24 Facts About Helmuth Weidling

Helmuth Otto Ludwig Weidling was a German three-star general during the Second World War.

Helmuth Weidling was the last commander of the Berlin Defence Area during the Battle of Berlin, led the defence of the city against Soviet forces and finally surrendered just before the end of World War II in Europe.

In January 1942, still on the Eastern Front, Helmuth Weidling was appointed commander of the 86th Infantry Division.

On 15 October 1943, Helmuth Weidling became the commander of the XLI Panzer Corps, a position he held until 10 April 1945 with a short break in his command from 19 June 1944 to 1 July 1944.

On 10 April 1945, Helmuth Weidling was relieved of his command.

Helmuth Weidling was thereafter appointed as commander of the LVI Panzer Corps.

On 16 April 1945, Helmuth Weidling prepared to take part in the Battle of the Seelow Heights, which was part of the broader Battle of the Oder-Neisse.

Helmuth Weidling argued it was futile for the teenage boys to be thrown into the battle.

Helmuth Weidling told Axmann that it was "the sacrifice of children for an already doomed cause".

Helmuth Weidling had not actually retreated, and the sentence was called off after he appeared at the Fuhrerbunker to clear up the misunderstanding.

Helmuth Weidling organised the defences into eight sectors designated "A" through to "H".

Later that evening, Helmuth Weidling presented Hitler with a detailed proposal for a breakout from Berlin.

When Helmuth Weidling discovered that a major part of the last line of the German defences in Berlin were manned by Hitler Youth, he ordered Artur Axmann to disband the Hitler Youth combat formations in the city.

Helmuth Weidling discussed with his divisional commanders the possibility of breaking out to the southwest to link up with General Walther Wenck's 12th Army.

Helmuth Weidling asked Hitler for permission to break out, a request that he had earlier made unsuccessfully.

Hitler did not answer at first, and Helmuth Weidling went back to his headquarters in the Bendlerblock, where at about 13:00, he received Hitler's permission to try a breakout that night.

Helmuth Weidling was forced to swear that he would not repeat this news to anybody.

Helmuth Weidling soon rang Colonel Hans Refior, his civil chief-of-staff, in the Bendlerblock headquarters soon afterward.

Helmuth Weidling said that he could not tell him what had happened, but he needed various members of his staff to join him immediately, including Colonel Theodor von Dufving, his military chief-of-staff.

The surrender of Berlin was thus delayed until Goebbels committed suicide, after which it was then left up to Helmuth Weidling to negotiate with the Soviets.

Helmuth Weidling told the Soviets about the suicides of Hitler and Goebbels, and Chuikov demanded complete capitulation.

Pursuant to Chuikov and Vasily Sokolovsky's direction, Helmuth Weidling put his surrender order in writing.

Helmuth Weidling died on 17 November 1955 in the custody of the KGB in Vladimir of an apparent heart attack.

Helmuth Weidling was buried in an unmarked grave at the prison cemetery.