Scholtietz, a strict military man, but not a blind executor of orders. He had planted a large number of explosives on Hitler's orders, preparing to destroy countless historical buildings, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. But he ultimately decided not to carry out this order, and even when Hitler decided to carry out an air raid on Paris, he stepped forward again and succeeded in blocking the plan on the grounds that his troops were still in the city. The actions of this German general made him a hero in the hearts of the French after the war.
However, the general, who left a legend in Paris, was controversial in his own country. This decision of his allowed him to avoid Hitler's reprisals, but his acts of war – especially during Poland and the fight against the partisans – still put him on the cusp. After the war, he was imprisoned in a French prison, and although he was not ultimately convicted of a war criminal, his name is forever associated with that bloody history.
1. Hitler's mad orders and Scholtitz's difficult choice
In August 1944, the situation on the European battlefield was changing, and the Allied landings in Normandy made the war situation of Nazi Germany even more precarious. In this tense and chaotic moment, Hitler, inside his headquarters, confronted with maps and reports from the front, gave a shocking order: to raze Paris, the capital of France, to rubble. This order was given not only for the needs of war, but also for Hitler's destructive mentality: "If I can't have it, then no one else can think of it." ”
Receiving the order was Hitler's loyal subordinate, the German general Scholtiez. Scholtitz received this order at Hitler's headquarters, and he stood in front of Hitler and listened to the instructions of the Nazi leader. Hitler's voice was firm and cold, and his eyes revealed unquestionable determination. However, in the face of such an order, Scholtitz's heart was full of contradictions and struggles.
Inside Hitler's headquarters, Scholtietz silently took orders, his facial expression stiffened, trying to hide his inner turmoil. He left the conference room and returned to his office, where he began to plan how to carry out the order. A map of Paris spreads out on his desk, marking important landmarks and buildings in the city, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower.
2. Scholtitz's inner struggles and decisions
Scholtietz, an experienced and well-trained German general, acted in the face of Hitler's orders, and his actions revealed his discipline and sense of duty as a soldier. Upon his return to Paris, he personally supervised the placement of explosives in Paris, ensuring that every step of the way was carried out with precision. However, in the process of carrying out this process, he also deeply felt the unique charm of the city of Paris.
Scholtitz walked the streets of Paris, where he saw the architecture of Paris, the culture of the streets, and the daily life of its citizens. He was fascinated by the city's history and culture. He was struck by the Gothic architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral, the romantic views of the Seine, and the majesty of the Eiffel Tower. Even as a conqueror, Scholtiec could not help but be impressed by the beauty of the city.
At night, Scholtitz often walks the empty streets of Paris, looking at the Seine under the streetlights, the water sparkling in the light. He crossed the historic bridge and watched the spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral loom in the moonlight. These scenes are etched in his memory.
In the process of laying out the explosives, Scholtitz became more and more familiar with Paris. He visited many historical sites in Paris, including the Louvre, the ruins of the Bastille, the Arc de Triomphe, and more. Everywhere he went, he carefully observed the architectural style and artistic value of these landmarks. He was impressed by the tenacity and vitality of the citizens of Paris, who were trying to maintain a normal life despite the shadow of war hanging over the city.
Although Scholtitz was a German general, he had a keen interest in art and history. The cultural heritage and artistic scene of Paris had a profound influence on him. In all corners of Paris, he discovered the city's unique soul – a unique blend of history, art and humanity.
Whenever Scholtitz returned to his temporary headquarters, he looked silently at the map of Paris and pondered the fate of the city. Even though he was a military man, he was also a man with a deep understanding of beauty and history.
3. Challenge Order: Actions to protect Paris
Although Scholtitz planted explosives at important landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower on Hitler's orders, he did not immediately carry out the order for destruction. At Notre-Dame, explosives were carefully placed at structural critical points to ensure that if detonated, the entire building would collapse quickly. Similarly, at the Eiffel Tower, his troops made similar preparations. Although the explosives were in place, Scholtitz did not give the order to detonate them.
During this period, Hitler's patience reached its limit. He decided to change his tactics and planned to achieve his goal of destroying Paris through air raids. The news soon reached Scholtitz's ears. Faced with this new order, Scholtietz immediately took action. He knew that air strikes would bring more extensive and uncontrollable damage than ground blasting.
Scholtitz quickly summoned a meeting of his senior officers to discuss how to respond to this latest order. At the meeting, he stressed the risks associated with the execution of air strikes, especially considering that the German army still had a large number of troops in Paris. He told his officers that carrying out air strikes was tantamount to attacking their own troops, which would not only cause huge casualties, but could also cause chaos and discontent within the army.
Scholtitz then quickly sent a telegram to Hitler's headquarters, explaining his concerns. In the telegram, he noted that German troops were still scattered in all corners of Paris, and the delivery of air strikes would inevitably injure their own people. He stressed that in order to protect the safety of the German soldiers, he proposed to postpone the implementation of the plan for air strikes on Paris.
This telegram immediately attracted Hitler's attention. Hitler had expected Scholtietz to carry out his orders quickly and decisively, but Scholtietz's questions forced him to reconsider. Eventually, taking into account the fact that there were still a large number of German troops in Paris, Hitler was forced to temporarily shelve his plans for an air raid on Paris.
Fourth, Scholtietz's choice and the anger of the Nazis
Scholtietz's decision not to carry out Hitler's orders to destroy Paris, as well as to stop the planned air raids, quickly caused great anger in Hitler. This decision was seen as a flagrant defiance of Hitler's direct orders, unprecedented in Scholtietz's 29-year military career. When Hitler learned of this at his headquarters in Berlin, his anger was almost uncontrollable. Scholtitz's actions not only challenged his authority, but also revealed to some extent the rifts within the Nazi establishment.
Nazi die-hard elements, including some high-ranking SS officials and extremists within the Nazi party, strongly demanded that Scholtitz be prosecuted for treason. They discussed vigorously at the meeting, proposing various punishments, including arrests, military court trials, and even the death penalty. They believed that Scholtietz's actions seriously damaged the interests of Nazi Germany and challenged the absolute authority of the "Führer" Hitler.
However, many of the senior generals of the German army had already seen the end of Nazi Germany. As the Allies continued to advance on the Western Front, and the Soviet Red Army continued to pressure on the Eastern Front, some of these generals became skeptical about the future of the Nazis. They discussed Scholtietz's fate in a private meeting and expressed their support for him. These generals recognized that Scholtitz's actions, while disobeying orders, might in fact have avoided an even greater catastrophe.
These generals began to exert influence on Hitler's closest advisers and senior SS officials, trying to intercede for Scholtiez. They emphasized Scholtietz's military achievements and loyalty to Germany, noting his outstanding performance throughout the war. They also argue that Scholtietz's actions actually protected the German troops in Paris from air raids.
After a series of tense and difficult internal struggles, Hitler finally accepted the advice of these high-ranking generals and decided not to impose the most extreme punishment on Scholtietz. Although Hitler was angry and disappointed by Scholtietz's actions, he also had to think about maintaining the stability and morale of the army at this critical juncture.
Scholtitz was able to avoid the worst consequences, but his military career was also affected by it. In the days that followed, he was transferred from his command of Paris to a more minor military position.
5. Scholtietz after the war: Sin and Atonement
With the end of World War II, Scholtietz, as a German general, came under scrutiny from the Allies for his actions during the war. In particular, his actions in Poland and against the partisans, which, by post-war standards, were enough for him to be convicted of a war criminal. The Allies conducted a thorough trial of Nazi Germany for their crimes after the war, and many German officers were tried for atrocities committed during the war.
Scholtietz's case has attracted particular attention. His actions in Paris – to prevent the destruction of the city – earned him a lot of support and praise. The French showed special gratitude for his actions, because his decision protected Paris from the serious damage of the war. This played a decisive role in his trial.
After the war, Scholtitz was arrested and imprisoned in a French army prison. His trial attracted widespread attention from the French public. Many French people believe that although Scholtitz was part of the German army, his actions in Paris showed his humanity and courage. Therefore, he has a special place in the hearts of the French.
At the trial, Scholtietz's lawyer highlighted his contribution to the protection of Paris as the main argument of the defense. Although his actions in Poland and during his time against the partisans were under serious scrutiny, his actions in Paris clearly earned him the sympathy and support of the French.
In the end, considering his contribution to the preservation of Paris, Scholtitz was not convicted of war criminals, but only served two years in a French army prison. This was seen at the time as a symbolic punishment, reflecting the recognition and gratitude of the French to him.
After his release, Scholtitz chose to settle in West Germany. Although his military career ended with the war, his actions in Paris earned him the respect of the French. The City of Paris even awarded him the title of "Honorary Citizen", a recognition of his contribution to the preservation of the city.
Scholtitz spent the rest of his life in West Germany relatively peacefully. His name is remembered for protecting Paris, although his other acts of war remain controversial. His life was not outstanding, but his actions – especially the decisions in Paris – left a deep mark on history.
In 1966, Scholtitz died of illness. Although his life was full of controversy and contradictions, his actions in Paris did change the fate of the city.
Resources:
- Beevor, Antony. "D-Day: The Battle for Normandy." Penguin Books, 2009.
- Ryan, Cornelius. "The Last Battle." Simon & Schuster, 1966.
- Hastings, Max. "Armageddon: The Battle for Germany, 1944-1945." Vintage Books, 2005.