Erwin von Witzleben Biography

Witzleben is associated with senior army officers who oppose Hitler and fear the consequences of Nazi military policy

Witzleben holds senior army command during the early phase of the war

Witzleben commands German forces in the west as the war begins

Witzleben leads First Army during operations against France

Witzleben commands First Army during the German offensive in the west

Witzleben is promoted to Field Marshal after the victory over France

Appointed Commander of Army Group D

Appointed Commander of Army Group D

Army Group D occupies France after A, B & C are moved to the Eastern Front

Witzleben is appointed Commander in Chief West and commander of Army Group D

Witzleben holds a major western command responsible for German forces in occupied western Europe

Witzleben remains connected to officers critical of Hitler and the Nazi leadership

Appointed Commander of Army Group A

Appointed Commander of Army Group A

Orders the construction of coastal defences in Northwest France

Complains to the OKH too many troops & resources are at the Russian & Med Fronts

Witzleben is removed from active command after disputes with the Nazi leadership

Witzleben becomes a symbolic senior military figure for officers planning action against Hitler

After dismissal from command Witzleben is placed in retirement but remains important to the military opposition

Appointed Member of OKH Fuhrer Reserve

Appointed Member of OKH Fuhrer Reserve

Witzleben is associated with civilian and military opponents of the Nazi regime including Carl Goerdeler

The conspirators expect Witzleben to serve as a senior military leader in a post Hitler government

Witzleben is considered by conspirators as a possible senior commander after Hitler is overthrown

Witzleben is linked with Ludwig Beck and other senior figures in the anti Hitler opposition

Witzleben is included in plans to use Operation Walkure after the assassination of Hitler

The conspirators plan to use Reserve Army orders to seize control after Hitler is killed

The Nazi regime uses the failed plot to purge the army and punish suspected opponents

The Bendlerblock becomes the centre of the military coup plans against Hitler

Witzleben is connected with the circle that relies on Stauffenberg to carry out the assassination attempt

After the failed plot relatives of conspirators face intimidation arrest and collective punishment

Witzleben is linked to Olbricht and other officers preparing the coup in Berlin

Witzleben becomes associated with the conservative military resistance to Hitler

Witzleben is remembered as one of the highest ranking German officers involved in the July Plot

The execution of Witzleben demonstrates Hitler's determination to crush dissent within the officer corps

Operation Walkure is prepared as the mechanism for seizing control of the state after Hitler is killed

Witzleben is brought before the People's Court after his arrest

Witzleben is tried before Roland Freisler in the Nazi People's Court

The trial of Witzleben is staged as a public humiliation of the military resistance

Witzleben supports the conspiracy centred on Stauffenberg and the planned use of Operation Walkure

Witzleben appears at the Bendlerblock during the attempted seizure of power

Witzleben leaves the Bendlerblock as the coup attempt collapses

The conspirators intend Witzleben to act as Commander in Chief of the armed forces after the coup succeeds

Witzleben travels to Berlin as the coup attempt begins to unfold

The conspiracy weakens as reports confirm that Hitler survived the bomb attack

The bomb placed by Stauffenberg fails to kill Hitler

Witzleben is connected with Beck in the planned replacement leadership after Hitler is removed

After the bombing the conspirators attempt to activate Operation Walkure in Berlin

The assassination attempt against Hitler takes place at the Wolfs Lair near Rastenburg

The coup depends on issuing Reserve Army orders to arrest Nazi officials and secure command centres

A conspirator in the Stauffenberg plot to assassinate Hitler & sieze Berlin

A conspirator in the Stauffenberg plot to assassinate Hitler and seize Berlin for the resistance

Witzleben is arrested after the failure of the July Plot

Witzleben is identified as one of the senior military figures connected to the failed conspiracy

Witzleben is sentenced to death for his role in the conspiracy against Hitler

Witzleben is executed at Plotzensee Prison after conviction by the People's Court

His death marks the destruction of a senior military branch of the anti Hitler resistance

Witzleben dies at Plotzensee as one of the first senior officers executed after the July Plot

Witzleben is executed for his part in the Stauffenberg plot and the attempted overthrow of Hitler

After the collapse of Nazi Germany Witzleben is remembered as a senior army officer executed for opposing Hitler