Draft:Fritz Karl Neumann

Fritz Neumann
Personal details
Born	21 Nov 1917 Klettwitz, Germany
Died	13 Nov 1941 Verkhnee Zaozer'e, Russia
Nationality	Germany
Military service
Allegiance	Germany Wehrmacht

Fritz Karl Neumann (born November 21, 1917, in Klettwitz, Germany)^[1] was a soldier in the German Army during World War II. Fritz's rank was an Obergefreiter (corporal) in the 8th Panzer Division under the command of the XXXIX. Panzer corps (XXXIX Armee Corps)^[2], in which he contributed to the challenges faced by German forces on the Eastern Front. Under the 8th Panzer Division he was in the I Battalion which was in command of the Schützen-Regiment 8, which was in command of the 2. Kompanie, which Fritz was in. Earlier in the war Fritz was assigned to the 1. Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 9 which is what is stated on his Erkennungsmarke.^[3]

The XXXIX. Panzer corps, established on January 27, 1940^[4], played a pivotal role in the German war effort. Initially deployed in Western Europe during the early stages of the conflict, the corps participated in key campaigns leading to the occupation of Rotterdam and the subsequent advance towards Dunkirk. Its efforts also contributed significantly to the breakthrough that trapped thousands of French soldiers within the Maginot Line during the Battle of France.^[5]

Following the conquest of France, the XXXIX. Panzer corps underwent reorganization and relocation in preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. Assigned to Army Group North, the corps, along with Neumann's unit, embarked on the ambitious campaign to capture Leningrad. However, facing resilient Soviet resistance, the offensive proved to be protracted and ultimately unsuccessful.

On that day, Kampfgruppe Schroetter, including Neumann's unit, encountered fortified Soviet positions near Choriza (an unidentified location in the Leningrad Oblast). Despite attempts to clear mines and engage the enemy, heavy artillery and mortar fire inflicted significant casualties, halting the German advance and forcing a defensive stance by 11:00 AM. Fritz Neumann was with those who died in the fierce fighting, marking a turning point in the campaign towards Leningrad^[6].

The XXXIX. Panzer corps^[7], like many other German formations, confronted various challenges during its campaign in the Soviet Union, experiencing the full spectrum of warfare on the Eastern Front. Neumann's role as a pioneer within this context underscores the importance of engineering and logistical support in sustaining offensive operations in hostile environments.

Nikolai Klykov, Commander in the Red Army^[8], first attacked in the area of Malaya Vishera area. Malaya Vishera is around 250 KM south of where Fritz Perished. 19th Kirill Meretskov's 4th Army was launched against Tikhvin. Fritz was attacked by Klylov's men while retreating from Meretskov's 4th Army.^[9]

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World War II

• Eastern Front
  • Battle of Minsk
  • Battle of Smolensk
  • Tikhvin offensive^[10]

• Generaloberst Rudolf Schmidt (1 February 1940 – 10 November 1941)
• Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (11 November 1941 – 30 November 1942)
• General der Artillerie Robert Martinek (1 December 1942 – 13 November 1943)
• General der Infanterie Carl Püchler (13 November 1943 – 18 April 1944)
• General der Artillerie Robert Martinek (18 April 1944 – 28 June 1944) - KIA
• Generalleutnant Otto Schünemann (28 June 1944 – 29 June 1944) - KIA
• General der Panzertruppe Dietrich von Saucken (29 June 1944 – 15 October 1944)
• General der Panzertruppe Karl Decker (15 October 1944 – 21 April 1945)
• Generalleutnant Karl Arndt (21 April 1945 – 8 May 1945)

• May 1940
  • 208th infantry division
  • 225th infantry division
• June 1941
  • 14th Infantry Division
  • 20th Infantry Division
  • 7th Panzer Division
  • 20th Panzer Division