Erwin Witzleben Field Marshal of the German Armed Forces Date of Birth: 04.12.1881 Country: Germany

Biography of Erwin von Witzleben

Erwin von Witzleben (1881-1944) was a German general field marshal of the German armed forces and one of the leaders of the conspiracy against Hitler. He graduated from military school and became a lieutenant in the 7th Grenadier Regiment on March 22, 1901. He served as a company commander and officer in the General Staff during World War I. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st class for his distinguished service in combat.

After the demobilization of the army, Witzleben remained in the Reichswehr. In 1928, he became the commander of the 3rd Battalion of the Infantry Regiment, and from 1929 to 1931, he served as the chief of staff of the 6th Division and the 6th Military District in Munster. From 1931, he commanded the 8th Infantry Brigade, and from 1933, he became the commander of the 4th Infantry Division. On February 1, 1934, he was appointed the commander of the 3rd Division and the 3rd Military District in Berlin. He actively opposed the Sturmabteilung (SA) and demanded an investigation into the murders of General Kurt von Schleicher and Captain Karl von Bredehoff during the Night of the Long Knives in 1934.

In 1935, after the reorganization of the army, Witzleben became the commander of the 3rd Army Corps while still retaining his command over the military district. He had a negative attitude towards the Nazis and was a staunch supporter of the restoration of monarchy in Germany. After the resignation of General von Fritsch, who was falsely accused of homosexuality, Witzleben became an active opponent of the regime and a supporter of its overthrow by force. In February 1938, he was sent into retirement during the purge in the army.

In August 1938, Witzleben was appointed the commander of the 1st Army on the Franco-German border during the Sudeten Crisis. Together with other conspirators, he developed a plan according to which his subordinated troops would overthrow Hitler's government in case of military actions. However, the military actions did not start. From November 10, 1938, he served as the commander of the 2nd Army Command in Frankfurt am Main. During the Polish Campaign, he commanded the 1st Army and participated in the French Campaign. On June 24, 1940, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

From March 15, 1941, Witzleben served as the commander of Army Group D and the commander in the West. On March 21, 1942, he was retired due to his deteriorating health, but he continued to maintain contact with the conspirators and was supposed to become the Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht in case of the success of the conspiracy.

After the assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944, Witzleben arrived in Berlin, wearing full military uniform, and took command of the troops at the headquarters of the Reserve Army. He appointed General Erich Hoepner as the commander of the Reserve Army and General Baron Carl von Tüngen-Rossbach as the commander of the 3rd Military District in Berlin. He ordered General Henning von Tresckow to arrest all SS and SD personnel in Paris. However, when he learned that Hitler was still alive, Witzleben distanced himself from the conspiracy and, after spending 45 minutes in the Ministry building, left for his estate in Zeessen. He was arrested on July 21 and, on August 7, 1944, along with other officers, he was sentenced to death by the People's Court. He was executed by hanging.