Walther Wenck
Walther Wenck | |
|---|---|
Wenck in 1943 | |
| Nickname(s) | Boy General |
| Born | 18 September 1900 Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Province of Saxony, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died | 1 May 1982 (aged 81) near Ried im Innkreis, Bezirk Ried im Innkreis, Upper Austria, Austria |
| Allegiance | |
| Service | |
| Years of service | 1920–1945 |
| Rank | General der Panzertruppe |
| Commands | 12th Army |
| Battles / wars | World War I (noncombat) World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Other work | Arms Manufacturing |
Walther Wenck (German: [ˈvaltɐ ˈvɛŋk]; 18 September 1900 – 1 May 1982) was a German military officer and industrialist. He was the youngest General of the branch (General der Truppengattung) in the German Army and a staff officer during World War II. At the end of the war, he commanded the German Twelfth Army that took part in the Battle of Berlin. Wenck left the military after surrendering to the Allies. He was asked to become Inspector General of the Bundeswehr as West Germany was re-arming in 1957, but declined to take the post when conditions he set were not met, such as the Inspector General being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, not just an administrative leader.
Historians consider Wenck a capable commander and a brilliant improviser, although incapable of the impossible task he was given of saving Berlin in 1945. His efforts and achievements have been captured by the Swedish power metal band Sabaton in the song "Hearts of Iron".