• Operation Albumen I

Date of birth:

January 18th, 1887 (Breslau/Silesia, Germany)

Date of death:

April 11th, 1958 (Aachen/Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Generalleutnant Josef Folttmann began his military career in December 1907 as a Fähnrich in the 38th Fusilier Regiment. He was promoted to Leutnant in August 1908 and served as Adjutant of the III Battalion. During World War I, he advanced to Oberleutnant in November 1914 and Hauptmann in April 1916, serving in various General Staff roles, including with the 115th Infantry Division and the 2nd Army.

Following the war, he continued his service in the newly formed Reichswehr, holding positions in the Army High Command and the Infantry School. He was promoted to Major in April 1929 and later served as a tactics instructor and staff officer in the Army Department. His rise continued with promotions to Oberstleutnant in September 1933 and Oberst in July 1935, during which he commanded the 52nd Infantry Regiment and later the 103rd Infantry Regiment.
With the onset of World War II, he was promoted to Generalmajor in April 1939 and Generalleutnant in February 1941. He commanded several divisions during the war, including the 256th Infantry Division, the 164th Infantry Division, and the 38th Infantry Division.

He also led the Fortress-Division Crete, a strategic post in the Mediterranean.

Toward the end of the war, he was placed in the Führer-Reserve and served on Special Staff III of the Army High Command (OKH). He was captured by U.S. forces on 30 April 1945 and remained in captivity until his release on 9 September 1947.

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• Photo:
• - BEEVER, A., Crete 1941, Penguin Books Ltd, 2014.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
  - Generalleutnant FOLTTMANN JOSEF