I am a relative of Bruno Karl Bieler. There is a lot I don't understand. I am curious about his career. I understand he was head of 3rd cavalry regiment in WW II.He was a Knight's Cross recipient. I just don't what his duties entailed. It was told to me he was approached about the July 20 plot to assassinate Hitler. I don't know. Bruno was a General. Anything that anyone can tell me would be appreciated. I see some paper on here regarding him stamped secret. Why would that be?
Hello, I take it you are referring to this entry: Who's Who (A-B) of senior German Army officers (Birley's Bible) That information was transcribed from the document currently held at The National Archives, Kew. At the time of it's creation (13 October 1943) this page in a British Intelligence document, compiled by MI 14, was secret: it's as simple as that. A-B. Includes 12 photographs depicting: Who's Who of senior German Army officers... | The National Archives "Who's Who of senior German Army officers (Birley's Bible) compiled by Lt Col E Birley of MI 14" BIELER, Bruno (18 June 1888 – 22 March 1966) M.I.14/744 SECRET Circa 1888 - Born 1908, August 18 - First commissioned. 1914, May 1 - Second Lieutenant, Adjutant of 1 Bn., 33 (East Prussian) Fusilier Regiment 1914-1918 - War Service: Regimental and General Staff (ultimately on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief). Decorations: Iron Cross (1st Class); Prussian Cross of Merit for War Service; Bavarian Military Service Cross (4th Class, with Swords); Hamburg Hanseatic Cross. 1917, November 28 - Promoted Captain. After the War, transferred to the Reichswehr. 1921-1923 - At the War Ministry (serving in Foreign Armies Section of de facto General Staff). 1924-1926 - Commanding 3 Coy., 7 Infantry Regiment. 1927-1929 - On Staff of 3rd Division. 1929, February 1 - Promoted Major (with seniority 1 February 1928). 1930-1932 - At the War Ministry (serving in Operations Section of General Staff). 1932, October 1 - Promoted Lieutenant Colonel. ? - To command 55 Infantry Regiment. 1935, October 1 - Promoted Colonel. 1936, November 1 - Commanding above Regiment. 1937, October 17 - Chief of Staff, II Army Corps. 1938, March 1 - Promoted Major General, retains above appointment. 1939, November 2 - Commanding 73rd Division on Saar Front. 1940, March 1 - Promoted Lieutenant General. 1940, April 19 - At Swinemuende. 1941, November 6 - Commanding 73 Infantry Division; acting O.C. XLII Corps (CRIMEA). Awarded Knight’s Cross of Iron Cross. 1942, January 2 - Promoted General (Infantry). 1942, April - Commanding VI Army Corps (Centre Group). 1943, March 1 - Commanding LXXXVI Corps at DAX. M.I.14.b. 13 October 1943. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Bieler Biography of General of Infantry Bruno Bieler (1888 – 1966), Germany http://ww2gravestone.com/general/bieler-bruno-richard-karl
Interesting record of a soldier who served in the Kaiser's Imperial Army,the Reichwehr under the Weimar Republic and finally in the service of the Third Reich. Service involved the invasion of Poland followed by the phoney war on the Saar Front. After Russia,the posting to Dax in the Landes Department of SW France must have been idyllic when compared to the Eastern Front He seems to have had health problems from late 1943 onwards and was transferred to the Reserve under various designations. His record indicates that he retired on 30 April 1945 during the chaos which enveloped the death throes of the Third Reich.I wonder what the circumstances of his retirement were. A little more information on Bruno Bieler. General der Infanterie Bruno Bieler
Thank you! Yes. It seems he had intermittent health issues. I am not sure about his retirement. Age or health maybe? I had been told he was in the march on Poland but do not know how he was involved , his rank at that time. He was my Great Granfather's Uncle or a Cousin. I have to ask again. I am a Bieler. That is my Maiden name. I only learned of Bruno recently. It is odd to me to know I have a Nazi General in my Family. I am trying to remain objective. He obviously believed in what he was doing. I am very grateful for your reply. If you are able to explain to me what his part was in Poland I would be pleased. I wish I knew more. I have just begun to learn about this. Someone told me he was approached about the plot to kill Hitler but I see no info on that.
The attached images are his official Wehrmacht Kartei which are now held at the Bundesarchiv but NARA in the US have copies. Try contacting Deutsche Dienstelle (or the Bundesarchiv) and asking for a copy of the General's personnel file. If it still exists I would imagine it would be chock full of information relating to his service both in WW-1 and 2. Link - WASt The Lexikon der Wehrmacht entry for Bruno Bieler - BIELER
Thank you for all of the info. Lots more bits to work with. I had seen the photo of the grave. I am wondering if the man kneeling there is a relative. Probably. Quite a beautiful resting place. There is a pboto here where he looks like my oldest Uncle and his Son,my Cousin. I am going to keep studying and any and all info is welcome. In Gratitude, Tracy
For the invasion of Poland in 1939 (Fall Weiss) he had the rank of Generalmajor and held the position of Chef des Generalstab (Chief of Staff would be the Allied equivalent) for II.Armeekorps. The first attachment shows where in the organisation of II.Armeekorps he would of been while the second attachment gives a brief description of his responsibilities. Both are taken from a 1954 US Foreign Military Study of the German Staff organisation. Basically, without him the Armeekorps wouldn't of functioned. See this link here for the II.Armeekorps and scroll down to the 1st September 1939 table to see the units he was responsible for: II.Armeekorps
And here are two things signed by Bieler, including a photo. Bear in mind that this dealer is well known for his high prices! Bieler Items And over on Axis History Forum someone has posted another photo of him with his Ritterkreuz - Bieler Photo
I am so very appreciative of all the help I have received here! What a great group of people. My Dad will be blown away.
He was in command of VI.Armeekorps during the very heavy fighting around Rzhev in 1942 which cost both the Germans and Russians massive casualties. On the attached German map you can see Moscow (white circle) and where Bieler was in command (blue rectangle); the date of the map is 1st June 1942.
And this map for 20th August 1942 shows VI.Armeekorps and the Soviet forces opposite them. I have made white marks to give a rough idea of the sector that Bieler was responsible for.
