Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici

Bill Smith · #1 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2003, 06:28 AM

Greetings all -

It is with the utmost decency and friendship, that one of our fellow forum members, who I shant publicly print the name here, less they wish to remain behind the scenes, that I have come in to ownership of a War Merit Cross II Class With Swords award document with Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici's signature placed upon it.

Although not a more "heroic" document such as an Iron Cross, or German Cross In Gold, still, to have located a document with this man's signature is exciting none the less. At least for me, even being a Luftwaffe collector and historian, as previous to this, I spent ten years collecting German Army artifacts, and still have a fondness for the Army items at times.

Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici, was in command of the XII Army Corps that was instrumental in breaking through the Maginot Line in France during 1940, which allowed German armed forces to roll across the French countryside unrestricted. Later, he went on to command the German 4th Army from 1942 to 1944 on the Eastern Front.

But, he is best remembered as being the commanding officer of the German forces that attempted to hold off the Russian Army from entering Berlin. Badly outnumbered in arms, aircraft, and men, he elected to spare his men any further losses, and disobeying a direct order from the Fuhrer, which might have cost some other general in a different period of time his life, he made a strategic retreat. This act caused General Keitel to remove him from his command on 29 April 1945. The next day, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker along with Eva Braun, and Berlin surrendered to the Soviets.

Generaloberst Heinrici ended up being captured by the British Army on 28 May 1945, and spent the next three years in a British prisoner of war camp, in England, that had been created for high ranking German officers. He died at the age of 85 in 1971.

When I have the time, I'll get a shot of the document up on the forum through Stevin, or Volkbert's help.

Bill

urqh · #2 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2003, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Smith:
Greetings all -

It is with the utmost decency and friendship, that one of our fellow forum members, who I shant publicly print the name here, less they wish to remain behind the scenes, that I have come in to ownership of a War Merit Cross II Class With Swords award document with Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici's signature placed upon it.

Although not a more "heroic" document such as an Iron Cross, or German Cross In Gold, still, to have located a document with this man's signature is exciting none the less. At least for me, even being a Luftwaffe collector and historian, as previous to this, I spent ten years collecting German Army artifacts, and still have a fondness for the Army items at times.

Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici, was in command of the XII Army Corps that was instrumental in breaking through the Maginot Line in France during 1940, which allowed German armed forces to roll across the French countryside unrestricted. Later, he went on to command the German 4th Army from 1942 to 1944 on the Eastern Front.

But, he is best remembered as being the commanding officer of the German forces that attempted to hold off the Russian Army from entering Berlin. Badly outnumbered in arms, aircraft, and men, he elected to spare his men any further losses, and disobeying a direct order from the Fuhrer, which might have cost some other general in a different period of time his life, he made a strategic retreat. This act caused General Keitel to remove him from his command on 29 April 1945. The next day, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker along with Eva Braun, and Berlin surrendered to the Soviets.

Generaloberst Heinrici ended up being captured by the British Army on 28 May 1945, and spent the next three years in a British prisoner of war camp, in England, that had been created for high ranking German officers. He died at the age of 85 in 1971.

When I have the time, I'll get a shot of the document up on the forum through Stevin, or Volkbert's help.

Bill

Hi, Bill, have put following link up before, but maybe before you joined.

Scroll down for a list of the guys held at Bridgend POW camp including Henrici.

http://www.islandfarm.fsnet.co.uk/

Sam Goody · #3 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2003, 08:59 AM

Wow Bill,

Where ever did you get that Document from??!!!

Hope you enjoy it!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Sam

Kai-Petri · #4 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2003, 09:41 AM

Excellent Bill,

Congrats!

Stevin · #5 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2003, 10:31 AM

Congratultions Bill! That is a very interesting piece of history you are now custodian of!

Heinrici is THE character that I remember most from reading Ryan's THE LAST BATTLE. They way he was portrayed in this book and his 'job' in the final weeks of the war made him one of the most interesting people for me with regards to the Battle of Berlin.

Would be honored to host this award pic for you!

Again Congrats on this great addition to your collection!

Stevin

Bill Smith · #6 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2003, 02:58 PM

urqhi -

Thank you for that lead. I have seen this web sight, and in fact, have it listed on my favorites for the moment.

Sam -

Sorry, but I have not been given the "green light" to divuldge which forum member it is. I am sure you understand my respect for them by not "naming names". Thank you.

Stevin -

I am leaving for a "working vacation" for a few days, but will get a pic of it next Monday or so, and get it sent off to you. Thank you.

Kai -

I knew you'd appreciate it. Thank you.

Be good to each other.

Bill

C.Evans · #7 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2003, 05:23 PM

For a moment there--I thought it might be Juergs document but--now I see who's it is.

Also--especially for Erich yourself and Bill oh and Stevin, Volkbert, Fried, DB, Kai, etc etc etc etc etc--check out Ivans posting of the copy of a shipbord made Knights Cross.