Rudolf Koch-Erpach

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Rudolf Koch-Erpach (born 1886) was an officer in the German Army (Wehrmacht Heer) during World War II.

Koch-Erpach was a General of the Cavalry (General der Kavallerie). In 1939, he commanded the German 8th Infantry Division during the invasion of Poland. On 23 September 1939, Koch-Erpach had the distinction of being captured by the Polish forces during the Battle of Krasnobrod.

On 24 June 1940, after the Battle of France and while still commanding the German 8th Infantry Division, Koch-Erpach was awarded a Knight's Cross.

From 1 November 1940 to 1 March 1941, Koch-Erpach commanded the German LX Corps. After a short break, he briefly commanded the XXXV Corps from 1 April 1941 to 1 May 1941.

Koch-Erpach commanded Militart District VIII from 1 May 1942 to 26 January 1945. The headquarters for this military district was Breslau and the district included Silesia, Sudetenland, parts of Moravia, and parts of southwestern Poland. Militart District VIII ceased operations in February 1945.

From 26 January 1945 to 10 April 1945, Koch-Erpach experienced another command of brief duration. This time it was over the LVI Tank Corps.

Later in 1945, Koch-Erpach was acting commander of the German 1st Army for two days before the war ended, from 6 May to 8 May.

[edit] Command history

  • 1934 - 1935 Commanding Officer, 3rd Cavalry Brigade
  • 1935 - 1940 General Officer Commanding, 8th Division
  • 1940 - 1941 General Officer Commanding, LX Corps
  • 1941 General Officer Commanding, XXXV Corps
  • 1941 - 1942 Chief of Liaison Staff, Breslau
  • 1942 - 1945 General Officer Commanding, Military District VIII
  • 1945 General Officer Commanding, LVI Tank Corps
  • 1945 Acting General Officer Commanding, 1st Army

[edit] See also

Military offices
Preceded by
General der Infanterie Johannes Block		 Commander of LVI Panzer Corps
January 26, 1945 - April 10, 1945		 Succeeded by
General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling