Wilhelm Bittrich | |
|---|---|
 Bittrich as a Brigadeführer in 1942 | |
| Born | 26 February 1894 Wernigerode, German Empire |
| Died | 19 April 1979 (aged 85) Wolfratshausen, West Germany |
| Allegiance |  German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany Schutzstaffel |
| Service | |
| Years of service | 1914–45 |
| Rank | SS-Obergruppenführer |
| Service number | NSDAP #829,700 SS #39,177 |
| Commands | SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Clasp to the Iron Cross |
Wilhelm Bittrich (26 February 1894 – 19 April 1979) was a high-ranking Waffen-SS commander of Nazi Germany. Between August 1942 and February 1943, Bittrich commanded the SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer, in rear security operations (Bandenbekämpfung, literally: "gang fighting") in the Soviet Union. From July 1944 until the end of the war Bittrich commanded the 2nd SS Panzer Corps in Normandy, during Market Garden and in Hungary.
After his arrest in May 1945, Bittrich was extradited to France to stand trial for "allegedly" ordering the executions of 17 members of the French Resistance. After being convicted of less serious charges in relation to the executions, Bittrich was sentenced to five years in prison. Following his release, he became active in HIAG, a revisionist organization and a lobby group of former Waffen-SS members and served as chairman during the 1970s.