TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Weichs, von, Maximillian

Date of birth:
November 12th, 1881 (Dessau/Saxony-Anhalt, Germany)
Date of death:
September 27th, 1954 (Bornheim/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Maximilian Maria Joseph Karl Gabriel Lamoral Reichsfreiherr von und zu Weichs an der Glon, born November 12, 1881 in Dessau, passed away on September 27, 1954 at Rösberg astle in Bornheim-Rösberg, was a German officer, Generalfeldmarschall from 1943 onwards and during World War 2 commander of various Armeen and Heeresgruppen.
Pre-war period
After Weichs had been promoted to Generalmajor on April 1, 1933 and simultaneously appointed 3rd Infantry Leader in Potsdam, his appointment to commander of the 3. Divison in Weimar soon followed in the same year.
In 1935, under command of Weichs, the transformation of the 3rd Cavalry Division into the 1st Armored Division was begun with. Weichs was promoted to Generalleuitnant on April 1, 1935. 18 months later he became General der Kavalerie and a year later, on October 12, 1937 commanding general of 13. Armeekorps and of Wehrkreis XIII in Nuremberg.
In the spring of 1939, Weichs and his Korps were involved in the occupation of Czechoslvakia.
World War Two
At the beginning of World War 2, during the Polish campaign, Weichs was commanding general of 13. Armeekorps and in this capacity he played a part in the capture of Warsaw. In October 1939 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of 2. Armee and participated in the campaign in France. At the end of the campaign, he was promoted to Generaloberst on July 19, 1940.
Along with 2. Armee, Weichs participated in the campaign on the Balkans in April 1942 and he accepted the surrender of the Yugoslav Army on April 16.
At the beginning of the war against the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, Weichs and his 2. Armee were made subordinate to Heeresgruppe Mitte. At the battle for Kiev, 2. Armee and Panzergruppe 2 were sent south temporarily in order to capture Woronesch. Medio June he took the post of commander of Heeresgruppe B from Fedor von Bock who had been fired. This Heeresgruppe was part of Operation Braunschweig which was intended to be the initial strike towards Stalingrad. After the successes of the Soviet operation Uranus in the battle for Stalingrad, the southern part of his Heeresgruppe became Heeresgruppe Don. This army was defeated and annihilated as early as the winter of 1942-1943 by counterattacks of the Red Army. February 1, 1943 saw Weichs being promoted to Generalfeldmarsachall and in July 1943 he was transferred to the Führer reserve.
Weichs re-entered service as early as August 1943 and simultaneously was named Commander-in-Chief Südost and C-in-C of Heeresgrupp F.
In the fall of 1944 he organized the retreat of the German forces from Greece and Yugoslavia during the Soviet operation against Belgrade. This was against Hitler's orders who presented this retreat to the OKH as enemy attacks.
On March 25, 1945, Weichs was transferred to the Führer reserve permanently and on May 2, 1945 he was arrested near Ettal in Bavaria by American units.
During the hostages murder trial he was indicted, along with other officers for the murder of hundreds of thousands civilians. Weichs' trial was suspended because of his poor health and he was released from captivity.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1939

Had already received the Iron 2nd Class on September 20th 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 29th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on November 12th 1915.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Kavallerie (Lieutenant-general)
Unit:
Oberbefehlshaber der 2. Armee
Awarded on:
June 29th, 1940
Awarded for his Armee's success during Fall Rot in smashing through the French defenses on the Aisne over a two day battle as well as in the pursuit that followed afterwards.

105th Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 11th, 1941
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 7th, 1941
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 23rd, 1941
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 18th, 1941
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
Magyar Érdemrend Tisztikeresztje Hadidiszitmennyel es Kardokkal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 19th, 1941
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1943
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 19th, 1944
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalfeldmarschall (Fieldmarshall)
Unit:
Oberbefehlshaber Südost
Awarded on:
February 5th, 1945
Awarded for his success in extracting the German forces from southern Greece through Yugoslavia and back to more securely occupied territory in late 1944. During the 4 1/2 month retreat through rough terrain and heavy partisan resistance Weichs played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the movement without major losses, and he was recognized for this achievement appropriately.

731st Award
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

Photo

Background stories