Wilhelm Baur

Wilhelm Baur or Wilhelm Baur de Betaz was a German Lieutenant General of the Heer during Second World War.

Biography

Wilhelm Baur was born in Metz, 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 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 in August 1943. In September 1944, Wilhelm Baur was eventually placed in Führer-Reserve until the end of the war.