Bio of Generalmajor Julius von Bernuth

 

Julius von Bernuth was born in Metz on 12 August 1897. He served with distinction in the Imperial German Army during the First World War, winning both classes of the Iron Cross, the Hessen General Honour Decoration, and the Black Grade Wound Badge, reaching the rank of Leutnant by the end of the conflict. After the war, von Bernuth briefly served with the Freikorps before returning to military service with the Reichswehr on 1 October 1919. He was a participant in the Munich Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923, and was later awarded the Blood Order. By the start of the Second World War, von Bernuth rose to Staff Officer and participated in both the invasion of Poland as well as the Western European campaign, where he was awarded the Ritterkreuz. Promoted to Generalmajor, von Bernuth was transferred to the Eastern Front, where he was killed in a plane crash near Stalingrad on 12 July 1942.

Julius von Bernuth (12 August 1897 – 12 July 1942) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 August 1940 as Oberstleutnant im Generalstab and Chef des Generalstabes XV. Armeekorps (motorisiert). The following press article describes why Bernuth was awarded the Ritterkreuz: “On 22 May 1940 Oberstleutnant i.G. von Bernuth demonstrated outstanding personal bravery and responsibility while the commanding general was away on a drive to the frontline. His swift action ensured the collapse of General Weygand’s breakthrough attempt via Cambrai and Arras in the direction of Bapaume. Oberstleutnant i.G. von Bernuth’s energetic handling of orders thereby decisively influenced the course of the war.”

On 12 July 1942, while flying in a Fieseler Storch from Army headquarters to XXXX Army Corps headquarters, his aircraft disappeared. Searchers found his remains in the wreckage of the plane at Sumy, on 14 July 1942. He was buried near Stalingrad.

Source :
https://www.emedals.com/germany-heer-a-lot-of-photographs-of-generalmajor-julius-von-bernuth-96334
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_von_Bernuth
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28398/Bernuth-von-Julius.htm?c=aw