Quick Facts
Biography
Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (German: [ˈaɐ̯niːm]; 4 April 1889 – 1 September 1962) was a German general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II who commanded several armies. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
World War II
Von Arnim joined the German Army in 1907 and took part in World War I. After the war, he remained in the Reichswehr and then the Wehrmacht. Arnim commanded the 52nd Infantry Division in both the Battles for Poland and France. In October 1940, Arnim was given command of the 17th Panzer-Division.
Von Arnim took part in the Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union and on 1 October 1941, he took command of XXXIX Panzer Corps until November 1942.
On 20 February 1943 he was appointed commander of the 5th Panzer Army under Erwin Rommel in North Africa who he replaced as commander of the Army Group Africa the 10th March 1943. He surrendered to the British forces on 12 May 1943 as consequence of the successful allied Operation Vulcan.
Von Arnim was interned along with 24 other German general officers at Camp Clinton, Mississippi, and was released on 1 July 1947. He died in 1962.
Awards
- Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (16 September 1914) & 1st Class (2 November 1914)
- Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords (7 September 1918)
- Wound Badge in White (6 August 1918)
- Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (15 November 1934)
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award 1st Class (2 October 1936)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 September 1941 as commander of the 17th Panzer Division