Gustav Heistermann von Ziehlberg

Gustav Dietrich Adolf Heistermann von Ziehlberg
Born	10 December 1898 Hohensalza
Died	2 February 1945(1945-02-02) (aged 46) Spandau Prison, Berlin
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1914–1945
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	65. Infanterie-Division 28. Jäger-Division
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Demyansk Pocket Italian Campaign Operation Bagration Bobruysk Offensive Belostock Offensive Osovets Offensive
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Gustav Dietrich Adolf Heistermann von Ziehlberg (10 December 1898 – 2 February 1945) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

1 July 20 Plot, Arrest and Execution
2 Awards and decorations
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links

July 20 Plot, Arrest and Execution

On 27 July 1944, Gustav Heistermann von Ziehlberg was ordered to arrest Major Joachim Kuhn for his involvement in the July 20 Plot. Heistermann von Ziehlberg refused to handover Kuhn, and Kuhn used that opportunity to defect to Russian troops. Heistermann von Ziehlberg was charged with negligent disobedience and sentenced to 7 months in prison, however he was pardoned for his previous service.

In November he was arrested and was dishonourably discharged and stripped of all honors, ranks and titles. He was executed on 2 February 1945 by firing squad at Spandau Prison in Berlin.

Awards and decorations

Iron Cross (1914)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
Cross of Honor
Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
Wound Badge (1939)
- in Silver
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Knight's Cross on 27 July 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of 28. Jäger-Division^[1]^{[Notes 1]}

Notes

Footnotes

^ Gustav Heistermann von Ziehlberg, in connection with the 20 July plot, failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was sentenced to death by the Reichskriegsgericht on 21 November 1944 and executed on 2 February 1945. The dishonorable discharge deprived him of all honors, ranks and orders.^[2]

Citations

^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 185.
^ Scherzer 2007, p. 139.

References

Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
Scherzer, Veit (2007). Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by Generalleutnant Wilhelm Rupprecht	Commander of 65. Infanterie-Division 31 May 1943 – 1 December 1943	Succeeded by Generalleutnant Hellmuth Pfeifer
Preceded by General der Infanterie Hans Speth	Commander of 28. Jäger-Division 28 April 1944 – 19 November 1944	Succeeded by Generalmajor Ernst König

Persondata
Name	Heistermann von Ziehlberg, Gustav
Alternative names
Short description	German General and Knight's Cross recipients
Date of birth	10 December 1898
Place of birth	Hohensalza, Pomerania
Date of death	2 February 1945
Place of death	Berlin, Germany