Adelbert Schulz

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Adelbert Schulz
Adelbert Schulz.jpg
Adelbert Schulz
Born (1903-12-20)20 December 1903
Berlin
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Shepetivka
Buried
German War Cemetery at Starokostiantyniv
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Balkenkreuz.svg Heer
Years of service 1935–44
Rank Generalmajor
Commands held 1./Panzer-Regiment 25
I./Panzer-Regiment 25
Panzer-Regiment 25
7th Panzer Division
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

Adelbert Schulz (20 December 1903 – 28 January 1944) was a Generalmajor (Major General) and division commander in the German Wehrmacht during World War II. He was one of 27 people to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) and one of the youngest German generals. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade the Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. At the time of its presentation to Schulz it was Germany's highest military decoration.[Note 1]

Early life

Adelbert Schulz was born on 20 December 1903 in Berlin, the son of a civil servant (Beamter). He graduated from a Berliner Realgymnasium (secondary school) with his Abitur and took on an apprenticeship at a bank. To fulfill his ambition in becoming a bank director he attended a merchant college (Handelshochschule) from 1923 to 1924. In December 1925 he changed his mind and joined the Prussian police force at the Police school (Polizeischule) in Brandenburg. After completing his training in 1927 he was promoted to Polizeiwachtmeister and after eight years on 20 April 1934 of service was promoted to Polizeileutnant (second lieutenant) in Berlin. On 1 October 1935 Schulz transferred from the Police (preußischen kasernierten Landespolizei) to the Wehrmacht (German Army) as an Oberleutnant (first lieutenant).[1]

World War II

Schulz's unit took part in the occupations of Austria and the Sudetenland. During the western campaign and in 1940 was promoted to captain. He participated in the invasion of Belgium, attacks on French and British positions and assisted in the breakthrough to Cherbourg, serving under General Erwin Rommel. On the 29 September 1940 he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Schulz was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knights Cross on 31 December 1941. On 6 August 1943 he received the Swords to his Knight's Cross and was promoted to colonel.

Adelbert Schulz just prior to the battle of Kursk on 21 June 1943

On 9 January 1944, he received Diamonds to his Gold Cross and was promoted to major general (Generalmajor) and made division commander in charge of Rommel's former division.

Schulz was wounded in action in the area of Shepetivka on 28 January 1944; he succumbed to his injuries in the field hospital the same day. His death was announced on 30 January 1944 in the Wehrmachtbericht.

A German Army barracks in Munster (Örtze) is named after Schulz.

Awards

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
30 January 1944 ... In diesen Kämpfen fand an der Spitze seiner Division der vor wenigen Tagen vom Führer mit der höchsten Tapferkeitsauszeichnung beliehene Kommandeur einer Panzerdivision Generalmajor Schulz den Heldentod. Mit ihm verliert das Heer einen seiner besten Offiziere, die Panzerwaffe einen vorbildlichen Kommandeur[9] ... The commander of an armoured division major general Schulz, who received the highest award for bravery from the Führer a few days ago, found at the head of his division a heroic death in this combat. With him the army loses one of his best officers, the armoured force an exemplary commander.

Notes

  1. In 1943, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds was second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), which was awarded only to senior commanders for winning a major battle or campaign, in the military order of the Third Reich. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds as the highest military order was surpassed on 29 December 1944 by the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).

References

Citations

  1. Kurowski 2008, p. 22.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Kurowski 2008, p. 156.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Berger 1999, p. 327.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Scherzer 2007, p. 690.
  5. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 392.
  6. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 56.
  7. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 41.
  8. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 37.
  9. Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 21.

Bibliography

  • Alman, Karl (2008). Panzer vor - Die dramtische Geschichte der deutschen Panzerwaffe und ihre tapferen Soldaten (in German). Würzburg, Germany: Flechsig Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88189-638-2.
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  • Kurowski, Franz (2008). Generalmajor Adelbert Schulz Mit der 7. Panzerdivision in West und Ost (in German). Flechsig Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88189-767-9.
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External links

Military offices
Preceded by
General der Panzertruppen Hasso von Manteuffel
Commander of 7th Panzer Division
January 1944 – 28 January 1944
Succeeded by
Oberst Wolfgang Gläsemer