Walter Fries

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Walter Fries
File:Walter Fries.jpg
Born (1894-04-22)22 April 1894
Gusternheim/Dillkreis
Died Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Weilburg an der Lahn
Allegiance  German Empire (to 1918)
 Weimar Republic (to 1933)
 Nazi Germany
Service/branch Heer
Years of service 1912–45
Rank General der Panzertruppe
Commands held 29th Panzergrenadier Division
XXXXVI. Armeekorps
Battles/wars World War I

World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Walter Fries (22 April 1894 – 6 August 1982) was a German General of the tank troops, serving during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Sword, which is awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Adolf Hitler requested his death sentence in March 1945 for abandoning the Fortress Warsaw. The court headed by General der Artillerie Maximilian Fretter-Pico, General der Nachrichtentruppe Albert Praun, Generalleutnant Friedrich-Georg Eberhardt, Generalrichter Dr. jur. Karl Schmauser and Generalrichter Dr. jur. Adolf Block ruled not guilty. The prosecution was represented by General der Infanterie Kurt von Tippelskirch, and the defense was led by General der Panzertruppe Otto von Knobelsdorff.

The trial before the Reichskriegsgericht (Supreme Military Court) in Berlin commenced on March 24, 1945. Fries was acquitted due to the utter exhaustion of the troops he had commanded. He was freed and placed on leave until the end of the war six weeks later, but spent two years thereafter as an Allied prisoner of war.

Awards

Wehrmachtbericht references

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
28 June 1944 In den schweren Abwehrkämpfen des Trasimenischen Sees haben die 29. Panzergrenadier-Division unter Führung von Generalleutnant Fries, die 4. Fallschirmjägerdivision unter Führung von Oberst Trettner und die 356. Infanteriedivision unter Führung von Generalleutnant Faulenbach, hervorragend durch Artillerie und Flakartillerie unterstützt, alle mit überlegenen Kräften geführten Durchbruchsversuche des Feindes unter besonders hohen Verlusten für den Gegner zum Teil im Nahkampf immer wieder abgewehrt.[8] During the heavy defensive battles of Lake Trasimeno, the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, led by Lieutenant General Fries, the 4th Airborne Division, led by Colonel Trettner and the 356th Infantry Division, led by Lieutenant General Faulenbach, superbly supported by artillery and antiaircraft artillery, again and again blocked all break through attempts of superior enemy forces and inflicted particularly high losses to the enemy in close combat.
29 July 1944 (Addendum) In den schweren Abwehrkämpfen südlich Florenz hat sich die hessisch-thüringische 29. Panzergrenadier-Division unter Führung von Generalleutnant Fries erneut hervorragend ausgezeichnet und bewährt.[9] In the heavy defensive battles south of Florence, the Hessian-Thuringian 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, led by Lieutenant General Fries again brilliantly excelled themselves.

References

Citations

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

Bibliography

  • Alman, Karl (2008). Panzer vor - Die dramtische Geschichte der deutschen Panzerwaffe und ihre tapferen Soldaten. Würzburg, Germany: Flechsig Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88189-638-2.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by Commander of 29 Panzergrenadier Division
1 March 1943 – 5 March 1943		 Succeeded by
Generalleutnant Dr. rer. pol. Dr. jur. Hans Boelsen
Preceded by
Generalleutnant Dr. rer. pol. Dr. jur. Hans Boelsen
 Commander of 29 Panzergrenadier Division
20 March 1943 – 24 August 1944		 Succeeded by
Generalleutnant Dr. Fritz Polack
Preceded by
General der Artillerie Maximilian Felzmann
 Commander of XXXXVI. Panzerkorps
20 September 1944 – 19 January 1945		 Succeeded by
General der Infanterie Martin Gareis
Portals
Access related topics
P vip.svg Biography portal
Bundeswehr Kreuz Black.svg Military of Germany portal
Fokker Dr. I (117710246).jpg World War I portal
Heinkel He 111 during the Battle of Britain.jpg World War II portal
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Wegmann 2010, p. 245.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thomas 1997, p. 183.
  3. ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 124.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Scherzer 2007, p. 321.
  5. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 187.
  6. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 77.
  7. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 44.
  8. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 141.
  9. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 181.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Walter_Fries&oldid=2286820"