Enemy Elite Friday: Wolf-Dietrich von Xylander (Germany)

Wolf-Dietrich von Xylander

 

"Generalleutnant Wolf-Dietrich Ritter von Hylander had previously distinguished himself as the chief of staff of an Armee in the Kuban bridgehead and the Crimea.  Whilst serving as chief of staff of a Heeresgruppe he personally flew a considerable distance over enemy occupied territory in order to get to a cut-off friendly Armee-Korps.  After learning of the situation he made the independent decision to send the unit in an attack against the rear of those Soviet armored forces that had thrust across the Oder. This resulted in strong enemy formations being held up at the Oder river whilst also receiving heavy losses.  Generalleutnant von Xylander subsequently died a heroic death during the combat in the East, however he would be awarded the Knight’s Cross posthumously in light of his brave and decisive feat-of-arms."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation awarded on 20 February 1945 as 
Generalleutnant of Heeresgruppe Mitte.

 

Another capable enemy elite,

Brian & Mel