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Helmuth WeidlingGeneral Helmuth Weidling (* 1891; † 1955) was the German commandant of Berlin during the final assault by Soviet forces just before the end of World War II in Europe. On 22 April 1945 he was condemned to death by firing squad, because of misunderstanding by Adolf Hitler, but the misunderstanding was sorted out before the execution took place. The next day he was appointed commandant of the Berlin garrison tasked to defend the city during the Battle of Berlin. He was ordered not to surrender but to fight to the last man. After Adolf Hitler committed suicide on 30 May, General Weidling, surrendered the city to the Soviets on 2 May. General of the artillery Weidling died in 1955 as a Soviet prisoner of war. During his military career he was awarded Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with oak leaves and swords. external link
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