Franz Pöschl
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
Generalleutnant Franz Pöschl | |
---|---|
Born | 2 November 1917 Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire |
Died | 25 January 2011 Hamburg, Hamburg Metropolitan Region, Federal Republic of Germany | (aged 93)
Allegiance | |
Service/ |
|
Rank |
|
Commands | |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | See Awards and Decorations
|
Other work | Minister of Defense of the Free State of Bavaria (1955-1959) |
Franz Pöschl (2 November 1917 in Munich – 25 January 2011 in Hamburg) was an Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht of the Greater German Reich during the Second World War and was awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross on 23.02.1944 for extreme combat heroism during the Battle of Monte Cassino. His last duty assignment in the Wehrmacht was as the Regimental Commander of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143.
After the Second World War, he served as the Minister of Defense of the Free State of Bavaria from 1955 to 1959, and was an active member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). He made significant personal contributions to the establishment of the Bundeswehr in Bavaria and received high praise from the Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Hans Ehard for his accomplishments.
In 1960, he joined the Bundeswehr of the Federal Republic of Germany and was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit (Commander's Cross) and the Star of the Grand Cross of Merit (Knight Commander's Cross). He retired from the Bundeswehr as a Generalleutnant after 27 years of active military service. His last duty assignment in the Bundeswehr was as the Commanding General of the III.Korps.
During the Cold War, he built strategic military partnerships within NATO to prevent war with the Soviet Union through a coalition of united international strength, particularly with the United States Armed Forces and the French Armed Forces.
For successfully establishing these strategic military partnerships, he was awarded the Legion of Merit (Officer) by the United States of America and the National Order of Merit (Commandeur) by the French Republic. These are the highest military honors from both nations that can be awarded to foreign nationals for military merit.
"The Tradition of the Bundeswehr" recognizes him as one of the most distinguished generals in Bundeswehr military history as "an example of military excellence and soldierly virtues."[1]
The Bundeswehr granted him this recognition for his distinguished service as a highly decorated front-line officer during the Second World War, his role as a member of the Personnel Evaluation Committee, his successful command of the III.Korps, the universal respect he earned from his soldiers due to his compassionate leadership style, and for vehemently suppressing "Schleifermethoden" while in command of the 1.Luftlandedivision.[1]
Wehrmacht Military Service (1936-1945)
[edit]Franz Pöschl enlisted in the Heer in 1936 as an aspiring officer candidate in the 9.Kopmanie/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100./1.Gebirgs-Division after completing his required service in the Reich Labor Service.
Cadet Pöschl participated in the 1938 Annexation of Austria from 12.03.1938-20.03.1938. Franz Pöschl earned his commission as a Leutnant on 31.08.1938, and was assigned as platoon leader for the 3.Kompanie/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100.
During the invasion of Poland, Leutnant Pöschl was severely wounded in action at the Battle of Lemberg during urban combat operations that he heroically fought in. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class for combat heroism and the Wound Badge in Black for his actions in Poland.
Leutnant Pöschl required an extensive eight-month period of medical care for his severe injuries and was promoted to Oberleutnant on 19.07.1940. On 02.01.1941 Oberleutnant Pöschl became the Commander of the 3.Kompanie/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100./5.Gebirgs-Division.
His unit then participated in the Invasion of Greece, and the air assault into Crete. For combat heroism during the Battle of Crete Oberleutnant Pöschl was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class on 23.06.1941.
After the successful invasion and of occupation of Crete, his unit was sent to fight with Army Group North in the Soviet Union as part of the Battle of Leningrad.
Oberleutnant Pöschl was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 30.07.1942 for combat bravery against an enemy tank incursion where he destroyed one of the enemy tanks with a satchel charge under heavy enemy fire. His successful defense and counterattack broke the disastrous encirclement of the I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100.
Oberleutnant Pöschl was wounded again on 23.08.1942 and was hospitalized for five months.
After recovering from his wounds, Oberleutnant Pöschl was assigned as the Regiment Adjutant for Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100. and was promoted to Hauptmann on 20.04.1943 and awarded the Wound Badge in Silver. On 01.10.1943 Hauptmann Pöschl became the Battalion Commander of I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100.
In November 1943, the 5.Gebirgs-Division was withdrawn from the Soviet Union and sent to Italy to defend Monte Cassino from the Western Allied invaders.
On 13.01.1944, the French Expeditionary Corps attacked Hauptmann Pöschl's entrenched positions in the Monte Cassino area of operations . The Algerian 3rd Infantry Division was to take the summits of Monna Casale and Monna Acquafonda and advance against S.Elia. Hauptmann Pöschl prevented the 5.Gebirgs-Division from being outflanked at a crucial point, and the destruction of his battalion by personally leading multiple counterattacks with his machine pistol. Hauptmann Pöschl was seriously wounded due to shrapnel in the intense moments of combat, in which there were many instances of hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy after his wounding. During this battle, Hauptmann Pöschl’s Battalion Adjutant was killed in action along with many members of his personal security attachment. Hauptmann Pöschl would be later awarded the Wound Badge in Gold on 28.01.1944.
On 17.01.1944, a proposal was submitted for him to be awarded of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.
24.01.1944, at 10 p.m., the attack by the Algerian 3rd Infantry Division hit the section of the 5.Gebirgs-Division north of Monte Cassino. The 2nd battalion of the 4th Tunisian Infantry Regiment (Tirailleurs) tried to conquer Monte Cifalco. The attempt failed due to the vigorous resistance of I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100. under the brave and energetic leadership of Hauptmann Pöschl. As a result, the advanced observers of the German artillery on Monte Cifalco were able to effectively direct the German artillery deployment against the remaining battalions of the Tunisians, who were in the neighboring section to take Colle Belvedere.
Monte Cifalco remained in German hands until the end of the Battle of Monte Cassino.
Hauptmann Pöschl, Commander of I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100./5.Gebirgs-Division was awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross on 23.02.1944.
On 16.02.1944 Hauptmann Pöschl became the Regimental Commander of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100. and was promoted to Major on 20.04.1944.
Major Pöschl was transferred to Führer-Reserve OKH from 05.05.1944–30.07.1944 to recover and heal from his wounds that he endured during the heroic struggle at the Battle of Monte Cassino. Afterwards, he was sent to General Staff Training with the 15.Panzergrenadier-Division from 31.07.1944 until 06.08.1944. After successfully completing his General Staff Training, Major Pöschl was assigned on 07.08.1944 as an officer instructor for the Gebirgsjäger School at Mittenwald until 10.09.1944.
On 11.09.1944, Major Pöschl took command of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143./6.Gebirgs-Division/20.Gebirgs-Armee in Finland at the start of the Lapland War between the Germany and Finland. The 6.Gebirgs-Division began its evacuation from Finland to Norway in October 1944. Major Pöschl bravely defended Liinakamari against a massive Soviet assault on the strategically critical arctic port on 13.10.1944. He was awarded the Honor Roll Clasp of the German Army on 15.02.1945. Major Pöschl was promoted to his final wartime rank of Oberstleutnant on 15.01.1945.
Oberstleutnant Pöschl and Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143. surrendered to British forces around Narvik, Norway in May 1945 at capitulation.
Minister of Defense of the Free State of Bavaria (1955-1959)
[edit]Bundeswehr Military Service (1960-1978)
[edit]Awards and Decorations
[edit]Wehrmacht Awards & Decorations
[edit]- 23.02.1944 Knights Cross of the Iron Cross
- 30.07.1942 German Cross in Gold
- 15.02.1945 Honor Roll Clasp of the German Army
- 23.06.1941 Iron Cross 1st Class
- 10.10.1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class
- 28.01.1944 Wound Badge in Gold
- 20.04.1943 Wound Badge in Silver
- 01.04.1940 Wound Badge in Black
- 16.09.1941 Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
- 31.01.1942 Kreta Cuff Title
- 22.07.1945 Lappland Shield
- 01.09.1942 Winter Battle in the East 1941-42 Medal
- 06.12.1940 Wehrmacht-Long Service Award 4th Class
- 00.05.1938 The Medal Commemorating 13. March 1938
- 00.00.1942 Military Order for Bravery 4th Class (Kingdom of Bulgaria)
Bundeswehr Awards & Decorations
[edit]- 00.00.1977 Star of the Grand Cross of Merit (Knight Commander's Cross)
- 23.08.1973 Grand Cross of Merit (Commander's Cross)
- 08.12.1966 German Sports Badge in Gold
- 00.00.0000 German Rescue Swimming Badge in Gold
- 00.00.0000 Parachutist Badge in Gold
- 00.00.0000 Parachutist Badge in Silver
- 00.00.0000 Parachutist Badge in Bronze
- 03.03.1978 Legion of Merit - Officer (United States of America)
- 00.00.0000 United States Army Parachutist Badge (United States of America)
- 11.04.1979 National Order of Merit - Commandeur (French Republic)
- 00.00.0000 Military Parachutist Badge (French Republic)
- 00.00.0000 Military Parachutist Badge (Italian Republic)
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ a b Rohrschneider, Kai (12 July 2024). "Weisung zur Herausgabe der ergänzenden Hinweise zu den Richtlinien zum Traditionsverständnis und zur Traditionspflege der Bundeswehr" (PDF). Bundesvereinigung Opfer der NS-Militärjustiz e.V. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- 1917 births
- 2011 deaths
- Bundeswehr generals
- Gebirgsjäger of World War II
- Recipients of the Gold German Cross
- Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Knights Commander of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Military personnel from Munich
- Military personnel from the Kingdom of Bavaria
- Lieutenant generals of the German Army