Johannes Blaskowitz | |
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![]() Blaskowitz in the 1930s | |
Birth name | Johannes Albrecht Blaskowitz |
Born | Paterswalde, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire | 10 July 1883
Died | 5 February 1948 Nuremberg, Allied-occupied Germany | (aged 64)
Allegiance | ![]()
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Service/ | German Army |
Years of service | 1901–45 |
Rank | Generaloberst |
Commands | 8th Army, 9th Army, 1st Army, Army Group G, Army Group H |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Johannes Albrecht Blaskowitz (10 July 1883 – 5 February 1948) was a German Generaloberst during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. After joining the Imperial German Army in 1901, Blaskowitz served throughout World War I, where he earned an Iron Cross for bravery.
During WWII, Blaskowitz led the 8th Army during the Invasion of Poland and was the Commander in Chief of Occupied Poland from 1939 to 1940. He wrote several memoranda to the German high command speaking out against SS atrocities, and he handed out death sentences to SS members for crimes against Polish civilians. Based upon these actions against the SS, Adolf Hitler personally limited Blaskowitz's future advancement. He commanded Army Group G during the Allied invasion of Southern France and Operation Nordwind, the last major German offensive of World War II on the Western Front. Blaskowitz later commanded the remnants of Army Group H as it withdrew to Northern Netherlands before surrendering to Allied forces.
After the war, he was charged with war crimes in the High Command Trial at Nuremberg. He died by suicide during the trial on 5 February 1948.[1]
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