__NOTOC__ Maximilian von Edelsheim (6 July 1897 – 26 April 1994) was a general in the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the German Army (1935–1945), ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmac ...

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany, officially known as the German Reich and later the Greater German Reich, was the German Reich, German state between 1933 and 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party controlled the country, transforming it into a Totalit ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He negotiated the surrender of German forces to the Americans at the bridge at

Tangermünde Tangermünde (; ) is a historic town on the Elbe River in the district of Stendal (district), Stendal, in the northeastern part of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The town has land area of around 89.87 sq.km (34.70 sq.mi) and a population of 10,283 people ...

on the Elbe River on or about May 2, 1945. The German 12th Army, under General Walther Wenck had previously done a 180 degree turn away from the Western Allies, resulting from an order to relieve Berlin from the Soviet attack. Disobeying the order, Wenck fought due East, into the Spree Forest region, toward the town of Halbe and linked up with the remnants of the German 9th Army. They then reversed and went west, back to the Elbe. There, Edelsheim crossed the Elbe on a schwimmwagen and negotiated the surrender of all German forces on the West side of the Elbe to the Americans. He was taken prisoner by the Americans and released in 1947.

Awards

Iron Cross The Iron Cross (, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire (1871–1918), and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). The design, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline, was derived from the in ...

(1914) 2nd Class (27 November 1915) & 1st Class (26 October 1918)Thomas 1997, p. 142. * Knight, 2nd Class of Order of the Zähringer Lion with Swords 2nd Class (19 September 1939) & 1st Class (14 October 1939) * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords ** Knight's Cross on 30 July 1941 as ''

Oberstleutnant () (English: Lieutenant Colonel) is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to lieutenant colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, ...

'' and commander of Radfahr-Abteilung 1Scherzer 2007, p. 287. ** Oak Leaves on 23 December 1942 as ''

Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German language, German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the Army, ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, a ...

'' and commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26 ** Swords on 23 October 1944 as ''

Generalleutnant () is the German-language variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly equivalent to the NATO ...

'' and commander of 24. Panzer-DivisionFellgiebel 2000, p. 45.

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Edelsheim, Maximilian Reichsfreiherr Von 1897 births 1994 deaths Military personnel from Berlin Military personnel from the Province of Brandenburg German Army personnel of World War I German barons Generals of Panzer Troops Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Recipients of the clasp to the Iron Cross, 1st class Prussian Army personnel Reichswehr personnel 20th-century Freikorps personnel German Army generals of World War II German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United States