Gotthard Heinrici

Gotthard Heinrici (25 December 1886 – 13 December 1971) was a general in the German Army during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was considered in the Wehrmacht as the number one greatest defensive tactician in the German Army. This led to his final assignment as Commander-in-Chief of the last remaining forces of Army Group Vistula (final remnants of Army Group Center) in front of Berlin in April 1945. Author Cornelius Ryan's book "The Last Battle" centers around General Heinrici and his final days in the Battle of Berlin.