Johannes Blaskowitz
German general
Died when: 64 years 210 days (774 months)Star Sign: Cancer
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Johannes Albrecht Blaskowitz (10 July 1883 – 5 February 1948) was a German Generaloberst during World War II.He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.
After joining the Imperial German Army in 1901, Blaskowitz served throughout World War I, where he earned an Iron Cross for bravery.
During WWII, Blaskowitz led the 8th Army during the Invasion of Poland and was the Commander in Chief of Occupied Poland from 1939 to 1940.
He wrote several memoranda to the German high command speaking out against SS atrocities, and he handed out death sentences to SS members for crimes against Polish civilians.
Based upon these actions against the SS, Adolf Hitler personally limited Blaskowitz's future advancement.He commanded Army Group G during the Allied invasion of Southern France and Operation Nordwind, the last major German offensive of World War II on the Western Front.
After the war, he was charged with war crimes in the High Command Trial at Nuremberg.While in custody facing trial he died on 5 February 1948, purportedly of suicide, though this cause of death has been questioned by various sources.
He was posthumously acquitted on all counts.
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