Günther Blumentritt

Günther Blumentritt (February 10th 1897, October 12th 1967) is a German general during the Second world war, he contributed to the planning of the invasion of the Poland in 1939, he was active throughout all war, mainly on the face of the West. After the war, it was called like witness with the Procès of Nuremberg, but testified forever.

Biography

Born with Munich, Blumentritt serves in the German army during the First World War on the face of the East in Prussia. For the period of inter-war period, it is useful under the orders of Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb at the sides of his friend, Erich von Manstein.

In 1939, Blumentritt is colonel and chief of the operations under the orders of the general Gerd von Rundstedt in the Groupe of Southern armies, whereas von Manstein is the chief of staff of Rundstedt. Blumentritt and von Manstein develop together an operational plan for the invasion of Poland, indicated under the name of Opération Fall Weiss.

In 1940, Blumentritt also takes part in the Bataille of France and the following year, under the orders of the general Günther von Kluge, he becomes chief of staff of the 4th German army.

In 1941, Blumentritt, then general, are implied in spite of its opposition to the invasion of the Soviet Union. It returns to Germany in 1942 as a chief of the service of the operations in OKH.

In 1942, one requires of the Blumentritt general to visit the face of the East. It then suggests with the high command the withdrawal of the Germans of Stalingrad. Hitler rejects this suggestion.

In 1944, Blumentritt is implied in the Complot of July 20th, 1944 against Adolf Hitler aiming to assassinate it. At that time he is chief of staff of the field-marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, commander-in-chief of the West. The plot is a failure and several German officers are stopped. Blumentritt is raised of its functions, but Hitler does not believe it guilty, Blumentritt then takes again service as a commander of the 12th body S.

At the time of the Unloading of Normandy in 1944, Blumentritt and its men are pushed back by the British troops of the 30e body under the orders of the lieutenant-general of army Brian Horrocks.

In September 1944, it receives the command of the 12th body S. At the end of the Operation Blackcock, it is named ordering armed 25e. In March 1945, Blumentritt briefly assumes the command of the 1e armed parachutists then order the group with Blumentritt armies. One decrees the to him Croix of knight for rendered service.

Blumentritt is captured by the British on June 1st, 1945 with the Schleswig-Holstein. There are interned in a prison camp of British war on December 1st, 1945 and are transferred in an American camp on November 6th, 1945, he remains until January 1st 1948 there. He dies on October 12th, 1967 in Munich.

Source

Walther-Peer Fellgiebel (2000), Die Träger of Ritterkreuzes of Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5

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