Smilo Freiherr von Lüttwitz

Smilo Walther Hinko Oskar Constantin Wilhelm Freiherr von Lüttwitz (23 December 1895 – 19 May 1975) was a German general during World War II and son of Walther von Lüttwitz. After World War II he joined the Bundeswehr in 1957 and served as the first commander of the III Corps until his retirement in 1960.

Biography Lüttwitz was born on 23 December 1895 in Straßburg (now Strasbourg) into a family with a long history of military service. He joined the military service during the mobilisation on 3 August 1914 as an officer cadet in the 25th Division in Darmstadt. Lüttwitz was posted to the Eastern Front and saw combat at Tannenberg, Courland and Düna. He was severely wounded twice in 1915 and received the Iron Cross 1st class. He was commissioned as an officer in 1915.

In 1916 Lüttwitz was transferred to a staff position with the X Corps in the Heeresgruppe Kronprinz for two years. The corps was under the command of his father General Walther von Lüttwitz. His father, a recipient of the Pour le Mérite, was one of the most highly decorated generals of the German Empire. He returned to front line duty in 1918 as an adjutant with the Darmstädter Dragoner in the temporary occupation of Ukraine and southern Russia. By the end of World War I, he had received both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. German Cross in Gold on 27 October 1941 as Oberstleutnant and commander of the Schützen-Regiment 12 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 14 January 1942 as Oberst and commander of the Schützen-Regiment 12 426th Oak Leaves on 16 March 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 26. Panzer-Division 76th Swords on 4 July 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 26. Panzer-Division Rechtsritter (Knight of Justice) of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg) Eastern Front Medal Great Cross of Merit with star Legion of Merit