Ferdinand Neuling
| Ferdinand Neuling | |
|---|---|
| Born |
22 August 1885 Bautzen, German Empire |
| Died | 20 February 1960 (aged 74) Hildesheim |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany (to 1945) |
| Years of service | 1905–45 |
| Rank | General der Infanterie |
| Unit | Landwehr Oppeln 239. Infanterie-Division LXII. Armeekorps |
| Battles/wars | Poland 1939, France 1940, France 1944 |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Ferdinand Neuling (22 August 1885 – 20 February 1960) was a general of the Heer during World War II. In September 1939, German troops under his command occupied the Polish part of Upper Silesia and cities of Katowice, Mikołów Chorzów, committing numerous war crimes on Polish civilians and resistance fighters.
In 1905 he joined the Kaiser's army as ensign in 139th Infantry Regiment. A year later he was promoted to lieutenant. He served in World War I and received the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class. After 1918, he continued service in the Reichswehr. In 1929, he was promoted to major, in 1933 to colonel. In the same year, he took command of 23rd Infantry Regiment.
On 1 January 1939 he became General Major and three months later took command of Landwehr in Oppeln. On the eve of World War II he was ordered to create the 239 Infantry Division, basing on Landwehr soldiers. The Division's battle value was considered very low and the unit was scheduled to be used as reserve.
On 2 September 1939, his division crossed German-Polish border in Gierałtowice. The troops marched towards Ornontowice, then Mikołów. On 3 September, following the retreat of Polish Army from Upper Silesia, Neuling entered Mikołów. A day later, he seized Katowice, where was warmly greeted by German citizens and fiercely attacked by Poles. Three days later, his soldiers burned down the synagoge in Katowice.
After capturing Upper Silesia Neuling's division headed east. In October 1939 they guarded the German-Soviet border on Bug River, which was created after the fall of Poland.
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