Dates

• Existence: 1903 - 1975

Biography

Joachim Schwatlo-Gesterding (1903-1975) was German career soldier and veteran of World War II.

Joachim Hans Dietrich Schwatlo-Gesterding was born on March 2, 1903, in Stralsund, Germany, to Siegfried Schwatlo and Lucie Gesterding. In 1917, at the age of 14, he entered a cadet school; he joined the German army in 1919, and in 1922 became a lieutenant ("Leutnant") in the Reichswehr ("empire defense"; German armed forces from 1919 to 1935). In 1927, he began training to become a general staff officer, and in 1934 became Hauptmann (captain). Four years later, he was transferred to the general command in Hanover as a major.

Joachim married Doris Walther on April 17, 1937 in Berlin, Germany. The couple had no children. During World War II, he fought in Poland and France, as well as in Russia later as a lieutenant colonel ("oberstleutnant," 1941). Only a year later, in 1942, he was promoted to Oberst (colonel) and returned to the Eastern Front, deployed in Galicia and Silesia (now Spain and Poland) until 1945. He was then promoted to major general ("Generalmajor"). Just before the war ended, on May 10, 1945, he was taken prisoner by the Soviets and sentenced to 25 years of hard labor by a Russian tribunal, and held in Moscow and nearby Lager'; he was released after only 10 years, in about September 1955.

In 1956, Joachim was hired by the Bundeswehr ("federal defense," German armed forces since 1955) as a Brigadegeneral (brigadier general). He was appointed deputy inspector of the army in November 1958, promoted to major general in 1959, and then in 1960 as commander of the military area of Hanover. In October 1961, he became commander of the territorial defense in Bad Godesberg, and the following February, he was promoted to lieutenant general (Generalleutnant, the second highest rank in the German army). A year later, in February 1963, he retired after reaching the age limit.

Schwatlo-Gesterding was awarded the German Gold Cross (generally given for repeated acts of bravery or exceptional leadership) and the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with a star for his achievements in the Bundeswehr. He died on January 27, 1975, in Bonn, Germany, at the age of 71, and was buried in the Poppelsdorfer Friedhof (cemetery) in Bonn.

Citation:

FamilySearch, accessed February 23, 2023 (born March 2, 1902, Stralsund, Germany; parents Siegfried Schwatlo, Lucie Gesterding; joined German army 1919; married Doris Walther 17 April 1937, Berlin, Germany; no children listed; died January 27, 1975, Bonn, Germany, age 71; buried Poppelsdorfer Friedhof, Bonn; marriage record lists full name as Joachim Hans Dietrich Schwatlo-Gesterding).

UPB files, February 23, 2023 (1917, age 14, entered cadet school; 1922, became lieutenant in Reichswehr; 1927, began training to become general staff officer; 1934, became captain; 1938, transferred to general command in Hanover as major; during World War II, fought in Poland and France; fought in Russia later as lieutenant colonel (1941); 1942, promoted to colonel, returned to the Eastern Front; deployed in Galicia and Silesia (Spain and Poland) until 1945, promoted to Major General; taken prisoner by Soviets just before end of war, sentenced to 25 years hard labor by Russian tribunal; held in Moscow, Lager'; released after 10 years, at end of 1955; 1956, hired by Bundeswehr as brigadier general; appointed deputy inspector of army, November 1958; promoted to major general, 1959; 1960, commander of military area of Hanover; October 1961, became commander of territorial defense in Bad Goodesberg; following February (1962), promoted to lieutenant general; February 1963, retired after reaching age limit; awarded German gold cross, Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with star for achievements in Bundeswehr).

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