Rudolf Veiel

Rudolf Veiel (10 December 1883, in Stuttgart – 19 March 1956, in Stuttgart) was a German General of the Panzertruppe during World War II.

Veiel's first army service was noted as a Fahnenjunker in the Ulanen-Regiment 19 in April 1904. On 18 August 1905, he became a leutnant.

At the beginning of World War I, Veiel was a commander of the Squadron in the Württemberg Reserve-Dragoon-Regiment. He served in this regiment until the end of the war.

After World War I, Veiel was a member of the Freikorps in Württemberg (1919). From 1 October 1920, he was in the 18th (Saxon) Cavalry Regiment of the Reichswehr. From 1 June 1923, Veiel commanded a Squadron in 10th (Prussian) Cavalry Regiment where he was promoted to major on 1 March 1927. In the same year, Veiel became an adjutant in 3rd Cavalry Division. He stayed in this division as an adjutant until 1 April 1931 when he became an oberstleutnant.

From 1 November 1932 to 1 October 1935, Veiel commanded the 18th Cavalry Regiment. He then commanded the 2nd Rifle Brigade until 1 February 1938 when he was given command of the 2nd Panzer Division. During all of this, Veiel became an oberst on 1 December 1933, a generalmajor on 1 January 1937, and a generalleutnant on 10 October 1938.

In the early stages of World War II, as commander of the 2nd Panzer Division, Veiel played a distinguished role in the invasions of Poland in 1939, of France in 1940, of Yugoslavia and Greece in 1941, and of the Soviet Union in 1941. On 3 June 1940, for his achievements as a divisional commander, Veiel was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

From 1 April 1942 to 28 September 1942, after the German defeat at Moscow, Veiel became a General der Panzertruppe. He later commanded the XLVIII Panzer Corps. After 28 September, Veiel was made Chief of revitalization in the Headquarters of the Army Group Center. He continued in this position until 6 June 1943.

From September 1943 to 20 July 1944 General Veiel was Commanding General of Battle Sector V (Wehrkreis V) in Stuttgart. He was relieved of command because of complicity in the July 20 Conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler. On 16 April 1945 he was put in the Officer Reserve (Führerreserve) of the Army High Command (Oberkommando des Heeres or OKH).

After World War II, Rudolf Veiel spent two years in American captivity. On 12 May 1947, he was released. He died nine years later in his hometown of Stuttgart, aged 72.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ritterkreuz des Württembergischen Militärverdienstordens (2 August 1917)
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 3 June 1940