Nickname: no information
Date of Birth: 07.12.1893 - Danzig-Langfuhr, German Empire
Date of Death: 29.11.1982 - Asperg, West Germany
Parents: William Balck (senior officer and military writer) and Mathilde née Jensen
Siblings: unknown
Spouse: Marianne Pauline Frieda von Haldenwang (married 21.09.1929)
Children: no information available
Promotions:
10.04.1913 Fahnenjunker
18.12.1913 Fähnrich
10.08.1914 Leutnant
01.05.1924 Oberleutnant
01.02.1929 Rittmeister
01.06.1935 Major
01.02.1938 Oberstleutnant
01.08.1940 Oberst
15.07.1942 Generalmajor
21.01.1943 Generalleutnant
12.11.1943 General der Panzertruppe
Career:
10.04.1913-12.02.1914 Fahnenjunker, Hannoversches Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 10, Goslar
12.02.1914-01.08.1914 Military School Hannover
01.08.1914-12.08.1914 Platoon Leader, 10. Jäger-Bataillon
12.08.1914-30.10.1914 Temporary Adjutant, 10. Jäger-Bataillon
30.10.1914-06.02.1915 Wounded and hospitalized
06.02.1915-28.06.1915 22. Reserve-Jäger-Bataillon
28.06.1915-18.09.1915 Wounded, Replacement Battalion 10. Jäger-Bataillon
18.09.1915-05.12.1915 Company Leader, 22. Reserve-Jäger-Bataillon
05.12.1915-01.03.1916 Commander Hunt-Command, 5. Kavallerie-Division
01.03.1916-09.11.1916 Commander MG-Company, 22. Reserve-Jäger-Bataillon
09.11.1916-11.02.1918 Commander MG-Company, 10. Jäger-Bataillon
11.02.1918-23.01.1919 Commander 4. Company, 10. Jäger-Bataillon
23.01.1919-01.08.1919 Company Leader, Volunteer-Jäger-Bataillon
01.08.1919-25.10.1919 20. Reichswehr-Infanterie-Regiment
25.10.1919-01.10.1920 Adjutant, 10. Reichswehr-Jäger-Bataillon
01.10.1920-01.10.1921 Adjutant III. (Jäger) Battalion, 17. Infanterie-Regiment
01.10.1921-01.11.1922 Company Officer, 17. Infanterie-Regiment
01.11.1922-01.06.1925 Company Officer, Training Battalion 17. Infanterie-Regiment
01.01.1923-01.10.1923 Detached Subsidiary Leadership Training and transferred to 18. Reiter-Regiment
01.10.1923-31.08.1924 Detached Artillery School
30.09.1924-23.10.1924 Detached MG-Course Senne
01.06.1925-01.10.1928 MG-Officer and Leader MG-Platoon, 18. Reiter-Regiment
20.10.1925-28.11.1925 Detached Battle School Course Döberitz
01.10.1928-01.10.1933 Squadron Chief, 18. Reiter-Regiment
01.04.1934-01.10.1934 Adjutant IIa, Staff 3. Division
01.10.1934-15.10.1935 Staff, Commander Frankfurt/Oder
15.10.1935-12.10.1937 Commander 1. Radfahr-Bataillon
12.10.1937-10.11.1938 Commander 1. Radfahr-Abteilung
10.11.1938-23.10.1939 Administrator Motorised Troops, OKH In 3 + In 6
23.10.1939-15.12.1940 Kommandeur Schützen-Regiment 1, 1. Panzer-Division
15.12.1940-15.05.1941 Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 3
15.05.1941-25.06.1941 Kommandeur 2. Panzer-Brigade
25.06.1914-07.07.1941 Detached OKH Chief of Army Armaments and Commander Replacement Army
07.07.1941-01.11.1941 Führer-Reserve OKH, special assignment motor-vehicle situation
01.11.1941-16.05.1942 General of Fast Troops with Commander-in-Chief of the Army
16.05.1942-01.08.1942 Delegated leadership 11. Panzer-Division
01.08.1942-05.03.1943 Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division
05.03.1943-12.11.1943 Führer-Reserve OKH (with temporary leadership Infantry Division Großdeutschland May-June 1943 and XIV. Panzer-Korps September-October 1943)
13.11.1943-15.11.1943 Kommandierender General XXXX. Panzer-Korps (temporary)
15.11.1943-05.08.1944 Kommandierender General XXXXVIII. Panzer-Korps
05.08.1944-01.09.1944 Delegated temporary leadership 4. Panzer-Armee
01.09.1944-21.09.1944 Oberbefehlshaber 4. Panzer-Armee
21.09.1944-23.12.1944 Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe G
23.12.1944-08.05.1945 Oberbefehlshaber 6. Armee (simultaneously Heeresgruppe Balck until 18.03.1945)
08.05.1945-1947 Prisoner of war, US captivity
1947 Released, worked as depot worker
1948 Tried and sentenced for manslaughter (execution of subordinate without court-martial)
Late 1940s-1950s Further legal proceedings including French sentence in absentia for scorched-earth operations
1970s-early 1980s Participated in seminars with NATO officers at US Army War College
Awards and Decorations:
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914 (15.10.1914)
Kgl. Bayer. Militär-Verdienstorden IV. Klasse mit Schwertern (15.11.1914)
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse 1914 (26.11.1914)
k.u.k. Österr. Militär-Verdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit Kriegsdekoration (28.02.1916)
Ritterkreuz des Kgl. Preuß. Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern (03.12.1917)
Verwundetenabzeichen 1918 in Gold (10.05.1918)
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914/18
Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung 4. bis 1. Klasse
1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse (12.05.1940)
1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse (13.05.1940)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 June 1940 as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur Schützen-Regiment 1 / 1.Panzer-Division, for breakthrough near Martelange, pursuit towards Bouillon, capture of Bouillon, regiment as the first to reach and cross the Maas near Sedan, breakthrough of the bunker position, defense against attacks at Bois de la Marfe, victorious pursuit battles along the route Chanery—Omont with several thousand prisoners and about 30 guns captured
Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber (15.10.1940)
Kgl. Bulgar. Orden für Tapferkeit III. Klasse, 1. Stufe (02.12.1941)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #155 on 20 December 1942 as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 11.Panzer-Division, for holding the Chir river line in late 1942 where his division smashed all the corps of the Soviet 5th Tank Army one after another in a brilliant series of mobile counterattacks against overwhelming Soviet superiority
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #25 on 4 March 1943 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 11.Panzer-Division, for assisting in the destruction of Soviet Mobile Group Popov in the Barvenkovo area during early 1943
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres (30.01.1944)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten #19 on 31 August 1944 as General der Panzertruppe and Stellvertretender Führer 4.Panzerarmee, for achieving the first successful offensively-conducted defensive battle along the Vistula river in 1944 stabilizing the front against massive Soviet pressure
Mentioned in Wehrmachtbericht (17.05.1940, 20.12.1942, 09.09.1944)
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Hermann Balck stands as one of the most accomplished yet underrecognized
military commanders of the 20th century. A German general renowned for
his tactical brilliance in armored warfare, Balck's career spanned both
World Wars, where he demonstrated an uncanny ability to achieve
victories against overwhelming odds through speed, surprise, and
innovative leadership. Often compared to figures like Erwin Rommel or
Heinz Guderian, Balck's exploits on the battlefield earned him the
highest decorations of the Third Reich, including the Knight's Cross of
the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds—one of only 27
recipients. His approach emphasized aggressive offense, personal
presence at the front lines, and a deep understanding of terrain and
troop morale, making him a model for modern mechanized warfare studies.
Georg
Otto Hermann Balck was born on December 7, 1893, in Danzig-Langfuhr,
Germany (now Gdańsk-Wrzeszcz, Poland), into a family with a strong
military tradition. His father, William Balck, was a lieutenant general
and a noted military theorist who authored several books on tactics.
Young Balck's upbringing instilled in him a sense of discipline and
strategic thinking from an early age. He joined the German Army as a
cadet on April 10, 1913, serving in the Hanoverian Rifle Battalion No.
10. Just a year later, in February 1914, he enrolled at the Hanoverian
Military College, but the outbreak of World War I interrupted his formal
education.
During the Great War, Balck served as a junior
officer across multiple fronts, including the Western Front, Eastern
Front, Italian Front, and Balkans. He quickly distinguished himself as a
mountain infantry officer, leading platoons and companies in intense
combat. Balck was wounded seven times throughout the conflict, a
testament to his frontline leadership style. His valor earned him
numerous decorations, including the Iron Cross First and Second Class.
By war's end, Balck had risen to the rank of lieutenant, and his
performance marked him as a promising officer. Following the Treaty of
Versailles, which limited the German military to 100,000 men, Balck was
one of only 4,000 officers selected to remain in the Reichswehr, the
interwar German army.
In the years
between the wars, Balck honed his skills in a constrained military
environment. He served in various staff and command roles, focusing on
the development of motorized and armored forces as Germany secretly
rearmed under the Weimar Republic and later the Nazi regime. By the late
1930s, Balck was a staff officer in the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH),
the German Army High Command, specifically in the Inspectorate of
Motorized Troops. This position placed him at the forefront of
organizing and equipping the expanding Panzer forces, which would become
the backbone of Blitzkrieg tactics. His interwar experiences built a
foundation in mechanized warfare, emphasizing mobility and rapid
decision-making—principles that would define his World War II commands.
At
the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Balck was a lieutenant
colonel. He initially continued in a staff role but soon transitioned to
field command. In May 1940, during the Battle of France, Balck
commanded the 1st Panzer Regiment of the 1st Panzer Division under Heinz
Guderian. His unit played a pivotal role in establishing a bridgehead
across the Meuse River at Sedan, a critical breakthrough that allowed
German forces to encircle Allied troops and facilitate the Dunkirk
evacuation. Balck led from the front, personally directing assaults
under fire, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his
actions.
In April 1941, Balck commanded Panzer Regiment 3 during
the invasion of Greece. Operating in rugged terrain against British and
New Zealand forces, he demonstrated adaptability by using his tanks in
unconventional ways, such as rapid advances through mountain passes. His
success in Greece further solidified his reputation as a versatile
commander. By late 1941, Balck was promoted and transferred to the
Eastern Front, where the bulk of his legendary exploits would unfold.
The
Eastern Front against the Soviet Union tested Balck's skills to their
limits. In 1942, he took command of the 11th Panzer Division, where he
excelled in mobile defense and counterattacks. One of his most famous
engagements was the Battle of the Chir River in December 1942. Facing a
massive Soviet offensive near Stalingrad, Balck's division, outnumbered
and outgunned, destroyed over 75 Soviet tanks in a single night without
losing a single Panzer. This was achieved through a daring nighttime
repositioning and surprise assault, showcasing his mastery of tempo and
deception.
Balck's leadership extended to larger formations. In
1943, he commanded the Grossdeutschland Division at Zhitomir and later
the 48th Panzer Corps. His tactics often involved fluid maneuvers,
avoiding static defenses in favor of aggressive counterstrikes that
disrupted Soviet advances. At the Chir River and other battles, he
stabilized crumbling fronts, earning upgrades to his Knight's Cross with
Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. Peers like Friedrich von Mellenthin
praised him as Germany's finest field commander, surpassing even Erich
von Manstein in tactical execution.
In September 1943, Balck
briefly commanded the 14th Panzer Corps in Italy, countering the Allied
Salerno landings. His forces delayed American advances, buying time for
German reinforcements. Returning to the East, he led efforts to
recapture Kiev, though ultimately unsuccessful due to resource
shortages.
By mid-1944,
Balck's star continued to rise. He briefly commanded the 4th Panzer Army
in August before taking over Army Group G in France in September.
Facing George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army in Lorraine, Balck
orchestrated delaying actions that slowed the Allied advance, despite
being heavily outnumbered. His defensive maneuvers in Alsace highlighted
his ability to manage multi-corps operations under pressure.
In
late 1944, Balck was reassigned to command the 6th Army in Hungary,
where he fought to relieve Budapest from Soviet encirclement. Clashing
with Waffen-SS leaders over strategy, he prioritized tactical efficiency
over ideological directives. As the war neared its end, Balck led his
forces in a fighting retreat. On May 8, 1945, he surrendered to U.S.
forces in Austria, avoiding capture by the Soviets.
After
the war, Balck was held as a prisoner until 1947. Unlike many former
generals, he initially refused to participate in U.S. Army debriefings
but later shared insights in the late 1970s, influencing American
doctrine like AirLand Battle. He lived quietly in West Germany,
authoring his memoirs in 1981, which were translated into English in
2015. Balck passed away on November 29, 1982, at age 88.
Balck's
legacy endures among military historians as a paragon of tactical
innovation. U.S. General William E. Depuy called him the best division
commander in the German Army, while physicist Freeman Dyson hailed him
as perhaps the most brilliant field commander of World War II. His
emphasis on offensive action—"attack wherever possible"—and leading by
example continues to inform modern warfare studies, despite his relative
obscurity compared to more publicized figures.
Generalleutnant Hermann Balck (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) photographed by Walter Frentz in March 1943.
Generalleutnant Hermann Balck (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) photographed by Walter Frentz in March 1943.
Generalleutnant Hermann Balck (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) photographed by Walter Frentz in March 1943.
Source:
Balck, Hermann. Ordnung im Chaos: Erinnerungen 1893-1948. Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück 1981 (English: Order in Chaos: The Memoirs of General of Panzer Troops Hermann Balck, edited and translated by David T. Zabecki and Dieter J. Biedekarken, University Press of Kentucky 2015).
Scherzer, Veit. Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945. Scherzers Militaer-Verlag, Jena 2007.
Thomas, Franz. Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945 Teil III: Infanterie Band 1. Biblio-Verlag, Osnabrück 1987.
Mellenthin, Friedrich-Wilhelm von. Panzer Battles. Konecky & Konecky 1956.
Ziemke, Earl F. Stalingrad to Berlin: The German Defeat in the East. Center of Military History, US Army 2002.
Glantz, David M. & House, Jonathan. To the Gates of Stalingrad. University Press of Kansas 2009.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_Balck
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/204/Balck-Hermann.htm
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/B/BalckH.htm
https://www.historynet.com/the-greatest-german-general-no-one-ever-heard-of/
http://www.geocities.ws/orion47.geo/WEHRMACHT/HEER/General/BALCK_HERMANN.html
https://rk.balsi.de/ (Ritterkreuzträger database)
https://www.unithistories.com/
https://forum.axishistory.com/
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/
https://www.bundesarchiv.de/en/
https://www.geni.com/
https://books.google.com/ (searches for Balck memoirs and related histories)
http://de.metapedia.org/ (supplementary biographical entries)
Additional cross-referenced from familysearch.org and ww2gravestone.com for personal details.
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