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Wilhelm BittrichSS-Obergruppenführer, General of the SS Troops
Date of Birth: 26.02.1894
Country:  Germany |
Biography of Wilhelm Bittrich
Wilhelm Bittrich was born in 1894 in Vernigerode. In the summer of 1914, he volunteered to serve on the front lines and served in the Jäger battalion and later in the infantry. In September 1915, he received the rank of reserve lieutenant without attending military school. In 1916, Bittrich became a pilot and served in various aviation squadrons. He was awarded the Iron Cross for his bravery in combat.
In 1919, Bittrich joined the Volunteer Corps von Hülsen. In 1922, he got married, and in 1923, he joined the Reichswehr. In the mid-1920s, Bittrich became a flight instructor at a secret German aviation center in the Soviet Union.
In the spring of 1932, Bittrich joined the SA and later that year, he joined the Nazi Party (NSDAP). In the summer of 1932, he became the commander of the SS 'Vostok' squadron. In 1934, he was appointed commander of the 74th SS 'Ostsee' regiment. Bittrich served in various SS units and played a significant role in the formation of the Waffen-SS.
By 1938, Bittrich had risen to the rank of commander of the 1st battalion of the 3rd SS regiment, which was later renamed the SS 'Führer' regiment. With this regiment, he began his involvement in World War II. Bittrich served as a staff officer at the 'Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler' headquarters, the main SS office, and was involved in the formation of the SS 'Totenkopf' division. He also developed training programs and instructions for the Waffen-SS.
In 1942, Bittrich was appointed commander of the 8th SS Cavalry Division 'Florian Geyer,' and in January 1943, he took command of the 9th SS Motorized Division 'Hohenstaufen,' which was later converted into a tank division. He later led the 2nd SS Panzer Corps, replacing Paul Hausser. Bittrich distinguished himself in battles near Arnhem during the Anglo-American forces' campaign. However, he faced a moral dilemma when he discovered that the English and American forces, who had set up a field hospital behind German lines under an agreement with Bittrich, were executed by order of party officials. This incident shook his faith in the party but he remained loyal to his oath.
In 1945, Bittrich was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. Together with his tank corps, he surrendered to the American forces on May 8, 1945.
After the Battle of Stalingrad, Bittrich began to doubt the outcome of the war and lost faith in the Nazi Party. However, he remained in service and fought until the end of the war. In January 1948, he was handed over to the French authorities, accused of war crimes, and had his prisoner of war status revoked. In the summer of 1953, he was sentenced to five years in prison by a French military tribunal for the execution of 17 members of the French Resistance by his subordinates. Despite not being directly involved in the executions, he was held responsible for the actions of his men. After his release, Bittrich returned to Germany and retired to Lake Starnberg.
