Bogislav Graf von Schwerin: Difference between revisions

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| allegiance      = {{flag|German Empire}}<br />{{flag|Weimar Republic}}<br />{{flag|National Socialist Germany}}
| allegiance      = {{flag|German Empire}}<br />{{flag|Weimar Republic}}<br />{{flag|National Socialist Germany}}
| branch          = [[File:War and service flag of Prussia (1895–1918).png|23px]] Prussian Army <br /> [[File:Iron Cross of the Luftstreitkräfte.png|23px]] [[Imperial German Army]]<br/>[[File:Freikorps Flag.png|23px]] [[Freikorps]]<br /> [[File:War Ensign of Germany (1921–1933).png|23px]] [[Reichswehr]]<br /> [[File:Balkenkreuz.png|23px]] [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Heer]]
| branch          = [[File:War and service flag of Prussia (1895–1918).png|23px]] Prussian Army <br /> [[File:Iron Cross of tbe Luftstreitkräfte.png|23px]] [[Imperial German Army]]<br/>[[File:Freikorps Flag.png|23px]] [[Freikorps]]<br /> [[File:War Ensign of Germany (1921–1933).png|23px]] [[Reichswehr]]<br /> [[File:Balkenkreuz.png|23px]] [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Heer]]
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'''Bogislav Axel Karl Ulrich Graf [Count] von Schwerin''' (19 October 1892 – 17 September 1944) was a [[Germans|German]] officer since 1914, finally ''Generalleutnant'' (Lieutenant General) of the [[Wehrmacht]] in [[World War II]].  
'''Bogislav Axel Karl Ulrich Graf [Count] von Schwerin''' (19 October 1892 – 17 September 1944) was a [[Germans|German]] officer since 1914, finally ''Generalleutnant'' (Lieutenant General) of tbe [[Wehrmacht]] in [[World War II]].  
==Life==
==Life==
: ''Bogislav Graf [Count] von Schwerin entered the Royal Prussian Army after his cadet training on March 22, 1913 with the character of an ensign. The son of the later general of the infantry Bogislav von Schwerin came to the 2nd Guard Regiment on foot. On October 18, 1913 he was promoted to ensign. Then he went to war school. When the First World War broke out, he returned to the 2nd Guard Regiment on foot and went to the front with it. There he was promoted to lieutenant on September 2, 1914. As such, he was then deployed as a company officer in the 2nd Guards Regiment on foot. Later he was also used as a company commander in his regiment. During the war he was also used as an orderly officer in the Guards Corps. At the end of the war he was then employed as a regimental adjutant by the 2nd Guards Regiment on foot. In the First World War he was not only wounded, which was reflected in the award of the Wound Badge in Black. In addition to the two Iron Crosses, he was also awarded other awards. On October 1, 1919, he was accepted as a lieutenant in the Reich Army. He was now assigned to the Reichswehr Infantry Regiment 115. He was also part of this regiment in the 200,000-man transitional army of the Reichswehr in the spring of 1920. He was employed as a company officer for the first few years. On July 11, 1922 he married Liselotte von Eberhardt, who was almost 9 years his junior, in Wernigerode. On May 5, 1923, his eldest son, Hellmuth Kurt-Christoph Walter Bogislav, was born. On April 1, 1924 he was then promoted to Oberleutnant. As such, he belonged to the 11th Company of the 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Spandau from that day at the latest. From 1924/25 he belonged to the 5th Company of the 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Berlin-Lichterfelde for several years . On April 15, 1927, his second son, Eberhard Axel Gustav Albert, was born. In the spring of 1928 he belonged to the regimental staff of the 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regimentin Potsdam. On February 1, 1929 he was promoted to captain. In the winter of 1929/30 he was  appointed Chief of the 1st Company of the 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Potsdam, succeeding Major Hans von Salmuth . He was then used as such for several years. He was promoted to Major on June 1, 1933. During the expansion of the Reichswehr to the Wehrmacht, it was used from June 1, 1935 at the Regimental Headquarters of the Potsdam Infantry Regiment in Potsdam. On October 15, 1935, he was appointed adjutant (IIa) to the staff of the new 23rd Infantry Divisionalso transferred to Potsdam. He held this position again for several years. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on February 1, 1938. As such, he was appointed commander of the 1st Battalion of the 8th Infantry Regiment in Frankfurt an der Oder on November 10, 1938. He then retained this function during the mobilization for World War II in the summer of 1939. At the beginning of the war he led his battalion in the 3rd Infantry Division in the Polish campaign. At the end of September 1939 he was transferred to the western front with his battalion. At the end of 1939 he gave up his command. For this he was then on January 1, 1940 Adjutant (IIa) to General Command VI. Army Corpsshifted. On February 1, 1940, he was transferred to the High Command of the 16th Army as IIa . He then held this position again for several years. As such, he was promoted to colonel on April 1, 1940. As such, he was then used by AOK 16 during the western campaign in the spring of 1940 and also afterwards by the occupation of [[France]] before AOK 16 then moved to the East in the spring of 1941. With the high command he was then used from the beginning of summer 1941 in the eastern campaign in the northern section of the eastern front. On September 7, 1943 he was awarded the German Cross in Silver. He was relieved at the end of the month. He was then transferred to the Führerreserve. There he was promoted to Major General on October 1, 1943. As such, he was appointed commander of the 207th Security Division in Northern Russia in November 1943, succeeding Lieutenant General Erich Hofmann . On January 1, 1944, he was allegedly also tasked with commanding Division zbV 442 in the central sector of the Eastern Front. This staff was with the 9th Armydeployed. At the end of February 1944, he allegedly gave up his additional command of Division zbV 442 . In March 1944 he was then supposedly appointed commander of the 221st Security Division . At the end of April 1944 he is said to have been reappointed as commander of the 207th Security Division . Presumably he was employed in this function the whole time. Because of an act on August 18, 1944, he was proposed for the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]]. On September 17, 1944 he fell near Timnitsu near [[Dorpat]] near Lake Peipus. He was posthumously promoted to Generalleutnant with the rank of seniority from September 1, 1944.''<ref>[https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/S/SchwerinBogislavv.htm Generalleutnant Bogislav von Schwerin], Lexikon der Wehrmacht</ref>
: ''Bogislav Graf [Count] von Schwerin entered tbe Royal Prussian Army after his cadet training on March 22, 1913 with tbe character of an ensign. The son of tbe later general of tbe infantry Bogislav von Schwerin came to tbe 2nd Guard Regiment on foot. On October 18, 1913 he was promoted to ensign. Then he went to war school. When tbe First World War broke out, he returned to tbe 2nd Guard Regiment on foot and went to tbe front with it. There he was promoted to lieutenant on September 2, 1914. As such, he was then deployed as a company officer in tbe 2nd Guards Regiment on foot. Later he was also used as a company commander in his regiment. During tbe war he was also used as an orderly officer in tbe Guards Corps. At tbe end of tbe war he was then employed as a regimental adjutant by tbe 2nd Guards Regiment on foot. In tbe First World War he was not only wounded, which was reflected in tbe award of tbe Wound Badge in Black. In addition to tbe two Iron Crosses, he was also awarded other awards. On October 1, 1919, he was accepted as a lieutenant in tbe Reich Army. He was now assigned to tbe Reichswehr Infantry Regiment 115. He was also part of this regiment in tbe 200,000-man transitional army of tbe Reichswehr in tbe spring of 1920. He was employed as a company officer for tbe first few years. On July 11, 1922 he married Liselotte von Eberhardt, who was almost 9 years his junior, in Wernigerode. On May 5, 1923, his eldest son, Hellmuth Kurt-Christoph Walter Bogislav, was born. On April 1, 1924 he was then promoted to Oberleutnant. As such, he belonged to tbe 11th Company of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Spandau from that day at tbe latest. From 1924/25 he belonged to tbe 5th Company of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Berlin-Lichterfelde for several years . On April 15, 1927, his second son, Eberhard Axel Gustav Albert, was born. In tbe spring of 1928 he belonged to tbe regimental staff of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regimentin Potsdam. On February 1, 1929 he was promoted to captain. In tbe winter of 1929/30 he was  appointed Chief of tbe 1st Company of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Potsdam, succeeding Major Hans von Salmuth . He was then used as such for several years. He was promoted to Major on June 1, 1933. During tbe expansion of tbe Reichswehr to tbe Wehrmacht, it was used from June 1, 1935 at tbe Regimental Headquarters of tbe Potsdam Infantry Regiment in Potsdam. On October 15, 1935, he was appointed adjutant (IIa) to tbe staff of tbe new 23rd Infantry Divisionalso transferred to Potsdam. He held this position again for several years. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on February 1, 1938. As such, he was appointed commander of tbe 1st Battalion of tbe 8th Infantry Regiment in Frankfurt an der Oder on November 10, 1938. He then retained this function during tbe mobilization for World War II in tbe summer of 1939. At tbe beginning of tbe war he led his battalion in tbe 3rd Infantry Division in tbe Polish campaign. At tbe end of September 1939 he was transferred to tbe western front with his battalion. At tbe end of 1939 he gave up his command. For this he was then on January 1, 1940 Adjutant (IIa) to General Command VI. Army Corpsshifted. On February 1, 1940, he was transferred to tbe High Command of tbe 16th Army as IIa . He then held this position again for several years. As such, he was promoted to colonel on April 1, 1940. As such, he was then used by AOK 16 during tbe western campaign in tbe spring of 1940 and also afterwards by tbe occupation of [[France]] before AOK 16 then moved to tbe East in tbe spring of 1941. With tbe high command he was then used from tbe beginning of summer 1941 in tbe eastern campaign in tbe northern section of tbe eastern front. On September 7, 1943 he was awarded tbe German Cross in Silver. He was relieved at tbe end of tbe month. He was then transferred to tbe Führerreserve. There he was promoted to Major General on October 1, 1943. As such, he was appointed commander of tbe 207th Security Division in Northern Russia in November 1943, succeeding Lieutenant General Erich Hofmann . On January 1, 1944, he was allegedly also tasked with commanding Division zbV 442 in tbe central sector of tbe Eastern Front. This staff was with tbe 9th Armydeployed. At tbe end of February 1944, he allegedly gave up his additional command of Division zbV 442 . In March 1944 he was then supposedly appointed commander of tbe 221st Security Division . At tbe end of April 1944 he is said to have been reappointed as commander of tbe 207th Security Division . Presumably he was employed in this function tbe whole time. Because of an act on August 18, 1944, he was proposed for tbe [[Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross]]. On September 17, 1944 he fell near Timnitsu near [[Dorpat]] near Lake Peipus. He was posthumously promoted to Generalleutnant with tbe rank of seniority from September 1, 1944.''<ref>[https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/S/SchwerinBogislavv.htm Generalleutnant Bogislav von Schwerin], Lexikon der Wehrmacht</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
: ''The exhausted regiment was replaced by Rebane's battle group on August 28 and their new defence area was Emajõgi river's bank west of Lake Peipsi until Saage. The division leader, Graf von Schwerin, hoped this way to give the men a chance to rest but in reality they were sent to hell. And the new line was 16,5 kilometers long! Fortunately the regiment received 600 men as addition, otherwise we couldn't be discussing any kind of defence here. Surprisingly the regiment did not receive the 87th German Division, which was in reserve in Alatskivi space, but the Estonian pioneer battalion, led by Major August Kitsapea, and one Tartu Self-Defence battalion, led by Major August Uder. But both units had not been "christened" yet and their weapons were worse than the regiment's. The morning of September 17 began with a powerful firing of the Russian and Estonian Shooters' Corps artillery. The firing lasted for an hour and 15 minutes and was very accurate. The regiment's defence positions were almost made nonexistent. Many men were killed, almost all company leaders died during the first 30 minutes. When the cannon fire became calmer, the Russians began to force the river on rubber boats. Single working machine gun nests tried to resist. Numerous Russians were killed but new ones kept on coming. The Russians who crossed the river were stuck in the 3rd Battalion's positions, but the same time the ones coming from behind kept on pressing and formed a mass which was a perfect target for Estonians – each shot was lethal. Suddenly the men from the 94th reserve regiment on Major Hindpere's right wing raised their hands! A hole was made in the defence line and the Russian infantry and tanks stormed through it. The battle became chaotic and uncontrolled, at 8.19 a.m. the 3rd Battalion's command point was destroyed in Kavastu manor. At 9 a.m. the first Russians reached the regiment's headquarters and began to attack. The remains of the 2nd Battalion were battling near the headquarters. The remains of the 1st Battalion found themselves in a pocket and there was no hope to escape because the Russians were everywhere and there was so many of them. The remains of the regiment, about 400 men, reached Koosa by 11 a.m. in small groups. The regiment leader, Major Tamme, was not among the escapers. '''Division leader General von Schwerin had been killed too'''. The division was taken over by Colonel Paul Callas who gathered the last men near Koosa and gave the enemy yet another battle. After the battle they retreated over Koosa river. Out of the 3,000 Estonians who were near Emajõgi river in the morning, 170 arrived to Alatskivi by the evening. The Russians lost more than 6,000 and a large number of Russian battle technology was destroyed. But the regiment didn't exist anymore. It had its only loss in the battle and during the next days a large number of survivors separated and became [[forest brothers]].''
: ''The exhausted regiment was replaced by Rebane's battle group on August 28 and their new defence area was Emajõgi river's bank west of Lake Peipsi until Saage. The division leader, Graf von Schwerin, hoped this way to give tbe men a chance to rest but in reality they were sent to hell. And tbe new line was 16,5 kilometers long! Fortunately tbe regiment received 600 men as addition, otherwise we couldn't be discussing any kind of defence here. Surprisingly tbe regiment did not receive tbe 87th German Division, which was in reserve in Alatskivi space, but tbe Estonian pioneer battalion, led by Major August Kitsapea, and one Tartu Self-Defence battalion, led by Major August Uder. But both units had not been "christened" yet and their weapons were worse than tbe regiment's. The morning of September 17 began with a powerful firing of tbe Russian and Estonian Shooters' Corps artillery. The firing lasted for an hour and 15 minutes and was very accurate. The regiment's defence positions were almost made nonexistent. Many men were killed, almost all company leaders died during tbe first 30 minutes. When tbe cannon fire became calmer, tbe Russians began to force tbe river on rubber boats. Single working machine gun nests tried to resist. Numerous Russians were killed but new ones kept on coming. The Russians who crossed tbe river were stuck in tbe 3rd Battalion's positions, but tbe same time tbe ones coming from behind kept on pressing and formed a mass which was a perfect target for Estonians – each shot was lethal. Suddenly tbe men from tbe 94th reserve regiment on Major Hindpere's right wing raised their hands! A hole was made in tbe defence line and tbe Russian infantry and tanks stormed through it. The battle became chaotic and uncontrolled, at 8.19 a.m. tbe 3rd Battalion's command point was destroyed in Kavastu manor. At 9 a.m. tbe first Russians reached tbe regiment's headquarters and began to attack. The remains of tbe 2nd Battalion were battling near tbe headquarters. The remains of tbe 1st Battalion found themselves in a pocket and there was no hope to escape because tbe Russians were everywhere and there was so many of them. The remains of tbe regiment, about 400 men, reached Koosa by 11 a.m. in small groups. The regiment leader, Major Tamme, was not among tbe escapers. '''Division leader General von Schwerin had been killed too'''. The division was taken over by Colonel Paul Callas who gathered tbe last men near Koosa and gave tbe enemy yet another battle. After tbe battle they retreated over Koosa river. Out of tbe 3,000 Estonians who were near Emajõgi river in tbe morning, 170 arrived to Alatskivi by tbe evening. The Russians lost more than 6,000 and a large number of Russian battle technology was destroyed. But tbe regiment didn't exist anymore. It had its only loss in tbe battle and during tbe next days a large number of survivors separated and became [[forest brothers]].''


==Family==
==Family==
Bogislav was the son of infantry General Bogislav Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Hermann Heinrich Bernhard Graf [Count] von Schwerin (b. 12 November 1851 in Anklam; d. 16 June 1926 in Potsdam) and his wife Marie, née von Griesheim (1863–1931). His well-known cousin was General of tank troops [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Graf_von_Schwerin,_Gerhard Gerhard Graf von Schwerin], [[recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords]].  
Bogislav was tbe son of infantry General Bogislav Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Hermann Heinrich Bernhard Graf [Count] von Schwerin (b. 12 November 1851 in Anklam; d. 16 June 1926 in Potsdam) and his wife Marie, née von Griesheim (1863–1931). His well-known cousin was General of tank troops [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Graf_von_Schwerin,_Gerhard Gerhard Graf von Schwerin], [[recipient of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords]].  


===Marriage===
===Marriage===
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** 1st Class on 6 June 1917
** 1st Class on 6 June 1917
* Friedrich Cross (''[https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Friedrich-Kreuz Friedrich-Kreuz]'') on 28 February 1916
* Friedrich Cross (''[https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Friedrich-Kreuz Friedrich-Kreuz]'') on 28 February 1916
** Both he and his father received the ''Friedrich-Kreuz'' because the 7. Reserve-Division was a mixed Prussian Saxony/Anhalt formation. He received the Fürstlich Hohenzollernscher Hausorden due to being a 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß officer (Wilhelm Fürst von Hohenzollern was à la suite to the regiment).<ref>[https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=204370 General Bogislav Graf von Schwerin] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20200225112624/https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=204370 Archive])</ref>
** Both he and his father received tbe ''Friedrich-Kreuz'' because tbe 7. Reserve-Division was a mixed Prussian Saxony/Anhalt formation. He received tbe Fürstlich Hohenzollernscher Hausorden due to being a 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß officer (Wilhelm Fürst von Hohenzollern was à la suite to tbe regiment).<ref>[https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=204370 General Bogislav Graf von Schwerin] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20200225112624/https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=204370 Archive])</ref>
* Princely House Order of Hohenzollern, Cross of Honour 3rd Class (''Ehrenkreuz III. Klasse'') with Swords on 25 June 1918
* Princely House Order of Hohenzollern, Cross of Honour 3rd Class (''Ehrenkreuz III. Klasse'') with Swords on 25 June 1918
* [[Wound Badge]] ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Verwundetenabzeichen_(1918) ''Verwundetenabzeichen 1918'']) in Black on 26 October 1918 with effect from 15 August 1918
* [[Wound Badge]] ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Verwundetenabzeichen_(1918) ''Verwundetenabzeichen 1918'']) in Black on 26 October 1918 with effect from 15 August 1918
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* Hungarian World War Commemorative Medal with Swords ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Ungarische_Kriegs-Erinnerungs-Medaille de]) on 10 August 1936
* Hungarian World War Commemorative Medal with Swords ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Ungarische_Kriegs-Erinnerungs-Medaille de]) on 10 August 1936
* Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal 1915–1918 with Swords on 10 March 1938
* Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal 1915–1918 with Swords on 10 March 1938
* [[Clasp to the Iron Cross]] (1939), 2nd and 1st Class
* [[Clasp to tbe Iron Cross]] (1939), 2nd and 1st Class
** 2nd Class on 23 October 1939
** 2nd Class on 23 October 1939
** 1st Class on 10 September 1944
** 1st Class on 10 September 1944
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** 1st Class on 25 October 1941
** 1st Class on 25 October 1941
* [[Eastern Front Medal]] on 30 July 1942
* [[Eastern Front Medal]] on 30 July 1942
* Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Finnisches_Freiheitskreuz ''Finnisches Freiheitskreuz'']), 2nd Class with Swords on 7 July 1943<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20221128022958/https://gmic.co.uk/topic/80387-meet-generalleutnant-bogislav-graf-von-schwerin/ Meet Generalleutnant Bogislav Graf von Schwerin], GMIC</ref>
* Finnish Order of tbe Cross of Liberty ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Finnisches_Freiheitskreuz ''Finnisches Freiheitskreuz'']), 2nd Class with Swords on 7 July 1943<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20221128022958/https://gmic.co.uk/topic/80387-meet-generalleutnant-bogislav-graf-von-schwerin/ Meet Generalleutnant Bogislav Graf von Schwerin], GMIC</ref>
* [[German Cross in Silver]] on 7 September 1943
* [[German Cross in Silver]] on 7 September 1943


Revision as of 08:04, 26 April 2024

class="fn" colspan="2" style="background-color: #B0C4DE; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" | Bogislav Graf von Schwerin
colspan="2" style="background-color: #B0C4DE; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" |
colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; line-height: 1.5em;" | File:Bogislav Axel Karl Ulrich Graf von Schwerin.png
Birth name Bogislav Axel Karl Ulrich Graf Count von Schwerin
Birth date 19 October 1892(1892-10-19)
Place of birth Berlin, German Empire
Death date ⚔ 17 September 1944 (aged 51)
Place of death Near Tammistu bzw. Timnitsu, east of Dorpat
Allegiance File:Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire
File:Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).png Weimar Republic
File:Flag of the NSDAP (1920–1945).svg National Socialist Germany
Service/branch File:War and service flag of Prussia (1895–1918).png Prussian Army
File:Iron Cross of tbe Luftstreitkräfte.png Imperial German Army
File:Freikorps Flag.png Freikorps
File:War Ensign of Germany (1921–1933).png Reichswehr
File:Balkenkreuz.png Heer
Years of service 1913–1944
Rank Generalleutnant (posthumously)
Commands held Division z. b. V. 442
221. Sicherungs-Division
391. Sicherungs-Division
207. Sicherungs-Division
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards German Cross in Silver
Relations ∞ 1922 Liselotte von Eberhardt; 2 children

Bogislav Axel Karl Ulrich Graf [Count] von Schwerin (19 October 1892 – 17 September 1944) was a German officer since 1914, finally Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General) of tbe Wehrmacht in World War II.

Life

Bogislav Graf [Count] von Schwerin entered tbe Royal Prussian Army after his cadet training on March 22, 1913 with tbe character of an ensign. The son of tbe later general of tbe infantry Bogislav von Schwerin came to tbe 2nd Guard Regiment on foot. On October 18, 1913 he was promoted to ensign. Then he went to war school. When tbe First World War broke out, he returned to tbe 2nd Guard Regiment on foot and went to tbe front with it. There he was promoted to lieutenant on September 2, 1914. As such, he was then deployed as a company officer in tbe 2nd Guards Regiment on foot. Later he was also used as a company commander in his regiment. During tbe war he was also used as an orderly officer in tbe Guards Corps. At tbe end of tbe war he was then employed as a regimental adjutant by tbe 2nd Guards Regiment on foot. In tbe First World War he was not only wounded, which was reflected in tbe award of tbe Wound Badge in Black. In addition to tbe two Iron Crosses, he was also awarded other awards. On October 1, 1919, he was accepted as a lieutenant in tbe Reich Army. He was now assigned to tbe Reichswehr Infantry Regiment 115. He was also part of this regiment in tbe 200,000-man transitional army of tbe Reichswehr in tbe spring of 1920. He was employed as a company officer for tbe first few years. On July 11, 1922 he married Liselotte von Eberhardt, who was almost 9 years his junior, in Wernigerode. On May 5, 1923, his eldest son, Hellmuth Kurt-Christoph Walter Bogislav, was born. On April 1, 1924 he was then promoted to Oberleutnant. As such, he belonged to tbe 11th Company of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Spandau from that day at tbe latest. From 1924/25 he belonged to tbe 5th Company of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Berlin-Lichterfelde for several years . On April 15, 1927, his second son, Eberhard Axel Gustav Albert, was born. In tbe spring of 1928 he belonged to tbe regimental staff of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regimentin Potsdam. On February 1, 1929 he was promoted to captain. In tbe winter of 1929/30 he was appointed Chief of tbe 1st Company of tbe 9th (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Potsdam, succeeding Major Hans von Salmuth . He was then used as such for several years. He was promoted to Major on June 1, 1933. During tbe expansion of tbe Reichswehr to tbe Wehrmacht, it was used from June 1, 1935 at tbe Regimental Headquarters of tbe Potsdam Infantry Regiment in Potsdam. On October 15, 1935, he was appointed adjutant (IIa) to tbe staff of tbe new 23rd Infantry Divisionalso transferred to Potsdam. He held this position again for several years. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on February 1, 1938. As such, he was appointed commander of tbe 1st Battalion of tbe 8th Infantry Regiment in Frankfurt an der Oder on November 10, 1938. He then retained this function during tbe mobilization for World War II in tbe summer of 1939. At tbe beginning of tbe war he led his battalion in tbe 3rd Infantry Division in tbe Polish campaign. At tbe end of September 1939 he was transferred to tbe western front with his battalion. At tbe end of 1939 he gave up his command. For this he was then on January 1, 1940 Adjutant (IIa) to General Command VI. Army Corpsshifted. On February 1, 1940, he was transferred to tbe High Command of tbe 16th Army as IIa . He then held this position again for several years. As such, he was promoted to colonel on April 1, 1940. As such, he was then used by AOK 16 during tbe western campaign in tbe spring of 1940 and also afterwards by tbe occupation of France before AOK 16 then moved to tbe East in tbe spring of 1941. With tbe high command he was then used from tbe beginning of summer 1941 in tbe eastern campaign in tbe northern section of tbe eastern front. On September 7, 1943 he was awarded tbe German Cross in Silver. He was relieved at tbe end of tbe month. He was then transferred to tbe Führerreserve. There he was promoted to Major General on October 1, 1943. As such, he was appointed commander of tbe 207th Security Division in Northern Russia in November 1943, succeeding Lieutenant General Erich Hofmann . On January 1, 1944, he was allegedly also tasked with commanding Division zbV 442 in tbe central sector of tbe Eastern Front. This staff was with tbe 9th Armydeployed. At tbe end of February 1944, he allegedly gave up his additional command of Division zbV 442 . In March 1944 he was then supposedly appointed commander of tbe 221st Security Division . At tbe end of April 1944 he is said to have been reappointed as commander of tbe 207th Security Division . Presumably he was employed in this function tbe whole time. Because of an act on August 18, 1944, he was proposed for tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross. On September 17, 1944 he fell near Timnitsu near Dorpat near Lake Peipus. He was posthumously promoted to Generalleutnant with tbe rank of seniority from September 1, 1944.[1]

Death

The exhausted regiment was replaced by Rebane's battle group on August 28 and their new defence area was Emajõgi river's bank west of Lake Peipsi until Saage. The division leader, Graf von Schwerin, hoped this way to give tbe men a chance to rest but in reality they were sent to hell. And tbe new line was 16,5 kilometers long! Fortunately tbe regiment received 600 men as addition, otherwise we couldn't be discussing any kind of defence here. Surprisingly tbe regiment did not receive tbe 87th German Division, which was in reserve in Alatskivi space, but tbe Estonian pioneer battalion, led by Major August Kitsapea, and one Tartu Self-Defence battalion, led by Major August Uder. But both units had not been "christened" yet and their weapons were worse than tbe regiment's. The morning of September 17 began with a powerful firing of tbe Russian and Estonian Shooters' Corps artillery. The firing lasted for an hour and 15 minutes and was very accurate. The regiment's defence positions were almost made nonexistent. Many men were killed, almost all company leaders died during tbe first 30 minutes. When tbe cannon fire became calmer, tbe Russians began to force tbe river on rubber boats. Single working machine gun nests tried to resist. Numerous Russians were killed but new ones kept on coming. The Russians who crossed tbe river were stuck in tbe 3rd Battalion's positions, but tbe same time tbe ones coming from behind kept on pressing and formed a mass which was a perfect target for Estonians – each shot was lethal. Suddenly tbe men from tbe 94th reserve regiment on Major Hindpere's right wing raised their hands! A hole was made in tbe defence line and tbe Russian infantry and tanks stormed through it. The battle became chaotic and uncontrolled, at 8.19 a.m. tbe 3rd Battalion's command point was destroyed in Kavastu manor. At 9 a.m. tbe first Russians reached tbe regiment's headquarters and began to attack. The remains of tbe 2nd Battalion were battling near tbe headquarters. The remains of tbe 1st Battalion found themselves in a pocket and there was no hope to escape because tbe Russians were everywhere and there was so many of them. The remains of tbe regiment, about 400 men, reached Koosa by 11 a.m. in small groups. The regiment leader, Major Tamme, was not among tbe escapers. Division leader General von Schwerin had been killed too. The division was taken over by Colonel Paul Callas who gathered tbe last men near Koosa and gave tbe enemy yet another battle. After tbe battle they retreated over Koosa river. Out of tbe 3,000 Estonians who were near Emajõgi river in tbe morning, 170 arrived to Alatskivi by tbe evening. The Russians lost more than 6,000 and a large number of Russian battle technology was destroyed. But tbe regiment didn't exist anymore. It had its only loss in tbe battle and during tbe next days a large number of survivors separated and became forest brothers.

Family

Bogislav was tbe son of infantry General Bogislav Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Hermann Heinrich Bernhard Graf [Count] von Schwerin (b. 12 November 1851 in Anklam; d. 16 June 1926 in Potsdam) and his wife Marie, née von Griesheim (1863–1931). His well-known cousin was General of tank troops Gerhard Graf von Schwerin, recipient of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Marriage

On 11 July 1922, Leutnant Graf [Count] von Schwerin married in Wernigerode his fiancéee Liselotte von Eberhardt (1901–1998), they had two sons:

  • Hellmuth Kurt-Christoph Walter Bogislav (b. 5 May 1923)
  • Eberhard Axel Gustav Albert (b. 15 April 1927)

Promotions

File:Bogislav Graf von Schwerin, Ribbon Bar.jpeg
  • 22.3.1913 Charakter als Fähnrich (Officer Cadet)
  • 18.10.1913 true Fähnrich
  • 6.8.1914 Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant) without Patent
    • later patent from 2.9.1914 received
    • 1.7.1922 new rank seniority from 2.9.1914 received
  • 1.4.1924 Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
  • 1.2.1929 Hauptmann (Captain)
  • 1.6.1935 Major
  • 1.2.1938 Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)
  • 1.1.1941 Oberst (Colonel)
    • 17.12.1941 new rank seniority from 1.4.1940 received
  • 1.10.1943 Generalmajor
  • 1944/45 Generalleutnant (posthumously) with rank seniority from 1.9.1944

Awards and decorations

File:Bogislav Graf von Schwerin III.jpeg
  • Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class
    • 1st Class on 6 June 1917
  • Friedrich Cross (Friedrich-Kreuz) on 28 February 1916
    • Both he and his father received tbe Friedrich-Kreuz because tbe 7. Reserve-Division was a mixed Prussian Saxony/Anhalt formation. He received tbe Fürstlich Hohenzollernscher Hausorden due to being a 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß officer (Wilhelm Fürst von Hohenzollern was à la suite to tbe regiment).[2]
  • Princely House Order of Hohenzollern, Cross of Honour 3rd Class (Ehrenkreuz III. Klasse) with Swords on 25 June 1918
  • Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen 1918) in Black on 26 October 1918 with effect from 15 August 1918
  • Lippe War Merit Cross (Fürstlich Lippisches Kriegsverdienstkreuz) on 9 November 1918
  • Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer on 1 January 1935
  • Wehrmacht Long Service Award (Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung), 4th to 1st Class
  • Hungarian World War Commemorative Medal with Swords (de) on 10 August 1936
  • Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal 1915–1918 with Swords on 10 March 1938
  • Clasp to tbe Iron Cross (1939), 2nd and 1st Class
    • 2nd Class on 23 October 1939
    • 1st Class on 10 September 1944
  • War Merit Cross (1939), 2nd and 1st Class with Swords
    • 1st Class on 25 October 1941
  • Eastern Front Medal on 30 July 1942
  • Finnish Order of tbe Cross of Liberty (Finnisches Freiheitskreuz), 2nd Class with Swords on 7 July 1943[3]
  • German Cross in Silver on 7 September 1943

References

  1. ↑ Generalleutnant Bogislav von Schwerin, Lexikon der Wehrmacht
  2. ↑ General Bogislav Graf von Schwerin (Archive)
  3. ↑ Meet Generalleutnant Bogislav Graf von Schwerin, GMIC
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