Helmuth Weidling
Germany- Biography of Helmuth Weidling
- Early Career
- World War II
- Commander of the Defense of Berlin
- Imprisonment and Death
Biography of Helmuth Weidling
Helmuth Weidling was a German Army general and the commander of the defense and last commandant of Berlin. He was born on November 2, 1891, in Halberstadt, Saxony Province.
Early Career
Weidling began his military career during World War I and was promoted to the rank of senior lieutenant in 1915. He served in balloon units and later became the commander of a Zeppelin. After the war, he commanded an artillery battery and then a division. He received promotions throughout his career, becoming a captain in 1922, a major in 1933, a lieutenant colonel in October 1935, and a colonel in March 1938.
World War II
During World War II, Weidling commanded an artillery regiment during the war against Poland in 1939. In the war against France in 1940, he served as the chief of artillery for the 9th Army Corps and later the 4th Army Corps. He also participated in the Balkan campaign. On the Eastern Front, Weidling served as the chief of artillery for the 40th Tank Corps until the end of December 1941. From December 1941 to October 1943, he commanded the 86th Infantry Division. From October 20, 1943, until the complete defeat of his corps in early April 1945, Weidling commanded the 41st Tank Corps. He later became the commander of the 56th Tank Corps on April 10, 1945.
Commander of the Defense of Berlin
On April 23, Hitler ordered Weidling's execution based on false information. However, Weidling managed to secure an audience with Hitler, and as a result, the execution order was rescinded. He was then appointed as the commander of the defense of Berlin. Weidling made efforts to organize the defense of the city, engaging in battles for every building. After Hitler's suicide on April 30, Weidling signed the surrender of German forces on May 2, 1945, and surrendered with the remnants of the garrison.
Imprisonment and Death
Weidling was held in prisons in Moscow, including Butyrka and Lefortovo prisons, before being transferred to Vladimir Prison. On February 27, 1952, he was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment in labor camps by a military tribunal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Moscow District. Helmuth Weidling died in prison on November 17, 1955, due to heart failure.
