Georg Stumme

Georg Stumme (29 July 1886 – 24 October 1942) was a World War II German general most notable for his brief command of the Axis forces at the beginning of the Second Battle of El Alamein. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Biography
Stumme had achieved the rank of Generalleutnant by the beginning of the war. He commanded the 2nd Light Division (later the 7th Panzer Division) in the attack on Poland in 1939. Replaced by Erwin Rommel in 1940, he was appointed as commander of the 40th Panzer Corps, which was sent to Bulgaria and participated in the attacks on Yugoslavia and Greece. In Operation Barbarossa Stumme served under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock. Stumme and his men succeeded in capturing Mozhaisk. He then participated in the attempt to capture Stalingrad.

In June 1942 some German plans were captured by Soviet forces. Hitler blamed Stumme and ordered that he be court-martialed. He was found guilty and was sentenced to five years imprisonment, but von Bock secured his release. Stumme was then sent to North Africa to join the Afrika Korps, which was confronting the British at El Alamein. During the temporary absence of Erwin Rommel, he commanded Panzer Army Africa (combined German and Italian forces) when the British attacked.

Unlike Rommel, Stumme travelled without the protection of an escort and radio car. On 24 October Stumme and Colonel Büchting drove to the front to review the situation. On the way to the command post, the car came into open view and was attacked. Stumme's companion Büchting was killed by a shot in the head. Stumme jumped out of the car and apparently was holding onto the side while the driver drove out of range. He was found along the track the next day, with no wound that could be seen. He was known to have high blood pressure and it was thought he had died of a heart attack. He was replaced as commander of Panzer Army Africa with the return of Erwin Rommel, while the Afrika Korps was commanded by General der Panzertruppe Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 July 1940 as General der Kavallerie and commanding general of the XXXX. Armeekorps.