Years of service 1910–45 Service/branch German Army | Name Wilhelm Apell Rank Generalleutnant | |
 | ||
Allegiance German Empire (to 1918)
Weimar Republic (to 1933)
Nazi Germany Battles/wars First World War
Second World War
Annexation of Austria
Annexation of the Sudetenland
Invasion of Poland
Battle of the Netherlands
Battle of Belgium
Battle of France
Battle of Arras (1940)
Battle of Dunkirk
Invasion of Yugoslavia
Battle of Greece
Battle of Vevi (1941)
Operation Barbarossa
Battle of Uman
Siege of Sevastopol (1941–1942)
Battle of the Caucasus
Battle of the Kerch Peninsula Died March 7, 1969, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars World War I, Anschluss, Invasion of Poland Similar People Fritz Witt, George Alan Vasey, Iven Mackay, Sepp Dietrich | ||
Commands held 22nd Panzer Division | ||
Wilhelm von Apell (16 January 1892 – 7 March 1969) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 22nd Panzer Division. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.
Biography
Born in 1892, Apell joined the army of Imperial Germany as an Fahnen-junker (officer cadet) in 1910. He was commissioned in the light infantry and fought in World War I. In the interwar period, he served in the Reichsheer and then the Wehrmacht. He led the 11th Cavalry Rifle Regiment of the 4th Light Division from 1938 to 1940, fighting in the Invasion of Poland.
The 4th Light Division converted to armour in early 1940 and then, designated the 9th Panzer Division, it served in the campaign in the Netherlands and the Battle of France. It was also involved in the Invasion of Yugoslavia and Battle of Greece the following year. By now, Apell, still with the division, was commander of the 9th Schützen (Rifle) Brigade. During his period in command of the 9th Schützen Brigade, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
In September 1941 and now a generalmajor, Apell was appointed commander of the newly raised 22nd Panzer Division. Formed in France, much of the division's equipment was captured and foreign equipment with relatively few modern tanks. With its training completed, the division was transferred to the Eastern Front in February 1942. Apell led the division through the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula until July 1942, when he became ill and was replaced.
Not returned to his command upon recovering his health, Apell was placed in the Führerreserve (Leader's Reserve) until March 1943. He was made the Replacement Army Inspector in Vienna and, having received a promotion to generalleutnant, served in this role for the remainder of the war. He died in the village of Varnhalt, near Baden-Baden, on 7 March 1969.