Gerhard Graf von Schwerin(1899-1980)
Gerhard Graf von Scherwin was a German army general during World War II who, as commander of the 116th Panzer Division, was assigned, near the end of the war, to defend the German city of Aachen against approaching American forces. His unit had been badly mauled and was reduced to approximately 600 men, with only 12 tanks and no artillery; those forces didn't stand much of a chance against the better armed,
better equipped and more experienced American 3rd Armored Division, considering that many of his troops were old men drafted into the Volkssturm ("Home Guard"), raw recruits barely out of basic training, boys as young as 14 and wounded soldiers taken from the hospitals and sent to the front lines. German leader Adolf Hitler had issued orders that the city was to be defended "to the last man"; Schwerin knew that would mean the destruction of the city, which was known throughout Europe for the beauty of its old cathedrals, castles, bridges, and other historical structures, and he didn't want to see the city destroyed in fighting as he had seen happen to other German cities. So, on his own volition, he secretly arranged for a telegram to be sent to the commander of the approaching American forces, offering to withdraw his unit from the city and surrender it without a fight. When he discovered that the Americans didn't have any plans for an imminent attack but had stopped to regroup, resupply and rest after a long and brutal campaign, he attempted to retrieve the telegram but it had already been sent and fallen into the hands of Nazi party officials, who had in turn notified Hitler of Schwerin's action. Infuriated, Hitler ordered him arrested and tried for treason, which would have resulted in his execution. However, Schwerin had influential friends in the German leadership, resulting in his being transferred to the Italian front instead of being court-martialed for treason--in fact, he was soon promoted from Lt. Gen. to full General.
He was captured by British forces in Italy on April 26, 1945; he was released in 1947. He returned to Germany, and in 1950 he was appointed as an advisor on military and security matters to German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. He was also appointed head of a quasi-secret government agency, the Dienstelle, that was tasked to prepare for the re-armament of Germany and the re-institution of a new German army. However, in an interview with some newspaper reporters he began to talk about his new position, which few outside the government knew about, and the resulting furor cost him his job. He subsequently joined the liberal Free Democratic Party of Germany and became its advisor on military and security matters.
He died at his home in Bavaria on October 29, 1980.
He was captured by British forces in Italy on April 26, 1945; he was released in 1947. He returned to Germany, and in 1950 he was appointed as an advisor on military and security matters to German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. He was also appointed head of a quasi-secret government agency, the Dienstelle, that was tasked to prepare for the re-armament of Germany and the re-institution of a new German army. However, in an interview with some newspaper reporters he began to talk about his new position, which few outside the government knew about, and the resulting furor cost him his job. He subsequently joined the liberal Free Democratic Party of Germany and became its advisor on military and security matters.
He died at his home in Bavaria on October 29, 1980.