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Gunther BlumentrittGerman officer, participant in the First and Second World Wars, infantry general
Date of Birth: 10.02.1892
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Günther Blumentritt: A German General in Two World Wars
- World War I
- Interwar Years
- World War II
- Later Commands
- Post-War Years
- Promotions
- Wound Badge (1918) in Black
- Eastern Front Winter Campaign Medal (August 7, 1942)
Günther Blumentritt: A German General in Two World Wars
Early Life and Military CareerGünther Blumentritt was born in Munich, Germany, on February 21, 1892. In May 1911, he enlisted in the German Army as a fanen-junker (officer candidate) in an infantry regiment. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in November 1912.
World War I
Blumentritt served as a battalion adjutant from 1914 to 1917. In 1918, he became the regimental adjutant and was promoted to senior lieutenant. In August 1918, he was wounded in action and returned to the front as an infantry brigade adjutant after recovering in hospital. During the war, he was awarded both grades of the Iron Cross and two additional orders.
Interwar Years
After World War I, Blumentritt commanded a company in the volunteer "Thuringia" corps, fighting against communists. He continued his service in the Reichswehr and attained the rank of colonel by the outbreak of World War II. He was the head of the operational department of the 12th Army's staff.
World War II
On September 2, 1939, Blumentritt was transferred to the staff of Army Group South, where he served as chief of the operational department. From October 1939 to 1940, he held the same position in Army Group A, participating in the Polish and French campaigns.
In June 1941, Blumentritt became a staff officer in the invasion of the Soviet Union. From January 1942, he served as 1st Quartermaster General and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army High Command. For his actions in the Battle of Moscow, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold.
From September 1942 to January 1943, and again from June to September 1944, Blumentritt was Chief of Staff of Army Group D in France. He participated in the Normandy campaign in the summer of 1944. In September, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Later Commands
Blumentritt was placed in the reserve of the German High Command in September 1944. He briefly commanded the 86th Army Corps and the 12th SS Corps. From November 1944, he commanded Corps Group Blumentritt, which consisted of the 12th SS Corps and the 86th Army Corps. From January to March 1945, he led the 25th Army in the Netherlands.
In February 1945, Blumentritt was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. He commanded the 1st Parachute Army from March to April 1945 and Army Group Blumentritt in Schleswig-Holstein from April to May 1945. Blumentritt became the Commander-in-Chief in Schleswig-Holstein on May 6, 1945.
Post-War Years
Blumentritt was taken into British captivity on June 1, 1945. He was released on January 1, 1948.
Promotions
Fanen-Junker (September 20, 1911)Fähnrich (January 27, 1912)
Lieutenant (November 19, 1912)
Senior Lieutenant (March 22, 1918)
Captain (April 1, 1926)
Major (September 1, 1933)
Lieutenant Colonel (April 1, 1936)
Colonel (October 1, 1938)
Major General (January 16, 1942)
Lieutenant General (December 1, 1942)
General of Infantry (April 1, 1944)
Awards and Decorations
Iron Cross 2nd Class (September 29, 1914)
Iron Cross 1st Class (March 18, 1916)
Principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt Honor Cross 3rd Class with Swords (January 3, 1915)
Royal House Order of Hohenzollern Knight's Cross with Swords (July 7, 1918)
Wound Badge (1918) in Black
World War I Honor Cross 1914/1918 with Swords (December 29, 1934)Wehrmacht Long Service Medal 1st Class (October 2, 1936)
Anschluss Medal with the clasp "Prague Castle"
Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class (September 19, 1939)
Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class (September 29, 1939)
Order of Saint Sava 2nd Class (October 23, 1939) (Kingdom of Yugoslavia)
Eastern Front Winter Campaign Medal (August 7, 1942)
German Cross in Gold (January 26, 1942)Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Knight's Cross (September 13, 1944)
Oak Leaves (No. 741) (February 18, 1945)
