Date of birth:

December 23rd, 1895 (Straßburg/Elsaß, Germany)

Date of death:

May 19th, 1975 (Koblenz/Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Smilo Walther Hinko Oskar Constantin Wilhelm Freiherr von Lüttwitz was born December 23rd, 1895, the son of Walther von Lüttwitz.
In the period of mobilisation he joined the Leib-Dragonerregiment (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 24 in Darmstadt on August 3rd, 1914. He served with this unit on the Eastern Front near Tannenberg, Kurland and Düna. In 1915 he was wounded twice. Following the death of his brother in 1916, he was posted to the Stab X. Armeekorps, Heeresgruppe Kronprinz which was under the command of his father. In 1918 he returned to the front as Adjutant Darmstädter Dragoner and he saw action in the Ukraine and in southern Russia.
For his achievements in World War One, Smilo Lüttwitz was awarded the Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class, the Verwundetenabzeichen (1918), Medal for the Injured in Silver, the Hessische Tapferkeitsmedaille, Hessian Medal for Bravery, the Braunschweiger Kriegsverdienstkreuz 11 Klasse, Cross for Achievements in War of Braunschweig 2nd Class and the Friedrich-August Cross 1st Class.
During the period of the Weimar Republic he remained in the army and served in various cavalry units. After the seizure of power by the National Socialists he joined the Armored Forces in 1934.
At the outset of World War Two, Smilo Freiherr von Lüttwitz served as Adjutant XV. Armeekorps an was promoted to General der Panzertruppen (General of Armored Forces). After World War Two he served in the Bundeswehr, ultimately attaining the rank of Generalleutnant.
In 1955 he bacame Ehrenritter (Honorary Knight) in the Johanniter Orde, becoming Rechtsritter in 1963. After World War Two he was awarded the Grosses Bundesverdienstkreuz mit Stern (Grand Cross with Star) as well as the Legion of Merit.

Promotions:
August 4th, 1914: Fahnenjunker;
June 16th, 1915: Leutnant (entering August 10th, 1914);
April 1st, 1925: Oberleutnant;
May 1st, 1930: Rittmeister;
?: Major;
January 1st, 1939: Oberstleutnant;
November 1st, 1941: Oberst;
September 1st, 1942: Generalmajor;
October 1st, 1943: Generalleutnant;
September 1st, 1944: General der Panzertruppe (entering April 1st, 1944);
1958: Generalleutnant Bundeswehr.

Career:
August 3rd, 1914: Leib-Dragoner-Regiment (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 24, Darmstadt;
1916: Ordonnanzoffizier Korpskommandos / Stab der "Heeresgruppe Kronprinz";
1918: Regimentsadjutant Leib-Dragonerregiment (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 24;
?: Reiterregiment 7, Breslau;
?: Reiterregiment 6, Pasewalk;
?: 1. Eskadron / 6. (Preußischen) Reiterregiments, Pasewalk;
?: 2. Adjutant (II b) "Kommando der Kraftfahrkampftruppen";
1935: Kommandeur Panzeraufklärungsabteilung 5, Kornwestheim;
1938: IIa-Offizier Heeresgruppe 4, Leipzig
1939: Adjutant XV. Armeekorps, Jena;
July 24th, 1940: Kommandeur Schützenregiment 12;
March 1st, 1942 - April 1st, 1942: Kommandeur 4. Schützenbrigade;
April 1st, 1942: m.F.b. 23 Infanterie-Division;
July 24th, 1942 - July 10th, 1944: Kommandeur 26. Panzer-Division;
July 24th, 1944: Kommandierender General LXXXV. Armeekorps;
September 1st, 1944 - January 19th, 1945: m.F.b. 9. Armee;
March 29th, 1945 - May 7th, 1945: Kommandierender General LXXXV. Armeekorps;
May 7th, 1945 - 1947: American POW;
?: Evangelischen Akademie, Friedewald;
1954 - 1957: Hauptgeschäftsführer Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, Rolandseck;
June 1st, 1957 - December 31st, 1960: Kommandierender General III. Korps, Bundeswehr;
December 31st, 1960: Retirement;
1963: Vorsitzender der Gesellschaft für Wehrkunde;
1963: Präsidentschaft der Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe.

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• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
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