Name Alois Windisch | Service/branch German Army | |
Years of service 1913–38 (Austria)1938–45 (Germany) Battles/wars World War IWorld War IIAnnexation of the SudetenlandInvasion of PolandNorwegian CampaignBattles of NarvikOperation BarbarossaOperation SilberfuchsOperation Platinfuchs Died December 28, 1958, Wiener Neustadt, Austria Battles and wars | ||
Commands held 1st Infantry Division | ||
Alois Windisch (3 February 1892 – 28 December 1958) was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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Career
A young officer during the Great War, he was, among other decorations, awarded the highest Austro-Hungarian military award, the Knight's Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa (11 December 1925). A first lieutenant in 1918, he remained in the Army of the newly founded Austrian Republic. Promoted to captain in 1921 (1 January 1921), he was selected for General Staff Training and graduated on top of his class. A full colonel in the Austrian General Staff since 1936 (promotion 24 June 1936) and senior tactics teacher, Windisch was well known for his refusal of the Nazi movement. After the Nazi take over in Austria (13 March 1938), he was considered "politically unreliable", expelled from the General Staff Corps, put on administrative leave and earmarked for forced retirement. The beginning of World War II (1 September 1939) and the resulting need for experienced military leaders led to his assignment as commanding officer of a Mountain Infantry Regiment (Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 139). After the fall of Poland, he and his regiment took part in Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Norway. His bravery and leadership in the Battles of Narvik under General Eduard Dietl resulted in Windisch being awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Alois Windisch was captured by Soviet troops in 1945 and was extradited to Yugoslavia. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, but was released in 1953.