World War II Army General. German commander of Arnheim during Operation Market Garden. He entered military service on his 18th birthday as a cadet, with the Second Railway Regiment, with whom he participated in World War I, earning the Iron Cross First and Second Class. He was permitted to remain in the army after the war. By the end of the war, he had been promoted to Oberleutnant and then was promoted to captain in 1926 and major in 1934, serving as a staff officer. In 1935, he was given command of the 15th Pioneer Battalion and promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1937. In 1938, he was given command of the 80th Pioneer Battalion and promoted to colonel in 1939, shortly after the outbreak of World War II. From February 1940, he served as commander of various pioneer units including the pioneer training school though early 1943, when he was added to the Fuhrer Reserve and promoted to major general. In the fall of 1943 he was given the command of the garrison at Arnheim, the Netherlands, which command he held at his death. Upon the initial landings of paratroopers during Operation Market Garden, he went to the front to observe the situation, as he was responsible for the defense of the city. He was advised by the front commander to return a different way to his headquarters but did not do so, and his car was attacked by a squad from B Company, 3rd British Paratroop Battalion. He and his two aides were killed, and the bodies stripped of decorations and medals. His aides are buried next to him.
World War II Army General. German commander of Arnheim during Operation Market Garden. He entered military service on his 18th birthday as a cadet, with the Second Railway Regiment, with whom he participated in World War I, earning the Iron Cross First and Second Class. He was permitted to remain in the army after the war. By the end of the war, he had been promoted to Oberleutnant and then was promoted to captain in 1926 and major in 1934, serving as a staff officer. In 1935, he was given command of the 15th Pioneer Battalion and promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1937. In 1938, he was given command of the 80th Pioneer Battalion and promoted to colonel in 1939, shortly after the outbreak of World War II. From February 1940, he served as commander of various pioneer units including the pioneer training school though early 1943, when he was added to the Fuhrer Reserve and promoted to major general. In the fall of 1943 he was given the command of the garrison at Arnheim, the Netherlands, which command he held at his death. Upon the initial landings of paratroopers during Operation Market Garden, he went to the front to observe the situation, as he was responsible for the defense of the city. He was advised by the front commander to return a different way to his headquarters but did not do so, and his car was attacked by a squad from B Company, 3rd British Paratroop Battalion. He and his two aides were killed, and the bodies stripped of decorations and medals. His aides are buried next to him.
Bio by: Kenneth Gilbert
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