h a e el y e r , " ~ b _ e Transformation of the ~ e r m a no f f i c e r . corps"
p.47.
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. .
35 p h r t i n van Creveld, Power, German X i l i t a r
==f
Perfornance, 1914-1945, (Potomac, Mary and: c&L Defense Cosu tants
1980, p . 3 .
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 Corps Gmnanded Divi si on Comnanded

GdF'z von Amim,H XXXIX Pz 17th Pz

70
 Panzer Corps Comnanders from Panzer Divisions (continued)
Grade Name
Corps Gnnnanded Divi si.on Comnanded
GdPz Balck xxxx Pz
11th Pz

XxxXvIII Pz
XIV Pz
GdPz Breith,H I11 Pz 3rd Pz

GdPz Cruewell Africa 11th Pz

GdPz Decker XXXIX Pz 5th Pz

GdPz Eberbach m 1 Pz 4th Pz

XxxxvIII Pz
XXXX Pz
GdPz von Edelsheim
m 1 1 Pz 24th Pz

GdPz von Esebeck,H

LVII Pz 2nd Pz,llth Pz

m Pz 15th Pz

GdPz Fehn,G xxxx Pz 5th Pz

Africa

GdPz von Funck m 1 Pz

7th Pz

GdPz Gey von 111 Pz

3rd Pz

Schweppenburg xxxx Pz

GL Harpe XXXXI Pz 12th Pz

Oberst Heidkaemper XXIV Pz 4th Pz

GL Heim m 1 1 Pz 14th Pz

GdPz Herr LXXVI Pz 13th Pz

GdPz Hube XIV Pz 16th Pz

GL , Kaellner XXIV Pz 19th Pz

GdPz von Kessel VII Pz 20th Pz

GdPz Kirchner LVII Pz 1st Pz

GdPz von hobelsdorff XXIV Pz 19th Pz

xxxx Pz
XxxxvIII Pz

GdPz Krueger,W LVIII Pz

1st Pz

GdPz vonLangemann XXIV Pz

4th Pz

und Erlencinnp
GdA Lemelsen m 1 1 Pz
5th Pz

GL von Luettwitz,S m Pz 26th Pz

GL von Luettwitz.H m 1 Pz 2nd Pz,2Oth Pz

GdPZ Ne'mi ng :a1v JZ 18th Pz

XxxxVIII Pz
Africa
GdPZ bus XxxXvII Pz 6th Pz

GdPZ K-1 Africa 7th Pz

GdPZ von Saucken XXXIX Pz 4th Pz

Gross Deutschland
I11 Pz
GdPZ Schaal LVI Pz 10th Pz

GdPZ von Schwerin,G LVI Pz 116th Pz

W Z von Senger und XIV Pz 17th Pz

Etterlein
GdPZ von Thm Africa
6th Pz,l7th Pz

20th Pz

GM von Vaerst
Africa
15th Pz

GL von Vormann
XxxXvII Pz
23rd Pz

GL von Wi.etersheim,W XXXXI Pz 11th Pz

71

 39 Helmut Kleikmp, "The Army Personnel Office", U.S. Army

Historical Division Study YSf! P-O4lhh, (Washington, D.C. : Office of
:he LXef of Xilitary History), 1952, 2.37.
4o John R. Angolia, For Fueher Fatherland; Military Awards of
-
t he Third Reich
2, p x -
-
( V o l m T - m n Jose: R. James Sender), 1976 ,V x

41 Klaus Patzwall, -
Blutorden d er -'
WAP (Hamburg, FRG.:
Patzwall Verlag), 1985, pp.1-
Block was dismissed from the Xeichswhr May 31, 1924. He
reentered i n 1934 and served as a battalion comnander from 1937-
1940, 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
Geyer. i3orn i n 1882, he served i n both staff and c d positions
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 review the
actual 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 characteri-stic exanined is demonstrated

performance of duty through the German system of awards and
decorations. J.F.C. Fuller, i.n h i s t r e a t i s e on generalship, stated
that heroism is the "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
officers and enlisted men. In addition, the subordinate states of
2
Germany, such as Bavaria, issued their own awards.

A t the outbreak of World War 11, the Iron Cross 1st Class
and 2nd Class were reinstituted. Both medals had originally been
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 by Kaiser
Wilhelm I i n 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War, and were open t o
a l l Germans, not only PNssians. In 1914 Kaiser W i . l h e l m I1 reopened
the awards and expanded e l i g i b i l i t y t o include bravery i n the field
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

 4
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= pass between

award of the 2nd Class t o that of the 1st Class, this could be
5
compressed t o one or two days.

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
the chai.n of c m d through army c d e r with the f i n a l decision
7
made by Hitler. Prerequisites included previous award of both
classes of the Iron Cross. Enlisted personnel as w e l l as officers
were eligible for this award. Some 7,300 Knight's Crosses were
8
awarded.

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
independent decisions. This is best amplified by c m n t s by Field
Harschall Schoener concerning a r e c m n d a t i . o n for the award to a
colonel. Schoerner wrote that for a regimental comnander t o lead a
counterattack personally with machi.ne-guns and hand grenades was not
9
excepti.ona1 bravery but a "self evident duty".

75

 On June 3, 1940 Hitler instituted the next higher grade the

of Knight's Cross, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross wi.th
Oakleaves. This award was intended t o further recognize those
individuals, already winners of the Knight's Cross, for continued
- accomplishrents of bravery 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

another higher grade of award the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
wi.th Oakleaves and 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 t o receive t h i s award, only 159 offi.cers
11
actually did.

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.

By December 29, 1944 Hitler deci.ded that one ultimate award

be created for Germany's twelve bravest soldiers, the Knight's
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. No other presentati.ons

13

were made.

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

~ r m yR ecipients of the ~nigt~i'scross

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

NLrmber Percentage of Total

Knipht's cross 133 40.1

Oakleaves 102 30.7

Swords 35 10.5

Diamonds 7 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

corps comnand. Individuals &IO received the Knight's Cross with

15
Oakleaves and Swords for achievewnt -
a s corps corrnnanders were:

Table 27

Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords for Corps Ccnrmand

Grade Name Decorati.on corps Date

GL HUbe Swords XIV Panzer 21.12.42

GdPz Harps Swords XXXXI Panzer 15.9.43

GdPz Breith Swords 111 Panzer 21.2.44
GdGebTr Kreysing Swords XVII 13.4.44
GdI Jordan Swords VI 20.4.44
GdI Wegener Swords ' L 17.9.44
GdPz v. Knobelsdorff Swords XXXX Panzer 21.9.44
GdI Recknagel Swords m1
1 23.10.44
GdI v. Obstfelder Swords LXXXVI 5.11.44
GdA Wei.dli.ng Swords XXXXI Panzer 28.11.44
GdPz Herr Swords LXXVI Panzer 18.12.44

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

six received the award as cnrmanders of panzer corps. Forty-five
received the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves for service as corps

cmnders. 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 achievement

i n panzer corps came quicker than that i n other types. Second, by
the 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 i n the Army Personnel Office, i.n h i s descri.pti.on of the

officer promotion system stated that Knight's Cross winners

16

"automatically" were given mre generous, preferential prorrmtions.

Recipients received favorable publicity including tours among
c i v i l i a n industry, Wstcards i n their honor and free gifts.
Interviews with several radianen i n the 12th SS Panzer Regiment
aptly sum up the presti.ge associated with the award. They stated
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 in

the cumulative line as previously described. W i n g the Fried 1941-

1945 Army personnel recei-ved 16,876 German Crosses. Twenty corps
18

comnanders had t h i s award as thei.r highest decoration.

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 War 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 Hi.& 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 higher comnand, and ( 3 ) Officers should be placed
d-10
21
temporarily i.n the next hi.gher ccrrmand t o prove their abi1i.ties.
The efficiency report provided the most important i.nfomtion i n
nn
LL
determi.ni.ng appoinmnts and promotions.

81

 The narrative c m n t s on the report furnished valuable

insights into the potential of each officer. A promotion list

prepared i n February 1945 on several officers reflects these

23
observations.

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 ."

GdK Westphal - "Tareri.ng personal leader. Great achiever .I'

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 after this time, under pressure from Hitler and growing
officer losses, 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
Staff of the Army, stated after the war that 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:

Table 28

General Officers i n Service

Grade October 1938 May 1942 May 1943 May 1944

Gener a1f e l&r schal 1 0 8 15 16

Generaloberst 3 19 ia 26
General der Infanterie, '31 99 141 170
etc.
Generalleutnant a7 223 369 473
Generalmajor 154 465 501 565

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

from to to G M

GdA von Brauchitsch I 1.10.35-1.4.37 19.7.40

GdI Busch VIII 4.2.38-24.10.39 1.2.43
GdK von Kleist VIII 1.5.35-4.2.38 1.2.43
XXI I 8.39-11.40
GdA von Kluge VI 1.d.35-1.12.38 19.7.40
GdA von Kuechler I 1.4.37-8.39 30.6.42
GdI von Manstein XXXVIII 1.2.40-15.3.41 1.7.42
LVI 2.41-12.9.41
GdPz Wdel XXXXI Pz 1..lo .41-15.1.42 1.3.44
GdA von Rei.chenau VII 1.10.35-4.2.38 19.7.40
GdGbT Schcerner XIX 15.1.42-1.10.43 5.4.45
xxxx Pz 10.43-4.44
GdK von Wei.chs XI11 1.10.37-20.10.39 1.2.43
GdI von Wi.tzleben I11 1.12.34-10.11.38 19.7.40

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 GM was
approximately twenty-seven months, with von Manstein the fastest
riser at ten months and Busch and von Weichs the slowest a t forty
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 (3.5%). The average time span from leaving corps
conmand t o prcmoti.on t o GO was less than twelve months. Only two
(7%) served entirely as prewar corps comnanders. The average corps
comnand tour was fourteen month, with GdPi Jaenec'ke serving :he
shortest time a t only two an a half months i.n comnand of the IV
27
Corps i n the surrounded 6 t h Army a t Stali.ngrad.

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. By 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
28
generalleutnant grade and were p r a t e d t o the GdI level.

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 in
efficiency reports as those who would perform well i n higher

cdrmands or who should be placed temporarily i n the next higher

ccmnand t o prove their abi.liti.es. As only twenty-seven armies
existed during the w a r , and not a l l simultaneously, selection
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 (6%)
had transferred from the police, and two (1%)returned from earlier

80

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

from the infantry, twenty-one (26%) from the panzer, and thirteen
(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 (34%) were Knight's Cross

recipients, thirty-one (389.) Oakleaves, eighteen (22%) Swords, and
five (6%) Diamonds. No 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-nd 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, and one ( 4 % )was a mountain troop
officer. Nine (36%) of these indi.viduals were General Staff
officers .

In the f i e l d of awards, three (12%) were Kni.ght's Cross

recipients, ten (40%)Oakleaves, nine (36%) Swords, and three (12%)
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
(72%) infantry corps c m d e r s . The average time of service as a
29
corps comnander was twenty-one months.

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
those individuals killed i n action as corps comnanders, taken
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 War 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
em Dead 1939 - 1944

Year Total Dead 0ffi.cer Dead Officer % of Total

1939-1940 73,829 4,357 5.9
1940-1941 138,301 7,831 5.6
1941- 1942 445,036 16,960 3.8
1942-1943 418,276 16,484 3.9
1943-1944 534,112 20,696 3.9
1944-12.44 167,335 5,304 3.2
Total 1,776,889 71,614 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
31
general o f f i c e r s died during the war as s h m .

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 7
Gener alober st 11
General der Infanterie,etc. 62
Generalleutnant 126
Generalmajor 136
Total 342

89
 Table 32

General Officer Fatali.cies (By Cause)

Fate General Officers

Killed i n Action 169

Missing i n Action ( F - r e s d Dead) 45

Accidental Death 25

Died of Natural Causes (On Duty) 46

Died of Natural Causes (After Discharge) 12

Suici.de 25

Executed 20

Total 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 8.5.45 Segeberg

GdI Block,J LVI Pz 26.1.45 Lask

GL von Bodenhausen L 2.5.45(S) Kurland

90
 Corps comnander Fatalities (continued)

Grade Name corranand Date Ki.lled Location

GclI von Briesen,K LII 20.11.41 Deri jewka

GdPz Decker XXXIX Pz 21.4.45(S) Braunschwei g

GdI Dostler IXXIII 2.5.45 Italy

GdGbT Eglseer XVIII 23.6.44(A) Salzburg

GL Eibl XXIV Pz 21.1 .it3 Don

GdI von Erdmannsdorff,W XCI 8.5.45 Laibach
GdPz Fehn,G XV 5.6.45 Yugos 1avi.a

GdI Hauffe XI11 22.7.44 %ai.ne

GL Jahr XXIV Pz 20.1.43 (S) Storoshewoje

GL Kaellner XXIV Pz 18.4.45 Sokolnica

GdI von Krosigk XVI 16.3.45. Kurland

GdPz von Langermann XXIV Pz 3.10.42 Storoshewoje

GdA Marcks,E LXXXIV 12.6.44 Normandy

GdA Martinek XXXIX Pz 28.6.44 Beresi now

GdI Mieth IV Pz 2.9.44 Jassy

GdI Priess M I 21.10.44 Easr: Prussia

GdI Recknagel XXXXII 23.1.45 Petrikau

GL Schuenemnn XXXIX Pz 29.6.44 Pagost

GL von Speck XVIII 15.6.40 France

GdA Stemnermann,W XI 18.2.44 Tscherkassy

GdA Wandel XXIV Pz 14.1.43 Chilino

GdI Megener L 24.9.44 Kurland

GdI von Wickede X 23.6.44(A) Salzburg

GdPZ Zorn m 1 Pz 2.8.43 Krassnaj a

91
 This information provides several important conclusions.
Twenty-seven corps comnanaers were killed while i n comnana. O f these
mnty-two (817.1 were killed in acti.on, three (11%)comni.tted
suicide (S), and two (7%) were :killed in a i r accidents (A). Eleven
individuals (41%) were killed while comnanding panzer corps. 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
Germany's offensive years of 1939 t o 1942, while four di.ed (15%) i n
1943, a year of transition, and twenty f e l l (747.) during the
defensive fighting of 1944 and 1945. Examining locations for each
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 e corps cornnand Date Captured

GdI Buschenhagen LII 8.44

GdI Gollwi tzer LIII 28.6.44

GdA Hell VII 8.44
GL Hoffmeister XXXXI 1.7.44
GL von Luetzar xxxv 5.7.44
GdI &Her ,L XXXXIV 21.8.44 .
GL Mueller ,V xxII,xxvII 7.7.44
GL Postel xxx 8.44
GL Schloemr XIV 29.1.43
GdA von Seydlitz-Kurzbach LI 30.1.43
GdI Strecker XI ,XI11 2.2.43
GdI Voelckers WIi 9.i.U

i n examining thi.s i.nfonnati.on it is seen that tmlve

gener i s who had been corps comnanders joined the Connittee. Eleven
(92%) were career officers; one (8%) had been in the poli.ce. Four
c d e r s (33%) were General Staff officers and two (17%) were
members of the nobility. i n branch analysis nine (75%) were
infantry, two (17%) arti.llery, and one (8%) engi.neer. No panzer or
mountain generals joined.

93
 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 the factors of performance, promoti.on, and

potential the corps comnanders were well decorated soldiers, in a
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 promoted to
Generalfeldmrschall which represents 3 . 3 percent of all 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 concerning awards
promotions, and later comnand i n comparison t o overall branch
strength.

Twenty-seven corps conmanders were killed while i n c d ,

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 chapter a more detailed suamary of a l l factors

of c m n d will be 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

1
Fuller, Generalship Its Diseases ----
J.F.C. and Their Cure: A
-
of -
the Personal Factor & Comnand,(Harrisburg, Pa.: Mili.tary
Service Publi.shing Co.), 1936, p.23.
L
Martin van Creveld, F i ti Power, German Militar Performance,
m
e-*
1914-1945, ( P o t m c , ?hry C o s u d 1980, p.124.
1

J
John R. Angolia, On the Field of Honor, A History of the
Kni-ght's Cross B e a r e r r ( V & m , =an Jose: RT James B e g e x
1980, Vol l,.14-22.
4
John R. Angolia, For Fuehrer and Fatherland; Militar Awards of
--
the Third Keich ( V o l e - k m - & e :
1, p.337 a n 3 4 3 .
R. James Ben r -ad
1476,Vol'

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.

l3 John R. Angolia, On - -the Field -9 Vol 1, pp.46-50. Rude1 was a

legend i n World War 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.
l4 John R. Angolia, -
For Fuehrer, Vol 1, p.336.

96
15
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. He 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 XXXXI Panzer Corps
for actions during the Kursk offensive September 15, 1943.
GdPz Breith won the 1;ni.ght's Cross as corrmander of the 5th
Panzer Brigade during the French Campaign in 1940. He assumed
c d of the 3rd Panzer Di.vi.si.on and received the Oakleaves i n
this position January 31, 1942. He won the Swords as comnander of
the I11 Panzer Corps February 21, 1944 for defensive actions along
te Dnjepr River.
GdGebTr Kreysi.ng was awarded the lbight's Cross as c&er of
the 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 XVII 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.

GdI 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
Infantry Divisi.on he won the Oakleaves November 6, 1943. He recei.ved
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.
GdI 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
Swords as corrmander of the XXXXI Panzer Corps February 22 and
November 28, 1944 respecti.vely for acti.ons i n defense of Army Group
Center during the massive Soviet Sumner 1944 0ffensi.ve. He 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
c d of the 13th Panzer Division August 9, 1942. He f i n a l l y
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 MS# P-134, (Washington, D.C.: Office of
the Chief of Military History), 1952, p. 46.

l 7 J o s t W. Schnei.der, Their Honor was Loyalty! - An I l l u s t r a t e d and

Docurnentar Histor of the K n i g h t ' s C G s Holders of - t he K a f f e n x
d
- d 9 = , 7 S a n
F u b l i m , 1977, p.167.
J o s e , m i m James BendG

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.11-
15.
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, ERG: 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 k P S Corps Ccmnander Date Promoted

from to t o Go
GdPz von Arnim,H XXXIX PZ 11.11.41-30.11.42 3.12.42
GdI Blaskaritz I1 1935-1938 1.10.39
GdA Dollmann IX 1.10.34-8.39
19.7.40
GdI von Falkenhorst XXI 8.39-4.40 19.7.40
GdI Friessner XXIII 20.1.43-7.12.43 1.7.44
GdPz Guderian XVI 4.2.38-20.11.38 19.7.40
XIX
~ ~~~ ~ 1.9.39-11.40 ~

GdA Haase,C I11 19.11.38-13.11.40 19.7.40

GPz Harpe XXXXI PZ 15.1.42-15.10.43 20.4.44
GdI Heimici VII 1.2.40-8.4.40 1.1.43
X II 9.4.40-16.6.40
XXXXIII 18.6.40-20.1.42
GdA Heitz VIII 25.10.39-31.1.43 30.1.43
GdI Hilpert LXIX 22.6.42-25.7.42 1.5.45
XXIII 25.7.42-20.1.43
LIV 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
GdK Hcepner -m 24.11.38-2.41 19.7.40
GdI Hol li.dt XVII
23.1.42-2.4.42 1.9.43
12.6.42-7.12.42
GdI Hoth xv 10.11.38-11.40 19.7.40
GdPZ Hube XIV 15.9.42-17.1.43 20.4.44
5.3.43-22.10.43
GdPi Jaenecke IV 1.11.42-16.1.43 30.1.44
GdK Lindemann ,G L 25.10.40-16.1.42 3.7.42
GdK von Mackensen I11 Pz 15.1.41-31.3.42 6.7.43
20.7.42-2.1.43
GdPZ Raus XI 1.3.43-10.43 15.8.44
xx)(xvII PZ 5.11.43-25.11.43
GdPZ Reinhardt XXXXI 15.2.40-30.9.41 1.1.42
GdI Renduli c xxxv
1.11.42-4.43 1.4.44
GdI Ruoff V 5.39-12.1.42 1.4.42

99

 Generoberst (continued)

Grade Nane Corps Corps Ccmnander Date Promoted

from to t o Go
GdI
von Salmth xxx
10.5.41-27.12.41 1.1.43
GdPz Schidt,R m1x Pz 1.2.40-10.11.41 1.1.&2
GdI
von Schobert VII
4.2.38-25.10.40 19.7.40
GdI
Strecker XVII
2.4.42-6.5.42 30.1.43
XI
6.5.42-2.2.43
GdPz von Vietlnghoff XIX
1.39-8.39 1.9.43
XI11
26.10.39-25.10.40
XxxXvI 1.11.40-10.6.42
GdI
Weiss XXVII
31.8.42-2.2.43 1.2.44
28
Each of the following comnanders served his entire tour as a
generalleutnant and w a s promoted after leaving corps conmand:
Table 36

Generalleutnant

Grade Name Corps Promoted To Date Promoted

GL von Choltitz lxXxIV GdI

1.8.44
XxxxvIII Pz
~

XVII
GL Graeser . XXIV GdPZ 1.9.44
XxxXvIII Pz
GL Jahn
LXXXVIII GdA 1.10.44
GL myer I1 GdI
1.4.45
GL Rcetti.g IXVI-
~~ GdI
GdI

~~~ 1.8.43
GL von Scheele LII GdI
1.12.43
LIII
GL Stapf XXXXIV GdI
1.10.42
GL von Vormann XxxxvII Pz GdPZ 27.6.44
GL Ziegler I11 Pz GdA 1.1.44
29
The f o 1 l o w i . q cor?s cormnanders went on t o c m n d z t :he axmy
group level:
Table 38

Army Group Comnanders

Grade Name
Army Group Dates Carrmanded

GdFz von Arnim,H Tuni.s 9.3.43-12.5.43

GdPz Balck G 9.44-12. 44
GdI
Blaskowitz G 12.44-1.45
H
28.1.45-7.4.45
GdA von Brauchitsch 4 1937-1939
GdI
Busch Center 12.10.43-27.6.44
Northwest 20.3.45-23.3.45

100

 Army Group Conmanders (continued)

Grade Nane m Group Dates Comnanded

GdI Friessner North 1.7.44-25.7.44
South Ukraine 25.7.44-22.12.44
GL tIarpe A 28.9.44-16.1.45
GdI Heinrici. Vistula 20.3.45-29.4.45
GdI Hilpert bland 24.3.45-30.4.45
GdK von Kleist A 10.9.42-9.3.43 -
South Ukraine 9.3.43-31.3.44
GdA von Kluge Center 19.12.41-10.43
D 2.7.44-17.8.44
B 2.7.44-17.8.44
GdA von Kuechler North 17.1.42-9.1.44
GdK Lindemann ,G North 31.3.44-1.7.44
GdI von Manstein b r . 1 South 22.11.42-31.3.44
GdPZ Model North 9.1.44-31.3.44
North Ukraine 31.3.44-27.6.44
Center 28.6.44-16.8.44
B 17,8.44-21.4.45
GdA von Reichenau South 1.12.41-17.1.42
GdPZ Xeinhardt ,G Center 16.8.44-25.1.45
GdI Rendul ic Kurland 15.1.45-27.1.45
North 27.1.45-10.3.45
bland 10.3.45-24.3.45
South 25.3.45-8.5.45
GdGbT Schoerner South 31.3.44-20.7.44
North 25.7.44-18.1.45
Center 18.1.45-30.4.45
GdI Schulz,F G 2.4.45-8.5.45
GdPZ von Vietinghoff KUKland 29.1.45-10.3.45
C 10.3.45-30.4.45
GdK von Wei.chs B 15.7.42-10.7.43
F 26.8.43-25.3.45
GdI Weiss North 12.3.45-5.4.45
GdI von Witzleben D 26.10.40-15.3.42
GdI Woehler South 28.12.44-25.3.45
30
-
Martin van Creveld, Fighting Power, p.183.
31
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.
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

33
D e m t Bradley and Richard Schulze-Kossens, Taeti.gkei.tsbericht
-
des -
Chefs-des 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.
_-
34

Wolf Keilig, Die Generale des Heeres, (Friedberg, FRG: Podzun-

Pallas-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.

102

 CtlARFX6

OvERtzLI, CHAl7ACTWISTICS

Taken together, the data relating to various characteristics

selected i n this study offer a revealing profile of German corps

comnanders. This sumnary w i l l form the "baseline" for comparison of
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
i n combinati.on give new insight t o the thesis question. Factors
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 i.s a significant factor of

c m n d 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 conpetence,

versus the 1CL who transferred from the police or returned from
retirement.

103

 A review of branch affili.ation reveals that three major

branches held the l i o n ' s share of corps corranand positions: infantry

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
officers. HaJever, the relationship between these three percentages
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

lea&rship who made the selections of corps colrmanders. Although
, Hitler disliked the General Staff and implemented several policies
t o 1imi.t i.ts importance, t h i s study has found no evidence that he
became deliberately involved i n selection of comnanders a t COT~S

level. Further research must be done as sources indicating General

Staff officers are not complete and complete fi,mes may be
u l t i m a t e l y 'nigher than the 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
Camand's am special selection, training, and education processes,
i t i.s evident that General Staff service was considered a mark of
success. Therefore it also w i l l be considered i n the final
conpar i son.

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, 9% had
served as divisi.on operations offi.cers, 207. as corps chiefs of
s t a f f , and 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 do not
disprove overall results. Combi.ning a l l grades of the Knight's
Cross, 83.4% of a l l corps ccmnanders were winners of t h i s award.
Concerning the bestowal of awards for achi.everent as corps
comanaers, 3.X received the Knight's Cross w i . t n Oakieaves anc
Swords, while 13.6% received the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves.

105
 Later promotion to higher rank and higher c 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 84
Branch Affiliation:
Infantry 51.5
Artillery 18.9
Panzer 16.2

106

 Corps Com;lander Baseline Characteristics (continued)

Category Percentage

General Staff Membership 49.7

Previous Division Cornnand
Infantry 77.4
Panzer 15.3
Infantry and Panzer 3.3

Previous Staff e r i e n c e
Division Operations 0ffi.cer 9.0
Corps Chiefs of Staff 19.8
Army Chiefs of Staff 11.4
Award Recipients

A l l Grades of Knight's Cross 83.4

Swords as Comnander 3.3
Oakleaves as Comnander 13.6
Later Promotion
To Generalfeldmarschall 3.3
To Generaloberst 8.4
Later Cornnand
To Army Gmnander 25.6
To Army Group Comnander 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 May
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 May 1945, s o m twenty-two
months. The Western Front was i n operation for an even shorter

duration, from June 1944 t o May 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 i n mind the following Front comparisons

can be made:

Table 39

Carps Comnanders by Front Comparison

Category Overall Eastern Xestern Italian

7. Front Front Front

Career Officer 84.0 55.8 84.8 100

Branch Affiliation:
Infantry 51.5 53.5 55.7 16.6

Arti.llery 18.9 15.6 21.7 25.0

Panzer 16.2 19.1 5.7 33.3

10s
 Corps Comnanders by Front Comparison (continued)

Category Over a11 Eastern Western Italian

70 Front Front Front

General Staff Membership 49.7 49.8 32.6 41.6

Prior Division cornnand
Infantry 74.1 75.1 82.6 66.6

Panzer 12.3 12.0 8.7 16.6

Infantry & Panzer 3.3 4.4 2.2 16.6
Prior Staff Experience
Division I a 9.0 5.3 4.3 8.3
Corps Chief of Staff 19.8 23.1 17.3 25.0
Chief of S t a f f 11.4 13.3 10.9 8.3
Award Recipients
Knight's cross 83.4 93.3 80.4 91.7

Swords as Corrmander 3.3 4.0 4.3 8.3

Oakleaves as Comnander 13.6 18.7 6.5 8.3
Later Promtion
To G M 3.3 1.3 0.0 0.0
To GO 8.4 8.9 0.0 0.0

Later ccmnand
Army ccmnander 25.6 27.6 8.7 8.3
Army Group Comnander 7.5 8.4 2.2 8.3

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
Western Fronts closely paralled the overall trend, with the I t a l i a n
Front showing SOmewhat greater representation of this category.
Corps ccmuianders on s t a t i c fronts, such as France from 1941 t o
before the Normandy invasion, were generally older, less decorated,

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

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,
the relatively high proportion of panzer officers i n I t a l y , where a
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
awards and promotions than a s t r i c t branch allocation would
indicate. Twdve of eighteen panzer corps fought exclusively i n
Russia, one solely on the Western Front, one exclusively i n Italy,
and 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 extremely low percentage (8.7%) of corps comnanders of the

panzer branch on the Western Front was partially offset by the

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 membershi.p declined as the war progressed and i s

reflected i n the reduced General Staff representation amow 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

Treaty Germany was prohibited from'~vi.nga General Staff. Ymy
individuals could be identified as members of the General Staff by
examining duty positions tradi.tionally held by General Staff Corps
officers, but no Xeichswetu l i s t wouid actually uelineace
membership. Other officers, who did not hold these tradilional
positions may have been General Staff offi.cers also.

Most 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
occurred when infantry divisions converted t o panzer status at the
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
chiefs of staff for the Eastern Front most accuracely relect the

longer 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 l i s t s included specific
assignments for a l l officers.

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 Eron 1941 to
1943. The other two fronts, with some exceptions such as the 1944
Ardennes Offensive, were predominantly defensive i n nature. In
looking a t any awards system discrepancies do exi.st. Undoubtedly,
some general officers deserved t o wi.n one of ti= hi.gher grades of
award, but did not. 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 inequities
existed, they surely would have been noted i.n postwar memoirs.

Therefore, overall results are probably valid, keeping i.n mind that
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
1942. Late war comnands do not appear t o be by default. More than
2400 men reached general officer cmnd. About 350 became
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, but could be replaced by penanent
cdrmanders wi.thi.n a few days.

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
Personnel Office, these leaders had great i.nput t o the selection of
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

mre closely ali.gned with prevai.li.ng poli.ti.ca1 conditions, were
elevated t o corps c m d . But it was not i n the best interest of
a l l the higher military leadership for t h i s t o occur too often. A s
this 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
system employed here, it does not appear that corps colrnnanders

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

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

115

 1
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 a 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 A / h a q
Arrreekorps AK army corps
Armeeoberkomnando AOK army conmand
Arti.lleriekLxrmandeur Ark0 army level a r t i l l e r y
corrmander
Auszei.chnung decor ati.on
Blutorden Blood Order of Nazi
Party
Deutsches Kreuz i n Gold DK Geman Cross i n Gold
Division DivlD division
Eisernes Kreuz Ex Iron Cross
Gebirgskorps GebK mountain corps

Geboren geb born

&fallen gef fallen (killed)

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 H the h l y

Heeresgruppe m army SOUP

Hoehere Arti.lleriekomandeur Park0 army level arti.llery

comnander
Hceheres Komnando z.b.V. HoehKdo 2.b.V. corps for special
employrent
Infanterie Division I.D. infantry divi si.on
Kavalleri.ekorps Kav.Korps cavalry corps
Kosaken-Kava1leri.ekorps
.
Kos Kav. Korps cossack cavalry
corps
hank kr
sick, ill
Kri.egsgef angenen Kriegsgef pri.soner of war
Kriegslazarett Kr.Laz.
frontline hospi.ta1
m i t der Fuehrung beauftragt m.d.F.b. I m.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 Ob i Obst Colonel
Panzerbrps PZK a m r e d corps
Reserve-Korps RK reserve corps
Ritterkreuz des Eisernes RK Knight ' s Cross
Kreuz
Ri tterkreuz des Eisernes EL I Ei.cn Knight's Cross with
Kreuz mi t Ei chenlaub Oakleaves

120

 Ri.tterkreuz des Eisernes sk' I schw Xnight's Cross wi.th

Kreuz nit Eichenlaub und Oakleaves and

Scllwerten Swords
Ritterheuz des Eisernes BR
Knight's Cross with
k e u z nit Eichenlaub, Oakleaves, Swords,
Scl-rwerten und Brillanten and Diamonds
. Stellvertreter Stllv deputy
Verfugung vf I vfg a t disposal

Verwundet v I vem wounded

Volks-Arti.llerie-brps VAK Peoples Artillery

Corps
Volksturm
vst Peoples forces

GJaffen SS
ss Waffen SS

Weiurnacht
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

1.10.35-1.4.37

GdA von Kuechler 1.4.37-8.39

GL-GdA Petzel 8.39-26.10.39

GL-GdI von Both,H 26.10.39-1.4.43

GL-GdI Wcehler 1.4.43-15.8.43

GL-GdI Grase 15.8.43-10.11.43

GdI Hilpert 10.11.43-1.2.44

GL Hartmann,W 1.2.44-30.3.44

GdI Hilpert 30.3.44-1.9.44

GL-GdI Busse 1.9.44-19.1.45

GL Mayer 19.1.45-21.2.45

GL-GdI Fangohr 21.2.45-25.4.45

GL Usinger 25.&.&5-.2.5.&5

GL-GdI Blaskowitz 1935-1938

GdI Strauss,A 10.11.38-30.5.40

123
 GdI Stuelpnagel ,K 30.5.40-20.6.40

GL-GdI von Brockdorff-Mefeldt 20.6.40-5.42

GdI von Tippelski.rch 5.42
GdI von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt 5.42-28.11.42
GdI Law 28.11.42-1.4.44

GL Mayer ,J 1.4.44-5.5.44

GdI Laux 5.5.44-11.5.44

GL Mayer ,J 11.5.44-14.6.44

GdI Laux 14.6.44-2.7.44

GL Yiyer ,J 2.7 .44-14.7.44

GL-GdI 1Iasse,W 15.7.U-9.44

GL xcepke 9.44

GdI Hasse,W
9.44-15.1.45

GL Mayer ,J
15.l.45-1.4.45

GL Gause
1.4.45-8.5.45

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

GL-GdI von :.Ji tzleben 1.12.34-10.i1.38

GdA-GO b a s e ,C 19.11.38-13.11.40

GdI von Greiff 13.11 .P0-15.1.41

GdK von Mackensen 15.1.41-31.3.42

W z von Schweppenburg 31.3.42-19.7.42

GdK von Mackensen 20.7.42-22.11.42

GdSS Steiner 22.11.42-2.1.43

124

 GdPz Breith 2.1.43-20.10.43

GL Ziegler 20.10,. L3-25.11 .L3
GL, Schulz,F 27.11.43-9.1.44
GdPz Breith 9.1.44-31.5.44
GL von Saucken 1.6.44-29.6.44
GdPz 6rei.th 29.6.44-5.5.45

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)

GdI L h t 1.10.35-4.2.38
GdI von S c h e d l e r 4.2.33-13.10.42
GL-Gdpi Jaenecke 1.11.42-16.1.43
GdA Pfeffer 17.1.43-31.1.43
(Corps destroyed a t Sta1ingrad;reforr;led)
GdI 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

GdI Ruoff 29.4.39-12.1.42
GL-GdI Wetzel 12.1.42-1.7.43

125

 GdI Allnendinger 1.7.43-4.5.44

GL Mueller,? 4.5.U-2.6.44
GL-GdI Beyer,F 2.6.44-19.7.44
(Cor?s destroyed Crima;reformed)

GdA Waeger 26.1.45-5.45

GL-GdA von Kluge 1.4.35-24.11.38

GdPi Foerster 24.11.38-12.41
GdI Bieler 12.41-31.10.42
GL-GdI Jordan 1.11.42-20.5.44
GdA Pfei.ffer ,G 20.5.44-26.6.44
GdA Wei.dlirg 26.6.44-1.7.44
(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

GdI vOn Schobert 4.2.38-1.2.40
GL Heinri.ci.,G 1.2.40-8.4.40
GdI-GO von Schobert 9.4.40-25.10.40
GdA Fahrmbacher 25.10.40-8.1.42

126

GL-GdA Hell 8.1.42-5.10.43

GdI Dostler 5.10. L.3-30. li .43

GdA Hell 30.11.43-8.44

(Corps destroyed a t Jassy;reformed)
GbCdPz von Kessel 27.12.44-8.5.45

VIII ARmEKoRPs

GL-GdK von Kleist 21.5.35-4.2.38

GdI Busch 4.2.38-24.10.39
GdA-Go Heit2 25.10.39-31.1.43

(Corps destroyed a t Sta1ingrad;refonned)

GdI H c e h n e 20.7.43~1.4.44
GL Block 1.4.44-14.4.44
GL Schlemner 15.4.44-12.5.44

GdI H c e h n e 12.5.44-4.8.44

GL Mueller,J 4.8.44-24.8.44

GdA Hartmann,W 24.8.44-20.3.45

GdI Wiese 20.3.45-19.4.45

GdA von Xellenthin 19.4.45-8.5.45

127

 IX ARMEEKWS

a-GdA Dollmann 1.10.34-8.39

a1 Geyer 8.39-31.12.41

GL-GdI Schmidt,H 1.1.42-15.10.43

GdI Cloessner 15.10.43-3.12.43

a - G d A WUthmaM 3.12.43-20.4.45

GL Dr Hohn 20.4.45-8.5.45

GL-GdK Knochenhauer 16.5.35-28.6.39

GdA Ulex 8.39-15.10.39

GL-GdA F ! e n , C 15.10.39-'1.7.43

GdI Sponheimer 1.7.43-1.8.43

GdA Hansen,C 1.8.43-4.10.43

GL-GdI von Wicicede . 4.10.43-23.6.44

GdI Koechling 25.6.44-3.9.44

LL-GdI Foertsch,H 3.Y.U-20.12.U

GL Wyer 20.12.44-27.12.44

a-GdA Thcmlaschki. 27.12.44-8.5.45

128

GL-GdA Ulex 6.10.36-1.4.39

GdA Leeb,E 1.b.39-1.3.40

GL-GdI von Kortzflei.sch 1.3.40-6.10.41

GdI O t t 6.10.41-10.12.41 .

GdI von Kortzfleisch 10.12.41-6.5.42

GdI Strecker 6.5.42-2.2.43
(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)
GdI von Euenau 20.3.44-16.3.45
GdA von Hellenthin 16.3.45-19.4.45
19.4.45-8.5.45

GdK Kress von Kressenstein 6.10.36-28.2.38

GdI Schroth 1.3.38-9.4.40
GdI Heimici.,G 9.4.40-16.6.40
GdI Schroth 16.6.40-12.41
GL Heinemann 12.41-17.2.42

129

 GL-GdI Graessner 18.2.42-15.2.43

GdI Tippe1ski.rcn 15.2.43-6.44

GL k l l e r , V 6.44-7.7.44

(Corps destroyed a t Xogi.lew)

GdK von Weichs 1.10.37-20.10.39

GL-GdF'z von Vietinghoff 26.10.39-25.10.40

GdI Felber 25.10.40-13.1.42

GL Ottenbacher 14.1.42-21.4.42

GL-GdI Straube 21.4.42-20.2.43

GL-GdI Siebert 20.2.43-7.9.43

GL-GdI Hauffe 7.9.43-25.4.44

GL Block 25.4.44-5.6.44

GdI Hauffe 5.6.44-22.7.44

(Corps destroyed a t Ercdy;refonned)

GdI Felber 6.12.44-12.2.45

LL von Oriola ?2.2.L5-1.4.45

GL Park 1.4.45-15.4.45

GdI Hatun 15.4.45-18.4.45

GL Tolsdorff 18.4.45-20.4.45

GdA Lucht 20.4.45-1.5.45

130

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

GdI von Wietersheim 1.4.38-14.9.42

GL-GlPz Hube 15.9.42-17.1.43

GL Schloener 18.1.43-29.1.43
(Corps destroyed a t Stalingrad ;reformed)
GdPz h b e 5.3.43-2.9.43
GL Balck 2.9.43-2.10.43
GdPz W e 2.10.43-22.10.43
GL-GdPz von Senger und Etterlia 23.10.43-2.5.45

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)
GdI Lueters 25.8.43-10.10.43
* GdI von Leyser 1.11.43-1.8.44
W z Fehn 1.8.44-8.5.45

XVI ARMFEKORPS

GL-GdPz Guderian 4.2.38-20.11.38

GL-GO Hoepner 24.11.38-2.41
(Corps converted t o Panzer Group 4;refo-d)

131
 GdK Kleffel 4.7.44-20.10.44

GL von Mellenthin 20.10.44-2O.ll.U

GdI von k o s i g k 20.11.44-7.4.45

GL Weber 7.4.45-8.5.45

GdI Kienitz
1.4.38-23.1.42

GdI Holli.dt
23.1.42-2.4.42

GdI Strecker
2.4.42-6.5.42

GdI Hollidt
6.5.42-7.12.42

a
-GL von Cholitz 7.12.42-5.3.43

GL-GdI Schneckenburger 5.3.43-7.9.43

GdPz Brandenberger 7.9.43-21.11.43

GdGbT Kreysing 21.11.43-27.4.44

GL Beyer,F 27.4.44-25.5.44

GdGbT Kreysing 25.4.44-28.12.44

GdPi. Tiemann 28.12.44-8.5.45

XVIII ARMEEKORPS (4.38-11.40) / XVIII Gl3RGSKORPS (12.40-5.45)

GdI Beyer
1.4.38-5.6.40

GL von Speck
5.6.40-15.6.40

132
 GL-GdI B o e k , F 15.6.40-10.12.43
GL-CdGbT Eglseer 10.12.43-23.6.44
GL-GdI Hochbaum 24.6.44-8.5.45

XIX ARNEEKOWS (1.39-11.40) / XIX GEBIRGSKWS (1.42-5.45)

GL von Vietinghoff 1.39-8.39

GdPz Guderian 8.39- 11.40
(Corps converted t o Panzer Graup 2;reformed)
GL-GdGbT Schoerner 15.1.42-1.10.43
GL-GdGbT von Hengl 1.10.43-15.5.U
GL-GdGbt Jodl 15.5.44-5.45

GL-GdI Materna 1.10.40-10.9.42

GL-GdA von i(0man 10.9.42-14.2.43
M I Vierow 1&.2.L2-i0.3.4?

GdA von Xornan 10.3.43-3.45

GdK Koehler 3.45-5.45

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
GdPz Fehn,G 10.10.43-1.8.44
GdI Leyser 1.8.44-ll.i0.44
GL Baier 11.10.44-25.10.44
GdI Leyser 25.10.44-29.4.45
GL von W g e r 29.4.45-5.45

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.IwDER G?,i3lZ?RlJPPN EIFEL (8.39-iO.39)

'XXIII MWEKOFS'S (10.39-5.45)

GdI Raschirk 8.39-21.10.39

GdI Schubert 26.10.39-25.7.42

134

 GL-GdI Hilpert 25.7.42-20.1.43

G-GdI Fri.essner 20.1.43-7.12.43
G i von Funck 7.12.43-2.2.44
GL-GdPi Tiemann 2.2.44-12.10.44
GL-CdI Plelzer 12.10 .&-a. 5.45 -

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 1.10.38-14.2.40

GL-Gdpz Geyr von Schweppenburg 15.2.40-7.1.42
GL-GdPz von Langermann und Erlencamp 8.1.42-3.10 ..42
GdPz von Knobelsdorff
10.10.42-30.11.42
GL-GdA Wandel
1.12.42-14.1.43
GL Jahr
15.1.43-20.1.43
GdI Eibl
20.1.43-21.1.43
Oberst Heidhenper
21.1.43-9.2.43
GdPz Nehring
10.2.43-27.0.44
GL Graeser
28.6.44-19.8.44
GdF? Nehring
20.8.44-19.3.45
GL Kaellner
20.3.45-18.4.45
GdA HartlllaM
19.4.45-8.5.45

135

GL-GdI Waeger ,A 8.39-6.11.39

GdI von Prager 6.11.39-1.5.42

GdA Fahrmbacher 1.5.42-12.6.44

GL von Choltitz 12.6.44-15.6.44

GdA Fahmbacher 15.6.44-5.45

Koi(pS WODFiIG (8.39-10.39) / XXVI KMF.EKOFPS (10.39-5.45)

GL-GdA Wcdr ig 8.39-1.10.42

GL-GdI von kyser 1.10.42-1.7.43

GdPz Fehn,G 1.7.43-19.8.43

GdI Hilpert 19.8.43-11.43

CdI Grase 11.43-1.1.44

GL-GdI Grasser 1.1.44-3.7.44

GL-GdI Matzky 3.7.44-12.4.45

GL Chill 1?.4.L5-4.45

GdI Hatzky 4.45-5.45

136

 GdI von F-rager 8.39-6.11.39

GdI Waeger 6.11.39-23.12.41

GL von Gablenz 23.12.41-13.1.42

GL-GdI Witthoeft 13.1.42-31.8.42

GdI k i s s
31.8.42-4.2.43

GL Jaschke
4.2.43-1.3.43

GL Burdach
10.3.43-8.6.43

GL-GdI Voelckers 8.6.43-21.10.43

GL W l l e r ,V 21.10.43-26.10.43

GdI voe1ckers 26.10.43-9.7.44

GL-GdI Priess 27.7.44-21.10.44

GL-GdA F e l z m m 26.10.44-14.4.45

GdI Hcernlein 14.4.$5-8.5.45

a von %-ockdorff-.Ahlefe?dt 1.6.!+0-20.6.40

GL Weyer
20.6.40-26.10.40

GdI Wikt0ri.n
26.10.40-30.1.42

GdA Loch
30.1.42-25.5.43

GL Sponheimr
25.5.43-1.7.43

GdA Loch
1.7.43-28.3.44

GL Matzky
28.3.44-28.5.44

GdI Gollnick
28.5.44-5.45

137

 GdI von Obstfelder 1.6.40-21.5.43

GdPz Brandenberger 21.5.43-30.6.44

GL vqn Mauchenheim 2.7.44-9.44

GL-GdI Roepice 9.44-5.45

GL-GdA Hartmann,o 8.39-25.3.41

GL O t t 25.3.41-10.5.41

GdI von S a l m t h 10.5.41-27.12.41

GL-GdA Fretter-Pi.co,M 27.12.41-18.7.44

GL Postel 18.7.44-8.44

(Corps destroyed hjestr;reformed)

GL von TresckaJ 15.11.44-23.11.U

GL Xeumann,tW 23.11.44-15.12.44

GdK Kleffel 15.12.44-20.3.45

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. XXXI (11.39-6.42)

GdF-GdA Kaupisch 25.8.39-10.4.42

GdA Gallenkamp 10.4.42-6.42
(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 26.5.39-10.1.40
GL Boetun-Tettelbach 10.1.40-1.3.40
GdK von Pogrell 1.3.40-1.4.42
GdPz Kuntzen 1.4.42-5.42
(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

GdI Fischer von Neikersthal 1.5.42-15.6.42
GL-GdA Engelbrecht 15.6 .42-24.12.43
GdI Volff ,L 25.12.43-8.44
GL-GdK Kcehler,K S .L4-3.45

GI von Urger 3.45-15.4.45

GL Reeumann 15.4.45-5.45

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 1.9.39-1.9.41

GL Schaal 1.9.41-12.9.41
a1 Met2 12.9.41-23.12.41
(Corps destroyed Jelez ;reformed)

GdI Mueller,F 9.44-11.44

GL von Ludwiger 11.44-12.44
GdF Felmy 12.44-5.45

GRENZSCHUTZ A B s C l I N I l T K ~ ~ N l X13
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 10.39-15.3.41

GdK Kwh-Erpach 15.3.41-15.5.41
Gii-CdA Kaempfe ij.j.<i-30.9.42
(Corps destroyed;refomd)
GL-GdI Rendulic 1.11.42-4.43
4.43-5.8.43
GdI Wiese 5.8.43-1.44
GL Grossmann 1.44
GdI GJiese 1.44-29.6.44
GL von Luetzow 29.6.4-5.7.44
(Corps destroyed a t Bobruisk)

140
 G R E N Z S m Z AEXXNI’ITKO~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

GL-GdI Feige 13.5.40-20.11.41

GdI Weisenberger 20.11.41-10.8.44

GL-GdGbT Voge1,E 10.8.44-5.45

GRENZSCHUTZ ABScHNI’iTKcPPUUW3 30 (9.39)

HOEHEXES KO~lANKl 2.b.V XXXVII (10.39-5.42)

GdI k c h i c k 20.10.39-1.3.40

GL-GdI Boe’mn-Tettelbach 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 1.2.40-15.3.41

GdI von Chappuis 15.3.41-29.3.42

GdI Haenicke 29.3.42-29.6.42

GL-GdA Herzog 30.6.42-9.1.45

GL von Mellenthin,H 9.1.45-15.3.45

GdA Herzog 15.3.45-8.5.45

141

 MIX AWFEKOFPS (2.40-7.42) / M I X PANZFRXOPSS (7.42-5.45)

GL-GdPz Schmidt,R 1.2.40-10.11.41

GdPz von Arnim

11.11.41-30.11.42
GL Martinek
1.12.42-13.11.43
GL Puechler
14.11.43-18.4.44
GdA ivlartinek
19.4.44-28.6.44

GL schuenenmann
28.6.44-29.6.44

GL Mueller,V
29.6.44-8.7.44

GL-cdpz von Saucken 8.7.44-15.10.44

GL-GdPz Decicer 16.10.44-21.4.45

GL Arndt 21.4.45-8.5.45

XXXX AXHEEKORSS (2.40-7.42) / XXXS PANEFXOFPS (7.42-5.45)

GL Stumne 15.2.40-14.1.42

GL Zorn 15.1.42-1’5.2.42

GdPz stumne 16.2.42-20.7.42

Gdpz Gey von Schweppenburg 20.7.42-30.9.42

GL-GdPz Fehn 1.10.42-14.11 A 2

GM Eberbach 15.11.42-24.11.42

GL-GdPz Henri.ci ,S 25.11.42-30.9.43

GdGbT Schoerner 1.10.43-11.11.43

GdPz Balck 12.11.43-15.11.43

142

 GdGbT Schoerner 16.11.43-31.1.44

Gdpz von i(nobe1sdorff 1.2.44-2.9.44

GdPz Henrici.,S 3.9.44-8.5.45

W I hRMEEKoRpS (2.40-7.42) I S X I PANZERKORPS (7.42-5.45)

GL-GdPz Reinhardt 15.2.40-30.9.41

W Z Mcdel 1.10.41-6.10.41
GL Ottenbacher 6.10.41-13.10.41
GL Ki.rchner 14.10.41-25.10.41
GdPz Model 26.10.41-14.1.42
GL Harp 15.1.42-15.10.43
GL-GdA Wei.dling 16.10.43-1.2.44

GL Boege 1.2.44-10.3.44

GdA Weidling 10.3.44-19.6.44

GL Hoffmister 19.6.44-1.7.44
(Corps destroyed a t b b r u i s k ; r e f o m d )
GdA Weidling 2.7.44-10.4.45
GL von Wietersneim,X 10.4.45-i9.4.&5

GL Holste 20.4.45-8.5.45

143

 XXXXII ARYEEKWS

GdPi Kuntze,Gj 15.2.40-24.10.41

GdI Bieler 24.10.41-11.41
GL von Sponeck,H 11.41-31.12.41
GdI Nattenklott 1.1.42-22.6.43
GL Dostler 22.6.43-4.43
GdI % t t e n k l o t t 4.43-3.44
(Corps destroyed a t Tscherkassy;reforrred)

GdI Mattenklott 3 .44-15.6.44

GdI Recknagel 15.6.44-1.45
(Corps destroyed a t Baranow)

XXXXIII m i s

GL von Speck 1.5 .LO-31.5.40

GdI Hei.nrici 31.5.40-20.1.42

G! Berthold 20.1.42-24.1.42

GdI BKeMeCke 24.1.42-28.6.~

GdI von Kortzfleiscn 28.6.42-15.8.42

GdI Brennecke 15.8.42-27.1.43

GL-GdI von Oven 27.1.43-25.3.44

GL-GdI Ekege 25.3.44-5.9.44

GL-GdGbT Versock 5.9.44-14.4.45

GL Kullmer 14.4.45-8.5.45

144

GL-GdI i(och, F 1.5.40-10.12.41

GL Stapf 10.12.41-26.2.42

GdA de Angelis 26.2.42-30.11.43

GL Kcechli.ng 1.12.43-15.1.44

GL-GdI W l l e r 15.1.44-21.8.44

(Corps destroyed a t Kischinew)

H0EHERE.S KOMMANDO 2.b.V XxxXV

GdI von Greiff 10.3.40-14.4.42

GdI Felber 14.4.42-21.5.42

(Corps converted t o LXXXIII Armeekorps)

xXXXVI AFWEKORPS (11.40-6.42) / XXZXI PAXZEXKOEPS (6.42-5.45)

GdPz von Viet:ngnoff 1.11.$O-iO.6.42

GdI Zorn 11.6.42-21.11.42
GM von Esebeck 22.11.42-20.6.43
CdI Zorn 21.6.43-2.8.43
GL-GdI Gollnick 5.8.43-22.3.44
GdI Schulz,F 23.3.U-20.7.44

145

 GL von Luettwitz,S 21.7.44-28.8.44

GL Felzmann
29.8.44-20.9.44
GL-GdPz Fri.es
21.9.44-19.1.45
GL-MI Gareis 21.1.45-3.5.45

xXXXVII ARMEEKOReS (11.40-6.42) /

1- PANZEXORPS (6.42-5.45)

GdA-GdPz Lemelsen 25.11.40-14.10.43

GdPz Eberbach 15.10.43-22.10.43
GdPz k m e l s e n 23.10.43-4.11.43
GdPz Raus 5.11.43-25.11.43
GL von Buenau
26.11.43-31.12.43
GL von V o m
1.1.44-4.3.44

GdPz Funck
5.3.44-4.9.44
GL-GdPz von Luettmitz,H
5.9.44-8.5.45

XlcxxvIII AFXZFKCIRPS (1.41-6.42) / XxxXvIII PANZERKORPS (6.42-5.45)

GL-GdPz Kempf ,w 6.1.41-31.1.42

GL-GdPz Veiel
19.2.42-5.5.42
GdPz Kempf ,W
5.5.42-31.10.42
GL Heim 1.11.42-19.11.42

Cramer
20.11.42-25.11.42

146

 GX Eberbach 26.11.42-30.11.42

GdPz von ‘Kmbeisdorff 1.12.42-6.5.43

GL von Cholti.tz 7.5.43-30.8.43

GdPz von Wbelsdorff 31.5.43-30.9.43

CL vOn Cholitz
1.10.43-21.10.43

GdPz Eberbach
22.10.43-14.11.43

W z Balck
15.11.43-4.8.44

GdPz Nehring
5.8.44-19.8.44

GL-GdPz Graeser
20.8.%-20.9.44

GL-GdPz von Edelshein

21.9.44-31.3.45

GL Hagemann
1.4.45-8.5.45

XXXXIX aRMEEKoRpS (10.40-12.40) / XXXXIX GEBIRGSKORPS (12.40-5.45)

GdGbT Kuebler,L 25.10.40-19.12.41

GL-GdGb‘i Konrad 19.12.41-10.5.44

GdA Hartmann,W 10.5.44-26.7.44

GdI Ekyer ,F 26.7.44-5.8.44

GdGbT von -Le Suire j.a.U-a.j.L5

147

 GL-GdK LhdenaM 25.10.40-16.1.42

GL Kleffel 20.1.42-10.3.42
GLGI von Boecla3ann 10.3.42-20.7.42
GdK -Kleffel 20.7.42-17.9.43
GL-GdI Wegener 17.9.43-24.9.44
GL Boeckh-khrens 24.9.44-3.10.44
GL t.iayer 3.10.44-25.10.44
a-GdGbli Volckamer 25.10.44-11.4.45
GL von Bodenhausen 12.4.45-5.45

LI AFCiORE'S (11.40-1.43) / LI GEBIXGSKORPS (8.43-5.45)

GdI Reinhard 25.11.40-8.5.42

GL-GdA von Seydlitz-Kurzbach 8.5.42-30.1.43
(Corps destroyed at Sta1ingrad;refo-d August 1943)
GdGbT Feurstein 25.8.43-2.3.45
L z - a a ,'lauc:c 2.3. Lj-5. Gj

LII ARMEEKoRes

GdI von Bri.esen,K 25.11.40-20.11.41

GdI O t t 20.11.41-1.10.43

148

 GL von Scheele 1.10.43-20.11.43

Gz-GdI Buschenhagen 20.i1.43-3.U
(Corps destroyed at Dnjestr)

L I I I fLmEEKoRPs

GdI Weisenberger 15.3.41-30.11.41

GdI Fischer von Weikersthal 30.11.41-22.3.42
GdI Clcessner 22.3.42-11.4.43
GL von Scheele 11.4.43-22.6.43
GL-GdI Gollwitzer 22.6.43-28.6.44
(Corps destroyed at Witebsk;reformed)
GdK von Kothki.rch und Trach 3.11.44-10.3.45
GL Flcerke 10.3.45-29.3.45
GL Sayerlein 29.3.45-5.45

GdK Hansen,E 1.6.41-20.1.43

GdI Hilpert 20.1.43-1.8.43
GdI Sponheimer 1.8.43-3.44
(Corps converted to Ameeabtei.1u-g Narwa)

149
 GdI Vierow
6.1.41-14.2.43

Cd4 von X m n
14.2.43-3.3.43

GL-GdI Jaschke
3.3.43-17.10.43

GdI Herrlein
17.10.43-

GL Grossmann
-5.44

GdI Herrlein
5.44-5.2.45

GL chill
5.2.45-12:4.45

GdI Matzky
12.4.45-5.45

LVI & i s (2.41-6.42) I LVI PANZERKOWS (6.42-5.45)

GdI von Manstein 2.41-12.9.41

GLGdpz Schaal 13.9.41-1.8.43

GL-GdI Hossbach 2.3.43-14.11.43

GL Grasser
15.11.43-9.12.43

GdI Hossbach
10.12.43-14.6.44

GdI 8lock
15.G.U-26.i.G
(Corps destroyed a t Bara.now;reformed)
GdK Kcch-Erpach 16.2.45-10.4.45

GdA Weidling 11.4.45-2.5.45

150

 LVII ARMEEKORPS (3.41-6.42) / LVII PANZEFXOiVS (6.42-5.45)

GL Kmtzen 15.3.41-14.11.41

GL I(i.rchner 15.11.41-12.1.42

GdPz Kuntzen 13.1.42-31.1.42

GdPz Kirchner 1.2.42-30.11.43

GdPz von Esebeck 1.12.43-19.2.44

GdPz Kirchner 20.2 .44-24.5.44

GL !3r. k y e r 25.5.44-2.6.44

GdPz Kirchner 3.6.44-8.5.45

LVIII RESERVE-PANZERKOWS (8.43-7.44)

LVIII PANZEPXORPS (7.44-4.45)

GdPz Geyr von Schweppenburg 5.8.43-30.11.43

GL von Esebeck,H 1.12.43-9.2.44

GL-GdPz Kruegeer,W 10.2.44-24.3.45

GL Botsch 25.3.45-17.4.45

(Corps destroyed i n iluhr pockecet)

LIX ARMEEKORPS

GdI Schandner 16.10.40-28.12.41

GL-GdI von der Chevalleri.e,K 28.12.41-22.6.42

151
 GL Hi.lpert 22.6.42-25.7.42
GdI von der Chevalleri.e,K 25.7.42-17.1.43
GL Brandenberger 17.1.43-15.3.43
GdI von der Chevallerie,K 15.3.43-4.2.44
GL Schulz,F 5.2.44-22.3.44
GL-GdI Rcehricht 22.3.44-2.6.44
GL W l l e r , F 2.6.44-10.6.44

GdI Rcehricht 10.6.44-29.1.45

GdGbT von Hengl 29.1.45-7.2.45

GL von Tresckow 7.2.45-10.4.45

GL Si.eler 10.4.45-8.5.45

GL-GdK Koch-Erpach 1.11.40-1.3.41

GL-GdI von Viebahn 1.3.41-31.12.41

CdA Behlendorff 31.12.41-5.42

(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

GL-GdI Abrahm 13.12.44-4.45

IXIV RESBVFKORPS (9.42-8.44) I LXIV ARMEEKORPS (8.44-4.45)

GdPi Sachs 20.9.42-29.7.44

GL Hcernlein
29.7.44-2.9.44

GL Lasch 2.9.44-25.10.44

GL-
a 1Thulinn 25.10.44-15.1.45

GL Hauck 15.1.45-24.1.45

GL-GdA Grimnei.ss 24.1.45-4.45

GdA X m n
4.45-15.4.45

GL Friebe;H
15.4.45-5.45

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
GL-GdI Kniess 12.11.42-10.5.43
GL Roettig 21.5.43-6.43
. GdI Kniess 6.43-7.7.43
GdI Wetzel 7.7.43-20.12.43
GdA Lucht 20.12.43-3.4.45
GL Flcerke 3.4.45-5.45

GdI Fischer von Weikersthal 25.9.42-7.6.44

GdI Sponheimer 7.6.44-16.12.44
GL Schwalbe 16.12.44-21.12.44
GL-GdI Hi.tzfeld 21.12.44-5.5.45
 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
GdI W l l e r , F 8.12.44-29.1.45
GdGbT Konrad 29.1.45-5.45

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 15.7.43-1.4.44

GL-GdGbT Ringel 1.4.44-24.6.44
GdI Auleb 24.6.44-8.5.45

HOEHERES KWm 2.b.V. LXX (4.41-1.43)

LXX ARMEEKORPS (1.43-5.45)

GL-GdGbT Feurstei.n 16.4.41-22.6.43

cnla Tixel L2.5.43-5.Lj

155

 H0EEERE.S KCMUNEO 2.b.V. LXXI (3.42-1.43)

L;MI ARMWW"S (1.43-4.45)

GL-GdI von Xag] 15.3.42-1.11.42

GL-GdA Moser 1.11.42-15.12.44
GdA von Mauchenheim 15.12.44-5.45

LXXII ARMFEKWS

GdI von F W r S t e r 22.7.43-25.9.44

GN Zwade 25.9.44-10.44
GL Schmidt,A. 10.44-4.45
GL Schmidt-tImr 4.45

- @ F i LXXIII PRfEEKWS 2.b.V.

GENEiULK

GdI Dostler 9.44-5.45

1.8.43-16.12.44

16.12.44-4.45

156

 GdI Dostler 13.1.44-1.9.44

GL-GdGbT S c h l e m r 1.9.44-5.45

LXXVI ARi%EKOlZPS (6.43-7.43) I W I PANZEFXOWS (7.43-5.45)

GL-GdPz Herr 1.7.43-28.2.44

von Choltitz 1.3.44-15.4.44

GdPz Herr 16.4.44-24.11.44

GdPz von S c k r i n , G 24.11.44-25.4.45

GL von Graffen 26.4.45-2.5.45

GdA Gallenkamp
27.5.42-7.8.44

GdI Beyer
10.8.44-8.5.45

GdPz Kuentzen
1.4.42-7.9.44

GL Schack
7.9.44-20.9.44

157

 GdI Koechling
20.9.44-10.3.45

GL 6aade
10.3.45-5.45

GdI Boetun-Tettelbach 27.5.42-31.10.42

GL-GdI Dehner 1.11.42-10.7.43

~ - G d ASinnhuber 10.7.43-7.9.44

GL-GdI Hcernlein 7.9.44-1.12.44

GdI Hahm
1.12 .U-15.4.45

GdA Lucht
15.4.45-20.4.45

GL Tolsdorff
20.4.45-5.45

lxxxIII ARMEEKORPS

GdI Felber 21.5.42-15.8.43

GdA Behlendorff
15.5.42-1.4.43

a-GdI von Zangen

1.4.43-1.8.43

158
GdA Flarcics 1.8.43-12.6.44

GdA r'ahrmiiacher 12.5.44-15.6.3

GL von Choltitz 15.6 .44-30.7.44

GL Elfeidt
30.7.44-20.3.44

(Corps
- destroyed a t Normandie)

GdI Kniess
10.7.44-15.11.44

GL Schack
15.11.44-16.12.44

GdI Kniess
16.12.44-26.3.45

GdPz von Luettwitz 26.3.45-8.5.45

GdI Bieler 16.11.42-1.4.43

CdPi Jaenecke 1.4.43-3.6.43

GL von r"lauchienheim 3.6.43-;. 7.&3

W z Fehn,G 1.7.43-25.8.43

GdI von Obstfelder 25.8.43-30.11.44

GdI Fuechler 30.11.44-15.12.44

GdI Straube 15.12.44-5.45

159

 GdA Ynrcks,E 12.11.42-1.8.43

GdI von Zangen 1 .S .43-5.7.44

GL Jahn 5.7.44-9.44

(Corps converted t o hneeabteilung von Zangen)

GdI k i n h a r d 1.7.42-21.12.44

GL-GdI Schwalbe 21.12.44-3.4.45

GM Wolpert 3.4.45-5.45

GdPz von tlubicki 25.10.42-11.6.43

GL-GdI von und zu Gilsa 11.6.43-1.12.44

MI Hoehe 1.12.44-5.45

W z Nehring 14.11.42-9.12.42

(Corps converted t o 5th Panzer Army;refomd)

GdF Petersen 10.44-5.45

160
 LXMXI ARMEEKORPS

GL-GdI von Erdmannsdorff,W 9.10.44-8.5.45

LxXXXVII AiwEEKORPs

GdGbT Kuebler,L
9.44-5.45

CI ARMEEKORPS

GdA Berlin 27.2.45-18.4.45

a GL Sixt 18.4.45-5.45

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 12.44-11.2.45

GdPz Jauer 12.2.45-8.5.45

GLCdPz RmEl 19.2.41-15.8.41

GL-GdPz CrUew2ll 15. a .41-a. 3.42

GL-GdPz Nehring 8.3.42-31.8.42

Oberst Bayerlein 31.8.42

GM von Vaerst 31 .a.42-17.9.42

GL.-GdPz v m Thoma 17.9.42-4.11.42

Oberst Fiayerlein 4.11.42-19.11.42

GdPz Fehn 19.11.42-16.1.43

GN von Li.ebenstein 16.1.43-17.2.43

GL Zi.egler 17.2.43-5.3.43

GL-GdPz Cramer 5.3.43-12.5.43

162

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169

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