Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernd Freiherr Freytag von Loringhoven
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| Born | 24 January [O.S. 6 February] 1914 Arensburg Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire (now Kuressaare, Estonia) |
| Died | 27 February 2007 (aged 93) Munich, Bavaria, Germany |
| Buried |
Munich Northern Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany West Germany |
| Service/ |
German Army (Wehrmacht) German Army (Bundeswehr) |
| Years of service | 1933–45 1956–73 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Commands held | CS Armed Forces Staff |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven (born February 6, 1914 – died February 27, 2007) was a German officer. He served in the German Army during World War II. After the war, he joined the new German Federal Armed Forces, called the Bundeswehr. He rose to the rank of Generalleutnant, which is a high-ranking general.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven came from an old noble family. His family, the Freytag-Loringhovens, were Baltic German nobles. They originally came from a place called Westphalia in Germany.
He was born in Arensburg, which is now Kuressaare, Estonia. His family left their home in Estonia in 1918. This was after Estonia became an independent country. Their family lands and wealth were taken by the government.
After studying law for a year, he joined the German army in 1933. This army was known as the Reichswehr at the time. By 1937, he was promoted to Leutnant, a junior officer rank.
Serving in World War II
During World War II, Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven was a tank officer. In late 1942, his tank battalion was surrounded. This happened during a big Soviet attack at the Battle of Stalingrad. In January 1943, he was flown out of the battle area.
He later joined the staff of the 111th Infantry Division. In January 1943, he received the German Cross in Gold. This was a high military award. He was a Hauptmann, which means captain, at that time. By November 1943, he was promoted to major.
From July 1944 to April 1945, he worked closely with top generals. He was an assistant to the Chief of the Army General Staff. These generals included Heinz Guderian and Hans Krebs.
Inside Hitler's Bunker in 1945
Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven's last job was very important. He was a staff officer who prepared reports for Adolf Hitler. This meant he had to be near Hitler almost all the time.
By April 1945, communications were breaking down. Hitler's staff started to leave. Loringhoven had to find information on his own. He used news from Allied agencies like Reuters and the BBC. Hitler did not know he was getting news this way.
On April 29, he decided to leave the Führerbunker. This was Hitler's underground headquarters in Berlin. He left with two other officers, Gerhard Boldt and Rudolf Weiss. They wanted to reach other German troops still fighting.
Hitler surprisingly gave them advice on how to escape. He suggested they find an electric boat. He thought it would be quiet and help them get past Soviet lines. Loringhoven and his companions agreed. Hitler shook their hands and dismissed them.
The three men left the bunker area. They crawled and ran under enemy fire. They finally reached the Tiergarten park. Loringhoven had packed food, maps, and carried a machine-pistol. Their mission was to tell General Walther Wenck's Twelfth Army about the dire situation. They hoped to get help for Berlin.
They found a boat and traveled south on the Havel river. By May 3, Weiss was captured. Loringhoven and Boldt changed into civilian clothes. They reached Wittenberg and registered under fake names. They later crossed the Elbe and Mulde rivers. Then, the two men went their separate ways.
Life After the War
Loringhoven was trying to reach his family in Leipzig. However, a US Army soldier stopped him. He was held in jail for a few days. Later, he was taken to several British interrogation camps. He was finally released in January 1948.
After his release, Loringhoven lived in Munich. He became a publisher, working with books and magazines. In 1956, he joined the new German Federal Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr. This was after West Germany joined NATO.
He served in various army and NATO roles. His highest rank was lieutenant-general. He became the Deputy Inspector General of the Armed Forces. He retired from the army in 1973 with full honors.
Later in his life, Loringhoven was active in the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg). He served as its chancellor and governor. When he passed away at 93, he was one of the last people alive who had been in the Führerbunker with Hitler at the end of World War II.
Works
- Loringhoven, Bernd Freytag von and d' Alançon, François (2006). In the Bunker with Hitler: The Last Witness Speaks, London, ISBN: 0-297-84555-1
