Ferdinand Schörner (12 June, 1892 - 2 July 1973; also Schoerner) was a General and later Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall) in the German Army (Wehrmacht) during World War II.
He was born in Munich, Bavaria. A noted veteran of World War I, winning the Pour le Mérite as a Lieutenant, when he took part on the Austro-Hungarian/German Caporetto Offensive which shattered the Italian lines in the fall of 1917. Schörner served as a staff officer and i...
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Ferdinand Schörner (12 June, 1892 - 2 July 1973; also Schoerner) was a General and later Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall) in the German Army (Wehrmacht) during World War II.
He was born in Munich, Bavaria. A noted veteran of World War I, winning the Pour le Mérite as a Lieutenant, when he took part on the Austro-Hungarian/German Caporetto Offensive which shattered the Italian lines in the fall of 1917. Schörner served as a staff officer and instructor between the two wars. As an army instructor he was instrumental in turning the Waffen SS from a paramilitary force into military stormtroopers able to fight alongside the Wehrmacht.
Schörner was highly successful during the German campaigns in Poland commanding the 98th Mountain Regiment. During the Balkans campaign he commanded the German 6th Mountain Division and earned the Knight's Cross for his role in breaching the famous Metaxas Line. He remained with this division for the remainder of the year and took part in Operation...
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