One of the most famous German commanders of world war II Hoernlein assumed command of GD on August 10th 1941 becoming GD's first DIVISIONAL Commander.
Walter Hoernlein was born January 2nd 1893 in Bluthen E.Prussia. He attended the “Hauptkadettenstadt” and was appointed a Leutnant in the 4.W.Prussian Inf.Rgt. 140 on the 16th June 1913. Serving throughout World War I he then joined the Reichsheer.
Commanding I. /Inf.Rgt.69 from 1st April 1936 until 1st November 1939. He Commanded Inf.Rgt.80 until taking command of GD. Whilst serving as an Oberst commanding Inf.Rgt.80 he was awarded the Knights cross on the 30th July 1941.
As a Generalleutnant commanding GD he became the 213th winner of the Oakleaves to the knights cross in recognition of GD’s efforts in the fierce defensive battles around Kharkov in February 1943. He continued to lead GD until 27th January 1944, building a solid reputation as a reliable and efficient leader who nevertheless always found time for his troops, earning the nickname “Papa” Hoernlein. Perhaps the most famous anecdote regarding Hoernlein refers to his allegedly sending a telex to the “Fuhrerhauptquartier” demanding to know if GD were the only Germans left on the eastern front, after they had been in continual action jumping from one crisis to another during the fighting around Rzhev.
Walter hoernlein survived the War dying in Cologne on the 14th September 1961
