"The Tradition of the Bundeswehr" recognizes him as one of the most distinguished generals in Bundeswehr military history as "an example of military excellence and soldierly virtues."[1]
The Bundeswehr granted him this recognition for his distinguished service as a highly decorated front-line officer during the Second World War, his role as a member of the Personnel Evaluation Committee, his successful command of the III.Korps, the universal respect he earned from his soldiers due to his compassionate leadership style, and for vehemently suppressing "Schleifermethoden" while in command of the 1.Luftlandedivision.[1]
Wehrmacht Military Service (1936-1945)
Hauptmann Franz Pöschl, Munich, May 1944.
Franz Pöschl enlisted in the Heer in 1936 as an aspiring officer candidate in the 9.Kopmanie/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100./1.Gebirgs-Division after completing his required service in the Reich Labor Service.
Cadet Pöschl participated in the 1938 Annexation of Austria from 12.03.1938-20.03.1938. Franz Pöschl earned his commission as a Leutnant on 31.08.1938, and was assigned as platoon leader for the 3.Kompanie/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100.
Leutnant Pöschl required an extensive eight-month period of medical care for his severe injuries and was promoted to Oberleutnant on 19.07.1940. On 02.01.1941 Oberleutnant Pöschl became the Commander of the 3.Kompanie/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100./5.Gebirgs-Division.
Oberleutnant Pöschl was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 30.07.1942 for combat bravery against an enemy tank incursion where he destroyed one of the enemy tanks with a satchel charge under heavy enemy fire. His successful defense and counterattack broke the disastrous encirclement of the I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100.
Oberleutnant Pöschl was wounded again on 23.08.1942 and was hospitalized for five months.
After recovering from his wounds, Oberleutnant Pöschl was assigned as the Regiment Adjutant for Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100. and was promoted to Hauptmann on 20.04.1943 and awarded the Wound Badge in Silver. On 01.10.1943 Hauptmann Pöschl became the Battalion Commander of I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100.
On 13.01.1944, the French Expeditionary Corps attacked Hauptmann Pöschl's entrenched positions in the Monte Cassino area of operations . The Algerian 3rd Infantry Division was to take the summits of Monna Casale and Monna Acquafonda and advance against S.Elia. Hauptmann Pöschl prevented the 5.Gebirgs-Division from being outflanked at a crucial point, and the destruction of his battalion by personally leading multiple counterattacks with his machine pistol. Hauptmann Pöschl was seriously wounded due to shrapnel in the intense moments of combat, in which there were many instances of hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy after his wounding. During this battle, Hauptmann Pöschl’s Battalion Adjutant was killed in action along with many members of his personal security attachment. Hauptmann Pöschl would be later awarded the Wound Badge in Gold on 28.01.1944.
24.01.1944, at 10 p.m., the attack by the Algerian 3rd Infantry Division hit the section of the 5.Gebirgs-Division north of Monte Cassino. The 2nd battalion of the 4th Tunisian Infantry Regiment (Tirailleurs) tried to conquer Monte Cifalco. The attempt failed due to the vigorous resistance of I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100. under the brave and energetic leadership of Hauptmann Pöschl. As a result, the advanced observers of the German artillery on Monte Cifalco were able to effectively direct the German artillery deployment against the remaining battalions of the Tunisians, who were in the neighboring section to take Colle Belvedere.
Hauptmann Pöschl, Commander of I.Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100./5.Gebirgs-Division was awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross on 23.02.1944.
On 16.02.1944 Hauptmann Pöschl became the Regimental Commander of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100. and was promoted to Major on 20.04.1944.
Major Pöschl was transferred to Führer-Reserve OKH from 05.05.1944–30.07.1944 to recover and heal from his wounds that he endured during the heroic struggle at the Battle of Monte Cassino. Afterwards, he was sent to General Staff Training with the 15.Panzergrenadier-Division from 31.07.1944 until 06.08.1944. After successfully completing his General Staff Training, Major Pöschl was assigned on 07.08.1944 as an officer instructor for the Gebirgsjäger School at Mittenwald until 10.09.1944.
On 11.09.1944, Major Pöschl took command of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143./6.Gebirgs-Division/20.Gebirgs-Armee in Finland at the start of the Lapland War between the Germany and Finland. The 6.Gebirgs-Division began its evacuation from Finland to Norway in October 1944. Major Pöschl bravely defended Liinakamari against a massive Soviet assault on the strategically critical arctic port on 13.10.1944. He was awarded the Honor Roll Clasp of the German Army on 15.02.1945. Major Pöschl was promoted to his final wartime rank of Oberstleutnant on 15.01.1945.
Oberstleutnant Pöschl and Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143. surrendered to British forces around Narvik, Norway in May 1945 at capitulation.
Minister of Defense of the Free State of Bavaria (1955-1959)
Bundeswehr Military Service (1960-1978)
Awards and Decorations
Generalleutnant Franz Pöschl's Knights Cross of the Iron Cross awarded on 23.02.1944.
Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN978-3-7909-0284-6.
