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{{Short description|General during World War II who commanded the 7th Army}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox military person
|honorific_prefix=
|name=Friedrich Dollmann
|birth_date={{Birth date|1882|2|2|df=y}}
|death_date={{death date and age|1944|6|
|birth_place=[[Würzburg]], [[German Empire|Germany]]
|death_place=[[Le Mans]], [[France]]
|placeofburial=[[Champigny-Saint-André German war cemetery]]
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|caption=
|nickname=
|allegiance=Germany
|serviceyears=
|rank=[[File:Generaloberst (Wehrmacht) 8.svg|
|branch=
|commands=[[7th Army (Wehrmacht)|
|unit=
|battles=[[World War I]]<br/>[[World War II]]
|awards=[[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves]]
|laterwork=}}
'''Friedrich Karl Albert Dollmann''' (2 February 1882{{spaced ndash}}
==World War I==
Born in 1882, Dollmann joined the army in 1899.<ref name="Mitcham 2012 p. 120">Mitcham & Mueller (2012). ''
Once this assignment was completed, Dollmann served in the central office of the General Staff. Starting 1 October 1919, he worked as a staff officer in the newly created ''[[Reichswehr]]'' Group Command IV of the Provisional ''Reichswehr'' in Munich, a post he retained for one year. On 1 October 1920, he was briefly employed as Adjutant of the Artillery Commander XXI before being assigned commander of the VII Artillery Division. Dollmann was transferred to the staff of the 7th (Bavarian) Division on 1 April 1923. Promoted to lieutenant colonel
==Interwar era==
He took over as Chief of Artillery in the Defense Ministry on 1 February 1933. Subsequent his brief time as commander of army service Kassel in October 1934, he was appointed Commander of the Military District IX (Hesse-Thuringia West) on 1 May 1935.<ref>Bradley ed., (1994). ''Die Generale des Heeres 1921–1945. Die militärischen Werdegänge der Generale, sowie der Ärzte, Veterinäre, Intendanten, Richter und Ministerialbeamten im Generalsrang'', Vol. 3, pp. 177–179.</ref> Having distinguished himself, Dollmann was promoted at the end of 1936 to the rank of full general, along with 11 other officers of the twelve ''[[Wehrkreise]]''.<ref>Telford Taylor named the others promoted to
Many historians{{who|date=July 2021}} who have analyzed Dollmann's career and life assert that, while he did exhibit on occasion a pro-[[Nazi]] attitude, he was not a committed Nazi.<ref>Brett-Smith (1976). ''Hitler's Generals'', p. 102.</ref> On the other hand, historian {{illm|Klaus-Jürgen Müller (historian)|lt=Klaus-Jürgen Müller|de|Klaus-Jürgen Müller}} notes that Dollmann's orders were imbued with a discernible Nazi impetus. He therefore believes that Dollmann had a stronger inclination to National Socialism than otherwise presumed.<ref>Müller (1969). ''Das Heer und Hitler'', pp. 193–202.</ref> A directive from Dollmann dated 8 February 1935 shows that he instructed his officers to cooperate fully with the authorities of the [[NSDAP]]. There is also evidence that he demanded that all his officers should fully support the Nazi Party and admonished them to adjust their opinions accordingly; he even insisted that his
On 25 August 1939, Dollmann was elevated to commander of the [[7th Army (Wehrmacht)|7th Army]]. Just under a week later Hitler ordered the [[invasion of Poland]]. Dollmann's only son, who had aspired to the rank of lieutenant in the 15th Infantry Regiment, was killed during the campaign against Poland.<ref>Wilhelm von Leeb (1976). ''Tagebuchaufzeichnungen und Lagebeurteilungen aus zwei Weltkriegen'', p. 182.</ref>
==Invasion of France==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-052-1435-16, Oberrhein, Befestigung am Isteiner Klotz.jpg|thumb|Dollman inspects an artillery observation post that bears his name, near the French border, 1940.]]
During the [[Battle of France|invasion of France]] in 1940, Dollmann's assignment placed him at the southern edge of the [[Siegfried Line]],<ref>The defensive line constructed along the western frontier of Germany before World War II. It was also known as the Hindenburg Line.</ref> opposite the [[Maginot Line]]. While the French Maginot Line had proven impregnable to frontal assault in the past, Hitler was unconcerned, as its defenses were easily outflanked during the invasion.<ref>Kershaw (2001). ''Hitler: 1936–1945, Nemesis'', p. 265.</ref> Throughout the invasion of France, Dollmann's 7th Army was not placed on the offensive until most of the French army had been destroyed, at which point he linked up with the [[1st Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)|1st Panzer Division]] of [[Panzer Group Guderian]], encircling 400,000 French troops in the [[Vosges]] Mountains – an action which was followed by a French surrender.<ref>Mitcham & Mueller (2012). ''
==Occupation of France==
In the wake of the French defeat, Dollmann's 7th Army remained in the West. Along with
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-300-1865-10, Nordfrankreich, Dollmann, Feuchtinger, Rommel.jpg|thumb|left|Dollmann (left) in conversation with
For four years, Dollmann and Rundstedt did little to fortify the defensive positions along the French coast. Only when his command came under [[Army Group B]] Field Marshal [[Erwin Rommel]]'s scrutiny in December 1943 did Dollmann begin decisive and feverish construction to improve French coastal fortifications. But it was too late.<ref name="Mitcham 2012 p. 123">Mitcham & Mueller (2012). ''Hitler’s Commanders: Officers of the Wehrmacht, the Luftwaffe, the Kriegsmarine, and the Waffen-SS'', p. 123.</ref> Dollmann's chief of staff claimed that efforts to strengthen the defensive section were not supported by the higher leadership.<ref>Max Pemsel (1974). Generaloberst Friedrich Dollmann in ''Deutsches Soldatenjahrbuch'', p. 19.</ref>
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Several days prior to the invasion, the Germans received intelligence reports about the activities occurring across the channel. Deception measures by the Allied intelligence services kept the Germans convinced that the attack would occur near Norway or close to [[Calais]].<ref>Evans (2010). ''The Third Reich at War'', p. 623.</ref> Although reconnaissance reports as late as 5 June 1944 indicated that something significant was afoot, none of this intelligence was relayed to the [[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht|OKW]] at Berchtesgaden, nor was it forwarded to Dollmann's 7th Army.<ref>Kershaw (2001). ''Hitler: 1936–1945, Nemesis'', p. 638.</ref> It is doubtful whether this would have led to a redistribution of forces, since Hitler remained convinced that the main Allied attack would occur at Pas de Calais.<ref name="Goerlitz 1985 p. 458">Goerlitz (1985). ''History of the German General Staff, 1657–1945'', p. 458.</ref>
On 5 June 1944, under the cover of darkness, the invasion at Normandy began. By nightfall June 6, up to 130,000 troops and 20,000 Allied tanks {{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} were ashore under a curtain of naval bombardment.<ref name="Goerlitz 1985 p. 458"/> On Dollmann's orders, a series of mapping war games had been underway in [[Rennes]], which meant that
Dollmann tried to organize an immediate counter-attack with the [[21st Panzer Division]]. Lieutenant General [[Fritz Bayerlein]] protested; he felt a column march in daytime was merely an invitation to the Allied air forces to decimate his division. He suggested alternative plans, but Dollmann remained adamant.<ref name="Mitcham 2012 p. 123"/> This proved a costly mistake. Throughout the night of 6–7 June 1944, the Allies used their knowledge of the location of the German columns and flares to illuminate the enemy to find suitable targets to attack from the air. The 21st Panzer Division lost
Part of the effort to repel the Allied attack included strategic placement of troops over what appeared to be a growing front. Dollman's 7th Army (over 16 divisions and five corps commands) was sent to the left wing of the invasion front. They learned on 21 June 1944 that the supplies needed to conduct a sustained resistance could not be assured.<ref>Wegmüller (1986). ''Die Abwehr der Invasion. Die Konzeption des Oberbefehlshabers West 1940–1944'', p. 244.</ref> Although they rendered vigorous resistance, the German forces could only slow the Allied advance. Throughout the course of defending the coastline and in spite of the disastrous circumstances, Dollmann continued to discipline his soldiers by the threat of severe penalties.<ref>Lieb (2007). ''Konventioneller Krieg oder NS-Weltanschauungskrieg. Kriegführung und Partisanenbekämpfung in Frankreich 1943/44'', p. 421.</ref>
Inaccurate Wehrmacht intelligence reports and Hitler's assurance that a second invasion was due at any moment left the equivalent of an entire German Army Group, comprising
==Cherbourg and death==
The French port of [[Cherbourg]] fell on 26 June 1944
Unaware that he had been relieved of command, Dollmann was nonetheless worn out and stressed. He died on 29 June 1944. The exact circumstances of
==Awards==
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** 518th Oak Leaves on 1 July 1944 as [[Generaloberst]] and commander-in-chief of the 7. Armee<ref name="Scherzer p277"/><ref>Fellgiebel 2000, p. 85.</ref>
==
{{Reflist}}
* Barnett, Correlli, ed. (2003). ''Hitler’s Generals''. New York: Grove Press.
* Boog, Horst, Gerhard Krebs, and Detlef Vogel eds., (2001). ''Das Deutsche Reich in der Defensive'' (Das Deutsche Reich und der Zweite Weltkrieg), vol. VII. Stuttgart und München: Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt GmbH.
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|last=Fellgiebel
|first=Walther-Peer
|year=2000
|orig-year=1986
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* Harrison, Gordon (1993). ''Cross-Channel Attack''. Washington, DC: Center of Military History, U.S. Army.
* Kershaw, Ian (2001). ''Hitler: 1936–1945, Nemesis''. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
* [[Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb|Leeb, Wilhelm von]] (1976). ''Tagebuchaufzeichnungen und Lagebeurteilungen aus zwei Weltkriegen''. Edited by Georg Meyer. Stuttgart: Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt.
* [[Lieb, Peter]] (2007). ''Konventioneller Krieg oder NS-Weltanschauungskrieg. Kriegführung und Partisanenbekämpfung in Frankreich 1943/44''. München: R. Oldenbourg.
* [[Mitcham, Samuel]] (1997). ''The Desert Fox in Normandy: Rommel's Defense of Fortress Europe''. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.▼
▲* Mitcham, Samuel (1997). ''The Desert Fox in Normandy: Rommel's Defense of Fortress Europe''. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
* Mitcham, Samuel and Gene Mueller (2012). ''Hitler’s Commanders: Officers of the Wehrmacht, the Luftwaffe, the Kriegsmarine, and the Waffen-SS''. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
* Müller, Klaus-Jürgen (1969). ''Das Heer und Hitler''. Stuttgart: Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt.
* Overy, Richard (1997). ''Why the Allies Won''. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
* Preradovich, Nikolaus von (1978). ''Die militärische und soziale Herkunft der Generalität des deutschen Heeres''. Osnabrück: Biblio-Verlag.
* {{Cite book
|last=Scherzer
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}}
* Wegmüller, Hans (1986). ''Die Abwehr der Invasion. Die Konzeption des Oberbefehlshabers West 1940–1944''. Freiburg im Breisgau: Rombach Verlag.
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{{Subject bar
| portal1=Biography
| commons=y
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[[Category:1944 deaths]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Würzburg]]
[[Category:German Army generals of World War II]]
[[Category:Colonel generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht)]]
[[Category:German
[[Category:
[[Category:Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves]]
[[Category:Recipients of the clasp to the Iron Cross, 1st class]]
[[Category:Lieutenant generals of the Reichswehr]]
[[Category:Burials at Champigny-Saint-André German war cemetery]]
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