The general who represented Germany's surrender in Italy
On 29 April 1945 at Caserta, his representatives signed the surrender instrument for the German forces in Italy.
Born into a Prussian military family, Heinrich von Vietinghoff became a senior commander after serving in the Imperial Army and the Reichswehr. He took part in the invasions of Poland and the Soviet Union, and from 1943 commanded German defensive operations in occupied Italy. In April 1945 he negotiated with the Allies at Caserta and represented the German forces in the surrender arrangements, making him a central participant in ending the German war in Italy. After captivity, he joined West German rearmament discussions.
Career Timeline
- 1906–1918Officer in the Prussian Army; served in the First World War
- 1919–1935Officer of the Reichswehr; served in the Army Ministry and corps staff
- 1938–1939Commander of the 5th Panzer Division
- 1940–1942Commander of the XLVI Panzer Corps in the Balkans and on the Eastern Front
- 1942–1943Commander-in-chief of the Ninth and Fifteenth Armies
- 1943–1944Commander-in-chief of the Tenth Army in Italy, defending the Gustav and Gothic Lines
- 1944–1945Commander-in-chief of Army Group C and the Southwest theatre
- 1945Represented the German forces in the Caserta surrender arrangements