Heinz Hellmich

Heinz Hellmich (June 9, 1890 – June 17, 1944) was a German Generalleutnant during World War II. Awarded with a Knight’s Cross (on February 9, 1944).

Born in Karlsruhe, Hellmuch joined military service in 1908. On March 22, 1910, while serving in 136th Infantry Regiment, he became Leutnant. After World War I he served in various units and kept various commanding positions. His service was followed with the promotions: Oberstleutnant (February 1, 1934), Oberst (January 1, 1936), Generalmajor (October 1, 1939) and Generalleutnant (September 1, 1941).

When the World War II begun he was on a duty as a supply Officer in German 7th Army, on the Western wall. From October 25, 1939 he managed supplies in the Army Group B. As a commander of 23rd Infantry Division (from June 1, 1940 to January 17, 1942) he took part in a French campaign, invasion of the Soviet Union (operation Barbarossa) and in the bloody battles for Bialystok-Minsk, Brest, Smolensk, Vyazma and finally in the Battle of Moscow.After several months, on April 1, 1942, he became a commander of 141st Reserve Division. On January 10, 1944, he was moved to France and put in a command of 243rd Infantry Division, stationed in the Cotentin Peninsula. This coastal defense division protected the western coast of the Cotentin Peninsula when the Allied invasion begun on June 6, 1944.

Hellmich was killed while defending Cherbourg during the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 17, 1944.