Wilhelm Baur (original) (raw)

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Wilhelm Baur
Born 17 February 1883Metz, Alsace-Lorraine
Died 26 May 1964(1964-05-26) (aged 81)Lindenfels, West Germany
Allegiance German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service / branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1903–1945
Rank Generalleutnant
Commands Field-Economics-Commander Norway
Battles / wars World War IWorld War II
Awards Ritterkreuz des kgl. Preuss. Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern

Wilhelm Baur or Wilhelm Baur de Betaz (17 February 1883 in Metz – 26 May 1964 in Lindenfels) was a German Lieutenant General (Generalleutnant) of the Heer during Second World War.

Wilhelm Baur was born in Metz (February 17, 1883), in Alsace-Lorraine, which was then part of Germany. He joined the army at twenty years old. He served in the 61st Artillery Regiment, from 1903 until 1914. Baur was detached to the Military Technical Academy in 1909, before being detached to the War-Academy from 1912 to 1914. During the First World War, Baur served as a company-grade officer. He was awarded the Iron Cross.

At the beginning of the Second World War, Wilhelm Baur was appointed Chief of Staff of the Higher Flying-Training-Commander. In March 1940, he took command of the Special-Purpose-Combat-Group in Norway. In September 1940, he was appointed commander of the air district of Greifswald, then commander of the air district of Döberitz. Baur was promoted to the rank of major general (Generalmajor) in July 1941. In May 1942, Baur worked at the headquarters of the armies, with General Walther von Unruh. He was appointed Chief of the Defence Economy Staff, in Norway. Baur was promoted General Lieutenant (Generalleutnant) in August 1943. In September 1944, Wilhelm Baur was eventually placed in Führer-Reserve until the end of the war.