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Wilhelm Bittrich (26 February 1894 – 19 April 1979) was an SS-Obergruppenführer and Waffen-SS General during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords ((ドイツ語:Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern)). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. ==Overview== Born in Wernigerode in the Harz mountains of Germany, Bittrich served as an army officer and fighter pilot during World War I and was also a member of the Freikorps. He joined the SS-''Verfügungstruppe'' in 1934 and the ''Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler'' in 1939. He was in command of the ''Deutschland'' Regiment during the fighting in Poland (1939) and France (1940). Later he assumed command over the 2nd SS Panzer Division ''Das Reich'' and the II. SS-Panzerkorps (''Hohenstaufen'' & ''Frundsberg'' Divisions). He is perhaps now best remembered for his contribution to the defeat of the failed allied airborne offensive Operation Market Garden which took place in the Netherlands in September 1944. Bittrich also commanded a corps in the German defense against the Vienna Offensive from 2 April to 13 April 1945. However, he also led the 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer, involved in war crimes in the USSR (August 1942 - 15 February 1943).〔8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer〕 Bittrich survived the War and died in a local hospital in Wolfratshausen, Bavaria on 19 April 1979. Bittrich was a source for Cornelius Ryan in researching ''A Bridge Too Far''. During the interview he is reported to have been most concerned with correcting inaccurate reports that he was a skilled concert pianist. He claimed these reports stemmed from confusion with his brother. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Wilhelm Bittrich」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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