Carl Hilpert
Carl Hilpert | |
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Born | 12 September 1888 |
Died |
1 February 1947 58) Moscow, Soviet Union | (aged
Allegiance |
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Service/ | Army (Wehrmacht) |
Rank | Generaloberst |
Commands held |
XXIII Corps 16th Army Army Group Courland |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Carl Hilpert (12 September 1888 – 1 February 1947) was a German general during World War II.
During the last stages of World War II, Hilpert commanded the German troops which had been surrounded by the Red Army in the Courland Pocket. On 7 May 1945, Karl Dönitz, in his capacity as head of state, ordered Hilpert to surrender Army Group Courland. Hilpert was the army group's last commander-in-chief. Hilpert surrendered himself, his personal staff, and three divisions of the XXXVIII Corps to Soviet Marshal Leonid Govorov. Hilpert sent the following message to his troops:
To all ranks! Marshal Govorod (sic) has agreed to a cease-fire beginning at 14:00 hours on 8 May. Troops to be informed immediately. White flags to be displayed. Commander expects loyal implementation of order, on which the fate of all Courland troops depends.[1]
He died two years later as prisoner in Moscow on 1 February 1947.
Awards and decorations
- Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (7 October 1914) & 1st Class (18 October 1916)[2]
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (20 April 1940) & 1st Class (16 June 1940)[2]
- German Cross in Gold on 19 February 1943 as General der Infanterie and commanding general of the XXIII Armeekorps[3]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Thomas, Franz (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1: A–K] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2299-6.
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by General der Infanterie Martin Grase |
Commander of I. Armeekorps 1 January 1944-20 January 1944 |
Succeeded by General der Artillerie Walter Hartmann |
Preceded by General der Artillerie Walter Hartmann |
Commander of I. Armeekorps 1 May 1944-1 August 1944 |
Succeeded by General der Infanterie Theodor Busse |
Preceded by General der Infanterie Paul Laux |
Commander of 16. Armee 3 September 1944 – 10 March 1945 |
Succeeded by General der Infanterie Ernst-Anton von Krosigk |
Preceded by General Lothar Rendulic |
Commander of Army Group Courland 25 March 1945-8 May 1945 |
Succeeded by none |