Smilo Freiherr von Lüttwitz

Smilo Walther Hinko Oskar Constantin Wilhelm Freiherr von Lüttwitz (23 December 1895 – 19 May 1975) was a German general of the Panzer troops, serving during World War II and son of Walther von Lüttwitz. His cousins Heinrich von Lüttwitz and Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz were also decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, the latter also received the decoration "with Diamonds". After World War II he joined the Bundeswehr on 1 June 1957 and retired on 31 December 1960.

Biography
Smilo Freiherr von Lütwitz was born on 23 December 1895 in Strasbourg into a family with a long history of military service. He joined the military service during the mobilisation on 3 August 1914 as an officer cadet in the Leib-Dragonerregiment (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 24 of the 25th Division in Darmstadt. Fähnrich von Lüttwitz was posted to the Eastern Front and saw combat at Tannenberg, Courland and Düna. He was severely wounded twice in 1915 and received the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) 1st class. He was commissioned as a Leutnant on 16 June 1915, effective as of 10 August 1914.

In 1916, after his brother was killed in action as chief of a Jägerkompanie, von Lüttwitz was transferred to a staff position with the X. Armeekorps in the Heeresgruppe Kronprintz for two years. The corps was under the command of his father Generalleutnant Walther von Lüttwitz. His father, a recipient of the Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves, was one of the most highly decorated generals of the German Empire. He returned to front line duty in 1918 as an adjutant with the Darmstädter Dragoner in the temporary occupation of the Ukraine and southern Russia. By the end of World War I he had received both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver.

Awards

 * Infantry Assault Badge
 * Wound Badge (1914) in Silver
 * Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st class
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (6 October 1939)
 * 1st Class (27 May 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939) in Gold
 * German Cross in Gold on 27 October 1941 as Oberstleutnant and commander of the Schützen-Regiment 12
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
 * Knight's Cross on 14 January 1942 as Oberst and commander of the Schützen-Regiment 12
 * 426th Oak Leaves on 16 March 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 26. Panzer-Division
 * 76th Swords (4 July 1944) as Generalleutnant and commander of the 26. Panzer-Division
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 9 December 1943
 * Rechtsritter (Knight of Justice) of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg)
 * Great Cross of Merit with star
 * Legion of Merit