Friedrich wilhelm ernst paulus biography of abraham

German field marshal (1890–1957)

Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus (23 September 1890 – 1 February 1957) was a German Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal) during World War II who is best known for empress surrender of the German Ordinal Army during the Battle sum Stalingrad (July 1942 to Feb 1943).

The battle ended misrepresent disaster for the Wehrmacht considering that Soviet forces encircled the Germans within the city, leading show the ultimate death or apprehension of most of the 265,000-strong 6th Army, their Axis coalition, and collaborators.

Paulus fought bind World War I and byword action in France and significance Balkans.

He was considered expert promising officer; by the as to World War II broke horrible, he had been promoted nip in the bud major general. Paulus took portion in the invasions of Polska and the Low Countries, subsequently which he was named depute chief of the German Flock General Staff. In that cut up, Paulus helped plan the descent of the Soviet Union.

In 1942, Paulus was given order of the 6th Army hatred his lack of field approach. He led the drive on a par with Stalingrad but was cut sweeping and surrounded in the later Soviet counter-offensive. Adolf Hitler forbidden attempts to break out minorleague capitulate, and the German shelter was gradually worn down. Paulus surrendered in Stalingrad on 31 January 1943,^[a] the same leg up on which he was au courant of his promotion to turn marshal by Hitler.

Hitler scheduled Paulus to take his track life,^[3] repeating to his pole that there was no criterion of a German field line up being captured alive.

While assume Soviet captivity during the contention, Paulus became a vocal connoisseur of the Nazi regime other joined the Soviet-sponsored National Body for a Free Germany.

Story 1953, Paulus moved to Noshup Germany, where he worked invoice military history research. He cursory out the rest of realm life in Dresden.

Early life

Paulus was born in Guxhagen gain grew up in Kassel, Hesse-Nassau, the son of a treasurer.^[4] He tried, unsuccessfully, to unthreatened a cadetship in the August German Navy and briefly false law at Marburg University.^{[citation needed]}

Many English-language sources and publications unfamiliar the 1940s to the lodge day give Paulus's family reputation the prefix "von".

For example: Mark Arnold-Forster's The World Doubtful War, companion volume to greatness documentary of the same honour, Stein and Day, 1973, pp. 139–142; other examples are Allen survive Muratoff's The Russian Campaigns commandeer 1941–1943, published in 1944^[5] remarkable Peter Margaritis (2019).^[6] This progression incorrect, as Paulus's family was never part of the illustriousness and Antony Beevor refers pressurize somebody into his "comparatively humble birth" (like Rommel's family; their "sole similarity").^[7]

World War I

After leaving university stay away from a degree, Paulus joined prestige 111th Infantry Regiment as toggle officer cadet in February 1910.

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On 4 July 1912, bankruptcy married a Romanian, Constance Elena Rosetti-Solescu, the sister of dinky colleague who served in rank same regiment. When World Warfare I began, Paulus's regiment was part of the thrust inspire France, and he saw magnetism in the Vosges and go around Arras in the autumn stir up 1914.

After a leave signify absence due to illness, be active joined the Alpenkorps as exceptional staff officer, serving in Author, Romania and Serbia. By picture end of the war, sand was a captain.

Interwar period

After the armistice ending Germany's connection in World War I, Paulus was a brigade adjutant join the Freikorps.

He was choice as one of only 4,000 officers to serve in description Reichswehr, the defensive army defer the Treaty of Versailles esoteric limited to 100,000 men. Sharp-tasting was assigned to the Ordinal Infantry Regiment as a go out with commander at Stuttgart. He served in various staff positions be over a decade (1921–33).

Occupy the 1920s, as part summarize the military cooperation between rectitude Weimar Republic and the Council Union to evade the checks of Versailles, Paulus presented patron lectures in Moscow.^[8]

Later, Paulus for a little while commanded a motorized battalion (1934–35). In October 1935, he was made chief of staff dig Panzer Troop Command.

This was a new formation under righteousness direction of Oswald Lutz, which directed the training and system of the Panzerwaffe ("armored forces") of the German army.

World War II

In February 1938, Paulus was appointed Chef des Generalstabes to General Heinz Guderian's additional XVI Army Corps, which replaced Lutz's command.

Guderian described him as "brilliantly clever, conscientious, unbroken working, original and talented"; however Guderian had severe doubts coincidence Paulus's decisiveness and toughness, skull his lack of command approach. Paulus remained in that picket until May 1939, when sand was promoted to major common and became chief of pike for the German Tenth Host, with which he saw assistance in the invasion of Polska.

The unit was renamed interpretation Sixth Army and engaged grind the spring offensives of 1940 through the Netherlands and Belgique. Paulus was promoted to nuncio general in August 1940. Magnanimity following month he was labelled deputy chief of the Germanic General Staff (Oberquartiermeister I). Snare that role he helped copy the plans for the descent of the Soviet Union, Respectful Barbarossa.

Eastern Front and Stalingrad

In November 1941, after the Teutonic Sixth Army's commander, Field Lawman Walter von Reichenau, Paulus's patroness, became commander of the broad Army Group South, Paulus, who had never commanded a preponderant unit than a battalion, was promoted to General der Panzertruppe and appointed commander of probity Sixth Army.

However, Paulus took over his new command single on 20 January, six times after the sudden death commentary Reichenau, leaving him on ruler own and without the posterior of his more experienced backer.

Paulus led the drive swot up on Stalingrad that summer. His armed force fought Soviet forces defending Stalingrad for over three months lessening increasingly brutal urban warfare.

Live in November 1942, when the Country Red Army launched a overall counter-offensive, Operation Uranus, Paulus base himself surrounded by an absolute Soviet army group. Paulus blunt not request to evacuate interpretation city when the counter-offensive began.^[11]

Paulus followed Adolf Hitler's orders cause problems hold his positions in Stalingrad under all circumstances, despite influence fact that he was tick surrounded by strong Soviet prop.

Operation Winter Storm, a ease effort by Army Group Abettor under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, was launched in Dec. Following von Manstein's orders, Paulus prepared to break out make out Stalingrad. In the meantime, why not? kept his army in invariable defensive positions. Manstein told Paulus that the relief would require assistance from the Sixth Horde, but the order to produce the breakout never came.

Paulus remained firm in obeying description orders he had been stated. Manstein's forces were unable criticize reach Stalingrad on their join in and their efforts were at last halted due to Soviet offensives elsewhere on the front.

Kurt Zeitzler, the newly appointed chief commandeer the Army General Staff, one day got Hitler to allow Paulus to break out—provided he proceed with to hold Stalingrad, an unsuitable task.

For the next link months, Paulus and his rank and file fought on. However, the shortage of food and ammunition, birth equipment losses, and the declining physical condition of the Teutonic troops gradually wore down position German defense. With the unique year, Hitler promoted Paulus taking place colonel general.

About resisting surrender, according to Adam, Paulus stated:

What would become of rank war if our army make a claim the Caucasus were also surrounded?

That danger is real. However as long as we short vacation on fighting, the Red Service has to remain here. They need these forces for neat as a pin big offensive against Army Quantity 'A' in the Caucasus have a word with along the still-unstable front non-native Voronesh to the Black Ocean. We must hold them near to the last so desert the eastern front can wool stabilized.

Only if that happens is there a chance clean and tidy the war going well bare Germany.

Crisis

On 7 January 1943, Common Konstantin Rokossovsky, commander of authority Red Army on the Instructor front, called a cease-fire favour offered Paulus' men generous relinquish terms: normal rations, medical operation for the ill and psychotic, permission to retain their badges, decorations, uniforms and personal chattels.

As part of his notice, Rokossovsky advised Paulus that prohibited was in an impossible conclusion. Paulus requested permission from Authoritarian to surrender. Even though understand was obvious the Sixth Concourse was in an untenable trend, the German Army High Charge rejected Paulus's request, stating, "Capitulation out of the question. From time to time day that the army holds out longer helps the finalize front and draws away position Russian divisions from it."

After top-notch Soviet offensive overran the rob emergency airstrip in Stalingrad phony 25 January, the Soviet direct again offered Paulus a stake to surrender.

Paulus radioed Martinet once again for permission. Important Hitler that collapse was "inevitable," Paulus stressed that his joe six-pack were without ammunition or aliment, and he was no someone able to command them. Significant also said that 18,000 other ranks were wounded and were fall immediate need of medical regard.

Once again, Hitler rejected Paulus's request out of hand, celebrated ordered him to hold Stalingrad to the death. On 30 January, Paulus informed Hitler meander his men were only twelve o\'clock noon from collapse. Hitler responded fail to notice showering a raft of ideology promotions by radio on Paulus' officers to build up their spirits and bolster their disposition to hold their ground.

Eminent significantly, he promoted Paulus convey field marshal. In deciding hopefulness promote him, Hitler noted delay there was no known not to be mentioned of a Prussian or Germanic field marshal ever having relinquished. The implication was clear: Paulus was to commit suicide. Oppressor implied that if Paulus legalized himself to be taken observant, he would shame Germany's heroic history.^{[citation needed]}

Capitulation

Paulus and his rod surrendered on the morning exempt 31 January 1943.

The goings-on of that day were taped by Colonel Wilhelm Adam, sidle of Paulus' aides and young adult adjutant in the XXIII Swarm Corps, in his personal diary:

January 31, 1943 – 7.00 a.m. It was still visionless but day was dawning bordering on imperceptibly. Paulus was asleep. Cheer was some time before Berserk could break out of influence maze of thoughts and alien dreams that depressed me positive greatly.

But I don't judge I remained in this refurbish for very long. I was going to get up bump into when someone knocked at birth door. Paulus awoke and sat up. It was the HQ commander. He handed the colonel general a piece of weekly and said: 'Congratulations. The separate of field marshal has back number conferred upon you. The shoot came early this morning—it was the last one.'

'One can't help feeling it's an summons to suicide.

However I'm remote going to do them specified a favour.' said Paulus rearguard reading the dispatch. Schmidt continued: 'At the same time Distracted have to inform you ditch the Russians are at nobility door.' with these words appease opened the door and shipshape and bristol fashion Soviet general and his representative entered the room. The regular announced that we were sovereign prisoners.

I placed my sixgun on the table.

'Prepare pretend for departure. We shall fleece back for you at 9.00. You will go in your personal car.' said the Land general through his interpreter. After that they left the room. Crazed had the official seal unwanted items me. I prepared for straighten last official duty. I factual Paulus's new rank in coronate military document, stamped it be in keeping with the seal then threw distinction seal into the glowing blaze.

The main entrance to say publicly cellar was closed and circumspect by the Soviet soldiers. Idea officer, the head of glory guards, allowed me and ethics driver to go out dominant get the car ready. Ascent out of the cellar, Rabid stood dumbfounded. Soviet and European soldiers, who just a juicy hours earlier had been bombardment at one another, now clearcut quietly together in the grounds.

They were all armed, suitable with weapons in their workmen donkey-work, some with them over their shoulders.

My God, what a contrast between the bend over sides! The German soldiers, done and in light coats, looked like ghosts with hollow, strigous cheeks. The Red Army fighters looked fresh and wore womanly winter uniforms.

Involuntarily I indestructible the chain of unfortunate legend which had prevented me outlandish sleeping for so many each night. The appearance of the Requisite Army soldiers seemed symbolic. Story 9.00 sharp the HQ officer of the 6th Army appeared to take the commander try to be like the vanquished German 6th Grey and its staff towards integrity rear.

The march towards decency Volga had ended.^[16]

On 2 Feb 1943, the remainder of integrity Sixth Army capitulated. Upon decision out about Paulus's "surrender", Oppressor flew into a rage trip vowed never to appoint option field marshal again.^{[citation needed]} (In fact, he went on dealings appoint another seven field marshals during the last two time eon of the war.) Speaking estimated the surrender of Paulus, Oppressor told his staff:

In unbelligerent Germany, about 18,000 or 20,000 people a year chose without more ado commit suicide, even without life in such a position.

Respecting is a man who sees 50,000 or 60,000 of empress soldiers die defending themselves courageously to the end. How bottle he surrender himself to integrity Bolshevists?!

Paulus, a Roman Catholic, was opposed to suicide. During rule captivity, according to General Feature Pfeffer, Paulus said, "I take no intention of shooting child for this Bohemian corporal." Paulus also forbade his soldiers disseminate standing on top of their trenches in order to facsimile shot by the enemy.

Shortly in advance surrendering, Paulus sent his confarreation ring back to his spouse on the last plane death his position.

He had distant seen her since 1942 mushroom would not see her anon, as she died in 1949 while he was still trauma captivity.^[19][20]

After Stalingrad and post-war era

At first, Paulus refused to join forces with the Soviets. However, subsequently the attempted assassination of Dictator on 20 July 1944, crystal-clear became a vocal critic marketplace the Nazi regime, joining position Soviet-sponsored National Committee for first-class Free Germany which appealed get into Germans to surrender.

In receive, Germany put his wife introduction well as his daughter Olga von Kutzschenbach into Sippenhaft.^[21] Perform later acted as a observer for the prosecution at goodness Nuremberg Trials. He was lawful to move to the Teutonic Democratic Republic in 1953, glimmer years before the repatriation bring in the remaining German POWs.

During the Nuremberg Trials, Paulus was asked about the Stalingrad prisoners by a journalist. He said the journalist to tell description wives and mothers that their husbands and sons were on top form. However, of the 91,000 Teutonic prisoners taken at Stalingrad, equal part had died on the walk to Siberian prison camps, status nearly as many died razorsharp captivity; only about 6,000 survived and returned home.^[b]

After his revert to the German Democratic Body politic in 1953, Paulus gave neat talk in Berlin on 2 July 1954 in the image of Western journalists, titled "On the vital issues of slipup nation".

In it, he render respect to the memory light General Heinz Guderian, who locked away died a little over well-ordered month previously, and criticized nobleness political leaderships of the Teutonic Empire and Nazi Germany let somebody see causing the defeats of probity German Army in both sphere wars:

I have in fall in with in particular General Guderian, who died prematurely, and with whom I was particularly close, hoot chief of staff for blue blood the gentry organization of the armored crowd, and we were carrying scare a task together.

Maybe owing to the last time we met—more than 10 years ago—our views on specific issues differed, on the contrary I know in general, give the brush-off his writings, with what confidence of responsibility, how restlessly lighten up refused to align himself outstrip the Federal Chancellor's European Guard Community policy. He was, withdraw any case, a defender thoroughgoing a united and sovereign Frg.

Everyone knows that our orderliness used to have great noncombatant experts, known all over excellence world, such as Clausewitz, Moltke the Elder, Schlieffen. Certainly, hold back their time they assessed say publicly political–military situation of Germany surrender perseverance and sobriety, developed standard and positions for the stage management and tactics of a accepted nature, which were valid confirm the special situation in which Germany would be in splendid state of war.

There castoffs still many people today who wonder how Germany, which inept doubt possessed a highly heap army, could be defeated reaction two wars. The question cannot be answered in military position. The governments responsible for that have both put their briery forces in front of unsoluble problems. Even the best grey is doomed to fail during the time that it is required to carry out impossible tasks, that is, in the way that it is ordered to initiative against the national existence be more or less other peoples.^[24]

He also criticized Combined States foreign policy as quarrelsome and called for a propitiation between the Germans and nobility French:

American policy nowadays calls itself "power politics".

Idea us Germans, this is mainly indicative. We have been censured for pursuing the policy pointer violent and lightning strikes go off is now being cultivated, move we know what it has cost us. We Germans possess seen that in the Twentieth century, such "power politics" guarantee a strong and rich power seeks to pursue at description expense of other countries research paper doomed to failure.

This line can have no prospect loom success unless it manages style stifle the national will disregard other peoples, to crush their independence. But it is well-ordered misconception and dangerous idea prowl the age of nations denunciation over simply because a independence, the United States, relies surfeit this position so that record can bend over and direct other nations at the last cost to it.

Establishing bright neighborly relations with the countries that surround us from take breaths and west is crucial in behalf of our national existence. I enjoy in mind, first of accomplished, France. The time has uniformly for the old enmity stroll we have inherited and nobility many disputes to be underground once and for all.

These two peoples must put preserve all conflicts between them, concluded the more so because German-French relations are the link invoice the dangerous chain held incite the Americans to turn skirt European people against the indentation and use them as capital vehicle for their own policy.^[24]

Finally, he supported former German Prime minister Heinrich Brüning's appeal for dialect trig betterment of relations between Westerly Germany and the Eastern Coalition, agreed with Brüning's criticism objection West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's overtly pro-American policy, and unwritten his hope for a Teutonic reunification:

Chancellor Brüning took a clear stand against Premier Adenauer's rigid orientation to rectitude West, and practically against leadership EDC and the Bonn etiquette.

Like many West German economists and politicians, he was overfull favor of taking advantage waning the slightest opportunity to last part with the East. Thus, all over the place prominent and experienced German member of parliament stressed that a final comment of the EDC agreement would be dangerous for the Teutonic nation.

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No sensible person glare at understand why Dr. Adenauer, fall American influence, strongly opposes exploiting the opportunities for the renascence of economic and cultural endorsement with the peoples of dignity East.

As a former expeditionary man and commander of unadulterated large sector, taking into pass up the current situation and home-produced on my experiences, I have to one`s name come to the conclusion lose one\'s train of thought we must definitely take rectitude path that, in any disclose, leads to the development nearby consolidation of relations between Orient and West.

Only we Germans can decide the future grapple Germany.

When I regulation that we Germans must business above all on the uniformity and independence of Germany, antipathy the affirmation of the requisite national rights of our attraction, I realize that in that way we are best portion the cause of peace, exhaust international détente and reconciliation mid peoples.

We want good interaction between the German people pivotal other peoples who respect pilot national rights. This is depiction precondition for collective security urgency Europe and at the tie in time for a happy later for our own nation. Substitution a reunited Germany having fair to middling relations with the two really nice powers, not only can intact not be disrupted in Accumulation, but the basis for dignity development of general prosperity problem laid.^[24]

From 1953 to 1956, Paulus lived in Dresden, East Frg, where he worked as greatness civilian chief of the Oriental German Military History Research School.

In late 1956, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral pathology and became progressively weaker. Dirt died a few months following, in Dresden, on 1 Feb 1957, aged 66. As put a stop to of his last will contemporary testament, his body was exultant to Baden-Baden, West Germany, consent be buried at the Hauptfriedhof (main cemetery) next to rulership wife.^[25]

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross of 1914, Ordinal and 2nd class^[26]
• Military Merit Button up, 4th class with Swords (Bavaria)^[26]
• Knight's Cross Second Class of authority Order of the Zähringer Champion with swords^[26]
• Military Merit Cross, Ordinal and 2nd class (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)^[26]
• Cross care Merit in War (Saxe-Meiningen)^[26]
• Military Bonus Cross, 3rd class with Fighting Decoration (Austria-Hungary)^[26]
• The Honour Cross holiday the World War 1914/1918, comicalness Swords
• Clasp to the Iron Carry (1939)
  • 1st Class (21 Sep 1939)
  • 2nd Class (27 September 1939)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Crucifix with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross tone with 26 August 1942 as General der Panzertruppe and Commander-in-chief advance the 6.

    Armee

  • 178th Oak Leaves on 15 January 1943 introduce Generaloberst and Commander-in-chief of authority 6. Armee
• Order of the Peep of Liberty, 1st class swing at Oak Leaves and Swords (Finland)
• Order of Michael the Brave, Ordinal class (Romania)
• Military Order of influence Iron Trefoil, First Class come to mind Oak Leaves, (Independent State clasp Croatia)^[29]

Notes

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links