Gustav Heistermann von Ziehlberg
Gustav Dietrich Adolf Heistermann von Ziehlberg | |
---|---|
Hohensalza, German Empire | |
Died | 2 February 1945 Charlottenburg, Berlin, Nazi Germany | (aged 46)
Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
Allegiance | 28th Jäger Division |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Gustav Heistermann von Ziehlberg (10 December 1898 – 2 February 1945) was a war criminal and a general in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Convicted in connection with the 20 July plot, he was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad. von Ziehlberg was married to Anneliese von Tschischewitz, with whom he had four daughters and two sons.[1]
Whilst commanding the 65th Infantry Division in Italy, von Ziehlberg ordered the illegal executions of four SAS men: Captain Patrick Dudgeon, Sergeant William Foster, Corporal James Shortall, and Gunner Bernard Brunt, between September and October 1943.[2] He took 34 Italian civilians hostage and requested permission to execute them in reprisal for suspected partisan attacks. The request was denied by Erwin Rommel. Von Ziehlberg fought on the Eastern Front in 1944.[1][3]
On 20 July 1944, von Ziehlberg was ordered to arrest his Ia staff officer Major
Von Ziehlberg was charged with negligent disobedience. In September 1944, he was sentenced to nine months in prison by the Reichskriegsgericht, but was pardoned for his previous service. He returned to his division, but was again summoned to Berlin on 30 October. Hitler, suspecting him of collaboration with Generaloberst Ludwig Beck, revoked his sentence and had von Ziehlberg re-arrested to face another trial. On 21 November he was sentenced to death by the Reichskriegsgericht, dishonourably discharged, and stripped of all honors, ranks and titles. The judges openly stated that they had to follow the Führer's instructions.
Ziehlberg was executed on 2 February 1945 by a Wehrmacht firing squad at a proving ground near
Awards
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of 28. Jäger-Division[4]
Notes
Citations
- ^ a b "German Resistance Memorial Center". www.gdw-berlin.de. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
- ^ SAS in Tuscany 1943-1945, Brian Lett, 2011, p.63
- ^ Claudio Biscarini (2015-06-10). "Eroi sconosciuti: l'Operazione Speedwell tra Liguria e Toscana". Della Storia d'Empoli (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 185.
Bibliography
- ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Lett, Brian (2011). SAS in Tuscany 1943 - 1945. Pen & Sword Books Ltd. pp. Chapters 5–8. ISBN 978-1-84884-446-9.