Festung (the commanders)

[Georges JEROME]

Festung Küstrin
Festung Posen
Festung Königsberg
Festung Thorn
Festung Danzig

JG

[Doppelkopf]

That's Eichenlaubträger SS-Gruppenführer Heinz-Friedrich Reinefarth, Festungskommandant Festung Küstrin (1945).

[K.Kocjancic]

Thanks again!

[ChristopherPerrien]

A festung designation was another one of those crazy declarations by Adolf Hitler of any city or village to hold out to the "last man, last bullet". By calling such places fortesses I guess he thought they should hold out forever or whatever.

The whole iditotic idea was very similiar to his unrealistic "stand-fast" orders which were constantly derided, and in Hitler's mind dis-obeyed, by German generals.

In retrospect, as the war progressed, any city/town about to be lost to the allies was a "Festung".

[K.Kocjancic]

BTW. Does anyone know, who is the Offic. on Reinefarth's left? His Adj.?

[Spitze]

Wasn´t Danzig a Festung? I think at the end of the war it was the last German Festung in the East.

[Spitze]

Was Berlin considered a Festung?
Karl

I think so, as read in the mail Göring sent to Hitler (free translated) " As your descison to remain in the Festung Berlin..."

[Spitze]

A festung designation was another one of those crazy declarations by Adolf Hitler of any city or village to hold out to the "last man, last bullet". By calling such places fortesses I guess he thought they should hold out forever or whatever.

The whole iditotic idea was very similiar to his unrealistic "stand-fast" orders which were constantly derided, and in Hitler's mind dis-obeyed, by German generals.

In retrospect, as the war progressed, any city/town about to be lost to the allies was a "Festung".

There are som interesting about Festungs in the book " The 120 last days" for an example Hitler wanted "Gneisenaus" (if I do not remember wrong it was a Preussian General named Gneisenau who managed to defend a place against a much bigger troop at the time of 1700 AC) So Hitler wanted generals to the Festungs who were big and looked frightening.

[Erik E]

In retrospect, as the war progressed, any city/town about to be lost to the allies was a "Festung".

I don`t agree 100% on this......
Many important places were very well fortified for various reasons.
On the eastern front, your quote probably fits, but if you take a look at the "festungen" in Western Europe, you will see that they are all built around imprtant military targets.
Many towns are called "Festung" becouse they were strongly defended, this thread is about the official ones.

Erik

[ChristopherPerrien]

If we are going talk of real "festungs" i.e concrete and steel type defenses
then include "Metz" and the many towns along the West Wall that ended up so fortitfied,. I would say they were the last "festungs" and towns like Kustrin and such really were not "festungs" except in Hitler's mind.

[Erik E]

I`m not talking about concrete and steelparts.....

But cities which were commanded by a festungkomandantur, had units like festungsflakabteilung, festungsinfanterie div. and so on.


Erik

[ChristopherPerrien]

My mistake , Yes I have heard of "fortress" units, as the designation of "garrison" troops of a town or city.

[Schloss Adler]

The following is a list of fortress commands throughout Europe. I don't know if it is 100% accurate. Some names or places might be wrong. Also, there are cities that I couldn't find the name of the fortress commander.

Perhaps someone else can fill in the blanks.

Thanks,

Doug


Fortress Allenstein
( to 22.1.45
Commander:

Fortress Alpen
Commander:
26.4.45 Gen (Mtn) Feurstein, Valentin
4.5.45 Gen (Pz) Vormann, Nikolaus von

Fortress Aalfort
Commander:
Col Oppen, Rudolf von

Fortress Bergen
Commander:
10.12.43- 45 MajGen Andre, Carl

Fortified Town Bobruisk
Commander:
4.8.43-28.6.44 MajGen Hamann, Adolf

Fortress Boulogne
(3.2.44-22.9.44)
Commander:
18.6.44-5.8.44 MajGen Mikosch, Hans
5.8.44-22.9.44 LtGen Heim, Ferdinand

Fortress Breslau
(to 7.5.45, also Commander Garrison HQ Breslau)
Commander:
1.9.39-8.9.39 LtGen Gienanth, Curt Ludwig von
8.9.39-22.4.42 LtGen Amann, Friedrich von
22.4.42-25.9.44 MajGen Schroeter, Hans-Erich von
25.9.44-2.2.45 MajGen Krause, Johannes
2.2.45-27.2.45 MajGen Ahlfen, Hans
27.2.45-2.3.45 ?
2.3.45-(26.4.45) Gen (Inf) Niehoff, Hermann
Chief of Staff:
45 Maj Otto

Fortress Brest
Commander:
1.5.43-10.8.44 Col Mosel, Hans von der
10.8.44-20.9.44 LtGen (Lw) Ramcke, Hermann Bernhard
Chief of Staff:
10.8.44-20.9.44 MajGen Mosel, Hans von der

Commander Fortified Town Brody
Commander:
44 MajGen Briesen, Arthur von
3.44-1.7.44 MajGen Schilling, Otto

Fortress Bromberg
Commander:
10.11.39-20.8.40 Col Jacobi, Alfred
20.8.40- 41 Col Kretzschmer, Theodor

Fortress Brünn
Commander:
1.10.44- LtGen Poet, Gerhard

Fortress Budapest
Commander:
Dec 1944 - 12 Feb 1945: Obergruppenfuhrer Karl von Pfeffer Wildenbruch

Fortress Cherbourg
Commander:
1.4.43-1.4.44 Col Rohr, Hans von
1.4.44-23.6.44 MajGen Sattler, Robert
23.6.44-26.6.44 LtGen Schlieben, Karl-Wilhelm von
IIa:
4.44-, Capt Mund, Rudolf

Fortress Christiansund
Commander:
1.7.44-25.12.44 Col Hüttner, Hans

Fortress Cottbus
(to 22.4.45)
Commander:
45 MajGen Sodan, Ralf

Fortress Cuxhaven
(to 5.5.45)
Commander:

Fortress Danzig
(to 29.3.45, also Commander Garrison HQ Danzig)
Commander:
1.9.39- LtGen Strack, Heinrich
25.9.43-11.43 LtGen Müller, Erich
1.12.43-20.2.45 MajGen Freytag, Walter

Fortress Delfzi)l
(to 2. 5. 45, see under Fortress Emden)

Fortress Den Helder
(to 5.5.45)
Commander:

Fortress Deutsch-Krone
(to 11.2.45)
Commander:

Fortress Dresden
(to 5.45, also Garrison HQ Dresden )
Commander:
1.9.39-8.3.45 LtGen Mehnert, Karl
8.3.45- 5.45 LtGen Schlüter, Robert
Chief of Staff:
15.4.45- MajGen Kirchenpauer von Kirchdorf, Wilhelm

Fortress Dunkirk
(to 8.5.45)
Commander:
2.44-20.5.44 Col Evringmann
20.5.44-5.7.44 Col Wirtstaff, Christian
5.7.44-21.9.44 LtGen Kruge, Wolfgang von (simultaneously Commander 226 Inf Div (static))
21.9.44-9.5.45 ViceAdm Frisius, Friedrich
Chief of Staff:
19.9.44-5.45 MajGen Wittstatt, Christian

Fortress Elbing
(to 12.2.45, also Garrison HQ)
Commander:
1.9.39-30.4.42 Col/MajGen Müller, Kurt
20.8.44-1.9.44 MajGen Schmidt, Dipl.lng. Oskar
3.45- 5.45 MajGen Freytag, Walter

Fortress Emden
(with Delfzijl)
Commander:
3.45-5.5.45 Capt (Navy) Blessingh

Fortress Feodosia
Commander:
to 25.4.44 MajGen Krieger, Josef

Fortress Frankfurt/Oder
(also Commander Garrison HQ Frankfurt a. d Oder)
Commander:
1.9.39-10.39 MajGen Lancelle, Otto
10.39-29.1.45 ?
29.1.45-26.3.45 LtGen Meyer-Rabingen, Hermann
Operations Officer :
25.1.45- 4.45 MajGen Biehler, Ernst

Fortress Gironde North
Commander:
to 4.10.44 Col Pohlmann
4.10.44-17.4.45 RearAdm Michahelles, Hans (also see Commander Gascony]

Fortress Gironde South
Commander:
15.2.44-29.9.44 MajGen Meyer, Fritz
29.9.44-8.10.44 (Deputy Commander Gascony)
9.10.44-1.11.44 Maj Leister
1.11.44-3.11.44 Col Pohlmann
3.11.44- Capt (Navy, j.g.) Berger, von

Fortress Gleiwitz
(to 24.1.45)
Commander:

Fortress Glogau
(to 31.3.45)
Commander:
45-2.4.45 MajGen Schade, Walter (Det Commander)
Col Eulenburg, Graf zu

Fortress Gorlitz
(on the 72 lnf Div sector of the front)
Commander:
LtGen Beisswänger, Hugo (Commander 72 lnf Div)

Fortress Gotenhafen
(to 29.3.45)
Commander:
27.6.40-31.8.42 Rear Adm Kram, Ernst (simultaneously Cstal Commander eastern sector, Baltic)
1.9.42-28.2.43 Vice Adm Göttin, Friedrich

Fortress Graudenz
(to 24.2.45)
Commander:
1.10.39-1.11.41 Col Voigt, Adolf
1.11.41-1.6.42 ?
1.6.42-31.8.44 MajGen Voigt, Adolf
1.9.44- MajGen Fricke, Ludwig

Fortress Guernsey
( to 8.5.45)
Commander:
25.7.44- 2.45 Vice Adm Hüffmeier, Friedrich
1.3.45-8.5.45 MajGen Wulf, Rudolf (simultaneously Commander 319 Inf Div)

Fortress Hook of Holland
Commander: Col Flinzer

Fortress Holland
(7.4.45-5.5.45 see Commander, Netherlands and 25 Army)
Commander:
7.4.45-5.5.45 Gen Blaskowitz, Johannes
Chief of Staff:
7.4.45-5.5.45 LtGen Reichelt, Paul

Fortress ljmuiden
Commander:
44 Col Stahmer
20.1.45- 5.45 MajGen Hüttner, Hans

Fortress Jersey
Commander:
1.9.43- 44 Col Heine, Siegfried
IIa :
12.43- 44 Capt Soltau, Walter

Fortress Channel Islands
Commander:
27.2.45-8.5.45 ViceAdm Hüffmeier, Friedrich (simultaneously Commander, Channel Islands)

Fortress Kirkenes
Commander:

Fortress Königsberg
(Fortress 4.1.45-10.4.45, also Commander Königsberg)
Commander:
1.9.39- 11.39 LtGen Brand, Albrecht
11.39-31.7.42 MajGen Scheller, Rudolf
9.12.42- 8.44 MajGen Becher, Karl
8.44-1.10.44 MajGen Mikosch, Hans
1.10.44-28.1.45 MajGen Becher, Karl (ab
28.1.45-10.4.45 Gen (Inf) Lasch, Otto

Fortress Kolberg
Commander:
25.1.45-1.3.45 MajGen Herrmann, Paul.
1.3.45-8.3.45 MajGen (Lw) Krapp, Oskar
8.3.45- Col Fullriede, Fritz

Fortress Crete
Commander
9.42-1.7.44 Gen.Lt.(Lw.) Bräuer, Bruno
1.7.44-18.9.44 Gen (Inf) Mùller, Friedrich-Wilhelm
18.9.44-9.10.44 LtGen Klepp
9.10.44-18.11.44 Col Benthack
Chief of Staff:
10.11.41-17.6.42 MajGen Boenicke, Walter

Fortress Kústrin
Commander:
3.45- SS-Gruf. Reinefart, Heinz

Fortress La Pallice-Rochelle
Commander:
-20.8.44 Col Preußer
20.8.44 Naval Commander, Atlantic Coast

Fortress Le Havre
Commander:
15.2.43-10.3.44 MajGen Leuze, Warther
13.3.44- MajGen Sauerbrey, Hans

Fortress Libau
Commander:
1.10.44-1.12.44 LtGen Digeon von Monteton, Albrecht Baron
1.12.44- MajGen Rohr, Günter (and Commander 301 Inf Div)

Fortress Lorient
Commander:

Fortress Lublin
Commander:
10.5.44-25.7.44 LtGen Moser, Hilmar

Fortress Marseilles
Commander:
1.7.43- 12.43 MajGen Galt, Franz
14.4.44-24.8.44 LtGen Schäfer, Hans (and Commander 244 Inf Div)

Fortress Memel
Commander:
1.9.39-18.7.40 Capt (Navy) Bredow, Hermann von
3.5.41-30.6.41 Captain (Navy) Kopp, Wilhelm

Fortress Metz
Commander:
25.7.40-5.9.40 Gen (Inf) Mattenklott, Franz
5.9.40-27.4.42 MajGen Rossum, Fritz
27.4.42-1.7.43
1 .7.43-8.9.44 Col Poten, Ernst von
8.9.44-8.11.44
8.11.44-22.11.44 LtGen Kittel, Heinrich (and Commander 462 VGD)

Fortress Modlin
Commander:
7.44- MajGen Kruse, Hermann

Fortress Narvik
Commander:
5.1.44- MajGen Serini, Walther

Fortress Upper Silesia
Commander:
1.12.44- LtGen Benicke, Dr. Fritz

Fortress Ölmütz
Commander:
5.2.45- 3.45 LtGen Lang, Viktor
4.45- 5.45 LtGen Poel, Gerhard

Fortress Oppeln
(also Garrison HQ Oppeln)
Commander:
1.9.39- LtGen Agricola, Kurt
23.1 .45-31 .1 .45 Col Berger, Lothar

Fortress Pillau
(6.1.45-26.4.45 also LV Corps
Commander:
6.1.45-5.2.45 Gen (Inf) Herrlein
5.2.45- 4.45 LtGen Chill, Kurt
4.45-26.4.45 Gen (Inf) Matzky, Gerhard

Fortress Posen
(-23.2.45 also Standort Posan)
Commander:
6.9.39-25.10.39 Gen (Art) Vollard-Bockelberg, Alfred von (and see Mil Commander, Posen)
25.10.39-10.11.39 LtGen Schenckendorfl, Max von
10.11.39-10.1.40 MajGen Roettig, Otto
10.1.40-14.9.43 LtGen Bietfeld, Peter
14.9.43-15.8.44 MajGen Schuler, Rüdiger von
15.8.44-1.11.44 MajGen Deindl, Otto
1.11.44-22.2.45 MajGen Mattern, Ernst
22.2.45-23.2.45 MajGen Gonell, Ernst

Fortress Section VIII, Prague
Commander:
MajGen Vierow, Dipl.lng. Paul

Fortress Pressburg
Commander: Col Ohlen zu Adlerscron, Frhr.

Fortress Rhodes
Commander: Maj Meissner, Fritz

Fortress Schirwindt
(to 23.8.44, on the Front of 1 lnf Div)
Commander: LtGen Krosigk, Ernst-Anton von (Commander 1 Inf Div)

Fortress Schneidemühl
(to13.2.45)
Commander :
Col Gieseler
Col Remlinger
Ia Maj Hase, von

Fortress Sete
(to17.8.44, as part of area of 189 Res Div, tasked with the evacuation of southern France)
Commander: LtGen Schwerin, Richard von (Commander 189.Res.Div.)

Fortress Sevastopol
(to 11.5.44, defended by 17 Army)
Commander: Gen (Inf) Allmendinger, Karl (and Commander 17 Army)

Fortress Stavanger
Commander:
42-10.10.42 MajGen Schönherr, Otto
15.1.44-8.5.45 MajGen Boltenstem, Werner von

Fortress Stettin
(-5.45, also Commander Stettin)
Commander:
1.9.39-22.7.41 Col Buchterkirch, Ernst
7.2.45-28.2.45 LtGen Hühner, Werner
28.2.45-9.4.45 MajGen Höfer, Rudolf
19.4.45- MajGen Brüht, Ferdinand

Fortress St. Malo
Commander
15.2.44-18.8.44 Col Aulock, Andreas

Fortress St.Nazaire
(to 8.5.45)
Commander:
1.3.44-1.10.44 MajGen Hünten, Maximilian
1.10.44- 45 MajGen Junck, Dipl.lng. Hans
3.45 Capt (Navy) Mathies

Fortress Strassburg
Commander:
18.3.41-25.11.44 MajGen Vaterreet, Franz

Fortress Swinemünde
Commander:
15.3.45-28.3.45 Col Kopp, Arthur
28.3.45- LtGen Ansat, John
14.4.45- MajGen Necker, Hanns-Horst von

Fortress Theresienstadt
Commander:

Fortress Thorn
(-31.1.45, also Standort)
Commander:
18.9.39- 42 MajGen Klutmann, Eduard
15.8.44-1.12.44 MajGen Neumayr, Franz
22.2.45- 2.45 LtGen Lüdecke, Otto

Fortress Torgau
Commander:
1.4.45- MajGen Herrmann, Paul

Fortress Toulon
(-25.8.44)
Commander:
1.10.43- Gen.Mai. Kattner, Heinz
-25.8.44 LtGen Baeß(also Commander 242 ID Static)

Fortress Tromso
Commander:
10.2.42-27.4.42 MajGen Beeren, Karl von

Fortress Tachenatochau
(-16.1.45)
Commander:

Fortress Vitebsk
Commander:
25.6.44-28.6.44 LtGen Hitter, Alfons

Fortress Warsaw
Commander:
1.10.44-31.12.44 MajGen Eisenstuck, Hellmuth
IIa : 11.44- Oblt. Mock, Ernst

Fortress Wesermünde
(-5.5.45)
Commander:

Festung Wilhelmshaven
(-5.5.45)
Commander:

Fortress Windau
(8.5.45)
Commander:

[K.Kocjancic]

Thanks a lot, Schloss Adler!

BTW: What's your source?

Regards,
Kocjo

[Doppelkopf]

Great list Doug!

Some additions:

Festung Budapest (1 Dec 44 - 12 Feb 45):
Commanders:
1 Dec 44 - 5 Dec 44: SS-Obergruppenführer Otto Winkelmann (Höhere SS- und Polizeiführer in Ungarn),
5 Dec 44 - 12 Feb 45: Obergruppenführer Karl von Pfeffer Wildenbruch (Source: Gosztony)

Festung Gotenhafen:
Commander: March 1944 - Konteradmiral Bode (Source: Husemann, Band II)

Verteidigungbereich Berlin (1 Feb - 2 May 45):
Commanders:
1 Feb - 2 Feb 45: General der Infanterie von Kortzfleisch,
2 Feb - 6 Mar 45: Generalleutnant Ritter von Hauenschild,
6 Mar - 24 Apr 45: Generlaleutnant Reymann,
24 Apr 45: Generalmajor Kather
24 Apr - 2 May 45: General der Artillerie Weidling (Source: Tieke)

Verteidigungsbereich Wien (5 Apr - 13 Apr 45):
Commander:
5 Apr – 13 Apr 45: General der Infanterie von Bünau (Source: Maier)