Fritz Lindemann
Fritz Lindemann (11 April 1894 – 22 September 1944) was a German officer in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany and member of the resistance to Adolf Hitler.
Career
Lindeman was born on 11 April 1894 in Berlin-Charlottenburg, a borough of the capital of the German Empire. His father was the son of Friedrich Lindemann, a military officer. In 1912, Lindemann graduated from the Viktoria-Gymnasium in Potsdam, present-day Helmholtz-Gymnasium Potsdam, receiving his Abitur (university entry qualification) at the top of his class.
On request by the Foreign Minister of Germany, Ulrich von Brockdorff-Rantzau, Lindemann was selected as one of six officers providing security for the German delegation during the negotiation of Treaty of Versailles.
After serving in World War I, Lindemann participated in the suppression of the German Revolution of 1918–1919 as a member of the Freikorps. However, as a member of the Reichswehr and a loyalist to the Weimar Republic, he refused to participate in the Kapp Putsch.
Lindemann served as commander of the 132nd Infantry Division from January 1942 to August 1943, before appointment as Chief of Staff of the Artillery Oberkommando des Heeres.
Lindemann developed contacts with conspirators against Adolf Hitler including General Helmuth Stieff, and following the assassination of Hitler it was proposed that he would read the conspirators' proclamation to the German people over the radio, but he did not appear at the Bendlerblock on 20 July 1944 in order to do so. After the failure of the 20 July plot, he went into hiding. When the Gestapo came to arrest him, Lindemann tried to jump out of a window. However, he was shot in his leg and stomach, and later died in hospital from his injuries.
After standing trial for helping Lindemann at the People's Court, Erich and Elisabeth Gloeden, Hans Sierks and Carl Marks were all sentenced to death. They were executed by guillotine at Plötzensee Prison in September 1944.
Awards and decorations
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 September 1941 as Oberst and Artilleriekommandeur 138.
- German Cross in Gold on 23 August 1942 as Generalmajor and commander of the 132. Infanterie-Division