Otto Wöhler
Otto Wöhler | |
|---|---|
| File:Wohlerotto.jpg Otto Wöhler | |
| Born | 12 July 1894 Groß Burgwedel |
| Died | 5 February 1987 (aged 92) Groß Burgwedel |
| Allegiance |  German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Third Reich |
| Service/ | Heer |
| Years of service | 1913 – 1945 |
| Rank | General der Infanterie |
| Commands held | I. Armeekorps 8. Armee Heeresgruppe Süd |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves |
Otto Wöhler (12 July 1894 in Burgwedel – 5 February 1987 in Burgwedel) was a German general of infantry, serving during World War I and World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Career
Wöhler fought in World War I as a lieutenant and served in the post-war Reichsheer. A seasoned general staff officer, he had caught the attention of Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, who made him his chief of staff when Manstein was appointed to command 11th Army. Wöhler served with Manstein until April 1942 when he was assigned as chief of staff for Army Group Center under Field Marshal Günther von Kluge. Wöhler’s first combat command was I. Armeekorps which he led from April to August 1943, before being given command of 8th Army on 22 August 1943. Field Marshal von Manstein, whose Army Group South included 8th Army, was very pleased with this appointment as Wöhler had fought with distinction and skill during the summer and fall of 1943. His cool-headedness was considered a crucial asset at that stage and later on the Eastern Front. According to Heinz Guderian's memories, when Heeresgruppe Süd,which he commanded, destroyed Russian bridge-head over Hron river by 22.February 1945, Hitler said "Wöhler may not be National-Socialist, but at least he is he-man."[1]
As with every other German senior officer, Wöhler was investigated by the Allies after the war and was then implicated in Einsatzgruppe activities while serving as Chief of Staff of 11th Army in early 1942. He was tried by a U.S. Military Tribunal at Nuremberg ("OKW Case" No. XII) and then sentenced to 8 years imprisonment in October 1948. He was released in autumn 1950.
Until his death Otto Wöhler participated in many functions and as patron of civic organizations in his home community of Burgwedel. He also created a charitable foundation that inherited his estate. He is buried next to his only child, a son, who died in the Baltic during World War II as a naval cadet.
Awards
- 1914 Iron Cross
- 2nd Class (29 September 1914)
- 1st Class (17 September 1916)
- House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords
- 1939 Clasps to the Iron Cross
- 2nd Class (19 September 1939)
- 1st Class (4 October 1939)
- German Cross in Gold (26 January 1942)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross (14 August 1943)
- 671st Oak Leaves (28 November 1944)
- Order of Michael the Brave 3rd and 2nd Class
- Mentioned three times in the Wehrmachtbericht (12 August 1943; 8 May 1944; 30 October 1944)
References
- Citations
- ^ Nash, Douglas E. Hell's Gate. The Battle of the Cherkassy Pocket, January–February 1944. Southbury, Connecticut: RZM Publishing. 2002, p. 21. ISBN 0965758435
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.