SS Brigadefuehrer Heinz Harmel in May 1945

Heinz Harmel was a significant German tactical commander during the Second World War, best known for his role in the German defensive response to Operation Market Garden in September 1944. As the commander of the 10th SS Panzer Division 'Frundsberg', Harmel was tasked with holding the vital corridor between Nijmegen and Arnhem against the Allied airborne assault and the advancing ground forces of the British XXX Corps.

The historical record of Harmel’s leadership is defined by his defensive strategies during the Battle of Arnhem. Positioned south of the Rhine, his division was instrumental in preventing the link-up between the British paratroopers at the Arnhem bridge and the relief forces moving north from Nijmegen. During the heavy fighting at Oosterbeek, Harmel notably sanctioned local truces to allow for the evacuation of wounded British soldiers, an action documented in numerous historical accounts of the battle.

Harmel’s military career concluded in April 1945. Following a refusal to carry out a counter-attack against the Soviet forces that he deemed militarily impossible and a waste of his remaining men, he was relieved of his command by Field Marshal Ferdinand Schörner.

🏛️ Military Career and Historical Context
Service on the Eastern Front: Prior to the 1944 campaign in the West, Harmel served in the Soviet Union, gaining experience in mobile armoured warfare during the battles for Kharkov and the subsequent retreat across Ukraine.

Operation Market Garden: During the Allied attempt to seize the Rhine crossings, the 10th SS Panzer Division 'Frundsberg' was refitting near Arnhem. Harmel’s swift deployment of his 'Kampfgruppen' (battle groups) proved a decisive factor in the Allied defeat.

The Nijmegen Bridge: A critical moment in the campaign occurred when Harmel’s orders to demolish the bridge at Nijmegen failed, allowing the Guards Armoured Division to cross. Despite this, his forces successfully blocked the road to Arnhem, isolating the British 1st Airborne Division.

Decorations and Dismissal: Harmel reached the rank of SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS and was awarded the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. His dismissal for "defeatism" in 1945 highlights the internal friction within the German high command during the final weeks of the war. This brings us to what he did at the very end of the war....

🔍
Heinz Harmel, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg, Operation Market Garden, Battle of Arnhem 1944, Nijmegen Bridge history, Waffen-SS commanders, German defensive tactics WW2.

Role of the 10th SS Panzer Division at Arnhem, Heinz Harmel and the Nijmegen bridge demolition, German military command during Market Garden, why was Heinz Harmel relieved of command, Knight's Cross recipients September 1944.
Heinz Harmel, 10th SS Panzer, Operation Market Garden, Arnhem 1944, Nijmegen, Frundsberg Division, Second World War, WW2 History, Military History, Western Front, 1944, German Army, Knight's Cross, Oosterbeek, Historical Biography.
For whoever does the alleged manual control at YouTube. The community guidelines are here : https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9288567?hl=en I suggest you read them. If you decide that this video is in breach of any of them, I suggest you tell me precisely where.
My history channel is based on my own research and generally comes from places I have visited and or original research. I live in a motorhome and as such spend most of my time travelling between Poland, Germany and Italy which is why there is a tendency to produce material from these countries, and sometimes material that is not available in English. My speciality is in World War Two, and in particular, the Holocaust although as you can see, I have opinions on a lot of other historical subjects too.

https://www.facebook.com/historysite/

Production of independent researched history is time consuming and expensive. Please consider supporting me on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/alanheath

#WW2 #History #MilitaryHistory #Arnhem #MarketGarden #1944 #HeinzHarmel #HistoricalFacts #SecondWorldWar #WarHistory #BattleOfArnhem

Видео SS Brigadefuehrer Heinz Harmel in May 1945 канала History on YouTube