Erich Gottfried Abraham (27 March 1895 – 7 March 1971) was a German career officer who served in both World War I and World War II, rising to the rank of General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht. Known for his leadership on the Eastern Front, Abraham commanded infantry regiments and divisions during intense defensive operations against the Soviet Union, earning high decorations such as the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. After the war, he was briefly held as a prisoner and lived out his later years in West Germany.
## Early Life and World War I Service
Born on 27 March 1895 in Marienburg, West Prussia (now Malbork, Poland), Abraham grew up in the German Empire. Little is known about his family background, though some sources note his father was a local official. At the outbreak of World War I, he volunteered for military service on 4 August 1914, joining the Deutschordens-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 152 as a war volunteer.
Abraham quickly advanced through the ranks: promoted to Gefreiter on 6 December 1914, Unteroffizier on 15 March 1915, and Vizefeldwebel (with Offiziersaspirant status) on 12 May 1915. Transferred to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 341 on 12 August 1915, he served as a platoon leader (Zugführer) and held various deputy roles, including company commander and battalion adjutant. He was commissioned as Leutnant der Reserve on 11 July 1915 and later served as an orderly officer (Ordonnanzoffizier) on divisional staffs.
For his service, Abraham received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 2 September 1915 and the 1st Class on 27 June 1917, as well as the Austro-Hungarian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class on 20 March 1917. After the armistice, he joined the Freiwilligen-Detachment Drews on 19 December 1918, indicating involvement in post-war Freikorps activities.
## Interwar Period and Transition to the Reichswehr
Following demobilization, Abraham left active military service on 20 May 1920, receiving the character of Oberleutnant der Reserve on 9 September 1920. He transitioned to the police force, joining the Polizeipräsidium Stettin on 21 May 1920 and serving in various roles, including as a company leader (Hundertschaftsführer) and in precinct duties from 20 June 1921.
Abraham attended police training courses, such as at the Höhere Polizeischule Eiche (20 August to 20 December 1923) and a physical education course in Spandau (26 September to 31 October 1924). Promoted to Polizei-Hauptmann on 9 April 1925 and Polizei-Major on 20 April 1934, he held staff positions in the Landespolizeiinspektion Brandenburg-Berlin.
With the expansion of the German military under the Nazis, Abraham transferred to the Heer on 15 October 1935 as a Major, serving as company commander in Infanterie-Regiment 18 and later Infanterie-Regiment 105. He was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 30 September 1938 and attended further officer training.
## World War II: Rise Through the Ranks
At the start of World War II, Abraham commanded the II. Bataillon of Infanterie-Regiment 266 from 21 November 1939, participating in the invasion of France. Promoted to Oberst on 14 August 1941 (retroactive to 1 September 1941), he took command of Infanterie-Regiment 230 from 6 April 1940, leading it on the Eastern Front.
His regiment fought in defensive actions north of Stalingrad from August to October 1942, holding positions against Soviet assaults and launching counterattacks. For these efforts, he received the German Cross in Gold on 7 March 1942 and the Knight's Cross on 13 November 1942.
Promoted to Generalmajor on 15 May 1943 (retroactive to 1 June 1943), Abraham briefly commanded the II Infantry Officer Cadets' School before taking over the 76th Infantry Division on 1 April 1943, initially as acting commander and fully from 13 July 1943. The division, rebuilt after heavy losses at Stalingrad, fought in the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive, establishing bridgeheads and defending against Soviet advances in Ukraine and Romania.
In August 1944, he temporarily commanded the IV Romanian Corps and later "Group Abraham" during withdrawals. Promoted to Generalleutnant on 20 March 1944 (retroactive to 1 January 1944), he earned the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 26 June 1944 for bridgehead operations over the Latka River.
From December 1944, Abraham commanded the LXIII. Armeekorps on the Western Front, fighting in the Ruhr region. He was promoted to General der Infanterie on 26 February 1945 (or 1 March per some records) and reportedly prevented unnecessary destruction of infrastructure despite orders from higher command.
## Promotions Timeline
| Date | Rank |
|------|------|
| 6 December 1914 | Gefreiter |
| 15 March 1915 | Unteroffizier |
| 12 May 1915 | Vizefeldwebel / Offiziersaspirant |
| 11 July 1915 | Leutnant der Reserve |
| 9 September 1920 | Charakter als Oberleutnant der Reserve |
| 9 April 1925 | Polizei-Hauptmann |
| 20 April 1934 | Polizei-Major |
| 15 October 1935 | Major (upon army transfer) |
| 30 September 1938 | Oberstleutnant |
| 14 August 1941 | Oberst (retroactive to 1 September 1941) |
| 15 May 1943 | Generalmajor (retroactive to 1 June 1943) |
| 20 March 1944 | Generalleutnant (retroactive to 1 January 1944) |
| 26 February 1945 | General der Infanterie |
## Awards and Decorations
Abraham's decorations reflect his extensive combat experience:
| Award | Date Awarded |
|-------|--------------|
| Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class | 2 September 1915 |
| Military Merit Cross 3rd Class (Austria-Hungary) | 20 March 1917 |
| Iron Cross (1914) 1st Class | 27 June 1917 |
| Front Fighter's Cross of Honor | 1 December 1934 |
| Wehrmacht Long Service Awards (4th to 2nd Class) | 2 October 1936 |
| Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class | 10 March 1940 |
| West Wall Medal | 1940 |
| Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 1st Class | 21 June 1940 |
| German Cross in Gold | 7 March 1942 |
| Order of the Crown of Romania, Commander | 22 June 1942 |
| Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross | 13 November 1942 |
| Eastern Front Medal | 1942 |
| Infantry Assault Badge in Silver | 3 June 1943 |
| Crusade Against Communism Medal (Romania) | 1943 |
| Silver Medal of Military Valor (Italy) | Undated (with 1 star) |
| Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves | 26 June 1944 |
## Post-War Life and Legacy
Captured by Allied forces on 8 May 1945, Abraham was held as a prisoner of war until his release on 17 August 1947. He settled in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where he lived quietly until his death on 7 March 1971 at age 75. He is buried in the Südfriedhof cemetery in Wiesbaden alongside his wife, Annemarie (died 1982).
Abraham's career exemplifies the continuity of German military officers from the Imperial era through the Nazi period, with no major controversies noted in available records beyond his service in the Wehrmacht. His actions in preventing scorched-earth tactics in the Ruhr highlight a pragmatic approach amid the war's end.
Source :
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-a-b/
## Early Life and World War I Service
Born on 27 March 1895 in Marienburg, West Prussia (now Malbork, Poland), Abraham grew up in the German Empire. Little is known about his family background, though some sources note his father was a local official. At the outbreak of World War I, he volunteered for military service on 4 August 1914, joining the Deutschordens-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 152 as a war volunteer.
Abraham quickly advanced through the ranks: promoted to Gefreiter on 6 December 1914, Unteroffizier on 15 March 1915, and Vizefeldwebel (with Offiziersaspirant status) on 12 May 1915. Transferred to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 341 on 12 August 1915, he served as a platoon leader (Zugführer) and held various deputy roles, including company commander and battalion adjutant. He was commissioned as Leutnant der Reserve on 11 July 1915 and later served as an orderly officer (Ordonnanzoffizier) on divisional staffs.
For his service, Abraham received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 2 September 1915 and the 1st Class on 27 June 1917, as well as the Austro-Hungarian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class on 20 March 1917. After the armistice, he joined the Freiwilligen-Detachment Drews on 19 December 1918, indicating involvement in post-war Freikorps activities.
## Interwar Period and Transition to the Reichswehr
Following demobilization, Abraham left active military service on 20 May 1920, receiving the character of Oberleutnant der Reserve on 9 September 1920. He transitioned to the police force, joining the Polizeipräsidium Stettin on 21 May 1920 and serving in various roles, including as a company leader (Hundertschaftsführer) and in precinct duties from 20 June 1921.
Abraham attended police training courses, such as at the Höhere Polizeischule Eiche (20 August to 20 December 1923) and a physical education course in Spandau (26 September to 31 October 1924). Promoted to Polizei-Hauptmann on 9 April 1925 and Polizei-Major on 20 April 1934, he held staff positions in the Landespolizeiinspektion Brandenburg-Berlin.
With the expansion of the German military under the Nazis, Abraham transferred to the Heer on 15 October 1935 as a Major, serving as company commander in Infanterie-Regiment 18 and later Infanterie-Regiment 105. He was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 30 September 1938 and attended further officer training.
## World War II: Rise Through the Ranks
At the start of World War II, Abraham commanded the II. Bataillon of Infanterie-Regiment 266 from 21 November 1939, participating in the invasion of France. Promoted to Oberst on 14 August 1941 (retroactive to 1 September 1941), he took command of Infanterie-Regiment 230 from 6 April 1940, leading it on the Eastern Front.
His regiment fought in defensive actions north of Stalingrad from August to October 1942, holding positions against Soviet assaults and launching counterattacks. For these efforts, he received the German Cross in Gold on 7 March 1942 and the Knight's Cross on 13 November 1942.
Promoted to Generalmajor on 15 May 1943 (retroactive to 1 June 1943), Abraham briefly commanded the II Infantry Officer Cadets' School before taking over the 76th Infantry Division on 1 April 1943, initially as acting commander and fully from 13 July 1943. The division, rebuilt after heavy losses at Stalingrad, fought in the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive, establishing bridgeheads and defending against Soviet advances in Ukraine and Romania.
In August 1944, he temporarily commanded the IV Romanian Corps and later "Group Abraham" during withdrawals. Promoted to Generalleutnant on 20 March 1944 (retroactive to 1 January 1944), he earned the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 26 June 1944 for bridgehead operations over the Latka River.
From December 1944, Abraham commanded the LXIII. Armeekorps on the Western Front, fighting in the Ruhr region. He was promoted to General der Infanterie on 26 February 1945 (or 1 March per some records) and reportedly prevented unnecessary destruction of infrastructure despite orders from higher command.
## Promotions Timeline
| Date | Rank |
|------|------|
| 6 December 1914 | Gefreiter |
| 15 March 1915 | Unteroffizier |
| 12 May 1915 | Vizefeldwebel / Offiziersaspirant |
| 11 July 1915 | Leutnant der Reserve |
| 9 September 1920 | Charakter als Oberleutnant der Reserve |
| 9 April 1925 | Polizei-Hauptmann |
| 20 April 1934 | Polizei-Major |
| 15 October 1935 | Major (upon army transfer) |
| 30 September 1938 | Oberstleutnant |
| 14 August 1941 | Oberst (retroactive to 1 September 1941) |
| 15 May 1943 | Generalmajor (retroactive to 1 June 1943) |
| 20 March 1944 | Generalleutnant (retroactive to 1 January 1944) |
| 26 February 1945 | General der Infanterie |
## Awards and Decorations
Abraham's decorations reflect his extensive combat experience:
| Award | Date Awarded |
|-------|--------------|
| Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class | 2 September 1915 |
| Military Merit Cross 3rd Class (Austria-Hungary) | 20 March 1917 |
| Iron Cross (1914) 1st Class | 27 June 1917 |
| Front Fighter's Cross of Honor | 1 December 1934 |
| Wehrmacht Long Service Awards (4th to 2nd Class) | 2 October 1936 |
| Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class | 10 March 1940 |
| West Wall Medal | 1940 |
| Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 1st Class | 21 June 1940 |
| German Cross in Gold | 7 March 1942 |
| Order of the Crown of Romania, Commander | 22 June 1942 |
| Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross | 13 November 1942 |
| Eastern Front Medal | 1942 |
| Infantry Assault Badge in Silver | 3 June 1943 |
| Crusade Against Communism Medal (Romania) | 1943 |
| Silver Medal of Military Valor (Italy) | Undated (with 1 star) |
| Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves | 26 June 1944 |
## Post-War Life and Legacy
Captured by Allied forces on 8 May 1945, Abraham was held as a prisoner of war until his release on 17 August 1947. He settled in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where he lived quietly until his death on 7 March 1971 at age 75. He is buried in the Südfriedhof cemetery in Wiesbaden alongside his wife, Annemarie (died 1982).
Abraham's career exemplifies the continuity of German military officers from the Imperial era through the Nazi period, with no major controversies noted in available records beyond his service in the Wehrmacht. His actions in preventing scorched-earth tactics in the Ruhr highlight a pragmatic approach amid the war's end.
Source :
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-a-b/
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