# Erwin von Witzleben

> German field marshal (1881–1944)

**Wikidata**: [Q57156](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57156)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_von_Witzleben)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/erwin-von-witzleben

## Summary
Erwin von Witzleben was a German field marshal (1881–1944) who served in the military during World War I and World War II. He is notable for his role in the German Army, particularly during World War II, and for his involvement in the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, which led to his execution in 1944.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 4, 1881
- **Nationality**: German
- **Known for**: Service in World War I and World War II; involvement in the July 20 plot against Hitler
- **Employer(s)**: German Army
- **Field(s)**: Military

## Contributions
- **Military Service**: Served in World War I and World War II, holding key positions such as Commander of the 1st Army (1939–1940) and Commander-in-Chief of the Western Front (1940–1942).
- **July 20 Plot**: Participated in the failed assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944, which led to his arrest and execution.

## FAQs
**What was Erwin von Witzleben's role in World War II?**  
He commanded the 1st Army during the invasion of Poland (1939) and later served as Commander-in-Chief of the Western Front (1940–1942).

**Why was Erwin von Witzleben executed?**  
He was executed for his involvement in the July 20, 1944, plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

**What awards did Erwin von Witzleben receive?**  
He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, Military Merit Order (Bavaria), Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, Sudetenland Medal, and West Wall Medal, among others.

**What was Erwin von Witzleben's connection to the Nazi regime?**  
As a high-ranking military officer, he served under the Nazi regime but later opposed it through his participation in the July 20 plot.

## Why They Matter
Erwin von Witzleben's significance lies in his military leadership during World War II and his pivotal role in the resistance against the Nazi regime. His involvement in the July 20 plot underscores the internal opposition to Hitler's rule, highlighting the moral and political complexities of the era. Without his actions, the historical narrative of resistance within the German military would be incomplete.

## Notable For
- **Field Marshal**: Achieved the rank of Generalfeldmarschall in the German Army.
- **July 20 Plot**: Key figure in the assassination attempt against Hitler.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and other military honors.
- **Military Commands**: Led the 1st Army and Western Front during World War II.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Erwin von Witzleben was born on December 4, 1881. Details about his early education are not provided in the source material, but he embarked on a military career, joining the German Army in 1901.

### Military Career
- **World War I**: Served in the German Army during World War I, participating in key battles and earning recognition for his service.
- **Interwar Period**: Continued his military career, advancing through the ranks and receiving honors such as the Military Merit Order (Bavaria) and the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918.
- **World War II**: 
  - **Commander of the 1st Army (1939–1940)**: Led the 1st Army during the invasion of Poland in 1939.
  - **Commander-in-Chief of the Western Front (1940–1942)**: Oversaw German forces in Western Europe after the fall of France.
  - **Opposition to Hitler**: Became disillusioned with the Nazi regime, culminating in his involvement in the July 20, 1944, plot to assassinate Hitler.

### July 20 Plot and Execution
- **Role in the Plot**: As a high-ranking officer, von Witzleben was recruited by conspirators to lead the German Army after Hitler's planned assassination.
- **Arrest and Execution**: Following the failed bombing, he was arrested, subjected to a show trial by the People's Court, and executed by hanging on August 8, 1944.

### Legacy
Von Witzleben's legacy is marked by his dual role as a military leader under the Nazi regime and a resister against it. His execution underscored the brutal suppression of dissent within the Third Reich. Historically, he is remembered as a symbol of resistance within the German military elite, contributing to the broader narrative of opposition to Nazi tyranny.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross**: Awarded for military distinction.
- **Military Merit Order (Bavaria)**: Recognized for service in World War I.
- **Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918**: Honored as a veteran of World War I.
- **Sudetenland Medal and West Wall Medal**: Received for participation in specific campaigns and fortification efforts.

### Connected Entities
- **Nazi Germany**: The regime under which he served and later opposed.
- **Adolf Hitler**: The target of the July 20 plot in which von Witzleben was involved.
- **1st Army**: Military unit he commanded during the invasion of Poland.
- **World War I and World War II**: Conflicts in which he played significant roles.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-118125)
3. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
4. Discogs
5. Munzinger Personen
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. IdRef
8. Library of Congress Control Number