Wilhelm Bittrich SS Obergruppenfuhrer 26 February 1894 – 19 April 1979 The most sarcastic man in Germany. Renowned for acerbic wit and contempt of Nazi leadership, Bittrich was wounded twice in the First World War serving with the Kaisers Air Force (Luftstreitkrafte). Interwar he worked as a stockbroker. Commanded 9th SS Panzer Division, then became Corps commander of II SS Panzer Corps ( 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen and 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg). Taught the Russians how to fly for eight years - probably at Lipetsk. Bittrich intended to join the Luftwaffe but instead was sent to the new Waffen SS. He commanded SS 8th Cavalry Division Florian Geyer from August 1942 - February 1943 on the eastern front while the division was involved in atrocities. Once an ardent Nazi, after the Normandy debacle Bittrich became disillusioned, then openly contemptuous of the leadership in Berlin. Once he confided to Rommel that “we are being so badly led from above that I can no longer carry out senseless orders. I have never been a robot and don’t intend to become one.” Bittrich later recalled, “my remarks were reported to the chief of the SS, Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler, and the name Bittrich was no longer mentioned around Hitler’s headquarters.”Himmler was still “eager for me to return to Germany for a little talk.” Bittrich had no illusions about Himmler’s invitation, and was saved by the intervention of Field Marshall Walter Model. Bittrich also told Rommel that if Hitler was removed he would support him in full. Commander of the II SS Panzer Korps resting and refitting in the Arnhem area in September 1944 when the Allied drop initiated Operation Market Garden, Field Marshall Montgomery’s plan to break into the Ruhr and end the war. Forces under Bittrich’s command destroyed the Allied offensive. He later commanded a Corps during an offensive in Hungary in April 1945. Postwar he was arrested and sent to France to face charges he ordered French resistants executed in the Nimes area. Not personally responsible, as divisional commander his sentence was five years. Tried again in 1953, he was again sentenced to five years, serving one. Bittrich’s outspoken nature infuriated Himmler. One can’t know if a trip to Berlin might have resulted in severe punishment, but here was a talented officer whose services could not be lost to Germany because of a trip to Flossenberg KZ. A worthy adversary.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 03:46:12 +0000