Gerhard Engel

Gerhard Michael Engel
Gerhard Engel
Born	13 April 1906 Guben
Died	Munich
Allegiance	Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1925–45
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	12. Infanterie-Division 12. Volksgrenadier-Division Infanterie-Division "Ulrich von Hutten"
Battles/wars	World War II Annexation of Austria Siege of Leningrad Operation Bagration Minsk Offensive Battle of Aachen Battle of Hürtgen Forest Battle of the Bulge Battle of Halbe
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Gerhard Michael Engel (13 April 1906 – 9 December 1976) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions after serving as an adjutant to Adolf Hitler. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

Gerhard Engel joined the Prussian military in October 1925, in the 5th Prussian Infantry Regiment. In 1930, he received his lieutenant promotion and was put in charge of two infantry companies in Dresden. From 1933 to 1937, Engel served as an adjutant to the battalion commander of Rostock, where he was promoted to captain. In 1938, while working as commander of the 11th Infantry Regiment, he was transferred and served as adjutant to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. In 1941, he was promoted to major, and appointed an army adjutant to Hitler.

In 1943, Engel was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and, by his own request, transferred to the Western Front. He would go on to be an extremely experienced soldier, serving in notable battles like the Battle of Aachen, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Battle of Halbe. In May 1944, he was promoted to major general, and would spend the rest of the war commanding infantry divisions. With the unconditional surrender of Germany, he was held in American captivity and released in December 1947.

Post-war

After his release, Engel was manager of a sugar factory in Nörvenich, and then of a machine factory in Düsseldorf. From April 1958 to December 1976, he worked as State Commissioner of the Society for Military Customer in North Rhine-Westphalia. Engel died in 1976.

Awards and decorations

• Anschluss Medal (21 November 1938)
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (26 February 1944)
  • 1st Class (23 May 1944)
• Wound Badge
  • in Black
  • in Silver
  • in Gold
• Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
• War Merit Cross with Swords
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Order of St. Sava 3rd Class (28 July 1939)
• Order of the Crown of Italy Officer (14 July 1938)
• Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Officer (14 July 1938)
• Order of the Crown (Romania) (7 June 1940)
• Order of the Cross of Liberty 2nd class with Swords
• German Cross in Silver on 16 October 1943 as Oberstleutnant in Füsilier-Regiment 27
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 4 July 1944 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Füsilier-Regiment 27
  • 679th Oak Leaves on 11 December 1944 as Generalmajor and commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (26 November 1944)

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
26 November 1944	In den bisherigen Kämpfen bei Aachen haben sich die 3. Panzergrenadierdivision unter Führung von Generalmajor Denkert und die 12. Volksgrenadierdivision unter Generalmajor Engel durch unerschütterliche Standhaftigkeit und hartnäckiges Zupacken bewährt.	In the recent fighting near Aachen, the 3rd Panzer Grenadier Division under the leadership of Major-General Denkert and 12th Volks Grenadier Division under Major-General Engel have proven themselves by showing unwavering steadfastness and persistent grab.

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Military offices
Preceded by Generalleutnant Rudolf Bamler	Commander of 12. Infanterie-Division 28 June 1944 – October 1944	Succeeded by Renamed 12. Volksgrenadier-Division
Preceded by Previously 12. Infanterie-Division	Commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division October 1944 – November 1944	Succeeded by Generalmajor Günther Rohr
Preceded by Generalmajor Günther Rohr	Commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division November 1944 – 1 January 1945	Succeeded by Oberst Langhäuser
Preceded by Oberst Langhäuser	Commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division 27 March 1945 – 12 April 1945	Succeeded by None
Preceded by Generalleutnant Edmund Blaurock	Commander of Infanterie Division "Ulrich von Hutten" 13 April 1945 – May 1945	Succeeded by None