Generalleutnant Heinrich Gottfried Otto Richard von Vietinghoff genannt Scheel became commanding officer of the 5.Pz.Div. in Poland on November 24th 1939. He was appointed as Commander of the XIII Armee Korps on October 26th 1940. The corps was in Western Europe as a part of the 16.Armee. It was to be in one of the first waves of attack for the Operation "Seelöwe" (The Invasion of Great-Britain). From November 1940 until June 10th 1942, he was General der Panzertruppe as commander of the XXXXVI Panzer Korps, that was send to the Eastern Front on June 22nd 1941. From September 1st till December 1st 1942 he commanded the 9.Armee in Russia. He went back to the west and became Commander in Chief of the 15.Armee from December 1st 1942 until August 15th 1943, after which he went to Italy to become Commander of the 10.Armee on October 26th 1943.
Bestween October 26th 1944 and January 15th 1945 he replaced Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring, who was wounded after a car accident. With that he became Commander in Chief of the whole South-Western front. After this Generaloberst Von Vietinghoff gen. Scheel was commander of Heeresgruppe Kurland between January 29th 1945 and March 9th 1945. From March 10th 1945 until May 2nd 1945 he was once again in Italy, as commander of Heeresgruppe C. He was captured by the Allies on May 23rd 1945 in Bozen, Italy.
Promotions:
6th March 1906: Fähnrich;
27th January 1907: Leutnant;
19th June 1914: Oberleutnant,
24th June 1915: Hauptmann;
1st March 1926: Major;
1st February 1931: Oberstleutnant;
1st April 1933: Oberst;
1st April 1936: Generalmajor;
1st March 1938: Generalleutnant;
1st June 1940: General der Panzertruppe;
1st September 1943: Generaloberst.
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