Georg Balck German military leader in World War II, general of tank troops Date of Birth: 07.12.1893 Country: Germany

1. Early Military Career
2. World War I
3. Between the Wars
4. World War II
5. Eastern Front
6. Command and Decorations
7. Later Career and Trial

Early Military Career

Hermann Balck enlisted in the German army in 1913 as a candidate for officer in the 10th Jaeger Battalion. In August 1914, he became a lieutenant and acting adjutant of the 10th Jaeger Battalion, earning the Iron Cross 2nd Class.

World War I

Balck received multiple injuries during the war: he was wounded in October 1914, February 1915, and again in June 1915. Despite his injuries, he continued to serve and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class, the Bavarian Order, and an Austro-Hungarian Order. From 1916 onwards, he commanded a machine gun company in the 22nd and later the 10th Jaeger Battalion. He ended the war as a Knight's Cross recipient in December 1917.

Between the Wars

After World War I, Balck served in the Reichswehr. In 1938, he became a lieutenant colonel and joined the Inspectorate of Motorized Forces within the Army High Command.

World War II

In October 1939, Balck commanded the 1st Infantry Regiment of the 1st Panzer Division. He received additional Iron Crosses during the French campaign in 1940 and earned the Knight's Cross in June 1940. He subsequently commanded the 3rd Panzer Regiment of the 2nd Panzer Division and the 2nd Panzer Brigade.

Eastern Front

Balck participated in the Greek campaign in 1941. From May 1942 onwards, he led the 11th Panzer Division in the Donbass and Kharkov regions. In December 1942, he received the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. He rose to the rank of lieutenant general in January 1943 and was awarded the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves in March 1943.

Command and Decorations

In November 1943, Balck became a general of armored troops and commanded the 48th Panzer Corps. He was awarded the Diamonds to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords in August 1944. In September 1944, he led Army Group "G" on the Western Front.

Later Career and Trial

Balck commanded the 6th Army in Hungary in December 1944 and simultaneously led Army Group "Balck." At the end of the war, he led the 6th Army to Austria and surrendered to American forces on May 8, 1945. In 1947, he was released from captivity, but in 1948, a German court sentenced him to three years in prison for ordering the execution of a subordinate without trial.