Joachim Lemelsen
| Joachim Lemelsen | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 28 September 1888 |
| Died | 30 March 1954 (aged 65) |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany
|
| Years of service | 1907–45 |
| Rank | General der Panzertruppe |
| Commands held |
XLVII Panzer Corps 1st Army 14th Army |
| Battles/wars |
World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Joachim Lemelsen (28 September 1888 – 30 March 1954) was a German general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during the World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
During Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, troops of the XLVII Motorized Corps under his command executed the criminal Commissar Order, prompting Lemelsen to complain: "Soon the Russians will get to hear about the countless corpses lying along the routes taken by our soldiers (...). The result will be that the enemy will hide in the woods and fields and continue to fight--and we shall lose countless comrades".
Born in 1888, Lemelsen joined the German army in 1907 and served during World War I. In March 1938, Lemelsen was given command of the 29th Infantry Division, with which he participated in the invasion of Czechoslovakia. Lemelsen took part in the Invasion of Poland; his division was involved in the Massacre in Ciepielów of 8 September 1939. On May 28, 1940 Lemelsen was given command of the 5th Panzer Division with which he participated in the Battle of Dunkirk.
On November 25, 1940, Lemelsen was given command of the new XLVII Motorized Corps, which he led in the Battle of Smolensk and the Battle of Kiev. Lemelsen reported to the Wehrmacht High Command about the executions of Soviet prisoners of war during the early phases of Operation Barbarossa:
...
Wikipedia