Johannes Block

Johannes Block (17 November 1894 – 26 January 1945) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who held commands at division and corps level. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Block was killed on 26 January 1945 near Kielce, Poland during the Soviet Vistula-Oder Offensive.

Early life and career Johannes Friedrich Gustav Block was born on 17 November 1894 in Büschdorf, a village near Halle (Saale) in the Prussian Province of Saxony as the son of Richard Block, a factory owner, and Bertha, née Beil. He was married on 23 May 1925 to Christel, née Neumann. He had one stepson from her previous marriage and the couple had one daughter.

At the beginning of the First World War, on 13 August 1914, Block joined the Prussian Army as a war volunteer (Kriegsfreiwilliger) in the Manfeld Field Artillery Regiment No. 75 ( Mansfelder Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 75). On 17 October 1914, he went into the field with the 1st Artillery Ammunition Column of the IV Army Corps. From there, on 15 February 1915, he was transferred to the Magdeburg Fusilier Regiment No. 36 (Füsilier-Regiment „General-Feldmarschall Graf Blumenthal“ (Magdeburgisches) Nr. 36). 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class (10 September 1939) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 22 December 1941 as Oberst and commander of 202nd Infantry Regiment Oak Leaves on 22 November 1943 as Generalleutnant and commander of 294th Infantry Division