# Wilhelm List

> German field marshal (1880–1971)

**Wikidata**: [Q57198](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57198)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_List)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wilhelm-list

## Summary
Wilhelm List was a German military officer who achieved the rank of field marshal. Active from 1898 to 1942, he is best known for commanding the 12th and 14th Armies during major World War II campaigns, including the 1939 Invasion of Poland and the 1941 Battle of Greece.

## Biography
*   **Born:** May 14, 1880
*   **Died:** August 17, 1971
*   **Nationality:** German
*   **Aliases:** Siegmund Wilhelm Walther List
*   **Known for:** Commanding German field armies during World War II
*   **Occupation:** Military officer
*   **Career Span:** 1898 – 1942

## Contributions
During his military career, Wilhelm List held significant command positions during the formative conflicts of the 20th century. 
*   **World War I Service:** Served as a military officer during the global conflict originating in Europe that lasted from 1914 to 1918.
*   **Command of the 14th Army:** Led the German 14th Army, a field army established in 1939 during World War II.
*   **Command of the 12th Army:** Led the German 12th Army, another major field army active during World War II, also established in 1939.
*   **Invasion of Poland (1939):** Played a leadership role in the German, Soviet, and Slovak attack on and takeover of Poland, which marked the official start of World War II.
*   **Battle of Greece (1941):** Directed military operations during the World War II German invasion of Greece and the subsequent Allied resistance in April 1941.

## FAQs
**What was Wilhelm List's role in World War II?**
Wilhelm List was a high-ranking German military officer and field marshal who commanded the 12th and 14th Armies during major early WWII campaigns.

**What major military campaigns did Wilhelm List participate in?**
He participated in World War I (1914–1918), World War II (1939–1945), the 1939 Invasion of Poland, and the Battle of Greece in April 1941.

**What military decorations did Wilhelm List receive?**
Throughout his career, List was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the Friedrich Order, and the Iron Cross.

## Why They Matter
Wilhelm List matters as a key operational commander in the German military machine during the first half of the 20th century. Serving as a military officer from 1898 through the end of his active field command in 1942, his leadership of the 12th and 14th Armies directly contributed to Axis successes during the early years of World War II. His involvement in both the Invasion of Poland—the catalyst for the global conflict—and the successful Balkans campaign highlights his significance in the execution of German military strategy.

## Notable For
*   Achieving the rank of German field marshal.
*   Serving a lengthy military career spanning from 1898 to 1942.
*   Commanding the German 14th Army and the 12th Army during World War II.
*   Participation in the 1939 Invasion of Poland, which initiated World War II.
*   Leading forces in the Battle of Greece in April 1941.
*   Receiving the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest military award of Nazi Germany.
*   Receiving the Friedrich Order, an order of the Kingdom of Württemberg.
*   Receiving the Iron Cross, a military decoration of Prussia and later Germany.

## Body

### Early Career and World War I
Siegmund Wilhelm Walther List was born on May 14, 1880, in Germany. He embarked on a career as a military officer, beginning his active service period in 1898. His early career culminated in his service during World War I, a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 1914 to 1918. During this time, he served the German state, which would undergo significant political transformations during his lifetime.

### World War II and High Command
List's most prominent historical role came during World War II (1939–1945). As a high-ranking officer in Nazi Germany, he was given command of major field armies. He led the 14th Army, a German field army formed at the outbreak of the war in 1939. He also held command over the 12th Army, another principal German field army established that same year.

### Major Campaigns
List was directly involved in several critical military operations:
*   **The Invasion of Poland:** He was a key figure in the 1939 joint German, Soviet, and Slovak attack on and takeover of Poland. This military action marked the definitive start of World War II.
*   **The Battle of Greece:** List commanded troops during the April 1941 German invasion of Greece. This campaign involved significant combat against Allied resistance forces and secured the Balkan region for the Axis powers.

### Decorations and Awards
Throughout his service, List was highly decorated. He received multiple prestigious military honors, including:
*   **Iron Cross:** A traditional military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire, which was also awarded during the Nazi Germany era.
*   **Friedrich Order:** An order of merit from the Kingdom of Württemberg, reflecting his long service history spanning different eras of German governance.
*   **Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross:** Recognized as the highest military award of Nazi Germany, signifying extreme battlefield bravery or outstanding military leadership.

### Later Life
Wilhelm List's active work period as a military commander concluded in 1942. Following the end of his military career, he lived for nearly three more decades. He died on August 17, 1971, at the age of 91.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/150008-affidavit-concerning-lists-background?q=wilhelm+list#p.1)
3. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/151626-affidavit-concerning-lists-character?q=frech#p.1)
4. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/150009-personnel-record-of-wilhem?q=wilhelm+list#p.1)
5. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/151615-affidavit-concerning-lists-character?q=kuehlenthal#p.1)
6. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-121993)
7. Find a Grave
8. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
9. Croatian Encyclopedia
10. Munzinger Personen
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. [Source](http://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/635-affidavit-concerning-handlosers-character?q=wilhelm+list+nmt+1#p.1)
13. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/151628-affidavit-concerning-lists-character?q=theodor+bogler#p.1)
14. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/151665-affidavit-concerning-the-periods?q=wilhelm+list#p.1)
15. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/151661-affidavit-concerning-lists-character?q=hans+schweiger#p.1)