Otto Herfurth

Summary

Otto Herfurth (22 January 1893 – 29 September 1944) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Herfurth was a conspirator in the 20 July Plot.

Otto Herfurth
Born22 January 1893
Hasserode, Province of Saxony, Prussia, German Empire
Died29 September 1944(1944-09-29) (aged 51)
Plötzensee Prison, Berlin, Nazi Germany
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Allegiance German Empire (to 1918)
 Weimar Republic (to 1933)
 Nazi Germany
Service/branchArmy (Wehrmacht)
Years of service1914–44
RankGeneralmajor
UnitIII Military District
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Herfurth was the chief of staff of the III Military District which covered Berlin and Brandenburg. He initially supported the coup attempt, but later during the evening changed sides. Nevertheless, on 14 August 1944, he was arrested and was tried by the People's Court. He was hanged on 29 September 1944 next to Joachim Meichssner, Fritz von der Lancken, Wilhelm-Friedrich zu Lynar and Joachim Sadrozinski at Plötzensee Prison in Berlin.[1]

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  1. ^ Brakelmann, Günter (2010). Helmuth James von Moltke: Zeitgenosse für ein anderes Deutschland (in German). Forschungsgemeinschaft 20 Juli 1944. p. 259. ISBN 978-3-643-10453-3.
  2. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 185.

References edit

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [First published 1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.