22 Facts About Friedrich Foertsch

Friedrich Albert Foertsch was a German general serving during World War II and from 1961 to 1963 the second Inspector General of the Bundeswehr.

Friedrich Foertsch joined the Freikorps after the war, and later was accepted into the Reichswehr in 1920.

Friedrich Foertsch was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 September 1944 for his leadership in the defensive battles at the Leningrad Front.

Friedrich Foertsch was taken prisoner of war in the Courland Pocket by the Soviet Army.

Friedrich Foertsch was released in 1955 and joined the newly formed Bundeswehr of the West Germany.

Friedrich Foertsch again served in many senior positions, including an assignment to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe of NATO in Paris.

Friedrich Foertsch born 19 May 1900 in Drahnow in the district Deutsch-Krone in West Prussia.

Friedrich Foertsch's father was a government employee for the Prussian Settlement Commission in Posen and West Prussia.

Friedrich Foertsch attended the Gymnasium in Hohensalza and Graudenz and received his Abitur in May 1918.

Friedrich Foertsch then volunteered for the military service in the Prussian Army on 21 May 1918.

Friedrich Foertsch was promoted to Leutnant on 1 April 1922 and to Oberleutnant on 1 February 1927.

Friedrich Foertsch was appointed company chief in the Infanterie-Regiment 81 on 12 October 1937 and was promoted to Major on 1 August 1938.

Friedrich Foertsch was transferred to the Generalstab of the III.

Friedrich Foertsch earned the German Cross in Gold on 10 May 1943 for his support in the heavy fighting in the northern sector of the eastern front.

Friedrich Foertsch was appointed chief of the general staff of the 18th Army on 1 December 1943 and promoted to Generalmajor on 1 June 1944.

Friedrich Foertsch was appointed chief of the general staff of the Heeresgruppe Kurland at the end of January 1945.

Friedrich Foertsch was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for war crime charges against the destruction of cities and art on 29 June 1950.

Friedrich Foertsch was released from captivity on 9 October 1955.

Friedrich Foertsch joined the Bundeswehr after the remilitarisation of the Federal Republic of Germany holding the rank of Generalmajor.

Friedrich Foertsch was then posted to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe of NATO in Paris as deputy chief of the fundamental planning office.

Friedrich Foertsch succeeded Adolf Heusinger as the second Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr on 1 April 1961.

Friedrich Foertsch retired as a four-star general on 31 December 1963.