Karl Allmendinger (3 February 1891 – 2 October 1965) was a prominent German general who served in both World Wars, rising to the rank of General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II.
He commanded key units on the Eastern Front, including the 5th Infantry Division (later redesignated as the 5th Jäger Division), the V Army Corps, and briefly the 17th Army. His career spanned from the Imperial German Army through the Reichswehr and into the Nazi-era military, marked by significant operational roles in major campaigns like Operation Barbarossa and the defense of the Crimea. Allmendinger was known for his tactical leadership in infantry operations, 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 before resuming civilian life.
## Early Life and Entry into the Military
Born on 3 February 1891 in Abtsgmünd, in the Kingdom of Württemberg (part of the German Empire), Allmendinger came from a modest background. His father, also named Karl Allmendinger (1863–1946), was a teacher, poet, and writer who likely influenced his son's education and worldview. Little is documented about his childhood, but Allmendinger pursued a military path early on, enlisting as an Einjährig-Freiwilliger (one-year volunteer) on 1 October 1910 in the Army of Württemberg. This voluntary service was a common route for educated young men aspiring to officer commissions.
His initial promotions reflected steady progress: He advanced to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on 1 April 1911, Unteroffizier (Corporal) on 1 July 1911, Fahnenjunker (Officer Candidate) on 29 January 1912, Fähnrich (Officer Cadet) on 22 April 1912, and finally Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) on 27 January 1913, with a retroactive patent from 29 January 1911. This foundation prepared him for the outbreak of World War I.
## World War I Service
With the mobilization in 1914, Allmendinger served in the Imperial German Army, primarily on the Western Front. He was promoted to Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) on 18 April 1916. His wartime experiences included infantry combat, where he earned several decorations for bravery. These included the Iron Cross 2nd Class (30 September 1914), the Austrian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with War Decoration (3 July 1915), the Württemberg Military Merit Order Knight’s Cross (9 December 1916), the Iron Cross 1st Class (24 November 1916), the Friedrich Order Knight's Cross 2nd Class with Swords (24 April 1918), and the Wound Badge in Black (22 December 1918). These awards highlight his frontline involvement in trench warfare and assaults, though specific battles are not detailed in surviving records.
## Interwar Period and Reichswehr Career
After Germany's defeat in 1918, Allmendinger remained in the reduced Reichswehr, the interwar German military limited by the Treaty of Versailles. He married Irene Hundert in 1921, and the couple had two daughters. His promotions continued: Hauptmann (Captain) on 25 January 1923 (with various title changes due to military reorganizations), Major on 1 February 1932, Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) on 1 July 1934, and Oberst (Colonel) on 1 August 1936.
During this time, he held staff and command positions that built his operational expertise. From 1934-08-01 to 1935-10-15, he was attached to the 1st Infantry Division. He then served as Chief of Operations (Ia) for I Corps from 1935-10-15 to 1937-10-12, followed by commanding the 35th Infantry Regiment from 1937-10-12 to 1938-11-10. From 1938-11-10 to 1939-10-15, he was Chief of the 10th Section in the General Staff, and then Chief of Staff for V Corps from 1939-10-15 to 1940-10-25. He also received the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas 3rd Class (16 February 1928), the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords (18 January 1935), and the Wehrmacht Long Service Award (2 October 1936).
## World War II: Rise to Command and Key Operations
Promoted to Generalmajor (Major General) on 1 August 1940, Allmendinger took command of the 5th Infantry Division on 25 October 1940. This unit participated in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union starting 22 June 1941. Under his leadership, the division captured Lazdijai and established a bridgehead over the Niemen River at Seirijai, actions that earned him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 July 1941. He commanded the division through its redesignation as the 5th Light Infantry Division (January 1942) and then the 5th Jäger Division (July 1942), until relieved on 4 January 1943.
Promoted to Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General) on 1 August 1942, Allmendinger led the 5th Jäger Division in operations around Lake Ilmen, including the encirclement and destruction of Soviet forces during Operation Michael in October 1942. This success led to his mention in the Wehrmachtbericht (9 October 1942) and the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (13 December 1942). After a brief unemployment period (5-11 January 1943), he commanded the Division Leader Training Course in Berlin from 11 January to 1 July 1943.
Promoted to General der Infanterie on 1 April 1943, he assumed command of V Army Corps on 1 July 1943, serving in the Crimea until 27 April 1944 (or 5 April per some sources). He then briefly commanded the 17th Army from 1 May to 24 July 1944, overseeing the evacuation of Sevastopol amid heavy losses in men and materiel during the Soviet Crimea Offensive. The withdrawal involved crossing the Black Sea to Romania, a chaotic operation that highlighted the Wehrmacht's deteriorating position on the Eastern Front. Relieved on 25 July 1944, he was placed in the Führerreserve and remained inactive until the war's end.
## Awards and Decorations
Allmendinger's decorations reflect his long service and combat achievements. In addition to his World War I awards, he received:
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (20 September 1939) and 1st Class (21 May 1940)
- Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal (27 July 1942)
- Order of the Cross of Liberty 1st Class with Swords (29 March 1943)
- Order of Michael the Brave 3rd Class (12 July 1944)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (17 July 1941)
- Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (13 December 1942)
He also held various Wehrmacht service awards for 4, 12, 18, and 25 years.
## Post-War Life and Captivity
Captured by U.S. forces on 16 May 1945, Allmendinger was held as a prisoner of war until his release on 22 December 1947. Post-release, he lived quietly in Ellwangen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany, until his death on 2 October 1965 at age 74. No major controversies or war crimes trials are associated with him in available records, though his commands were part of the broader Eastern Front operations involving atrocities by German forces.
## Legacy
Allmendinger exemplifies the professional German officer class that transitioned from imperial to Nazi service. His tactical successes in infantry warfare contributed to early German gains on the Eastern Front, but his later commands reflected the Wehrmacht's defensive struggles. Historians view him as a competent divisional and corps commander, though not among the most prominent figures like Rommel or Manstein. His career underscores the continuity of German military tradition amid the ideological shifts of the 20th century.
He commanded key units on the Eastern Front, including the 5th Infantry Division (later redesignated as the 5th Jäger Division), the V Army Corps, and briefly the 17th Army. His career spanned from the Imperial German Army through the Reichswehr and into the Nazi-era military, marked by significant operational roles in major campaigns like Operation Barbarossa and the defense of the Crimea. Allmendinger was known for his tactical leadership in infantry operations, 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 before resuming civilian life.
## Early Life and Entry into the Military
Born on 3 February 1891 in Abtsgmünd, in the Kingdom of Württemberg (part of the German Empire), Allmendinger came from a modest background. His father, also named Karl Allmendinger (1863–1946), was a teacher, poet, and writer who likely influenced his son's education and worldview. Little is documented about his childhood, but Allmendinger pursued a military path early on, enlisting as an Einjährig-Freiwilliger (one-year volunteer) on 1 October 1910 in the Army of Württemberg. This voluntary service was a common route for educated young men aspiring to officer commissions.
His initial promotions reflected steady progress: He advanced to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on 1 April 1911, Unteroffizier (Corporal) on 1 July 1911, Fahnenjunker (Officer Candidate) on 29 January 1912, Fähnrich (Officer Cadet) on 22 April 1912, and finally Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) on 27 January 1913, with a retroactive patent from 29 January 1911. This foundation prepared him for the outbreak of World War I.
## World War I Service
With the mobilization in 1914, Allmendinger served in the Imperial German Army, primarily on the Western Front. He was promoted to Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) on 18 April 1916. His wartime experiences included infantry combat, where he earned several decorations for bravery. These included the Iron Cross 2nd Class (30 September 1914), the Austrian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with War Decoration (3 July 1915), the Württemberg Military Merit Order Knight’s Cross (9 December 1916), the Iron Cross 1st Class (24 November 1916), the Friedrich Order Knight's Cross 2nd Class with Swords (24 April 1918), and the Wound Badge in Black (22 December 1918). These awards highlight his frontline involvement in trench warfare and assaults, though specific battles are not detailed in surviving records.
## Interwar Period and Reichswehr Career
After Germany's defeat in 1918, Allmendinger remained in the reduced Reichswehr, the interwar German military limited by the Treaty of Versailles. He married Irene Hundert in 1921, and the couple had two daughters. His promotions continued: Hauptmann (Captain) on 25 January 1923 (with various title changes due to military reorganizations), Major on 1 February 1932, Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) on 1 July 1934, and Oberst (Colonel) on 1 August 1936.
During this time, he held staff and command positions that built his operational expertise. From 1934-08-01 to 1935-10-15, he was attached to the 1st Infantry Division. He then served as Chief of Operations (Ia) for I Corps from 1935-10-15 to 1937-10-12, followed by commanding the 35th Infantry Regiment from 1937-10-12 to 1938-11-10. From 1938-11-10 to 1939-10-15, he was Chief of the 10th Section in the General Staff, and then Chief of Staff for V Corps from 1939-10-15 to 1940-10-25. He also received the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas 3rd Class (16 February 1928), the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords (18 January 1935), and the Wehrmacht Long Service Award (2 October 1936).
## World War II: Rise to Command and Key Operations
Promoted to Generalmajor (Major General) on 1 August 1940, Allmendinger took command of the 5th Infantry Division on 25 October 1940. This unit participated in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union starting 22 June 1941. Under his leadership, the division captured Lazdijai and established a bridgehead over the Niemen River at Seirijai, actions that earned him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 July 1941. He commanded the division through its redesignation as the 5th Light Infantry Division (January 1942) and then the 5th Jäger Division (July 1942), until relieved on 4 January 1943.
Promoted to Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General) on 1 August 1942, Allmendinger led the 5th Jäger Division in operations around Lake Ilmen, including the encirclement and destruction of Soviet forces during Operation Michael in October 1942. This success led to his mention in the Wehrmachtbericht (9 October 1942) and the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (13 December 1942). After a brief unemployment period (5-11 January 1943), he commanded the Division Leader Training Course in Berlin from 11 January to 1 July 1943.
Promoted to General der Infanterie on 1 April 1943, he assumed command of V Army Corps on 1 July 1943, serving in the Crimea until 27 April 1944 (or 5 April per some sources). He then briefly commanded the 17th Army from 1 May to 24 July 1944, overseeing the evacuation of Sevastopol amid heavy losses in men and materiel during the Soviet Crimea Offensive. The withdrawal involved crossing the Black Sea to Romania, a chaotic operation that highlighted the Wehrmacht's deteriorating position on the Eastern Front. Relieved on 25 July 1944, he was placed in the Führerreserve and remained inactive until the war's end.
## Awards and Decorations
Allmendinger's decorations reflect his long service and combat achievements. In addition to his World War I awards, he received:
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (20 September 1939) and 1st Class (21 May 1940)
- Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal (27 July 1942)
- Order of the Cross of Liberty 1st Class with Swords (29 March 1943)
- Order of Michael the Brave 3rd Class (12 July 1944)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (17 July 1941)
- Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (13 December 1942)
He also held various Wehrmacht service awards for 4, 12, 18, and 25 years.
## Post-War Life and Captivity
Captured by U.S. forces on 16 May 1945, Allmendinger was held as a prisoner of war until his release on 22 December 1947. Post-release, he lived quietly in Ellwangen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany, until his death on 2 October 1965 at age 74. No major controversies or war crimes trials are associated with him in available records, though his commands were part of the broader Eastern Front operations involving atrocities by German forces.
## Legacy
Allmendinger exemplifies the professional German officer class that transitioned from imperial to Nazi service. His tactical successes in infantry warfare contributed to early German gains on the Eastern Front, but his later commands reflected the Wehrmacht's defensive struggles. Historians view him as a competent divisional and corps commander, though not among the most prominent figures like Rommel or Manstein. His career underscores the continuity of German military tradition amid the ideological shifts of the 20th century.
Source :
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-a-b/#&gid=1&pid=10
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