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Werner KempfGerman military leader, general of the Wehrmacht tank forces
Date of Birth: 09.03.1886
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Werner Kempf: General of Panzer Troops
- World War II
- Success at Kharkov
- Operation Citadel and After
- Later Career and Death
- Awards
Werner Kempf: General of Panzer Troops
Werner Kempf was a German military leader who served as a general of panzer troops in the Wehrmacht during World War II and World War I. After the end of World War I, he remained in the Reichswehr, the army of the Weimar Republic. On October 1, 1937, he took command of the 4th Panzer Brigade.
World War II
During the Polish campaign, Kempf commanded the panzer division that bore his name, which also included the SS regiment "Deutschland," an artillery regiment, and reconnaissance and liaison battalions.
From October 1, 1939, to January 5, 1941, Kempf led the 6th Panzer Division as part of Georg-Hans Reinhardt's 41st Motorized Corps. He participated in the French campaign, distinguishing himself during the crossing of the Maas River, where he completely destroyed the 102nd French division. On May 16, 1940, he destroyed the following 2nd Armored Division on railway platforms in a surprise attack. On June 3, 1940, Kempf was awarded the Knight's Cross.
From January 6, 1941, to January 31, 1942, Kempf commanded the 48th Panzer Corps. With the corps, he fought on the Soviet-German front as part of General Ewald von Kleist's 1st Panzer Group. He participated in the encirclement of the Soviet grouping near Kiev.
Success at Kharkov
On August 10, 1942, Kempf was awarded Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. On February 17, 1943, he succeeded General of Mountain Troops Lanz as commander of the Army Group (Armeeabteilung Lanz), operating in the Kharkov area. From February 21, 1943, this group became officially known as Army Group Kempf (Armeeabteilung Kempf). Leading this group, he conducted a successful operation at Kharkov.
Operation Citadel and After
Army Group Kempf took an active part in Operation Citadel, and later in defensive battles after the offensive failed. On August 16, 1943, after the surrender of Kharkov, Kempf was relieved of his command. The remnants of the army group entered the 8th Army a few days later.
Later Career and Death
Kempf's unsuccessful military actions in the Southern sector of the Eastern Front severely affected his career. He remained in the command reserve until the spring of 1944 and was then only assigned to peripheral sectors of the Eastern Front.
From October 6 to December 4, 1944, Kempf commanded troops in the Vosges (France). After suffering a heart attack, he retired in December 1944. Kempf died on January 6, 1964, in Bad Harzburg.
Awards
- Iron Cross 2nd Class (September 15, 1914)- Iron Cross 1st Class (February 28, 1916)
- Military Merit Order 4th Class with Swords (Bavaria)
- Friedrich August Cross 2nd and 1st Class (Oldenburg)
- Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords
- Medal for Service in the Wehrmacht, 4th to 1st Class
- Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class (September 15, 1939)
- Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class (September 28, 1939)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross (June 3, 1940)
- Oak Leaves (No. 111) (August 10, 1942)
- Medal for the Winter Campaign in the East 1941/42
- Order of Michael the Brave 3rd Class (Romania)
