Hermann Niehoff
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| Hermann Niehoff | |
|---|---|
| 3 April 1897 — 5 November 1980 (aged 83) | |
| Place of birth | Papenburg/Ems |
| Place of death | Riegsee |
| Allegiance |  German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer |
| Rank | General der Infanterie |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Hermann Niehoff was a German officer during World War II. He was born on 4 March 1897 and died in 1980. Niehoff was born in Papenburg/Ems. He was a German infantry general and was the garrison commander of Fortress Breslau (Festung Breslau) during the Battle of Breslau.
Contents |
[edit] Commands
- Commanding Officer of the 211th Replacement Regiment - 1939 to 1940
- Commanding Officer of the 464th Regiment - 1940 to 1943
- Infantry General (General der Infanterie) of the 371st Infantry Division - 1943 to 1945
- Garrison Commander of Fortress Breslau - 2 March to 6 May 1945
[edit] Actions
As General of the 371 Infantry Division (371.Infanterie Division), Niehoff participated in the break out from the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket during March and April of 1944. At this time, his division was part of Colonel General (Generaloberst) Hans-Valentin Hube's 1st Panzer Army.
From 13 February to 6 May 1945, Breslau was besieged by the Soviet 6th Army. The 6th Army was part of the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front commanded by Marshal Ivan Konev.
On 2 March, Niehoff became the garrison commander. To oppose the Soviets, Niehoff had a mix of German Army, Home Guard, and Hitler Youth troops. During the siege, Niehoff's over-matched forces held Breslau for more than two months while much of the city was destroyed and many of his troops were killed.
On 6 May, four days after Berlin fell and only two days before the unconditional surrender of Germany, Niehoff signed a conditional surrender of Fortress Breslau to the Soviets. None of the conditions were kept by the Soviets.[citation needed] Niehoff remained a prisoner of war from 1945 to 1955.
[edit] Awards
Hermann Niehoff was a recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. He received this honor on 5 March 1945 as commander of the 371st Infantry Division (371. Infanterie-Division).
- Wound Badge in Black
- Infantry Assault Badge
- German Cross in Gold (6 January 1942)
- Iron Cross 2. and 1. class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Knight's Cross (15 June 1944)
- 764. Oak Leaves (5 March 1945)
- 147. Swords (26 April 1945)
- Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
[edit] References
- Berger, Florian. Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Wien, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger, 2006. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit. Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 - 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, 2001. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
