Chappuis von, Friedrich-Wilhelm

Date of birth:: September 13th, 1886 (Schubin / Posen)
Date of death:: August 27th, 1942 (Magdeburg, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

06.03.1906: entered as Fähnrich the Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 5
27.01.1907: promoted to Leutnant
19.06.1914: promoted to Oberleutnant and Adjutant - II. Bataillon Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 5
24.06.1915: promoted to Hauptmann
1917: Generalstabsoffizier - Stab der 206. Infanterie-Division
1919: Reichswehr-Schützen-Regiment 4
01.10.1921: Stab Gruppenkommando 1
Spring 1922: Reichswehrministerium
1923-end 1925: Generalstab der 5. Division der Reichswehr
1926: Hauptmann and Chef der 8. (MG.) Kompanie / 15. Infanterie-Regiment
01.02.1928: promoted to Major
Beginning 1929: Kommandant von Glatz
01.02.1930: Stab / 1. Division der Reichswehr
01.02.1933: promoted to Oberstleutnant
mid-09.1934: Kommandeur - 5. (Preuß.) Infanterie-Regiment
01.10.1934: promoted to Oberst and Kommandeur des Infanterie-Regiments Stettin
15.10.1935: Kommandeur des Infanterie-Regiments 5 (renaming)
01.04.1938: promoted to Generalmajor and appointed Chef des Generalstabes - XIV. Armeekorps - campaign in Poland
06.10.1939: Kommandeur der 15. Infanterie-Division
01.01.1940: promoted to Generalleutnant - campaign in France
15.08.1940: awarded the RK as 3rd soldier of the 15. I.D. and appointed Führer of the 16. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert)
15.03.1941: Führer des XXXVIII. Armeekorps
01.04.1941: promoted to General der Infanterie - campaign in the North of Russia
04.1942: relieved of his position and placed in the Führerreserve versetzt
27.08.1942: personally deeply affected by his replacement committed suicide in Magdeburg by headshot

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:: Kommandeur 15. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: August 15th, 1940

The following wartime excerpt describes why von Chappuis was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Generalleutnant von Chappuis, commander of the 15. Division, distinguished himself through his energy and personal commitment during the latter stages of the Battle of France. His actions ensured that half of his Division had already crossed the Aube river by 19:00 on the 13.06.1940 following a march of 50 km, with its lead elements being located about 12 km south of Arvis. The successful crossing of this water obstacle ensured that his unit was able to launch an uncontested pursuit battle towards the Loire river.”

The following press article provides an additional account concerning his Knight’s Cross actions…

“Generalleutnant von Chappuis’s superb preparation and execution of his Division’s attack across the Aisne canal and river on the 09.06.1940 meant that his Division was the first along his Armee front to construct an 8 ton bridge over the river. This was later used by elements of the neighbouring divisions as well. Through these actions the overall course of operations was significantly facilitated. This success was in large part due to the personal actions of the divisional commander.”