Franz Mattenklott Franz Mattenklott ( 1884 – 1954 ) was a German " General der Infanterie " during World War II and recipient of the renowned Knight ' s Cross of the Iron Cross . The Knight ' s Cross was Nazi Germany ' s highest award for military gallantry and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership . Military career . World War I . Franz Mattenklott was born in Grünberg , Silesia , in 1884 . On 28 December 1903 , at the age of 20 , he was enlisted for service to the " Königlich Preußische Armee " as Cadet ( " Fahnenjunker " ) to the 4th Magdeburgian Infantry Regiment Nr . 67 . He rose to the rank of Leutnant on 18 May 1905 and participated with his regiment in World War I as Oberleutnant . During the war , he was promoted to Hauptmann ( 18 June 1915 ) and was awarded both classes ( 2nd and 1st ) of the Iron Cross , including some other decorations . Between the wars . After the end of the war and the capitulation of the German Empire in 1918 , Mattenklott remained in the – dramatically downsized in manpower , according to the Treaty of Versailles – Reichswehr . In the spring of 1920 , he was appointed chief of the Wehrkreis VI ( 7th Military District ) headquarters . and soon after named Company commander of the 7th Prussian Infantry Regiment . In the spring of 1924 , he was transferred to the " Generalstab " of the 6th Division of the Reichswehr in Münster . From 1925 to 1927 he belonged to the " Generalstab " of Artillerieführer VI in Münster ( which was attached to the " Wehrkreis VI " ) . In this position , he received his promotion to Major on 1 February 1928 . Following his promotion , he worked to the Infantry School in Dresden evidently until the spring of 1932 . In this year , he rose to the rank of Oberstleutnant ( 1 October 1932 ) and exactly two years later to Oberst . In the meanwhile , Adolf Hitler ' s rise to power resulted in major changes considering the Armed Forces of Germany ( ultimately renamed to Wehrmacht ) . Aiming to restore Germany ' s military strength , Hitler ignored the terms of Versailles ' s Treaty and issued the expansion of the ( approximately ) 100 . 000 - men Reichswehr , resuming compulsory conscription in the army . Mattenklott , now ranked Oberst , was appointed commander of the newly formed " Infanterie Regiment Stargard " ( Infantry Regiment Stargard ) . On 15 October 1935 , the regiment was renamed to 25th Infantry Regiment . Mattenklott assumed his post on 1 June 1936 and two years later , he reached the rank of Generalmajor ( 1 March 1938 ) . Before the outbreak of World War II he was in command of the border security units in Trier , which formed the Grenz - Division Trier . World War II . France . The so - called Grenz - Division Trier formed the 72 . Infanterie Division on 19 September 1939 . Mattenklott was promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 February 1940 . His division was stationed at Trier during the Phoney War and took part in the Invasion of France ( May – June 1940 ) . On 25 July 1940 , he was temporarily detached as commander of Metz for five weeks , but returned to the 72nd Infantry Division on 4 September 1940 . Balkans campaign and Soviet Union . With his division , Mattenklott participated in the Balkans Campaign ( spring 1941 ) . After the decisive Axis victory in the Balkans , with its southern flank secured , Nazi Germany launched a massive offensive operation ( Operation Barbarossa ) against the Soviet Union , though the peace treaty ( Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact ) was still in effect . 72nd Infantry Division advanced into southern Russia and Ukraine while Mattenklott was promoted to General der Infanterie . On 6 November 1941 , he put into reserve . He was awarded the Knight ' s Cross of the Iron Cross , one of Nazi Germany ' s highest decorations for military gallantry , on 23 November 1941 . Mattenklott , in a somehow unusual movement , ordered that special cards be handed to the soldiers of 72nd Infantry Division for Christmas on 24 December 1941 . These cards included a photo of General Mattenklott and the following text : Zur Erinnerung an die Kämpfe am Westwall , im Frankreich , in Griechenland und Rußland . Ich danke Euch allen für Eure Tapferkeit und Treue ! MattenklottGeneralleutnant u . [ nd ] ehem . [ alige ] Kde . ( ? ) [ Kommandeur ] der 72 . I . [ nfanterie ] D . [ ivision ] roughly translated as In remembrance of the struggle on Westwall , in France , in Greece and Russia . I thank you all for your braveness and loyalty ! Mattenklott Generalleutnant and former Commander of the 72nd Infantry Division On 1 January 1942 , he was named commander of the XXXXII . Armeekorps ( or XLII Army Corps ) . Meanwhile , he served as commander of Crimea ( 19 August 1942 – April 1943 ) . A year later , he took a one - month leave of absence ( from 22 June 1943 to July 1943 ) . Between 14 and 24 November 1943 he was the commanding officer of the Army Detachment Mattenklott ( " Ameeabteilung Mattenklott " ) , a large part of which was encircled and destroyed in the Cherkassy Pocket . The general staff of the detachment ' s remnants was transferred back to the XXXXII Army Corps and Mattenklott resumed his post as chief of the General Command . Late war . On 14 June 1944 , Mattenklott was transferred back in Germany and named commander - in - chief of the Deputy Command of VI . Armeekorps in Münster , simultaneously serving in the Command of Wehrkreis VI , position which he held until April 1945 , soon followed by the end of the war and the unconditional surrender of Germany . Post - war . Mattenklott was arrested by Allied troops on 21 April 1945 and was released from captivity on 4 July 1947 . As a subordinate of " Generaloberst " Hans von Salmuth , he testified in the High Command Trial as a defense witness for his former superior . His signature was found on an order dated 28 November 1941 , considering " Antipartisan warfare " in occupied territories . Among others , the order suggested establishment of various concentration camps where hostages and , additionally , issued that civilians or " dispersed soldiers " would be shot on sight if they caught armed . Mattenklott , during his interrogation on 19 May 1947 , claimed that such measures were " " necessary and justified " " , but explained that he considered them to be of deterrentive nature rather than retaliatory . He also stated that such incident ( i . e . immediate execution of an armed civilian ) never came to his attention . When inquired about when he first learned of role of the " Security Service " ( apparently referring to the SS ) as a means of extermination against the Jews , the Communists and other " undesirable elements " , Mattenklott replied that he was not aware of these actions , but first heard of the infamous " Komissarbefehl " only while in captivity - and , by that , claimed that he never implemented it . He also totally denied any acknowledgment about the extermination of the Jewish populations in Eastern territories . Specifically , when asked " " And you knew nothing of the use of the Security Service as extermination groups , until the surrender when you were made prisoner ? " " his reply was Franz Mattenklott died in Braunlage , Lower Saxony on 28 June 1954 .