Helmut Thumm
Encyclopedia
Helmut Thumm was a German
general of infantry
, serving during World War II
. Born in Ravensburg
, Thumm entered service in World War I
on August 8, 1914, and earned his commission as a Leutnant
on August 2, 1915 in the 125th Infantry Regiment.
Thumm was promoted to Oberst
in October 1941, Generalmajor
in March 1943, Generalleutnant
in September 1943, and General der Infanterie
in January 1945.
Thumm commanding the following formations:
I. Bataillon, 75. Infanterie-Regiment on October 1, 1938
56. Jäger-Regiment on June 13, 1940
5th Jäger Division on January 4, 1943
LXIV. Armeekorps
on November 1, 1944
After pulling Hitler Youth
teenagers out of the front lines against orders from above, he was relieved of his command of the LXIV. Armeekorps on January 20, 1945. Captured at the end of the war, Thumm spent some two and half years in an Allied POW camp. Thumm died in 1977 in Welzheim
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
general of infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
, serving during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Born in Ravensburg
Ravensburg
Ravensburg is a town in Upper Swabia in Southern Germany, capital of the district of Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg.Ravensburg was first mentioned in 1088. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City and an important trading centre...
, Thumm entered service in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
on August 8, 1914, and earned his commission as a Leutnant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on August 2, 1915 in the 125th Infantry Regiment.
Thumm was promoted to Oberst
Oberst
Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
in October 1941, Generalmajor
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
in March 1943, Generalleutnant
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in September 1943, and General der Infanterie
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
in January 1945.
Thumm commanding the following formations:
I. Bataillon, 75. Infanterie-Regiment on October 1, 1938
56. Jäger-Regiment on June 13, 1940
5th Jäger Division on January 4, 1943
LXIV. Armeekorps
LXIV Corps (Germany)
The LXIV Corps was a corps-level command of the German Army on the Western Front during World War II.Created on September 24, 1942, in Military Region VIII as the LXIV Reserve Corps with the mission of supervising reserve divisions assigned to OB West, the German high command in the west...
on November 1, 1944
After pulling Hitler Youth
Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945. The HJ was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded one year after its adult counterpart, the Sturmabteilung...
teenagers out of the front lines against orders from above, he was relieved of his command of the LXIV. Armeekorps on January 20, 1945. Captured at the end of the war, Thumm spent some two and half years in an Allied POW camp. Thumm died in 1977 in Welzheim
Welzheim
Welzheim is a town in the Rems-Murr district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located 35 km east of Stuttgart, and 15 km northwest of Schwäbisch Gmünd....
.
Awards
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak LeavesKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
- Knight's Cross on 30 June 1941 as OberstleutnantOberstleutnantOberstleutnant is a German Army and Air Force rank equal to Lieutenant Colonel, above Major, and below Oberst.There are two paygrade associated to the rank of Oberstleutnant...
and commander of Infantry Regiment 56 - 166th Oak Leaves on 23 December 1942 as OberstOberstOberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
and commander of Jäger Regiment 56
- Knight's Cross on 30 June 1941 as Oberstleutnant
Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, 5 July 1941 | In den Kämpfen im Osten zeichneten sich Oberst Buck und Oberstleutnant Thumm, Kommandeure von Infanterieregimentern sowie die Oberleutnante Pelikan in einer Sturmgeschützabteilung, Heine in einer Radfahrkompanie und Xanke in einem Infanterieregiment durch besondere Tapferkeit aus. | In the battles in the east Oberst Albert Buck Albert Buck Albert Buck was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... and Oberstleutnant Thumm, commanders of infantry regiments as well as Oberleutnante Pelikan in a Sturmgeschützabteilung, Heine Werner Heine -External links:*... of a Radfahrkompanie and Xanke in an infantry regiment distinguished themselves through exceptional bravery. |