Heinrich von Prittwitz und Gaffron (4 September 1889 – 10 April 1941) was a German general officer in the Heer (Army) branch of the Wehrmacht during World War II. He served as commander of the 14th and 15th Panzer Divisions and was killed in action during the early stages of the Siege of Tobruk.
Early Life and Career
Born on 4 September 1889 at Gut Sitzmannsdorf, Kreis Ohlau, in the Province of Silesia (then part of the German Empire), Prittwitz joined the Imperial German Army in 1908 as a Fahnenjunker (officer cadet). He was commissioned into the 3rd Uhlan (Lancer) Regiment the following year and later served as a general staff officer. He fought in World War I and, after the war, was retained in the postwar Reichswehr.
Interwar Period
By 1933, Prittwitz had attained the rank of major. Despite his cavalry background, he developed an interest in armoured warfare. In 1935, he was given command of the 2nd Panzer Regiment, part of the 1st Panzer Division. He participated in the Anschluss of Austria and the occupation of the Sudetenland. Promoted to Oberst (colonel) in 1938, he was appointed commander of the 2nd Panzer Brigade, part of the 2nd Panzer Division.
World War II
At the outbreak of World War II, Prittwitz led his brigade in the invasion of Poland, where it saw heavy engagement. He was promoted to Generalmajor at the conclusion of the Polish campaign. The brigade was then transferred to the west and attached to Generalleutnant Heinz Guderian's XIX Motorised Corps. During the invasion of France and the Low Countries, the brigade performed well at Sedan, advanced to the coast, and reached Dunkirk. It was later used in the final stages of the campaign along the Maginot Line.
On 1 October 1940, Prittwitz was selected to command the newly formed 14th Panzer Division, based at Dresden. In March 1941, he was given command of the 15th Panzer Division, which was preparing for deployment to North Africa.
Death
The bulk of the 15th Panzer Division had not yet arrived in Libya when Prittwitz, accompanied by some light units, reached the country in early April 1941. Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel, commander of the Afrika Korps, ordered him to take command of German forces operating near Tobruk, which was held by a garrison of Australian, British, Polish, and Czechoslovak units. On 10 April 1941, Prittwitz's group was ordered to probe the south-eastern defences of Tobruk. While personally observing the front lines, his vehicle came under fire from the Australian 2/28th Infantry Battalion, including makeshift gun crews using captured Italian anti-tank guns. Prittwitz was killed in the exchange. He was buried at the military cemetery at Derna and was posthumously promoted to Generalleutnant with effect from 1 April 1941.
