Wittmann, August (Generalleutnant)

Date of birth:: July 20th, 1895 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:: March 29th, 1977 (Glonn/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
21.05.1917: Leutnant d.R. (Patent - 23.01.1916) (8)
01.06.1923: Polizei-Oberleutnant
01.07.1931: Polizei-Hauptmann
01.08.1935: Hauptmann (RDA - 01.02.1930) (34a)
01.11.1935: Major (57)
01.10.1938: Oberstleutnant (25)
01.10.1941: Oberst (6)
20.04.1942: new RDA - 01.10.1940 (20a)
10.06.1943: Generalmajor (RDA - 01.06.1943) (6b)
xx.xx.1944: Generalleutnant (RDA - 01.04.1944) (8b)

Career:
16.08.1914: entered the Army as Freiwilliger
27.09.1914-11.11.1918: on the frontline with Feldartillerieregiment 1
22.04.1919: Freikorps Landsberg
01.10.1920: entered the bayerischen Landespolizei
06.10.1922: Ordonnanzoffizier - Abschnittskommando III
01.04.1934: instructor at the Polizeioffizierschule
01.08.1935: entered the Heer - Stab - I./ Gebirgsartillerieregiment 69 - Landsberg / Lech
06.10.1936: Chef - 4./ Gebirgsartillerieregiment 79 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen
12.10.1937: Kommandeur - II./ Gebirgsartillerieregiment 79 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen
30.06.1938: appointed to the leicht. Artillerieregiment 6 - Innsbruck
01.08.1938: Kommandeur - II./ Gebirgsartillerieregiment 111 - Hall / Tirol
20.03.1940: Kommandeur - Artillerieregiments 256
25.10.1940: Kommandeur - Gebirgsartillerieregiment 95
16.01.1943: Führerreserve OKH (XVIII)
22.02.-20.03.1943: sent to the 2. Divisionsführerlehrgang
01.04.1943: Führer - 390. Feldausbildungsdivision
03.05.1943: Führerreserve OKH (XVIII)
25.05.1943: appointed to the Stab - Heeresgruppe E
08.07.1943: Führer - 369. (kroat.) Infanteriedivision
01.09.1943: appointed to the Stab - Heeresgruppe F
01.10.1943: Kommandeur - 3. Gebirgsdivision
03.07.1944: Führerreserve OKH (XVIII)
10.07.1944: Kommandeur - 117. Jägerdivision
17.03.1945: Kommandeur - 1. Volksgebirgsdivision

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Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:: May 5th, 1915

III. Klasse des Militärverdienstordens

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:: July 4th, 1915

with swords

IV. Klasse des Militärverdienstordens

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:: September 12th, 1917

with swords

Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:: 1918

Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:: 1934

Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre

Awarded on:: 1936

Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 3.Klasse, 12 Jahre

Awarded on:: 1936

Abzeichen für Heeresbergführer

Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938

Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Awarded on:: 1939

Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938

Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Awarded on:: 1940

1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Awarded on:: 1940

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Awarded on:: 1941

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Awarded on:: June 11th, 1941

In the execution of operations on Crete, the commander of a Mountain Division, General Major Ringel, and as commanders of mountain regiments, the Colonels Utz, Jais and Krakau and the commander of a mountain artillery regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Wittmann, along with their subordinate troops had a decisive share.

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:: Kdr, Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 95
Awarded on:: June 21st, 1941

The following wartime excerpt describes why Wittmann received the Knight’s Cross…

"After attacking three times with his Bataillon on the 28./29.05.1941, Oberstleutnant Wittmann decided to lead his men in an unstoppable advance and prevent the scheduled British withdrawal from Stylos (planned for the 28.05.1941). Through a bold attack east of Rethimnon on the 29.05.1941 he forced two battalions of Australians and a few hundred Greeks to surrender. Oberstleutnant Wittmann reached the town of Jerapetra after a march of 175km from his starting position at Iraklion, and thereby brought about the capture of the eastern part of Crete. These great successes are due to the energy and commitment of Oberstleutnant Wittmann."