Ernst von Leyser
Encyclopedia
Ernst Ulrich Hans von Leyser (ˈeʁnst ˈuːlʁiːx ˈxans fon ˈlaɪsa) (known as Ernst von Leyser) was a German General der Infanterie
during World War II
who commanded various Army Corps and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
. The Knight's Cross was Nazi Germany
's highest award for military gallantry and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. After the war, in 1947, von Leyser was tried for war crimes committed in the Balkans
and sentenced to ten years of imprisonment during the Hostages Trial
, but was pardoned and released in 1951.
. He entered military service by joining the Kaiserliche Armee
on 24 March 1909, at the age of 20 with the rank of Leutnant. He was initially assigned to the 5th Foot Guards but upon the outbreak of World War I in 1914 he was transferred to the 1st Guards Reserve Regiment. He served in various positions in his regiment and eventually reached the rank of Hauptmann
during the summer of 1918, few months before the end of the war.
After the capitulation of the German Empire
and the drastical downsizing of the German Army (renamed to Reichswehr
) he remained in army service in the 115th Infantry Regiment until 31 December 1920, when he was transferred to the Polizei
. There, he rose to the rank of Major
in 1922. Upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1933 Nazi Germany
's armed forces (the Wehrmacht
) started a massive rearmament, ignoring the Versailles treaty. Subsequently, von Leyser was called back to the Wehrmacht
on 15 March 1935 and was promoted to Oberstleutnant
. He went on to command the 77th Infantry Regiment and the Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 2 (2nd Anti-tank Battalion) in his hometown. He reached the rank of Oberst
in 1937 and he was appointed commander of the Panzerabwehrtruppe XIV in Magdeburg
. Shortly before the German invasion of Poland in 1939 he was commander of the Infanterie-Ersatz-Regiment 6 (6th Infantry Reserve Regiment).
, as he commanded a reserve
formation. Following the favorable outcome of the campaign, he was transferred to the Infanterie-Regiment 169, with which he took part in the invasion of France
. On 1 February 1941 he was promoted to Generalmajor and two months later he was appointed commander of the 269. Infanterie-Division. As part of the Army Group North
, the division fought in northern Soviet Union
after the launching of Operation Barbarossa
. On 18 September 1941 he was awarded the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
and was promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 October 1942, while simultaneously given command of the XXVI. Armeekorps in Leningrad.
On 1 December 1942 he received his final promotion to General der Infanterie
and assumed command of the XXVI. Armeekorps. Almost a year later, he was assigned to lead the XV. Gebirgs.-Armeekorps, which was fighting against Yugoslav partisans in Croatia
. On 20 July 1944 (coincidentally, the day of the failed assassination of Adolf Hitler) he switched command with General der Panzertruppe
Gustav Fehn, commander of the XXI. Gebirgs.-Armeekorps in the Balkans
.
On 29 April 1945, few days before the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allied Forces, he was relieved from his command and was captured by US forces on 8 May, the day of the unconditional surrender of the German Forces to the Western Allies. He was proved to be somehow lucky, as both Fehn and his successor, Generalleutnant Hartwig von Ludwiger
, were executed by the Yugoslavians, with only the latter standing trial.
, along with 12 other high-ranking German officers in the so-called Hostages Trial
, from 13 May 1947 to 19 February 1948. He was indicted and found guilty of mistreatment of POWs and partisans, as well as harassment and excessive reprisals against civilians (especially for those committed in Croatia
) and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment in December 1947. Though, on 31 January 1951 John J. McCloy
, the US High Commissioner in Germany and General Thomas T. Handy
, Commander in Chief of United States European Command
, pardon
ed 89 German officers convicted of war crimes, among them von Leyser, who was subsequently released four days later, on 3 February 1951.
Ernst von Leyser died in Garstedt
on 23 September 1962, at the age of 73.
General of the Infantry (Germany)
General of the Infantry is a rank of general in the Imperial Army, Reichswehr or Wehrmacht - the second-highest regular rank. The same rank spread to the Imperial Russian Army and the Defence forces of Finland between the world wars...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who commanded various Army Corps and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. The Knight's Cross was Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
's highest award for military gallantry and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. After the war, in 1947, von Leyser was tried for war crimes committed in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
and sentenced to ten years of imprisonment during the Hostages Trial
Hostages Trial
The Hostages Trial was held from8 July 1947 until 19 February 1948 and was the seventh of the twelve trials for war crimes the U.S. authorities held in their occupation zone in Germany in Nuremberg after the end of World War II. These twelve trials were all held before U.S...
, but was pardoned and released in 1951.
Early years, World War I and Interwar period
Ernst von Leyser was born in 1889 in SteglitzSteglitz
Steglitz is a locality of the Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough in the south-west of Berlin, the capital of Germany. The locality also includes the neighbourhood of Südende.-History:...
. He entered military service by joining the Kaiserliche Armee
Kaiserliche Armee
Kaiserliche Armee was the term used to refer to the armed forces of the German Empire, comprising:*Deutsches Heer*Kaiserliche Marine*Luftstreitkrafte...
on 24 March 1909, at the age of 20 with the rank of Leutnant. He was initially assigned to the 5th Foot Guards but upon the outbreak of World War I in 1914 he was transferred to the 1st Guards Reserve Regiment. He served in various positions in his regiment and eventually reached the rank of Hauptmann
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
during the summer of 1918, few months before the end of the war.
After the capitulation of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
and the drastical downsizing of the German Army (renamed to Reichswehr
Reichswehr
The Reichswehr formed the military organisation of Germany from 1919 until 1935, when it was renamed the Wehrmacht ....
) he remained in army service in the 115th Infantry Regiment until 31 December 1920, when he was transferred to the Polizei
Polizei
Polizei is the German word for police. It might refer to:-National agencies:*Bundespolizei - Federal Police of Germany*Bundespolizei - Federal Police of Austria*Bundeskriminalamt - Federal Criminal Office of Germany, comparable to the FBI...
. There, he rose to the rank of Major
Major (Germany)
Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
in 1922. Upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1933 Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
's armed forces (the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
) started a massive rearmament, ignoring the Versailles treaty. Subsequently, von Leyser was called back to the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
on 15 March 1935 and was promoted to Oberstleutnant
Oberstleutnant
Oberstleutnant is a German Army and Air Force rank equal to Lieutenant Colonel, above Major, and below Oberst.There are two paygrade associated to the rank of Oberstleutnant...
. He went on to command the 77th Infantry Regiment and the Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 2 (2nd Anti-tank Battalion) in his hometown. He reached the rank of Oberst
Oberst
Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
in 1937 and he was appointed commander of the Panzerabwehrtruppe XIV in Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
. Shortly before the German invasion of Poland in 1939 he was commander of the Infanterie-Ersatz-Regiment 6 (6th Infantry Reserve Regiment).
World War II
Ernst von Leyser did not participate in the invasion of PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, as he commanded a reserve
Military reserve
A military reserve, tactical reserve, or strategic reserve is a group of military personnel or units which are initially not committed to a battle by their commander so that they are available to address unforeseen situations or exploit suddenly developing...
formation. Following the favorable outcome of the campaign, he was transferred to the Infanterie-Regiment 169, with which he took part in the invasion of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
. On 1 February 1941 he was promoted to Generalmajor and two months later he was appointed commander of the 269. Infanterie-Division. As part of the Army Group North
Army Group North
Army Group North was a German strategic echelon formation commanding a grouping of Field Armies subordinated to the OKH during World War II. The army group coordinated the operations of attached separate army corps, reserve formations, rear services and logistics.- Formation :The Army Group North...
, the division fought in northern Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
after the launching of Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
. On 18 September 1941 he was awarded the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
and was promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 October 1942, while simultaneously given command of the XXVI. Armeekorps in Leningrad.
On 1 December 1942 he received his final promotion to General der Infanterie
General of the Infantry (Germany)
General of the Infantry is a rank of general in the Imperial Army, Reichswehr or Wehrmacht - the second-highest regular rank. The same rank spread to the Imperial Russian Army and the Defence forces of Finland between the world wars...
and assumed command of the XXVI. Armeekorps. Almost a year later, he was assigned to lead the XV. Gebirgs.-Armeekorps, which was fighting against Yugoslav partisans in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. On 20 July 1944 (coincidentally, the day of the failed assassination of Adolf Hitler) he switched command with General der Panzertruppe
General der Panzertruppe
General der Panzertruppe was a rank of German Army General introduced by the Wehrmacht in 1935. As the commander of a Panzer Corp this rank corresponds to a US Army Lieutenant-General...
Gustav Fehn, commander of the XXI. Gebirgs.-Armeekorps in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
.
On 29 April 1945, few days before the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allied Forces, he was relieved from his command and was captured by US forces on 8 May, the day of the unconditional surrender of the German Forces to the Western Allies. He was proved to be somehow lucky, as both Fehn and his successor, Generalleutnant Hartwig von Ludwiger
Hartwig von Ludwiger
Gottlob Hartwig Alfred Michael von Ludwiger was a German high-ranking officer during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
, were executed by the Yugoslavians, with only the latter standing trial.
Trial, imprisonment and later life
Von Leyser was tried, as subordinate to Generaloberst Dr. Lothar RendulicLothar Rendulic
Generaloberst Lothar Rendulic was an Austro-Hungarian and Austrian Army officer of Croatian origin who served as a German general during World War II. He commanded the 14. Infanterie-Division, 52. Infanterie-Division, XXXV Armeekorps, 2. Panzer-Armee, 20...
, along with 12 other high-ranking German officers in the so-called Hostages Trial
Hostages Trial
The Hostages Trial was held from8 July 1947 until 19 February 1948 and was the seventh of the twelve trials for war crimes the U.S. authorities held in their occupation zone in Germany in Nuremberg after the end of World War II. These twelve trials were all held before U.S...
, from 13 May 1947 to 19 February 1948. He was indicted and found guilty of mistreatment of POWs and partisans, as well as harassment and excessive reprisals against civilians (especially for those committed in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
) and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment in December 1947. Though, on 31 January 1951 John J. McCloy
John J. McCloy
John Jay McCloy was a lawyer and banker who served as Assistant Secretary of War during World War II, president of the World Bank and U.S. High Commissioner for Germany...
, the US High Commissioner in Germany and General Thomas T. Handy
Thomas T. Handy
Thomas Troy Handy was a United States Army four-star general who served as Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947; Commanding General, Fourth United States Army from 1947 to 1949; Commander in Chief, United States European Command from 1949 to 1952; Commander in Chief, U.S...
, Commander in Chief of United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
, pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
ed 89 German officers convicted of war crimes, among them von Leyser, who was subsequently released four days later, on 3 February 1951.
Ernst von Leyser died in Garstedt
Garstedt
Garstedt is a municipality in the districty of Harburg in Lower Saxony in Germany...
on 23 September 1962, at the age of 73.
Dates of rank
| 24 March 1909 | Leutnant (effective as of 15 June 1909) |
| 18 June 1915 | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... |
| 5 July 1918 | Hauptmann Hauptmann Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e... |
| spring of 1935 | Oberstleutnant Oberstleutnant Oberstleutnant is a German Army and Air Force rank equal to Lieutenant Colonel, above Major, and below Oberst.There are two paygrade associated to the rank of Oberstleutnant... |
| 1 March 1937 | Oberst Oberst Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti... |
| 1 February 1941 | Generalmajor |
| 1 October 1942 | Generalleutnant |
| 1 December 1942 | General der Infanterie General of the Infantry (Germany) General of the Infantry is a rank of general in the Imperial Army, Reichswehr or Wehrmacht - the second-highest regular rank. The same rank spread to the Imperial Russian Army and the Defence forces of Finland between the world wars... |
Awards
- Iron Cross 2nd ClassIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(during World War I) - Iron Cross 1st ClassIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
- Johanittenorden
- Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
on 18 September 1941 as Generalmajor and commander of the 269. Infanterie-Division - German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold on 14 April 1943 as General der Infanterie and commanding general of the XXVI. Armeekorps