Years of service 1904–45 Rank General der Kavallerie | Name Rudolf Koch-Erpach Service/branch German Army | |
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Battles/wars World War IWorld War IIInvasion of PolandBattle of KrasnobrodBattle of FranceVistula–Oder Offensive Died November 27, 1971, Karlsruhe, Germany Battles and wars World War I, Invasion of Poland, Battle of Krasnobrod, Battle of France, Vistula–Oder Offensive, World War II Commands held 8th Jager Division, LVI Panzer Corps, 1st Army | ||
Rudolf Koch-Erpach (9 April 1886 – 28 November 1971) was German general during World War II who commanded the LVI Panzer Corps and the 1st Army.
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Biography
Koch-Erpach was born in Munich, and eventually rose to the rank of general. In 1939, he commanded the German 8th Infantry Division during the invasion of Poland. On 23 September 1939, Koch-Erpach was taken prisoner of war by Polish forces during the Battle of Krasnobród. On 24 June 1940, after the Battle of France he was awarded a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. From 1 November 1940 to 1 March 1941, Koch-Erpach commanded the German LX Corps. After a short break, he briefly commanded the XXXV Corps from 1 April 1941 to 1 May 1941.
Koch-Erpach commanded Military District VIII from 1 May 1942 to 26 January 1945. The headquarters for this military district was Breslau and the district included Silesia, Sudetenland, parts of Moravia, and parts of southwestern Poland. Military District VIII ceased operations in February 1945. From 26 January 1945 to 10 April 1945, Koch-Erpach commanded the LVI Panzer Corps. Later in 1945, Koch-Erpach was acting commander of the German 1st Army for two days before the war ended, from 6 May to 8 May. He died in Bad Boll.