He was promoted to lieutenant general ( Generalleutnant ) in April 1940 .
He was earned his first senior command posting in November that year , when he was assigned to lead the 3rd Panzer Division .
He was promoted to lieutenant general ( Generalleutnant ) in April 1940 , and earned his first senior command posting in November that year , when he was assigned to lead the 3rd Panzer Division .