29 Facts About Erich Hoepner

Erich Kurt Richard Hoepner was a German general during World War II.

Erich Hoepner was implicated in the failed 20 July plot against Adolf Hitler and executed in 1944.

Erich Hoepner was born in Frankfurt, the son of Prussian medical officer Kurt Erich Hoepner.

Erich Hoepner was commissioned into the Prussian Army as a cavalry lieutenant in 1906, joining the Schleswig-Holstein Dragoons Regiment No 13.

Erich Hoepner fought with the 105th Infantry Division in the German spring offensive of 1918, ending the war in the cavalry.

Erich Hoepner was promoted to the rank of Generalmajor in 1936 and in 1938 was given command of the 1st Light Division, an early armoured unit that was part of the nucleus of the expanding German Panzerwaffe.

Erich Hoepner led the corps in the occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 and was promoted the next month to General of the Cavalry.

When word of the massacre reached Erich Hoepner he ordered an investigation into the allegations, demanding that the SS division commander, Theodor Eicke be dismissed if evidence could be found that British prisoners had been mistreated or killed by SS forces.

However, Erich Hoepner continued to hold a personal and professional dislike of Eicke, calling him a "butcher" for his disregard of casualties.

Erich Hoepner maintained his existing low opinion of the Waffen-SS.

The German High Command had commenced planning for Operation Barbarossa, and Erich Hoepner was appointed to command the 4th Panzer Group that was to drive toward Leningrad as part of Army Group North under Wilhelm von Leeb.

Erich Hoepner stated that "wanted to see the impending war against the Soviet Union conducted not according to the military principles, but as a war of extermination" against an ideological enemy, whether military or civilian.

Erich Hoepner's directive predates the first OKH draft of the Commissar Order.

Jurgen Forster wrote that Erich Hoepner's directive represented an "independent transformation of Hitler's ideological intentions into an order" and illustrated a "degree of conformity or affinity" between Hitler and military leadership, which provided a sufficient basis for collaboration in the aims of conquest and annihilation against a perceived threat from the Soviet Union.

On 6 July 1941, Erich Hoepner issued an order to his troops instructing them to treat the "loyal population" fairly, adding that "individual acts of sabotage should simply be charged to communists and Jews".

Erich Hoepner did not seem to appreciate that his units were very short on fuel; the 11th Panzer Division, reported having no fuel at all.

David Stahel wrote that Erich Hoepner displayed "steadfast determination, and often excessive confidence" during that period.

Such "blinkered thinking" on Erich Hoepner's part was common among the German commanders in charge of the operation, which in Stahel's opinion "even before it began, made little practical sense".

On 5 December 1941, with orders to attack the next day, Erich Hoepner called a conference of chiefs-of-staff of his five corps.

In January 1942, Erich Hoepner requested permission from Kluge, the new commander of Army Group Centre, to withdraw his over-extended forces.

Kluge advised him that he would discuss the matter with Hitler and ordered Erich Hoepner to get ready.

Afraid of what Hitler might think, Kluge immediately reported Erich Hoepner, causing Hitler's fury.

Erich Hoepner was dismissed from the Wehrmacht on the same day.

Hitler directed that Erich Hoepner be deprived of his pension and denied the right to wear his uniform and medals, contravening the law and Wehrmacht regulations.

Erich Hoepner filed a lawsuit against the Reich to reclaim his pension.

Judges at the time could not be dismissed, even by Hitler, and Erich Hoepner won his case.

Erich Hoepner was a participant in the 20 July plot against Hitler in 1944 and after the coup failed he was arrested and tortured by the Gestapo.

Erich Hoepner refused an opportunity to commit suicide and demanded a trial.

Erich Hoepner's sister was released but Frau Hoepner and her daughter were placed in the notorious Strafblock for four weeks' additional punishment.