Gerhard von Schwerin
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| Gerhard Graf von Schwerin | |
|---|---|
| 23 June 1899 — 29 October 1980 (aged 81) | |
 Graf Gerhard von Schwerin |
|
| Place of birth | Hanover |
| Place of death | Rottach-Egern |
| Allegiance |  German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer |
| Rank | General der Panzertruppen |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
| Other work | politician |
Gerhard ("Gerd") Helmuth Detloff Graf von Schwerin (23 June 1899 – 29 October 1980) 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" (the "Greyhound Division").
By the time the 3rd US Armored Division reached Aachen on 13 September 1944, the once-formidable 116. Panzer-Division had been reduced to 600 men, 12 tanks, and no artillery pieces. When he contemplated surrender to Allied forces in order to prevent civilian casualties and to protect the city's artifacts (the city was the ancient resting place of Charlemagne's empire, or the First Reich), Adolf Hitler had him removed and sent Colonel Gerhard Wilck to defend the city with around 5,000 Volkssturm.
[edit] Awards
- Wound Badge in Silver
- Infantry Assault Badge
- "Afrika" Cuffband
- Eisernes Kreuz 2. and 1. Klasse
- Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
- Ritterkreuz (17 Jan 1942)
- 240. Eichenlaub (17 May 1943)
- 41. Schwerter (4 November 1943)
[edit] Notes
Regarding personal names: Graf is a title, translated as Count, not a first or middle name. The female form is Gräfin.
[edit] References
- Berger, Florian. Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Wien, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger, 2006. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Rass, Christoph; Rohrkamp, René; Quadflieg, Peter M., General Graf von Schwerin und das Kriegsende in Aachen. Ereignis, Mythos, Analyse, Aachen 2007. ISBN 978-3-8322-6623-3.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Generalmajor Gerhard Müller |
Commander of 116th Panzer Division May 1, 1944 - August 31, 1944 |
Succeeded by Generalmajor Heinrich Voigtsberger |
| Preceded by Generalleutnat Ernst-Günther Baade |
Commander of 90th Grenadier Division (motorised) December, 1944 – ? |
Succeeded by none |
 |
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