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Helmuth Otto Ludwig Weidling (2 November 1891 – 17 November 1955) was an officer in the German Army (Wehrmacht Heer) before and during World War II. Weidling was the last commander of the Berlin Defence Area during the Battle of Berlin, and led the defence of the city against Soviet forces, finally surrendering just before the end of World War II in Europe.

During Weidling's military career, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Poland, France, and Russia

In November 1938, Weidling became a Colonel (Oberst) of the 56th Artillery Regiment. He fought with this regiment in the Polish Campaign of 1939. In April 1940, Weidling was appointed Artillery Commander of the XL Tank Corps (XL Panzer Korps). He commanded this corps during the Battle of France and during the early stages of Operation Barbarossa.

On 1 January 1942, still on the Eastern Front, Weidling was appointed to command the 86th Infantry Division. One month later, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General (Generalmajor). On 1 January 1943, Weidling was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General (Generalleutnant).

XLI tank corps

LVI tank corps

Commander of the Berlin Defence Area

The defenders

Bendlerblock headquarters

Flooding of the Berlin underground

Flying courts-martial

The Führerbunker

Surrender to Chuikov

Aftermath

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_Weidling

Signed by General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling (CO. 86 Inf.Div.D from 01.01.1942 till IX.1943.

EK 1 - 10.05.1942

86. Infanterie-Division was formed 26 August 1939 as part of the 3. Welle (wave). It was disbanded in November 1943 after suffering heavy losses on the Eastern Front. The divisional staff, signals and supply units were used to form the 361. Infanterie-Division while other surviving elements formed Divisions-Gruppe 86 which was assigned to Korps-Abteilung E.

Commanders

General der Infanterie Joachim Witthöft (1 Sep 1939 - 1 Jan 1942)

General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling (1 Jan 1942 - 15 Oct 1943)

Area of operations

West Wall (Sep 1939 - May 1940)

France (May 1940 - June 1941)

Eastern Front, central sector (June 1941 - Nov 1943)

Order of battle

167. Infantry Regiment

184. Infantry Regiment

216. Infantry Regiment

186. Artillery Regiment

1. Battalion

2. Battalion

3. Battalion

4. Battalion

186. Panzerjäger Battalion

186. Reconnaissance Battalion

186. Signals Battalion

186. Pioneer Battalion

Supply Troops

Notable members

Rudolf-Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff (Active in the resistance against Hitler and also the one who in 1943 discovered the mass graves from the Soviet massacre of Polish officers in the Katyn forest)

Reference material on this unit

? - Der Ostfeldzug der 86. Rheinisch-Westfaelischen Inf.Division (28.VI.1941 - 4.XI. 1943)

EK 2 is signed by General der Infanterie Joachim Witthoft c 26.08.1939.

* 23. September 1887, Marienwerder

† 7. Juli 1966, Dalheim-Rödgen, Kreis Erkelenz

RK (14.12.1941)

On foto 2 from left

EK 2 - 08.09.1941

Oberleutnant Robert Futterer

http://www.ww2awards.com/person/4801

Nice set !

From the future book about 20 PGD.

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In action ...

1/4

1/3

1/2

1/1

And many letters ...

5

4

3

2

And little self made story of the hero ...

20 PGD Short Story ...

Maps ...