Friessner, Field Marshal Johannes

1892–1971

   Friessner was a German Field Marshal involved in the last-ditch attempts to save the Reich. In July 1944 he had been sent to the Baltic states to try and restore the situation but after sending in a few pessimistic reports he was sent to the so-called quieter front in Rumania. Within a month of his appointment the Red Army had launched its major offensive in Rumania. He had again reported the political and military instability on the front but had not been heeded. The Germans lost many men in the pocket at Jassy-Kishinev and Friessner barely managed to reach Hungary. He was made Commander of the new 2nd Hungarian Army which was not able to stand up to the pressure of the Red Army. He was dismissed in 1944.