Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben

Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben

Generalleutnant Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben and Konteradmiral Walter Hennecke at the surrender of Cherbourg
Born (1894-10-30)30 October 1894
Eisenach
Died 18 June 1964(1964-06-18) (aged 69)
Gießen
Allegiance  German Empire (to 1918)
 Weimar Republic (to 1933)
 Nazi Germany
Service/branch Heer
Years of service 1914–45
Rank Generalleutnant
Commands held 208. Infanterie-Division
18. Panzer-Division
709. Infanterie-Division
Battles/wars

World War I

World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben (30 October 1894 – 18 June 1964) was a German officer in World War I and World War II.

World War I career

Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben joined the Prussian Army in August 1914 as a Fahnenjunker (a soldier accepted for officer training). He was assigned to the training and replacement Battalion of the 3rd Foot Guards. In September 1914, after completing his basic military training, he joined the 3rd Foot Guards in the field, being wounded just 13 days later. In spring 1916, he took command of an infantry company in the regiment and later that same year was appointed as the regimental adjutant and ordnance officer. Wounded in November 1916, he later returned to his regimental post in January 1917.

World War II career

He served as a Regimental Commander with the 1st Panzer Division during the French Campaign of 1940 and in August 1940, following the French capitulation, he transferred to 14th Panzer Division as the 108th Infantry Regiment commander based in France. He then served as a Brigade Commander with the 4th Panzer Division on the Eastern Front, from June 1942. However, this Division was completely destroyed by February 1943 during the Battle of Stalingrad. Von Schlieben then was delegated as the Commander of the 208th Infantry Division remaining on the Eastern Front

British propaganda showing the general captured in 1944.

In April 1943, he took command of the 18th Panzer Division which was deployed on the Eastern Front until the Division was disbanded following very heavy losses at the Battle of Kursk. In October 1943, von Schlieben was placed on the Führer Reserve until December 1943, when he was assigned the command of the 709th Static Infantry Division based in Normandy, France.

At Trent Park

The 709th was a Static Infantry Division used for occupation duties in France and as a guard against allied raids and invasion. The Division was on the Normandy coast when the invasion took place, and thus fought in the early days of the Battle of Normandy, quickly becoming trapped in the Cotentin. As U.S. forces sealed off the Peninsula, the remnants of the Division fell back on Cherbourg.

On 23 June 1944, Generalleutnant von Schlieben was appointed Commandant of Cherbourg, which the German high Command had designated as a ‘fortress’. However, just three days later von Schlieben and over 800 other troops surrendered to Major General Manton S. Eddy the Commander of the U.S. 9th Infantry Division. After his capture, he was held at Trent Park before he was transferred to Island Farm on 9 August 1945. He was released from captivity on 7 October 1947. Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben died on 18 June 1964 in Gießen.

Personal life

He was married to Elenor von Schlieben. They had six children.

Career promotions

Notable decorations

1939-1943

1914-1918

Others

Sources

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Generalleutnant Karl Freiherr von Thüngen		 Commander of 18. Panzer-Division
1 April 1943 – 1 December 1943 		Succeeded by
renamed 18. Artillerie-Division
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