Hasso von Manteuffel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hasso von Manteuffel
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Manteuffel in May 1944
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| Born | 14 January 1897 Potsdam, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died | 24 September 1978 (aged 81) Reith, Austria |
| Allegiance |  German Empire (1908–1918) Weimar Republic (1918–1933) Nazi Germany (1933–1945) |
| Service/ |
 Imperial German Army Reichsheer German Army |
| Years of service | 1916–1945 |
| Rank | _1.svg){kind=small} General der Panzertruppe |
| Commands held | 5th Panzer Army Panzer Division Großdeutschland |
| Battles/wars | World War I
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| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds |
| Other work | Politician |
Hasso von Manteuffel (born January 14, 1897 – died September 24, 1978) was a German general. He was a military leader during World War II. He commanded the 5th Panzer Army. He received a very important military award called the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
After the war, he became a politician. He was elected to the Bundestag. This is like the parliament or main law-making body of West Germany. He helped create the name for West Germany's new army, the Bundeswehr.
Early Military Life
Hasso von Manteuffel started his army career during World War I. This was a huge global conflict. After the war, in 1919, he joined the Reichswehr. This was Germany's new army. He later worked with tank forces. He also became a teacher at a tank school in Berlin.
World War II Service
During World War II, Manteuffel led different tank units. He was part of Operation Barbarossa. This was Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.
In 1943, Manteuffel went to North Africa. He led a division in the Battle of Tunisia. This was a major battle in Africa. Later, he returned to the Eastern Front. This was where Germany fought the Soviet Union. His division had to retreat during the Battle of the Dnieper.
In 1944, Manteuffel took command of the Grossdeutschland Division. This division fought the Red Army in Ukraine. They later moved to East Prussia. This was after a big Soviet attack called Operation Bagration.
On September 1, 1944, Manteuffel was promoted. He became a General of Panzer Troops. He then commanded the 5th Panzer Army on the Western Front. This army took part in the Battle of the Bulge. This was a large German attack in the Ardennes forest. His army pushed deep into Allied lines. They almost reached the Meuse River. They also fought U.S. forces at the Battle of Bastogne.
In March 1945, Manteuffel commanded the 3rd Panzer Army. This was back on the Eastern Front. His army defended the Oder River. On May 3, 1945, Manteuffel surrendered his troops. He gave up to the British Army in Germany.
Life After the War
After the war, Manteuffel was held by the British and Americans. He helped the U.S. Army write about the Battle of the Bulge.
He was released in 1946. Then he started a career in politics. From 1953 to 1957, he was a member of the German Bundestag. He was part of the Free Democratic Party of Germany. He also advised on how to rebuild the German army, the Bundeswehr.
In 1968, he gave a speech at the United States Military Academy. This is a famous military school. He talked about fighting in deep snow. He also worked as an adviser for war movies. Hasso von Manteuffel passed away in 1978.
Awards and Recognition
Hasso von Manteuffel received many awards for his military service.
- Iron Cross (1914): He earned both the 2nd Class and 1st Class.
- Austrian Military Merit Cross
- Bavarian Military Merit Cross
- The Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
- Panzer Badge in Silver (for tank crew members)
- War Merit Cross: 2nd Class and 1st Class.
- Clasp to the Iron Cross: 2nd Class and 1st Class.
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds: This was a very high honor.
- He received the Knight's Cross in 1941.
- He received the Oak Leaves in 1943.
- He received the Swords in 1944.
- He received the Diamonds in 1945.
