Dietrich von Choltitz

German general (1894-1966) · Germany · Historical Figures · Died at 71

Dietrich von Choltitz is read about 716 times a day, in 39 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 15 October 2026

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The Wehrmacht general who supposedly refused Hitler's order to blow up Paris before the liberation - a story of disputed heroism that asks whether he saved the city or simply had no way to destroy it.

Historical Figures Other 20th Century

A life in dates

1966Died5 November 19661964“If for the first time I had disobeyed, it was because I knew that Hitler was insane.”In their wordsAbout refusing to obey Hitler's orders. Quoted in a 1964 interview.Read the whole statement

1944“Have you read Churchill's speech? Appalling beyond all words! A Jewish brigade to go to Germany! Then the French will take the west and the Poles the east.”In their words28 September 1944To Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben about Winston Churchill's speech on September 28 1944Read the whole statement

“Gentlemen, you are the leaders of the best soldiers in the world.”In their words21 August 1944To two SS-Manns about retrieving the Bayeux Tapestry, 21 August 1944Read the whole statement

1943Wound Badge (1939) in GoldAward1942German Cross in GoldAward1940Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossAward1894Born9 November 1894

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2003-1112-500, Dietrich v. Choltitz-2

Baden-Baden-Hauptfriedhof-Grabmal Dietrich von Choltitz-10-hf44-2021-gje

Bundesarchiv Bild 146-2005-0136, Trent Park Camp, deutsche Offiziere

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2003-1112-500, Dietrich v. Choltitz cropped

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2003-1112-500, Dietrich v. Choltitz-2 (cropped)

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2003-1112-500, Dietrich v. Choltitz-2

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2003-1112-500, Dietrich v. Choltitz

In their own words 10

Dietrich von Choltitz

10 statements, newest first

If for the first time I had disobeyed, it was because I knew that Hitler was insane.
1964, About refusing to obey Hitler's orders. Quoted in a 1964 interview., Own words
Have you read Churchill's speech? Appalling beyond all words! A Jewish brigade to go to Germany! Then the French will take the west and the Poles the east.
Sep 28, 1944, To Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben about Winston Churchill's speech on September 28 1944, Own words
Gentlemen, you are the leaders of the best soldiers in the world.
Aug 21, 1944, To two SS-Manns about retrieving the Bayeux Tapestry, 21 August 1944, Own words

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Awards

Wound Badge (1939) in Gold1943

German Cross in Gold1942

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross1940

Knight of the Legion of Honour

Knight II Class of the Albrecht Order

Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918

Military Order of St. Henry

Order of the Star of Romania

Wound Badge (1918) in Silver

Infantry Assault Badge

Civil Order of Saxony

Order of Michael the Brave, 3rd class

Wound Badge (1918) in Black

In their orbit

Child: Timo von Choltitz

About this person

Born in 1894 to a Prussian military family, Choltitz fought through the First World War and rose through the rebuilt German armed forces between the wars. He saw action in the invasion of Poland in 1939 and led an air landing at Rotterdam in May 1940, seizing key bridges. Named the last Nazi commander of occupied Paris in 1944, he faced Hitler's order to demolish the city before retreat. On 25 August, as Free French forces entered, he surrendered Paris intact. He later claimed he defied the Führer out of respect for the capital's beauty and the certainty that Hitler had lost his mind. Others say the Resistance had already stripped him of control, leaving him unable to execute demolitions even if he'd tried.

Country

Germany