Friedrich Dollmann: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}

{{Infobox military person

|birth_date={{Birth date|1882|2|2|df=y}}

|death_date={{death date and age|1944|6|29|1882|2|2|df=y}}

|death_place=[[Le Mans]], [[France]]

|placeofburial=[[Champigny-Saint-André German war cemetery]]

|caption=

|nickname=

|serviceyears=

|branch= [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]]

|commands=[[7th Army (Wehrmacht)|7th Army]]

|unit=

|awards=[[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves]]

|laterwork=}}

 

 

==World War I==

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>

 

 

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 five tanks, 40 tank trucks, and 84 other vehicles destroyed.<ref>Brett-Smith (1976). ''Hitler's Generals'', p. 104.</ref> Thus, it was not until 9 June 1944 that Rommel was able to muster his forces.<ref>Mitcham & Mueller (2012). ''Hitler’s Commanders: Officers of the Wehrmacht, the Luftwaffe, the Kriegsmarine, and the Waffen-SS'', p. 124.</ref>

 

==Cherbourg and death==

 

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 his death remain controversial. Some sources say he suffered a heart attack, while others say he committed suicide by taking poison.<ref name="reynolds"/><ref>Meyer, H: ''The 12th SS'', p. 425. Stackpole Books, 2005.</ref><ref name="deste" /> In 1973, Dollmann's last chief of staff Lieutenant General [[Max-Josef Pemsel]], wrote that on 29 June at around 3:00 in the morning, Dollmann bid farewell to his staff and committed suicide in his command post.<ref name="Pemsel">Max Pemsel: ''Generaloberst Friedrich Dollmann.'' In: ''Deutsches Soldatenjahrbuch (German soldier's yearbook).'' (1974).</ref> In 2003, a theory was put forward that like Rommel, Dollmann was forced to commit suicide by Hitler.<ref name="Reißmüller">[[Johann Georg Reißmüller]]: ''Generalprobe für die Beseitigung Rommels. Ist Friedrich Dollmann, der Oberbefehlshaber der 7. Armee, am 28. Juni 1944 auf Weisung Hitlers ermordet worden? ('' In: ''Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.'' Nr. 191. (19. August 2003). S. 33.</ref> He was buried in France on 2 July 1944, where the field marshals Rundstedt, Rommel and [[Hugo Sperrle]] were present. On the same day, he received posthumously the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves]]. Later, Hitler delivered a laudatory obituary on behalf of Dollmann.<ref>Mitcham & Mueller (2012). ''Hitler's Commanders: Officers of the Wehrmacht, the Luftwaffe, the Kriegsmarine, and the Waffen-SS'', p. 125.</ref> He is buried at the [[Champigny-Saint-André German war cemetery]].

** 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.

|last=Fellgiebel

|first=Walther-Peer

|year=2000

|orig-year=1986

}}

* Wegmüller, Hans (1986). ''Die Abwehr der Invasion. Die Konzeption des Oberbefehlshabers West 1940–1944''. Freiburg im Breisgau: Rombach Verlag.

 

{{s-start}}

{{Subject bar

| portal1=Biography

| commons=y

}}

[[Category:Colonel generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht)]]

[[Category:German Army personnel of World War I]]

[[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]]