German Forces

Aachen (4)

Generalleutnant Gerhard, Graf von Schwerin, a formal studio portrait possibly related to his award of the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak leaves (November 1943). A distinguished veteran of the North African and Russian theatres, as commander of the 116 Panzer Division, "Windhund" he was given the task of defending "Charlemagne's capital", Aachen from the approaching US forces. However, the seriously reduced capacity of his force prompted him to consider surrender to the Allies so as to avoid unnecessary military casualties, and to save the historic city. This in turn prompted Hitler to replace him in command of Aachen with Oberst Gerhard Wilck - and also to put him under arrest. Saved from a probably terminal court martial by the intervention of fellow generals (significantly including Walther Model), he subsequently commanded 90 Panzergrenadier Division and, in 1945, LXXVI Panzerkorps in Italy. After the war, he was involved in West German politics at an advisory level. Count von Schwerin was clearly a brave and intelligent soldier; and also lucky. Apart from his escape from condemnation for his (perfectly understandable) wobbly at Aachen, he had been suspected of involvement in the military plotting against Hitler leading to the 20 July 1944 assasination attempt. His absorbtion in, and distinguished performance in the course of the Normandy battles may have saved him from joining several of his comrade generals before the People's Court in that connection. Best regards, JR.