Maximilian de Angelis

Maximilian de Angelis (1889–1974) was a German general of artillery, serving during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was a prisoner of war from 1945 to 1955.

Military career
Maximilian de Angelis was born as an officer's son on October 2, 1889 in Budapest. After his military basic training Leutnant de Angelis was transferred to the Feldkanonen-Regiment 42. He participated in World War I holding the rank of Oberleutnant. By 1920 he had been promoted to Hauptmann and joined the Austrian Bundesheer.

He was taken prisoner of war on May 9, 1945 by US forces. On April 4, 1946 he was handed over to the forces of Josip Broz Tito and sentenced to 20 years of captivity. He was then handed over to the Soviet Union and sentenced to two times 25 years. He was released from captivity in the fall of 1955. He initially lived in Hannover, later moving to Graz where he died on December 6, 1974.

Awards

 * Military Merit Cross, 3rd class with war decoration and swords (2 times, Austria–Hungary)
 * Military Merit Medal in bronze and in silver, both with Swords
 * Karl Troop Cross
 * Austrian War Commemorative Medal with Swords
 * Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (13 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (1 June 1940)
 * Eastern Front Medal
 * Order of Michael the Brave, 3rd class (19 September 1941)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 9 February 1942 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 76. Infanterie-Division
 * 323rd Oak Leaves on 12 November 1943 as General der Artillerie and commanding general of the XXXXIV. Armeekorps