Johannes Schulz

Johannes Schulz (23 October 1892 – 27 November 1943) was a German officer in the Wehrmacht during World War II who also served in the army of Imperial Germany during World War I. During World War II he briefly commanded the 9th Panzer Division. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Johannes Schulz
Born23 October 1892
Died27 November 1943(1943-11-27) (aged 51)
Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
Allegiance German Empire
 Weimar Republic
 Nazi Germany
Service/branchArmy
RankGeneralmajor (Posthumously)
Commands held9th Panzer Division
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Biography

Born in 1892, Schulz entered the army of Imperial Germany as an engineer at the age of 18. He served in World War I and was among the personnel retained in the postwar Reichswehr (Imperial Defence). He was discharged in 1920 with the rank of Hauptmann (captain). After a period of time as a civilian, he returned to the military in 1934 by joining the Heer (Army) branch of the Wehrmacht, initially in his previous rank of Hauptmann. By 1938 he was commander of the 70th Engineer Battalion. The following year he was posted to the staff of the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH), the Supreme High Command of the Heer. In March 1943, and now an Oberst (Colonel), he was given command of the 10th Panzergrenadier Regiment which was part of the 9th Panzer Division.[1] While leading the regiment in September 1943, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.[2]

Following the wounding of the 9th Panzer Division's commander, Erwin Jollasse, in October 1943, Schulz took over as divisional commander. His time leading the division was brief as he was killed on 27 November 1943 in the area north of Kryvyi Rih in the course of the Soviet Army's Lower Dnieper Offensive. He was posthumously promoted to Generalmajor (Major General).[1]

References

Citations
  1. Mitcham 2007, pp. 98–99.
  2. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 319.

Bibliography
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Mitcham, Jr, Samuel W. (2007). Panzer Legions: A Guide to the German Army Tank Divisions of WWII and Their Commanders. Mechanicsburg, PA, United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3353-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Military offices
Preceded by
Generalleutnant Erwin Jollasse		 Commander of 9th Panzer Division
20 October 1943 - 27 November 1943		 Succeeded by
Oberst Max Sperling
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