German High Commanders of WW2

[Stauffenberg II]

Kuntze was transferred to the FR but was told to remain in command (officially kdt) [FS in his Personalakte] until the arrival of his successor. The handover took place on 08.08.1942 at 17:00.

Regards

John

John, the Generalskartei gives 03.07. and 21.07. for the transfer of Kuntze to FR. What date is correct? Do you happen to know?

[histan]

It was 03.07.1942. Telex messages and appointment list. Löhr's appointment was mit wirkung vom 03.07.1942

for some reason his Beurteilung dated 12.04.1943 gives a date of 21.07.1942 [perhaps this was used when one of the Generalskartei was produced].

Regards

John

[Stauffenberg II]

John, thanks. Your quick response is much appreciated.

Jürgen

[iggy88]

According to the KTB of XXX. AK (both the front page and entry for 17 Dec 1944) state that on that date, AOK 15 was renamed as AOK 25. Possibly AOK 15 was then re-formed elsewhere.

[askropp]

When AOK 15 left Holland in late 1944 to prepare for the Ardennenoffensive, AOK 25 was formed to replace it. As a deception to mislead the Allies, it retained the title of "AOK 15" until the start of "Wacht am Rhein", when it became apparent where the real AOK 15 was. I believe it is common practice to speak of AOK 25 for the whole period since the formation of this staff, as anything else would be very confusing. Remember that during certain periods, several HGr or AOK staffs carried Tarnbezeichnungen. According to the Karteikarte of Paul Reichelt (the Chef), AOK 25 was also called "Armeegruppe Christiansen" until December.

[iggy88]

Askropp,
Thank you for clarifying this.
Todd

[askropp]

The KTB of AOK 10 shows that Vietinghoff was away at the FHQ from 11 to 14 May 1944. As no Vertreter is mentioned, I assumed Wentzell was managing affairs in the meantime. But now I discovered that Vietinghoff's Karteikarte lists Otto Hartmann as mstFb. This is an odd choice because Hartmann had been ill and in the FR for two years after he commanded a Korps in the western campaign of 1940. His last command had been KG d. Sich.Tr. u. Befh. i. HGeb A, and Kleist deemed him unfit even for this rear area command. From February 1944 to the surrender in Italy, Hartmann (who was 60 years old) led an obscure Sonderstab attached to OB Südwest. Although he was probably the ranking three star general in Italy, one wonders if this man was really the natural choice to stand in for Vietinghoff at the height of the Cassino and Anzio battles! I would love to find a document that confirms he was really there.

[histan]

I agree with you askropp

Looks like a stand in planned by the HPA. Possibly ignored or challenged by Kesselring if it is not mentioned in the KTB. Army Group commanders did challenge the HPA - Henrici at 6. Armee and Lemelsen at 8. Armee spring to mind.

Regards
John

[Rossano]

Hello
Also, according to the KTB OKW v. Vietinghoff was ill about end may 44, from to when and was his Chef his Vertreter ?
Rossano
P.S.: in his biography v. Senger was on leave from 17.04.44 to 17.05, who was his Vertreter at the XIV. PzK. ? Thanks

[genstab]

I only have GenMaj Friiz Wentzell standing in for GenOb von Vietinghoff from 11-5-44 to 14-5-44 (Jackson, Mediterranean and Middle East, Part 2)

Gen der Art Otto Hartmann stood in for Gen von Senger in Apr-May 1944.
start date from A. G. Steiger, Report #20, Historical Section, Canadian Army Headquarters: Italian Campaign 4 Jan-4 June 1944- Information from German Documents; (you can download these Canadian Army reports for the Italian and European operations of Canadian forces online from the Ministry of Defense Historical Section archives)
end date from Ernest Fisher, Cassino to the Alps (US Army in World War II, Mediterranean Theater of Operations series, Vol 2).

Best,
Bill

[Rossano]

Thanks so much Bill !
Rgds., Rossano

[histan]

Good find Bill

Both these sources have the "wrong" Hartmann - calling him Walter rather than Otto. Walter was standing in at X AK at that time

Regards

John

[Rossano]

P.S. : Wentzell a few days in may 44 as v. Vietinghoff' s deputy is probably correct, but why then in v.Vietinghoff' s Karteikarte is reported GdA. Otto Hartmann ? Maybe Hartmann m.d.Führ.b. but then nicht wirksam geworden ?
Also, who was deputy when v.Vietinghoff was ill about end may 44 ???

[histan]

Hi Rossano

In the Canadian report referred to by Bill above, there is no indication that von Vietinghoff left 10. Armee at the end of May and early June 1944 - it states that both he and Wentzel were ill but both seem to have remained in post.

Regards

John

[askropp]

According to the KTB, he was present and on duty from 14 to 31 May (I don't have the June volume yet).