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BLASKOWITZ, JOHANNES

Blaskowitz, Johannes

(July 10, 1883–February 5, 1948)
German General

A

spit-and-polish sol-
dier of the old
school, Blaskowitz
incurred Adolf Hitler’s
wrath by denouncing SS
(Schutzstaffeln, or pro-
tection squads) atrocities
in Poland. This defiance
cost him any significant
commands until late in
World War II, yet he still
rendered useful service in
France and Holland. But,
having displayed an un-
welcome degree of in-
dependence, Blaskowitz
never received his well-
deserved marshal’s baton.
Johannes Blaskowitz
was born in Peterswalde,
Silesia, on July 10, 1883.
He commenced his mili-
tary career by becoming a
cadet at age 16, subse-
quently serving with the
18th Infantry Regiment.
He fought throughout World War I, com-
manded a infantry company by 1918, and re-
ceived the Iron Cross for bravery. Blaskowitz’s
good performance secured him a place in the
postwar Reichswehr, through whose ranks he

rose for two decades. His

honesty and professional-

ism held him in good

stead in 1938, when Adolf

Hitler, now running Ger-

many, sacked virtually all

his senior generals yet re-

tained him. Blaskowitz

never joined the Nazi

Party, but he apparently

admired the Führer, even

shaving his long mus-

tache to resemble Hitler’s.

Early in 1939 he com-

manded German forces

that occupied Austria and

Czechoslovakia. He was

then promoted to general

of infantry and granted

command of the Eighth

Army just prior to World

War II.

When hostilities com-

menced in September

1939, Blaskowitz led the

Eighth Army during the

advance across southern Poland. His move-

ments were masterful, but Hitler grew dis-

pleased when he retreated slightly in the face of

a Polish counterattack. Nonetheless,

Blaskowitz received the prestigious Rit-

Johannes Blaskowitz

Imperial War Museum