Johann Fortner was a German Generalleutnant during World War II who commanded the 718th Infantry Division from its formation in May 1941 until he was relieved in March 1943.
10 Facts About Johann Fortner
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Johann Fortner was born in Zweibrucken in the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1884.
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In 1903, Johann Fortner joined the 5th Bavarian Regiment of the Royal Bavarian Army as a Fahnenjunker.
4.
Johann Fortner started the war as an Oberleutnant and was promoted to Hauptmann, commanded a company of his regiment and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class.
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Johann Fortner was captured by the British Army during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on 15 September 1916 and remained a prisoner of war for the remainder of the war.
6.
In 1939 Johann Fortner was appointed as the director of training in Landeck in Tyrol, Austria.
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Between May 1941 and June 1942, Johann Fortner's division was the only permanent German garrison in the Independent State of Croatia.
8.
On 15 March 1943, Johann Fortner was relieved and placed on the reserve list of generals.
9.
Johann Fortner was extradited to Yugoslavia after the war ended, tried and found guilty of the murder of Yugoslav civilians during his command of the 718th Infantry Division.
10.
Johann Fortner was sentenced to death on 16 February 1947 and was hanged less than two weeks later.