Unit Afrika Korps Service/branch German Army | Name Hellmut Leipzig Years of service 1939–45 | |
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Battles/wars World War IIBattle of El AlameinBattle of TobrukBattle of Berlin Battles and wars | ||
Hellmut von Leipzig (18 July 1921 — 24 October 2016) was an officer (Leutnant) of the Brandenburgers in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Following the war, Leipzig became involved in leadership roles in the German-speaking community in Namibia.
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Biography
Leipzig was born in German South West Africa, son of a naval officer. In 1941, he volunteered for the Afrika Korps. He became driver to Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, whom Leipzig describes as "the craziest passenger ever", because he always said "Faster!" and when encountering an enemy's minefield, would insist on going and personally guiding Leipzig around the mines. Leipzig fought in the "Battle of Berlin", became a POW in 1945 and spent 10 years in Soviet captivity.
In later life he resided in Namibia, where he founded the German Cultural Council, the largest organisation of the German-speaking community in Namibia. He chaired the organisation from 1986 to 1997. He also sat on the board of The Association of German School Societies in Namibia (AGDS). Leipzig died in Namibia in October 2016 at the age of 95.
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