__NOTOC__ Maximilian Wengler (14 January 1890 – 25 April 1945) was a German

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

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 ...

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 The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. While it was order of precedence, lower in preceden ...

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 ...

. Wengler took command of the 83rd Infantry Division on 27 March 1945 in the area of

Gotenhafen Gdynia is a city in northern Poland and a seaport on the Baltic Sea coast. With an estimated population of 257,000, it is the List of cities in Poland, 12th-largest city in Poland and the second-largest in the Pomeranian Voivodeship after Gdańsk ...

. The division, after escaping the encirclement of the city, fought its way to Oxhöfter Kämpe and

Pillau Baltiysk ( ); ; Old Prussian: ''Pillawa''; ; ; is a seaport town and the administrative center of Baltiysky District in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, located on the northern part of the Vistula Spit, on the shore of the Strait of Baltiysk separ ...

- Neutief, where Wengler and members of his staff were killed by an aerial bomb on 25 April 1945.

Awards

Infantry Assault Badge The Infantry Assault Badge () was a German military decoration awarded to Waffen-SS and ''Wehrmacht Heer'' soldiers during the Second World War. This decoration was instituted on 20 December 1939 by the Commander-in-Chief (''Oberbefehlshaber'' ...

in Silver *

Close Combat Clasp The Close Combat Clasp () was a World War II Nazi Germany, German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for participation in Hand-to-hand combat, hand-to-hand fighting at close quarters. Intended primarily for infantry, other German Army ( ...

in Bronze * Military Order of St. Henry (Knights Cross, 15 October 1914) *

Clasp to the Iron Cross Clasp, clasper or CLASP may refer to: * Book clasp, fastener for a book cover * Folding clasp, a device used to close a watch strap * Lobster clasp, fastener for jewellery * Wrist clasp, a dressing accessory * Medal bar, an element in militar ...

(1939) 2nd Class (20 May 1940) & 1st Class (29 December 1940) *

** Knight's Cross on 6 October 1942 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, ...

'' of the Reserves and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 366 ** Oak Leaves on 22 February 1944 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 ...

'' of the Reserves and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 366. ** Swords on 21 January 1945 as ''

Generalmajor is the Germanic languages, Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central Europe, Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and R ...

'' of the Reserves and commander of the 227. Infanterie-Division

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wengler, Maximilian 1890 births 1945 deaths Major generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht) German Army personnel killed in World War II Deaths by Soviet airstrikes during World War II 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 Military personnel from Saxony People from Mittelsachsen German Army personnel of World War I German Army generals of World War II