Name Robert Martinek Service/branch German Army | ||
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Years of service 1907–38 (Austria)1938–44 (Germany) Battles/wars World War IWorld War II Died June 28, 1944, Byerazino, Belarus Commands held 267th Infantry Division, XXXIX Panzer Corps | ||
Robert Martinek (2 February 1889 – 28 June 1944) was an Austrian general who served in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
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Biography
Born in 1889, Martinek enlisted in the army of Austria-Hungary in 1907 and served during World War I. During World War II, he commanded the 267th Infantry Division from late 1941–1942, and the 7th Mountain Division during 1942. He was in command of the heavy concentrations of artillery in the Siege of Sevastopol. On 1 December 1942 Martinek took command of XXXIX Panzer Corps.
In June 1944, the XXXIX Panzer Corps was assigned to Army Group Centre in the Belorussian SSR. Shortly before the Soviet summer offensive, Operation Bagration, a battalion commander in the 12th Infantry Division raised concerns about a possible attack with Martinek, who was on a tour of inspection. Martinek agreed but in response cited the proverb "Whom God would destroy, he first strikes blind". Soviet forces launched the offensive on 23 June; Martinek's corps was rapidly outflanked. Martinek was killed in an air attack on 28 June near Berezino.