Werner von Fritsch

Werner Freiherr von Fritsch (August 4th, 1880-September 22, 1939) was a prominent Wehrmacht officer prior to 1938.

Related Topics:
August 4th - 1880 - September 22 - 1939 - Wehrmacht

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Von Fritsch was born in Benrath in 1880.

Related Topics:
Benrath - 1880

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He entered the army at the age of 18, and won the attention of the General Staff with his superior military qualities.

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In 1901, at the age of 21, he transferred to the War Academy. As a 1st Lieutenant in 1911, he was appointed to the General Staff.

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Between 1914 and 1918, during World War I, he gradually increased in importance.

Related Topics:
1914 - 1918 - World War I

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After the war, he served in the Reichswehr.

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He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1932.

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After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Fritsch was appalled by their lawlessness and suppression of civil liberties, but he did not openly criticise them.

Related Topics:
Nazis - 1933

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He was worried, however, that Hitler would cause a war with the USSR, as he has supported the Weimar liasion with them.

Related Topics:
USSR - Weimar

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In 1934, Fritsch was promoted into the High Command, the OKH, and made Commander in Chief the next year.

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He, alongside Werner von Blomberg, set about rearming Germany.

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Von Fritsch was among the officers present at the Hossbach Conference in 1937 where Hitler made his aggressive intentions known, but was appalled at this, as he knew the army was not ready.

Related Topics:
Hossbach Conference - 1937

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Von Fritsch was accused of engaging in homosexual activity by Himmler and Göring, and this led to the Blomberg-Fritsch Krise. Von Fritsch had never been a womaniser, and had never married, preferring to concentrate on his army career.

Related Topics:
Himmler - Göring - Blomberg-Fritsch Krise

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Von Fritsch was forced to resign on February 4th 1938, and was replaced by Walther von Brauchitsch, whom Fritsch himself recommended for the post.

Related Topics:
February 4th - 1938 - Walther von Brauchitsch

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He was acquitted by an honour court of officers presided by Hermann Goring, and was recalled just before the outbreak of WWII.

Related Topics:
Hermann Goring - WWII

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He was killed in combat near Warsaw on September 22, 1939 while personally inspecting the front lines.

Related Topics:
Warsaw - September 22 - 1939

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It is believed he deliberately sought death.

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William Shirer in his book Berlin Diary, writes that though General Fritsch suffered from a serious wound, it was not mortal. Fritsch refused to listen to his adjutant's pleas to let himself be carried to rear. He bled to death.

Related Topics:
William Shirer - Berlin Diary

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