Nickname: No information
Date of birth: 2 January 1899 - Berlin (German Empire)
Date of death: 19 September 1966 - Gaißach, Bavaria (West Germany)
Religion: The broader Oppeln‑Bronikowski family is historically associated with the Calvinist (reformed) confession in several branches, but there is no explicit public record stating Hermann’s personal confession; sources therefore usually list his religion as “unknown” or do not specify it further.
Parents: Hermann von Oppeln‑Bronikowski (later General der Infanterie in the Kaiserliche Armee) and Marie von Oppeln‑Bronikowski (maiden name not clearly established in open online sources).
Siblings: Public biographical records do not list specific names or numbers of siblings for Hermann Leopold August; detailed family archives focus instead on earlier generations of the Oppeln‑Bronikowski house.
Spouse: Edelgard von Kleist (married mid‑June 1931 in Züllichau, daughter of generalleutnant Adolf von Kleist).
Children: Published sources do not give clear, consistently cited names or numbers of children; some genealogical notes mention “children” in plural but without specific details usable in an authoritative bio.
Promotions:
23 March 1917: Fähnrich
19 December 1917: Leutnant
1 October 1919: Leutnant (with patent from 1 April 1918)
1 April 1925: Oberleutnant
1 June 1933: Rittmeister
1 March 1937: Major
1 August 1940: Oberstleutnant (ranked as of december 1941, with renewed seniority from june 1939 in some records)
1 February 1942: Oberst
30 January 1945 (effective from 1 January 1945): Generalmajor
Career:
1912 Entered the Bensberg Cadet School near Cologne, later transferred to the cadet institute at Groß-Lichterfelde near Berlin.
23 March 1917 Promoted to Fähnrich.
19 December 1917 Promoted to Leutnant. Voluntarily reported to the front and joined Infantry Regiment “Prince Carl” Nr. 118 on the Western Front. Served as platoon and troop leader in Champagne and the Argonne.
28 May 1918 Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
14 October 1918 Awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class (one of the youngest lieutenants to receive it), personally presented by Lieutenant-General Paul von Kleist.
1 October 1919 Reappointed as Leutnant with patent from 1 April 1918. Continued service in the reduced Reichswehr, initially in cavalry and infantry roles.
1 April 1925 Promoted to Oberleutnant.
1 June 1933 Promoted to Rittmeister (cavalry captain).
1 March 1937 Promoted to Major.
1936 Competed as an equestrian in the Berlin Summer Olympics. Won the gold medal in team dressage riding the East Prussian gelding “Gimpel”.
1939 Served as commander of the reconnaissance battalion (Aufklärungs-Abteilung 24) of the 24th Infantry Division during the invasion of Poland.
25 September 1939 Awarded the 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
10 November 1939 Awarded the 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class.
1 August 1940 Promoted to Oberstleutnant (with RDA seniority dated 17 December 1941, later renewed to 1 June 1939 in some records).
Voluntarily transferred to the Panzertruppe on 1 October 1941 and assigned to the 5th Panzer Brigade in the 4th Panzer Division. Took command of elements of Panzer-Regiment 35.
Fought in the advance toward Moscow (Orel-Tula sector) and subsequent defensive battles.
Mid-January 1942 Took command of Panzer-Regiment 35.
1 February 1942 Promoted to Oberst.
October 1942 Assumed command of Panzer-Regiment 204 of the 22nd Panzer Division.
Led desperate counterattacks and defensive actions with the 22nd Panzer Division in the winter of 1942-43 near Army Group Don to prevent encirclements related to the Stalingrad battle. His Kampfgruppe achieved notable successes, destroying large numbers of Soviet tanks, guns, and heavy weapons despite heavy losses.
1 January 1943 Awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as Oberst and commander of Panzer-Regiment 204.
7 August 1943 Awarded the German Cross in Gold as Oberst in Panzer-Regiment 11 (after earlier command transitions).
Suffered a war injury in 1943.
Recovered and appointed commander of Panzer-Regiment 22 of the 21st Panzer Division.
Led immediate armored counterattacks against Allied forces after the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. Some of his tanks reached toward the coast but were forced to withdraw under pressure. His regiment held positions around Caen for approximately 32 days against superior Allied forces, maintaining defensive lines despite heavy fighting and fuel/ammunition shortages.
28 July 1944 Awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (536th recipient) as Oberst and commander of Panzer-Regiment 22.
26 September 1944 Participated in a division commanders’ course.
7 November 1944 Took temporary or preparatory leadership role toward commanding the 20th Panzer Division, succeeding General der Panzertruppe Mortimer von Kessel.
30 January 1945 (effective from 1 January 1945): Promoted to Generalmajor.
Assumed full command of the 20th Panzer Division in Silesia. Led defensive operations and counterattacks against Soviet advances, including actions near the Neisse River, defense of Neisse, a corridor to Breslau over the Zobten mountain, relief of encircled troops at the fortress of Bautzen (freeing about 1,200 soldiers), and holding actions toward Spremberg.
17 April 1945 Awarded the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (142nd recipient) as Generalmajor and commander of the 20th Panzer Division for these actions.
On 8 May 1945, upon learning of the unconditional surrender at the command post of Fallschirm-Panzerkorps “Hermann Göring”, he dissolved his division in an orderly manner, allowing small groups to break out toward American lines.
Taken prisoner by American forces on 18 May 1945. Held in various camps (including Staudemühle near Paderborn and British camps in Belgium). Interrogated and initially classified as a potential war criminal due to his role in the defense of Caen but later released in 1947 as “completely innocent"
Post-war life: Worked as a civil engineering consultant and contributed to the reconstruction of the new German Bundeswehr. Served as a riding instructor, including preparing the Canadian Olympic dressage team for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Interviewed by author Cornelius Ryan for the book *The Longest Day*.
19 September 1966 Died of a heart attack in Gaißach, Bavaria, West Germany, at the age of 67.
Awards and Decorations:
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914 (28 May1918)
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse 1914 (14 October 1918)
Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse 1939 (25 September 1939)
Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse 1939 (10 November 1939)
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber (Stufe II oder ohne Zahl)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (1 January 1943) as Oberst and Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 204 / 22.Panzer-Division. The actions that earned him the award took place during the desperate winter battles of Heeresgruppe Don in late 1942 and early 1943. As commander of a panzer-regiment, von Oppeln-Bronikowski led aggressive armored counterattacks in the vast snow-covered plains of the Don-Donets region and the great Don bend. Amid collapsing german lines and the looming disaster at Stalingrad his Kampfgruppe repeatedly clashed with far superior soviet forces in freezing conditions where temperatures plunged below minus thirty degrees and supply lines were almost nonexistent. Between early December 1942 and early January 1943 his panzers destroyed or captured 451 enemy tanks, 209 guns, and 752 heavy infantry weapons. In one notable engagement his tanks executed rapid flanking maneuvers through deep snow to surprise and annihilate a soviet battlegroup in close-range duels. Despite severe equipment shortages including tanks immobilized when field mice chewed through electrical wiring his unit held critical sectors and delayed massive soviet advances buying vital time for other german formations.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (7 August 1943 as Oberst in Panzer-Regiment 11)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #536 (28 July 1944) as Oberst and Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 22 / 21.Panzer-Division. On 6 June 1944 immediately after the Allied D-Day landings he launched bold counterattacks pushing his panzer IV tanks northward toward the coast in an attempt to split the British and Canadian beachheads. Some of his armored vehicles advanced so far that crews could see the english channel before being forced back by devastating naval gunfire, fighter-bomber attacks and determined infantry resistance. For the next thirty-two days his regiment fought a grueling defensive battle around the city of Caen. In the dense bocage countryside with its thick hedgerows that restricted movement and visibility his panzers absorbed relentless bombardments from allied warships and aircraft while launching sharp local counterthrusts to plug gaps in the line. Day and night the unit held its positions through skillful use of covered firing points and rapid repositioning despite mounting losses in tanks fuel and men. His energetic and personal leadership helped maintain fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming allied material superiority.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #142 (17 April 1945) as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 20. Panzer-Division. Oppeln-Bronikowski’s award recommendation reads as follows:
“In the time period 15.-17.03.1945 the enemy deployed overwhelming infantry and tank forces in a southerly direction from Grottkau in the direction of Neisse, and they achieved a deep penetration into friendly lines. In response the 20. Pz.Div. (attached to VIII. Korps at the time) was dispatched against this threat, with its foremost elements located north of Neisse being the first to engage the enemy. Although this maneuver managed to contain the hostile thrust following bitter combat, on the 18.03.1945 the enemy thrust forwards along the axis Stephansdorf—Gross-Giessmannsdorf—Hochdorf with their 6th Guards Mechanized Corps and the 282nd Rifle Division. Their goal was to envelop Neisse from the west.
Following this dangerous turn-of-events Generalmajor von Oppeln (commander of the 20. Pz.Div.) and his staff were pulled out of the area north of Neisse. He received the mission to use the newly arrived elements of his Division to engage the advancing enemy and close the gap between Neisse and Nowag.
Undeterred by the unclear situation, Generalmajor von Oppeln immediately conducted a personal reconnaissance of the terrain that had been occupied by the foe. He found and reorganized those defending forces that were still fighting, and eliminated the opposing armoured spearheads in Hochdorf in a lightning-swift display of action. After this he personally led a counterattack against the enemy troops that had penetrated into the forest north of Gross-Giessmannsdorf. This series of actions that Generalmajor von Oppeln directed from the foremost line proved sufficient to prevent a hostile breakthrough towards the Neisse—Ottmachau road.
The bold, flexible leadership and inspiring personal bravery of Generalmajor von Oppeln have enabled him to repeatedly halt and smash strong enemy tank and infantry formations time and again. The 20. Pz.Div. was attached to VIII. Korps for the second time in 4 weeks, and it has once again proven itself to be an elite division. The Division has shown itself to possess both energy and endurance (especially in night attacks). For his part Generalmajor von Oppeln has particularly distinguished himself through both his demonstrated personal bravery as well as the swiftness with which he executes his plans.
Generalmajor von Oppeln has already previously distinguished himself during the fighting on the 07.02.1945, during the first 4-day attachment of his Division to the Korps. On this day he was present at the spearhead of the armoured group during its attack, and he provided the tempo for the successful night attack that was launched against the bitterly defending foe near Grottkau. He delivered similarly impressive results on the 27.01.1945, during the offensive combat in the Upper Silesian industrial area. Although his armoured vehicle was knocked out twice on this day he continued to lead the spearhead group towards the south and into the enemy’s midst. This opened up a path for the bulk of the encircled friendly Divisionen to occupy new positions.
This commander is possessed of particularly flexible leadership, uncompromising boldness and outstanding skill, and these virtues are reflected in the ranks of his Panzer-Division. He and his men never fail to deliver crushing blows upon the foe wherever they are deployed.”
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Hermann leopold august von oppeln-bronikowski was a german army officer and olympic equestrian champion who rose to the rank of generalmajor during the second world war. Born on 2 january 1899 in berlin into a prussian noble family with deep military roots his father was a general of the infantry. He entered cadet school in 1912 first at bensberg and later at gross-lichterfelde. During the first world war he volunteered for frontline service and was commissioned as a leutnant in late 1917. He fought on the western front with infantry regiment prince carl no. 118 earning both classes of the iron cross 1914 by october 1918 at a young age. After the war he continued his career in the reichswehr transitioning through various cavalry and infantry postings while steadily advancing in rank.
In parallel with his military duties von oppeln-bronikowski excelled in competitive dressage. He represented germany at the 1936 summer olympics in berlin where he contributed to the team gold medal riding the east prussian gelding gimpel. The horse had previously helped secure gold in 1928. Individually he placed tenth. His horsemanship and cavalry background later informed his reputation as a bold and energetic commander once the wehrmacht began emphasizing armored warfare. By 1939 he had reached the rank of major and commanded the reconnaissance battalion of the 24th infantry division during the invasion of poland. For his performance he received the 1939 clasps to both classes of the iron cross.
With the expansion of the panzer forces von oppeln-bronikowski transferred to armored units in 1941. He commanded panzer-regiment 35 then panzer-regiment 204 of the 22nd panzer division on the eastern front. In the desperate winter fighting of 1942-43 near army group don his kampfgruppe conducted aggressive counterattacks that helped delay soviet encirclement efforts connected to stalingrad destroying hundreds of enemy tanks and guns despite heavy losses. On 1 january 1943 he was awarded the knight's cross of the iron cross as an oberst. He later commanded panzer-regiment 11 with the 6th panzer division and earned the german cross in gold in august 1943 before being wounded.
In 1944 von oppeln-bronikowski took command of panzer-regiment 22 within the 21st panzer division stationed in normandy. On 6 june he led immediate counterattacks against the allied landings pushing some elements toward the coast although superior numbers and air power forced withdrawals. His regiment held defensive lines around caen for roughly a month under intense pressure. For these actions he received the oak leaves to the knight's cross on 28 july 1944 as the 536th recipient. Described by contemporaries as exuberant and dashing he was known for his frontline leadership style though occasional tensions with superiors arose linked to his personal habits including drinking.
By late 1944 he prepared to assume command of the 20th panzer division on the eastern front. Promoted to generalmajor with effect from 1 january 1945 he led the division during the final defensive battles in silesia. His forces conducted counterattacks near the oder river defended neisse opened a temporary corridor toward breslau and relieved encircled troops at bautzen freeing around 1 200 soldiers. For his leadership in these actions he was awarded the swords to the knight's cross with oak leaves on 17 april 1945 as the 142nd recipient. On 8 may 1945 upon hearing of the unconditional surrender he dissolved the division in orderly fashion allowing small groups to attempt breakout toward american lines. He was taken prisoner shortly afterward and after interrogation and a period of internment was released in 1947 classified as innocent.
After the war von oppeln-bronikowski worked as a civil engineering consultant and participated in early planning for the reconstruction of the west german bundeswehr. He remained active in equestrian circles serving as a riding instructor and helping prepare the canadian dressage team for the 1964 tokyo olympics. He was also interviewed by author cornelius ryan during research for the book the longest day. Hermann von oppeln-bronikowski died of a heart attack on 19 september 1966 in gaissach bavaria at the age of 67. He was survived by his wife edelgard von kleist whom he had married in 1931 and their three children. His career bridged the old prussian cavalry tradition olympic achievement and the mechanized battles of the second world war marking him as one of the more colorful and capable panzer leaders of his generation.
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Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_von_Oppeln-Bronikowski
https://gmic.co.uk/topic/85662-oppeln-bronikowski-hermann-von/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/12987/Oppeln-Bronikowski-von-Hermann-Leopold-August.htm
https://ww2colorfarbe.blogspot.com/2015/10/generalmajor-hermann-von-oppeln.html
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-n-r/
