Alexander von Hartmann (11 December 1890 – 26 January 1943) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 71st Infantry Division. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Hartmann was killed on 26 January 1943 during the Battle of Stalingrad and was posthumously promoted to General of the Infantry.
Alexander von Hartmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 December 1890 Berlin, German Empire |
| Died | 26 January 1943 (aged 52) Stalingrad, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance |  German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Service | Army |
| Rank | General der Infanterie (Posthumously) |
| Commands | 71st Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Stalingrad † |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Before his death Hartmann stated, "I intend to go to my infantry in the front line...I will seek death among their ranks. Captivity for a general is dishonourable." He was killed instantly when he was shot in the head while standing upright on the railway embankment firing "shot after shot from his rifle."[1]
Awards and decorations
edit- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 October 1942 as Generalleutnant and commander of 71. Infanterie-Division[2]
References
editCitations
edit- ^ Adam & Ruhle 2015, pp. 180–182, 195, 198.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 178.
Bibliography
edit- Adam, Wilhelm; Ruhle, Otto (2015). With Paulus at Stalingrad. Translated by Tony Le Tissier. Pen and Sword Books. pp. 180–182, 195, 198. ISBN 9781473833869.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [First published 1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
