Hermann Niehoff

Hermann Niehoff was a German officer during World War II. He was born on 3 April 1897 and died in 1980. Niehoff was born in Papenburg/Ems. He was a German infantry general and was the garrison commander of Fortress Breslau (Festung Breslau) during the Battle of Breslau.

Commands

 * Commanding Officer of the 211th Replacement Regiment - 1939 to 1940
 * Commanding Officer of the 464th Regiment - 1940 to 1943
 * Infantry General (General der Infanterie) of the 371st Infantry Division - 1943 to 1945
 * Garrison Commander of Fortress Breslau - 2 March to 6 May 1945

Actions
As General of the 371 Infantry Division (371.Infanterie Division), Niehoff participated in the break out from the Kamieniec-Podolski Pocket during March and April 1944. At this time, his division was part of Colonel General (Generaloberst) Hans-Valentin Hube's 1st Panzer Army.

From 13 February to 6 May 1945, Breslau was besieged by the Soviet 6th Army. The 6th Army was part of the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front commanded by Marshal Ivan Konev.

On 2 March, Niehoff became the garrison commander. To oppose the Soviets, Niehoff had a mix of German Army, Home Guard, and Hitler Youth troops. During the siege, Niehoff's over-matched forces held Breslau for more than two months while much of the city was destroyed and many of his troops were killed.

On 6 May, four days after Berlin fell and only two days before the unconditional surrender of Germany, Niehoff signed a conditional surrender of Fortress Breslau to the Soviets. None of the conditions were kept by the Soviets. Niehoff remained a prisoner of war from 1945 to 1955.

Awards

 * Wound Badge in Black
 * Infantry Assault Badge
 * German Cross in Gold (6 January 1942)
 * Hamburg Hanseatic Cross (World War I)
 * Iron Cross
 * 1st class on 12 June 1918
 * 2nd class on 5 August 1916
 * Clasps to the Iron Cross
 * 1st class 7 July 1941
 * 2nd class 26 June 1940
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
 * Knight's Cross on 15 June 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 371. Infaterie-Division
 * 764th Oak Leaves on 5 March 1945 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 371. Infaterie-Division
 * (147th) Swords on 26 April 1945 as General der Infanterie and commander of the Festung Breslau
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht