General der Panzertruppe
Encyclopedia
General der Panzertruppe (Literally: General of the Armoured Corps) was a rank of German
Army General
introduced by the Wehrmacht
in 1935. As the commander of a Panzer Corp this rank corresponds to a US Army Lieutenant-General. With the formation of the Bundeswehr in 1955, general ranks were changed to follow US Army structure hence a General moved up one position to command of an army, a position formerly held by a Generaloberst.
The rank was equivalent to the long established General der Kavallerie
, General der Artillerie
and General der Infanterie
. The Wehrmacht also introduced General der Gebirgstruppe
n (mountain troops), General der Pioniere
(engineers), General der Fallschirmtruppe
n (parachute troops), General der Flieger
(aviators) and General der Nachrichtentruppe
n (communications troops).
of the Bundeswehr
, there is a General der Panzertruppen who is usually a brigadier general (Brigadegeneral).
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Army General
General (Germany)
General is presently the highest rank of the German Army and Luftwaffe . It is the equivalent to the rank of Admiral in the German Navy .-Early history:...
introduced by the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
in 1935. As the commander of a Panzer Corp this rank corresponds to a US Army Lieutenant-General. With the formation of the Bundeswehr in 1955, general ranks were changed to follow US Army structure hence a General moved up one position to command of an army, a position formerly held by a Generaloberst.
The rank was equivalent to the long established General der Kavallerie
General of the Cavalry (Germany)
General of the Cavalry or General der Kavallerie was a rank of general in the Imperial Army, Reichswehr or Wehrmacht - the second-highest regular rank below Generaloberst. Artillery officers of equivalent rank were called general of the artillery, and infantry officers of equivalent rank general...
, General der Artillerie
General of the Artillery (Germany)
General of the artillery may mean:#a rank of general in the Imperial Army, Reichswehr or Wehrmacht - the second-highest regular rank below Generaloberst. Cavalry officers of equivalent rank were called general of the cavalry, and infantry officers of equivalent rank general of the infantry...
and General der Infanterie
General of the Infantry (Germany)
General of the Infantry is a rank of general in the Imperial Army, Reichswehr or Wehrmacht - the second-highest regular rank. The same rank spread to the Imperial Russian Army and the Defence forces of Finland between the world wars...
. The Wehrmacht also introduced General der Gebirgstruppe
General der Gebirgstruppe
General der Gerbirgstruppe was a rank of German Army General introduced by the Wehrmacht in 1940....
n (mountain troops), General der Pioniere
General der Pioniere
General der Pioniere was a rank of German Army General introduced by the Wehrmacht in 1938.The rank was equivalent to the long established General der Kavallerie, General der Artillerie and General der Infanterie...
(engineers), General der Fallschirmtruppe
General der Fallschirmtruppe
General der Fallschirmtruppe was a General’s rank of the German Luftwaffe.The rank was equivalent to the long established General der Kavallerie, General der Artillerie and General der Infanterie...
n (parachute troops), General der Flieger
General der Flieger
General der Flieger was a General’s rank of the German Luftwaffe.The rank was equivalent to the long established General der Kavallerie, General der Artillerie and General der Infanterie...
(aviators) and General der Nachrichtentruppe
General der Nachrichtentruppe
General der Nachrichtentruppe was a rank of German Army General introduced by the Wehrmacht in 1940....
n (communications troops).
Bundeswehr
In the modern German ArmyGerman Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
of the Bundeswehr
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
, there is a General der Panzertruppen who is usually a brigadier general (Brigadegeneral).
List
The following officers were General der Panzertruppe:- Hans-Jürgen von ArnimHans-Jürgen von ArnimHans-Jürgen Bernhard Theodor von Arnim was a German Generaloberst who served during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
(1889-1962) (Promoted Generaloberst 4/12/1942) - Hermann BalckHermann BalckHermann Balck was a career German army officer who served in both World War I and World War II, rising to the rank of General der Panzertruppe. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds...
(1893–1982) - Erich BrandenbergerErich BrandenbergerAdolf Robert Erich Brandenberger was a German General der Panzertruppe. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves....
(1882–1955) - Hermann BreithHermann BreithHermann Albert Breith was a German general of the Panzertruppe, serving during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme...
(1892–1964) - Hans CramerHans CramerGeneral Hans Cramer was a Panzer General in the German army who was captured by the British during both world wars.Cramer joined Prussian cadet corps before World War I...
(1896–1968) - Ludwig CrüwellLudwig CrüwellLudwig Crüwell , was a German general known for his involvement with the Afrika Korps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
(1892–1958) - Karl DeckerKarl DeckerKarl Gustav Adolf Decker was a German general in the infantry, serving during World War II. Trapped in the Ruhr Pocket, Decker committed suicide on 21 April 1945. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1897–1945) (committed suicide) - Heinrich EberbachHeinrich EberbachHeinrich Kurt Alfons Willy Eberbach was a German General der Panzertruppen in the German Army of World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
(1895–1992) - Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim (1897–1994)
- Hans-Karl Freiherr von EsebeckHans-Karl Freiherr von EsebeckHans-Karl Asmus Werner Freiherr von Esebeck was a German General who commanded the 15th Panzer Division in the Afrika Korps. He was also a conspirator against Adolf Hitler....
(1892–1955) - Gustav Fehn (1892–1945) (executed by partisans)
- Ernst FeßmannErnst FeßmannGeneral Ernst Feßmann was a Cavalry General in the German army who was notable for commanding one of the first Panzer Divisions....
(1881–1962) - Wolfgang FischerWolfgang FischerWolfgang Fischer was a German career military officer and panzer commander in World War II. He was killed on 1 February 1943 in Tunisia near Mareth when his staff car drove into a poorly marked Italian minefield and hit a mine.-Awards:* Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class* Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd...
(1888–1943) - Walter FriesWalter FriesWalter Fries was a German General of the tank troops, serving during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1894–1982) - Hans Freiherr von FunckHans Freiherr von FunckGeneral Hans Emil Richard Freiherr von Funck was a highly decorated Panzer General in the German army during World War II.-Biography:...
(1891–1979) - Leo Geyr von SchweppenburgLeo Geyr von SchweppenburgLeo Dietrich Franz Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg was a German cavalry officer in World War I and a general during World War II. He was particularly noted for his expertise in armoured warfare and his command of Panzer Group West during the Invasion of Normandy.- Biography :Geyr was born in...
(1886–1974) - Fritz-Hubert Graeser (1888–1960)
- Heinz Wilhelm Guderian (1888–1954) (Promoted Generaloberst 1941)
- Josef HarpeJosef HarpeJosef Harpe was a German Generaloberst who served during World War I and World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1887-1986) (Promoted Generaloberst 20/5/1944) - Sigfrid HenriciSigfrid HenriciGeneral Sigfrid Henrici was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II.He joined the Imperial German Army as an officer cadet in the 11th Artillery Regiment in 1907 and was commissioned as a Leutnant in an artillery regiment in 1909...
(1889–1964) - Traugott HerrTraugott HerrTraugott Herr was a German general of Panzer troops who served during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1890–1976) - Alfred Ritter von HubickiAlfred Ritter von HubickiAlfred Eduard Franz Ritter von Hubicki was a Hungarian born Austrian army officer who was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II.-World War I:...
(1887–1971) - Hans-Valentin HubeHans-Valentin HubeHans-Valentin Hube was a German general who served in the German Army during the First and Second World Wars. He was one of 27 people to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds...
(1890-1944) (Promoted Generaloberst 20/4/1944, killed in plane crash 21/04/1944) - Georg JauerGeorg JauerGeorg Jauer was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
(1896–1971) - Werner KempfWerner KempfGeneral Werner Kempf was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ....
(1886–1964) - Mortimer von KesselMortimer von KesselMortimer von Kessel was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II.He joined the Imperial German Army as an officer cadet in 1914 and was commissioned as a leutnant in the 12th Hussar Regiment on 22 March 1915 and was awarded the Iron Cross first and second class in World War I...
(1893–1981) - Friedrich KirchnerFriedrich KirchnerFriedrich Kirchner was a German general during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1885–1960) - Ulrich KleemannUlrich KleemannUlrich Kleemann was an officer in the German Army during World War II.Colonel Kleemann of the 3rd Motorized Infantry Brigade was awarded a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 13 October 1941...
(1892–1963) - Otto von KnobelsdorffOtto von KnobelsdorffHeinrich Otto Ernst von Knobelsdorff was a German general who commanded armored Panzer units and served during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1886–1966) - Walter KrügerWalter Krüger (Heer officer)Eugen Walter Krüger was a highly decorated General der Panzertruppe in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the LVIII. Panzerkorps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield...
(1892–1973) - Friedrich KühnFriedrich Kühn (general)General Friedrich Kühn was an Panzer General in the German army during World War II who was the chief of Wehrmacht Motor Transport and mechanization....
(1889–1944) (killed in bombing raid) - Adolf-Friedrich KuntzenAdolf-Friedrich KuntzenGeneral Adolf-Fiedrich Kuntzen was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II who served as the Commanding General of the LXXXI Army-Corps under Erwin Rommel in Normandy in 1944....
(1889–1964) - Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und ErlencampWillibald Freiherr von Langermann und ErlencampGeneral Willibald Karl Moritz Robert Rudolf Freiherr von Langermann und Erlencamp was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
(1890–1942) - Joachim LemelsenJoachim LemelsenJoachim Hermann August Lemelsen was a German general during the Second World War. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
(1888–1954) - Heinrich Freiherr von LüttwitzHeinrich Freiherr von LüttwitzHeinrich Diepold Georg Freiherr von Lüttwitz was a German general of the Panzer troops, serving during World War II...
(1896–1969) - Smilo Freiherr von LüttwitzSmilo Freiherr von LüttwitzSmilo Walther Hinko Oskar Constantin Wilhelm Freiherr von Lüttwitz was a German general of the Panzer troops, serving during World War II and son of Walther von Lüttwitz...
(1895–1975) - Oswald LutzOswald LutzGeneral Oswald Lutz was a German General who oversaw the motorization of the German Army in the late 1920s and early 1930s and was appointed as the first General der Panzertruppe of the Wehrmacht in 1935....
(1876–1944) - Hasso von ManteuffelHasso von ManteuffelHasso-Eccard Freiherr von Manteuffel was a German soldier and liberal politician of the 20th century.He served in both world wars, and during World War II was a distinguished general...
(1897–1978) - Karl MaussKarl MaussDr. med. dent. Karl MaussIn German a Doctor of Medical Dentistry is abbreviated as Dr. med. dent. . was one of the most distinguished tank commanders of the Wehrmacht during World War II...
(1898–1959) - Walter ModelWalter ModelOtto Moritz Walter Model was a German general and later field marshal during World War II. He is noted for his defensive battles in the latter half of the war, mostly on the Eastern Front but also in the west, and for his close association with Adolf Hitler and Nazism...
(1891–1945) (Promoted Generaloberst 28/2/1942, GeneralfeldmarschallGeneralfeldmarschallField Marshal or Generalfeldmarschall in German, was a rank in the armies of several German states and the Holy Roman Empire; in the Austrian Empire, the rank Feldmarschall was used...
1/3/1944) - Walther NehringWalther NehringWalther Kurt Josef Nehring , was a German general of World War II, known for his involvement with the Afrika Korps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1892–1983) - Friedrich PaulusFriedrich PaulusFriedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus was an officer in the German military from 1910 to 1945. He attained the rank of Generalfeldmarschall during World War II, and is best known for having commanded the Sixth Army's assault on Stalingrad during Operation Blue in 1942...
(1890–1957) (Promoted Generaloberst, Generalfeldmarschall 30/1/1943) - Georg-Hans ReinhardtGeorg-Hans ReinhardtGeorg-Hans Reinhardt was a German general of World War II. He commanded Third Panzer Army from 1941 to 1944, and Army Group Centre in 1944 and 1945. His highest rank was Generaloberst . He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(1887-1963) (Promoted Generaloberst 1/1/1942) - Erwin RommelErwin RommelErwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
(1891-1944) (Promoted Generaloberst 24/1/1942, Generalfeldmarschall 2/6/1942, committed suicide 14/10/1944) - Hans RöttigerHans RöttigerGeneral Hans Röttiger was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II and the first Inspector of the Bundeswehr....
(1896–1960) - Dietrich von SauckenDietrich von SauckenFriedrich Wilhelm Eduard Kasimir Dietrich von Saucken was a general in the German army, the Wehrmacht Heer, during World War II...
(1892–1980) - Ferdinand SchaalFerdinand SchaalFerdinand Friedrich Schaal was a German career military officer and panzer commander in World War II. He commanded the 10th Panzer Division in the 1939 Invasion of Poland and directed the successful Siege of Calais in 1940...
(1889–1962) - Rudolf SchmidtRudolf SchmidtRudolf Schmidt was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II who served as the Commander of the 2nd Panzer Army which was a huge armoured formation that operated on the Eastern Front. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
(1886-1957) (Promoted Generaloberst 1/1/1942) - Gerhard von SchwerinGerhard von SchwerinGerhard Helmuth Detloff Graf von Schwerin was a German army General in World War II. As General der Panzertruppe, he was tasked with defending the city of Aachen while in command of the 116th Panzer Division "Windhund" .By the time the 3rd US Armored Division reached Aachen on 13 September 1944,...
(1899–1980) - Frido von Senger und Etterlin (1891–1963)
- Georg StummeGeorg StummeGeorg Stumme was a World War II German general most notable for his brief command of the Axis forces at the beginning of the Second Battle of El Alamein.-Biography:...
(1886-1942) - Horst StumpffHorst StumpffHorst Stumpff was a Panzer General in the German army during World War II.He joined the Imperial German Army as an officer cadet in 1907 and was commissioned as a leutnant in the 7th Pomeranian Infantry Regiment "von der Goltz" on 18 August 1908...
(1887-1958) - Wilhelm Ritter von ThomaWilhelm Ritter von ThomaWilhelm Josef Ritter von Thoma was a German officer who served in World War I, in the Spanish Civil War, and as a General der Panzertruppe in World War II.-Early life:...
(1891–1948) - Gustav von Vaerst (1894–1975)
- Rudolf VeielRudolf VeielRudolf Veiel was a German General of the Panzertruppe during World War II.Veiel's first army service was noted as a Fahnenjunker in the Ulanen-Regiment 19 in April 1904. On 18 August 1905, he became a leutnant.At the beginning of World War I, Veiel was a commander of the Squadron in the...
(1883-1956) - Heinrich von VietinghoffHeinrich von VietinghoffHeinrich Gottfried Otto Richard von Vietinghoff genannt Scheel was a German Colonel-General of the German Army during the Second World War....
(1887-1952) (Promoted Generaloberst 1/9/1943) - Nikolaus von VormannNikolaus von VormannNikolaus von Vormann was a highly decorated General der Panzertruppe in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 9th Army. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
(1895-1959) - Walther WenckWalther Wenck-Captive, prisoner, and death:Wenck was captured and put in a prisoner of war camp. He was released in 1947. In 1982, Wenck died in a car accident in Bad Rothenfelde.-See also:* Battle of Berlin - 1945* Battle of Halbe - 1945* Hans Krebs, Chief of Staff...
(1900-1982)