Wilhelm Burgdorf

Wilhelm Burgdorf
Burgdorf in 1940
Chief of the Army Personnel Office
In office
12 October 1944  2 May 1945
Preceded byRudolf Schmundt
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Chief adjutant to Adolf Hitler
In office
12 October 1944  30 April 1945
Personal details
Born(1895-02-15)15 February 1895
Fürstenwalde, Province of Brandenburg, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Died2 May 1945(1945-05-02) (aged 50)
Berlin, Nazi Germany
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
Military service
Allegiance
Branch/service
Years of service1914–1945
RankGeneral der Infanterie
Unit12th Grenadier Regiment
529th Infantry Regiment
CommandsArmy Personnel Office
529th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars
AwardsIron Cross
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Iron Cross 1st Class
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Eastern Medal

Wilhelm Emanuel Burgdorf (15 February 1895 – 2 May 1945) was a German general who rose to prominence during the final years of World War II. Burgdorf served as a commander of 529th Infantry Regiment from May 1940 to April 1942 (part of the 299th Infantry Division). In October 1944, Burgdorf assumed the role of the chief of the Army Personnel Office and chief adjutant to Adolf Hitler. In this capacity, he played a key role in the forced suicide of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Burgdorf committed suicide inside the Führerbunker on 2 May 1945 at the conclusion of the Battle of Berlin.