Tapping Hitler's Generals

SHORT BIOGRAPHIES

1. GENERALOBERST HANS-JÜRGEN VON ARNIM

Born Ensdorf, Silesia, 4.4.1889. Prot. Entered Army 1.4.1908. WWI: Served at Staff and front, finally Hauptmann and Battalion Cdr, Res.Inf.Reg.93. Reichswehr: Staff and field. WWII: 2.12.1939 Generalleutnant; 12.9.1939–11.10.1940 CO, 12.Inf.Div.; 12.10.1940–11.11.1941 (with breaks) CO, 17.Pz.Div.; 4.9.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 17.12.1941 General der Panzertruppen; 11.11.1941 Cmmdg Gen., XXXIX.Pz.Korps; 3.12.1942 C-in-C, 5.Pz.Armee Tunisia; 4.12.1942 Generaloberst; from 9.3.1943 C-in-C, Armeegruppe Afrika; 12.5.1943 PoW Tunis; Trent Park 16.5.1943–16.6.1944; to USA. Repatriated 1.7.1947. Died Bad Wildungen, 1.9.1962.

On 13.12.1942, Walter Model, C-in-C, 9.Armee assessed him: ‘Fully proven Commanding General in defensive fighting. Energetic and relishes responsibility. Committed himself unconditionally, unshakeable confidence even in crisis situations. Lives and leads per the National Socialist worldview.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: He drifted between the two political cliques at Trent Park but had no clear affinity with either. Considered extremely anti-Communist and anti-Semitic but the British could find no concrete indication of active support for the Nazi Party.

2. GENERALLEUTNANT CURT BADINSKY

Born Grebenstein/Hofgeismar, 17.5.1890. Entered Army 15.1.1910. WWI: Mainly commands at Jaegerbataillon 9, finally Oberleutnant, 1a, Group Staff, General Wehr. Reichswehr: Infantry officer; 1.8.1938 Oberst. WWII: 26.8.1939–6.1.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.489; 11.10.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.2.1942 Generalmajor; 17.1.1942–10.7.1942 Leader and CO, 23.Inf.Div.; 1.9.1942–16.11.1942 CO, 269.Inf.Div., then Territorial Section Cdr, Bergen; 1.3.1943 Generalleutnant; from 24.11.1943 CO, 276.Inf.Div.; 20.8.1944 PoW Falaise; 25.8.1944–23.9.1944 Trent Park, then Clinton Camp USA. Repatriated 21.6.1947. Died Oldenburg/Oder, 27.2.1966.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: A professional soldier, ‘having the honour of the soldier at heart’. Thought to be ‘anti-Nazi’, he characterised Hitler as ‘an ape’ and condemned his politics as ‘devastating’, but was not openly an enemy of the regime.

3. GENERALMAJOR DIPL. ING. GERHARD BASSENGE

Born Ettlingen, 18.11.1897. Prot. WWI: Entered Army 4.10.1914 Inf.Reg.29; April 1916 fighter pilot, Jagdstaffel 2 Boelcke (seven victories); 1918 Leutnant; 1919 Freikorps Lüttwitz, transferred into Reichswehr; 1922–27 Undergraduate at Technische Hochschule Hanover. Reichswehr: Finally Comp. Cdr, Inf.Reg.6; 1.1.1934 transferred to Luftwaffe; until 1937 Head of Weapons Development Section at Reich Air Ministry; 1938/39 Luftwaffe General Staff; 1.5.1939 Oberst. WWII: 30.1.1940–31.7.1940 Chief of Staff, Fliegerkorps z.b.V (paratroops and airborne forces); 1.8.1940–4.10.1940 Chief of Staff, Luftflotte 5; afterwards Chief of Staff, German Luftwaffe Mission to Rumania, served as Fliegerführer on Eastern Front, awarded German Cross in Gold 27.7.1942; 1.1.43 Generalmajor; from 1.2.1943 Commandant, Fortified Region Tunis/Bizerta; 9.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 16.5.1943 Trent Park. Repatriated 2.10.1947. Died Lübeck, 13.3.1977.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Very intelligent, a great pillar of the anti-Nazi clique with an orderly mind, which is perhaps due to his long staff training. Has offered to collaborate with us in getting rid of the Nazis and stopping the war, and his statement that no selfish motives underlie this offer may be believed.’

4. MAJOR I.G. RUDOLF BECK

Born Frankfurt am Main, 11.8.1908. Prot. Entered Army 29.10.1935. WWII: 1.9.1939–15.8.1940 Battery Cdr, 3.Art.Reg.29 (mot.); until January 1942 Director of Lectures, Artillery School Jüterbog; 15.11.1942–8.5.1943 General Staff training; 1.6.1943 Major, 1.General Staff Officer, Division Manteuffel, Tunisia; from December 1943, 1.General Staff Officer, LVIII.Pz.Korps, France; August 1944 PoW Normandy, spent short time Latimer House monitoring centre, west of London.

On 10.2.1944 assessed as: ‘Strong, self-possessed personality with great verve, full of ideas. Energetic and determined, puts forward his views firmly but tactfully. Pronounced leadership personality who deserves notice. Clear National Socialist disposition.’

5. OBERSTLEUTNANT I.G. ULRICH BOES

Born Elsdorf/Lower Saxony, 30.1.1911. Prot. Entered Army 1.4.1930; 20.4.1939 Hauptmann. WWII: October – December 1940 General Staff course, War Academy; January 1941 – September 1942 General Staff officer zbV (special purposes) at Wehrmachtführungsstab; from 28.11.1942 1a Division Broich/Manteuffel; 9.5.1943 as Major; PoW Tunisia; mid-June 1943–30.1.1944 Trent Park; end 1943 Oberstleutnant; then PoW in Canada. Repatriated 13.3.1947. Entered Bundeswehr 1956, last rank Brigadegeneral.

Assessment of 21 March 1943 stated: ‘Outstanding service achievements, these combined with his good human qualities elevate him to above average amongst his peers. Tactful before commanders, who esteem him highly. Played a decisive role in the expansion of the Division and was involved to an outstanding degree in its successes…’ An earlier assessment of 10.12.1942 considered that he ‘stood squarely on the ground of National Socialist philosophy’.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This man is a young Nazi Regular Officer. He is fat and gross and an Anglophobe. In a lecture he once gave to the batmen he called the British “degenerate and cowardly and a filthy nation like the French”. Needless to say his knowledge of Britain and the British is non-existent. Strangely enough, on social occasions, this man can be entertaining. His fund of dirty stories is immense and he is adept at telling them – especially in the Hamburg dialect.’

6. OBERST GEBHARD BORCHERDT

Born 18.6.1895. Prot. WWII: From outbreak of war to November 1941 CO, reserve infantry battalions; 1.4.1941 Oberst; 27.11.1941–8.12.1942 Führer-Reserve; from January 1943 Tunisia, first as local commandant, Bizerta; 20.2.1943 Commandant, District and City, Tunis; 11.5.1943 PoW. Only decoration Iron Cross Class II. No further details of his life are available.

Characterised in his service files by CO, 168 Inf.Div. as ‘conventional, a precise and reliable personality’ who was however ‘as a Field-Commandant too slow and has too little verve’.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He is a perpetual source of amusement and very much in need of care and attention. He definitely appears to have a “kink” and is known to his fellow PoWs as “mother’s darling”. How he reached his present rank is a mystery.’ Though considered ‘No Nazi’ he inclined towards Crüwell’s clique.

7. GENERALLEUTNANT FRIEDRICH (FRITZ) FREIHERR VON BROICH

Born Strasbourg (then German), 1.1.1896. Prot. Entered Army 2.7.1914. WWI: Cavalry officer; 1918 Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: Cavalry regiments; 1.10.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.9.1940 Oberst; from end 1939 – end 1941 CO, Kav.Reg.21, 22 and 1; after re-formation of 1.Kav.Div. into 24.Pz.Div., 1.12.1941–31.10.1942 CO, 24.Schuetzen-brigade; 27.8.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 10.11.1942–5.2.1943 CO, Brigade von Broich; 5.2.1943 CO, 10.Pz.Div.; 15.2.1943 Generalmajor; 1.5.1943 Generalleutnant (advised in England); 12.5.1943 PoW Gombalia, Tunisia; 1.6.1943 Trent Park. Repatriated 7.10.1947. Died Leoni, 24.9.1974.

Constantly praised by his superiors as an above-average officer. Last assessment of 1.3.1943 judged him to be: ‘Decent, open and upright character, good National Socialist attitude, proven in battle, forward-looking determined troop leader with good tactical feel, mentally and physically lively. Proved himself again in the fighting in the the central Tunisian mountains.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This jolly ex-cavalry man has a twinkle in his eye. He is not particularly intelligent, but is always most amusing and charming. He has travelled around Europe fairly extensively and, as a result, has a broader outlook then most of the other Generals.’ A monarchist who advocated the territorial division of the Reich as it existed in Imperial times, ‘he is anti-Nazi, defeatist and monarchist. He has a horror of Communism equalled only by his horror of Nazism. He writes very anti-Nazi letters to his wife, so much so that she is constantly appealing to him to be more careful, as she has had trouble with the Gestapo about it.’

8. GENERALMAJOR JOHANNES BRUHN

Born Neumünster, 10.7.1898. Prot. WWI: Entered Army 21.6.1915; as NCO wounded at front four times; 1918 Leutnant (Reserve); 1.4.1920 joined police; 1.4.1935 re-entered Army in rank of Hauptmann. WWII: At outbreak of war, CO, (heavy) Art.Abt.602; 28.7.1941 CO, artillery regiments; 1.3.1942 Oberst; 15.10.1942 CO, Art.Reg.113 and 149; 20.12.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross; 30.9.1944 CO, 553.Volks-grenadierdivision; 1.11.1944 Generalmajor; 22.11.1944 PoW Saverne (France); 28.12.1944 Trent Park; May 1945 transferred USA. Repatriated 26.6.1947. 1951–54 CO, Grenzschutzkommando Mitte (frontier police). Died Lübeck, 20.11.1954.

Bruhn was always appraised as above average, in his last assessment on 1 March 1944 by the Commanding General V.Armeekorps he was considered ‘outstanding; an especially valuable leader-type personality by character and as a soldier, never loses faith even in the most difficult situations. Outstandingly brave, wounded on six occasions. National Socialist. The best artillery commander I have come across in this war.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: By far the most intelligent of the generals captured in the second part of 1944. A man who combined great personal charm with an air of integrity. Considered ‘anti-Nazi’, he became more interested in politics during captivity. In his opinion a Communist Germany was to be prevented at all costs.

9. GENERALMAJOR WALTER BRUNS

Born Kirberg/Limburg, 15.9.1891. RC. Entered Army 10.2.1910. WWI: Service with pioneer units, finally Hauptmann and comp. cdr. Reichswehr: Staff appointments in Ordnance and Fortifications; 1.4.1938 Oberst. WWII: Chief of Construction Staff, Landau; 1.4.1940 Cdr, Rhine crossings; 1.5.1941–1.5.1942 CO, Bridge Staff Bruns, Army Group North; December 1941 eye-witness to mass executions at Riga; 1.6.1942 Army Ordnance Warrant Officer Training School I; 20.7.1944 complicity in assassination plot, with his troop occupied the Berlin City Fort but Gestapo never discovered his involvement; 24.1.1945 FührerReserve; 8.4.1945 PoW Göttingen, to Trent Park; 21.2.1948 freed, gave evidence at OKW war crimes trials. Died Göttingen, 15.4.1957.

Assessed on 5 March 1944 as: ‘Of unobjectionable character. Not very attractive but of passable military appearance. Highly esteemed technically and very interested. No doubts as to his National Socialist convictions.’

10. OBERST RUDOLF GUSTAV BUHSE

Born Graudenz, 10.4.1905. Prot. Reichswehr: Entered Army 1.4.1924; from 1937 Inf.Reg.47, 22.Luftlande.Div. WWII: Fought in France and Russia; stationed in Crete; 17.8.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; October 1942 transferred from Crete to North Africa 21.Pz.Div.; 9.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; end May 1943 Trent Park. 1956–62 Bundeswehr, Brigadegeneral. Died Tutzing, 26.11.1997.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He is a Nazi but has the good taste (or the good sense) not to make this obvious to the British.’ Considered a hero by the younger Trent Park inmates, in his spare time studied architecture.

11. MAJOR WALTER BURCKHARDT

Born Strasbourg, 19.2.1908. Prot. Studied law at Breslau. Reichswehr: 9.4.1930 entered Landespolizei; 15.10.1935 transferred into Army; 16.8.1937–15.1.1939 Oberleutnant, with von Thoma in Spanish Civil War. WWII: 1939 Hauptmann and Comp. Cdr, 12.Inf.Reg.458 in Poland; 1.8.1940 transferred to Luftwaffe (paratroops); May 1941 CO, II./Fallschirmjäger-Reg.1, Crete. 1.1.1942 Major, Battalion Cdr, Fallschirmjägerbrigade Ramcke; 5.11.1942 PoW El Alamein. 23.12.1942–2.43 Trent Park. For other details of his career, see TNA WO208/4182.

Assessed on 28 January 1942 as: ‘Pronounced soldierly appearance, emphatically correct military behaviour. Of unobjectionable character, ambitious, an exemplary officer, impassioned, full of verve and ideas. Excellent instructor. Leader type. Brave and hard on himself and his subordinates. Proven in the field as battalion commander in Crete. Convinced National Socialist.’

12. GENERAL DER INFANTERIE DIETRICH VON CHOLTITZ

Born Wiesegräflich/Upper Silesia, 9.11.1894. RC. Entered Army 6.2.1914. WWI: Leutnant, Inf.Reg.107. Reichswehr: Infantry and cavalry units, from 1.2.1937 Battalion Cdr, Inf.Reg.16; 1.4.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.4.1941 Oberst; 18.5.1940 awarded Knight’s Cross; 10.9.1940–27.8.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.16; 1.9.1942 Generalmajor; 27.8.1942–12.10.1942 CO, 260.Inf.Div.; 7.2.1943–5.3.1943 CO, XVII.Armeekorps; 1.3.1943 Generalleutnant; 5.3.1943–1.10.1943 CO, 11.Pz.Div.; 1.10.1943–15.11.1943 CO, XXXXVIII.Pz.Korps; 1.3.1944–16.4.1944 CO, LXXVI.Pz.Korps (Italy); 13.6.1944 Cmmdg Gen., LXXXIV.Armeekorps (Normandy); 1.8.1944 General der Infanterie; from 7.8.1944 Wehrmacht Commander, Greater Paris; 25.8.1944 PoW; 29.8.1944–10.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated April 1947. Died Baden-Baden, 5.11.1966.

Assessment on 1 April 1942 by CO, 22.Inf.Div.: ‘By disposition and ability an able soldier and officer. Has a good tactical grasp and can make rapid decisions. Gets to the heart of a problem with few words. In battle leads his regiment with prudence and a strong, sure hand. When he puts his mind to it can be a personal example. Many successes are to be credited to his personal initiative. Adept at socialising. Unfortunately owing to the war suffers from stomach complaint. The increased nervousness makes him very irritable at times and he then becomes very excitable as a consequence.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘PoW is a cinema-type of a German officer, fat, coarse, bemonocled and inflated with a tremendous sense of his own importance.’ His fickle nature did not endear him to his colleagues who spoke of him unflatteringly, see e.g. GRGG 183, 29.8.1944 and GRGG 184, 30.8.1944, TNA WO208/4363.

13. GENERAL DER PANZERTRUPPE HANS CRAMER

Born Minden, 13.7.1896. Prot. WWI: 10.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant, mostly Comp. Cdr with Inf.Reg.15. Reichswehr: Staff cavalry units; 1.2.1939 Oberstleutnant. WWII: From 22.3.1941 CO, Pz.Reg.8 in North Africa; 27.6.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.10.1941 Oberst; 1.4.1942 Chief of Staff, General der Schnellen Truppen; 1.9.1942–22.1.1943 General der Schnellen Truppen; 1.11.1942 Generalmajor; 20.11.1942–10.12.1942, acting CO, XXXXVIII.Armeekorps; 22.1.1943–10.2.1943 CO, General-Kommando zbV (special purposes) Cramer; 22.1.1943 Generalleutnant; from 13.3.1943 Head of German Afrika Korps; 1.5.1943 General der Panzertruppen; 12.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 16.5.1943–22.2.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated (severe asthma) arrived Germany 12.5.1944. Involved in 20 July 1944 plot; from 26.7.1944–5.8.1944 held by Gestapo, Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse prison in Berlin; transferred to satellite camp of Ravensbrück, transferred at end of September to Berlin Charité hospital; from 24.12.1944 placed under house arrest at home; 14.8.1944 discharged from Wehrmacht. From May 1945 appointed by British as C-in-C of all German PoWs in Holstein (Wehrmachtstab Nord); 15.2.1946 discharged again. Died Hausberge, 28.10.1968.

On 8 April 1942 assessed as: ‘Blameless, self-possessed character. Adept, quiet type. Imposes his will. Forward looking with very good tactical sense and ability. Quick to make decisions and give orders. Commits himself tirelessly against the enemy. An above-average regimental commander.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: An old cavalry man who had been forcibly motorised. Enjoyed the panzer battles in the North African desert, repeatedly emphasising that a ‘true’ soldier fought honourably, as in North Africa, unlike the war in Russia. Cramer’s colleagues considered him incompetent. Assessed by the British as ‘anti-Nazi’ and a pro-monarchist in favour of restoring the Kaiserreich under Rupprecht von Bayern, Cramer spent most of his time at Trent Park alone in his room, presumably because of his severe asthma.

14. GENERAL DER PANZERTRUPPE LUDWIG CRÜWELL

Born Dortmund, 20.3.1892. Prot. Entered Army 6.3.1911. WWI: Service at front and Staff; 1918 Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: Mainly Staff appointments; 1.3.1936 Oberst. WWII: 23.10.1939 Senior QM, 16.Armee; 1.12.1939 Generalmajor; 1.8.1940–15.8.1941 CO, 11.Pz.Div.; 14.5.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.9.1941 awarded Oak Leaves, Generalleutnant and Cmmdg Gen, Deutsches Afrika Korps; 17.12.1941 General der Panzertruppen; 29.5.1942 shot down on reconnaissance flight west of Tobruk, PoW; 22.8.1942–16.6.1944 Trent Park, then Clinton Camp, USA. Repatriated April 1947. In the 1950s was considered a likely prospect for the post of General-Inspekteur der Bundeswehr but declined on grounds of ill-health (see Meyer, Heusinger, p. 556 and letter from Adolf Heusinger to Berndt Crüwell, 27.9.1958). Died Essen, 25.9.1958.

His superiors considered him to be outstandingly positive. General Werner Kempf wrote of him on 28 October 1941: ‘Outstanding person. Exemplary, brave. Great tactical knowledge and ability, very prudent, very fast to make decisions, tirelessly active. Led outstandingly and achieved great successes.’ In his opinion of 12 April 1942 Rommel concurred with the foregoing.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: He headed the ‘Nazi clique’, and was a follower and admirer of Hitler, whom he had met twice. An ‘ignorant, stupid, sentimental, narrow-minded, conceited, vain and self-satisfied type of Prussian senior officer. He seems to regard himself as a second Frederick the Great. He never tires of boasting about his capture of Belgrade five days after the invasion of Yugoslavia, and the fact that he was promoted full General over the heads of 130 Lieutenant-generals.’ (see e.g. SRX 1153, 9.10.1942, TNA WO208/4161). Otherwise, his only interest besides military affairs were horse-riding and his four young children. The British do not appear to have been aware of his avid interest in reading history.

15. GENERALLEUTNANT WILHELM DASER

Born Germersheim/Pfalz, 31.8.1884. RC. Entered Army 6.7.1903. WWI: 15, 18 and 30.Bav.Res.Reg. longest period as Regimental Adjutant, finally Hauptmann and Battalion Cdr. Reichswehr: Comp. and Battalion Cdr. WWII: 26.8.1939 Oberst, as CO, Inf.Reg.388 attached to 3.Gebirgsdivision at Murmansk; physical breakdown, 22.9.1941 reported sick; 1942/43 Feldkommandant, France, 15.12.1942–10.6.1943 Oberfeldkommandant, 670 Lille, then Feldkommandant, 454 southern sector Eastern Front; from 15.5.1944 CO, 70.Inf.Div. (composed of walking sick/stomach/intestinal problems) Walcheren Is., Holland; 6.11.1944 PoW Walcheren; 9.11.1944 Trent Park; May 1945 transferred USA. Repatriated 10.12.1949. Died Ingolstadt, 14.7.1968.

Assessed positively as regimental commander. Last assessment 24.10.1943 also good: ‘Has proved himself as Feld Kommandant (district commander of occupation troops) particularly in clearance and evacuation tasks… stands on the ground of the National Socialist worldview.’

16. GENERALLEUTNANT KURT DITTMAR

Born Magdeburg, 5.1.1891. Prot. Entered Army 6.3.1909. WWI: Mainly Pionierbataillon.4; 1918 Hauptmann and Battalion Cdr, III.Inf.Reg.165. Reichswehr: Pioneer officer, field and Staff. WWII: Oberst, CO, Pionier-Schule II; 15.3.1940 Pionierführer, 1.Armee; 1.4.1940 Generalmajor; 20.2.1941–11.10.1941 CO, 169.Inf.Div.; from 1.4.1942 General, zbV, OKH radio broadcaster explaining Army reports; 25.4.1945 PoW; 18.5.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 15.5.1948. Died Stadtoldenburg, 26.4.1959.

Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz, C-in-C, 1.Armee, summed up Dittmar on 26 February 1941 as: ‘Mentally and physically active personality with good soldierly and human qualities. Fighting with 1.Armee he was extraordinarily prudent and independent. Filled the post of Army Engineer-Leader 1 especially well.’

Dittmar’s radio commentaries were comparatively realistic assessments of the military situation. Goebbels considered him clever and praised his reporting skills but brought him to heel in July 1944 for speaking too pessimistically in his latest programme and having ‘fallen in love with the truth’. Goebbels, Tagebücher, Vol. II, 14.1.1944, p. 88 and Vol. 13, 14.7.1944, p. 112.

No detailed CSDIC (UK) opinion available but was considered by Allied interrogators to be a long-winded bore whose image of himself was as the ideal Prussian officer and gentleman. His offer of collaboration was rejected as pure opportunism.

17. GENERAL DER PANZERTRUPPE HEINRICH EBERBACH

Born Stuttgart, 24.11.1895. Prot. Entered Army 1.7.1914. WWI: Platoon Leader, Inf.Reg.122; 25.9.1915 severely wounded, PoW (of French); 1917 returned to Germany via Switzerland; 1918 served with 8th Turkish Army in Palestine, final rank Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: 13.12.1919 entered police; 1.8.1935 transferred into Army; 1.10.1937 Oberstleutnant; 10.11.1938 CO, Pz.Reg.35. WWII: 4.7.1940 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.8.1940 Oberst; from 2.7.1941 CO, 5.Pz.Brigade; 31.12.1941 awarded Oak Leaves; 6.1.1942–25.11.1942, CO, 4.Pz.Div.; 1.3.1942 Generalmajor; 1.1.1943 Generalleutnant; 28.2.1943–14.10.1943 and 25.11.1943–1.6.44 Inspector of Panzertruppen (1.8.1943 General der Panzertruppen); 15.10.1943–24.11.1943 commander various Panzerkorps on Eastern Front; from 7.7.1944 C-in-C, Pz.Gruppe West (5.Pz.Armee); 22.8.1944 Leader, 7.Armee; 31.8.1944 PoW near Amiens; 6.9.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 6.1.1948. Died Notzingen, 13.7.1992.

During the war Eberbach received very positive assessments from his superiors. On 1 March 1944 Guderian said of him: ‘Lively, open character brimming with confidence. Convinced National Socialist active in recruitment. Outstandingly proven in battle as regimental and then divisional commander, commmanding general and leader of Army section. Gutsy, superior panzer leader able to handle the most difficult situations. One of our best, an example of effective leadership by example.’ In the column ‘His Strong Points’ Guderian noted, ‘Brave, loyal, firm’.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A strong character with clear-cut views. Has kept aloof from politics. Supported Nazis some years, although never a Party member. Has realised that the Nazi Government is a criminal body to whom he feels no longer bound by his oath. Said that he was in agreement with the Generals’ revolt.’ Although increasingly critical of the regime he would not participate in making propaganda broadcasts to the German people or similar operations.

18. OBERLEUTNANT ZUR SEE HEINZ EUGEN EBERBACH

Born Esslingen, 2.7.1921, eldest son of General Eberbach. Entered Kriegsmarine 15.8.1939. WWII: November 1941 watchkeeping officer, U-407, eight patrols; June 1944 Cdr, U-967; August 1944 Cdr, U-230, last operational U-boat in Southern France. Attempted to attack Allied invasion fleet; 21.8.1944 grounded boat at St Mandier, destroyed boat by explosives, captured with crew (see his report SRGG 1051, TNA WO208/4168). 20.9.1944–30.11.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 28.2.1946. 16.11.1956 entered Bundeswehr, last rank Commander. Died 20.11.1982.

19. GENERALMAJOR KURT EBERDING

Born Reppline/Breslau 18.12.1895. Prot. WWI: 2.9.1914 entered Army; 1918 Leutnant, acting Company Cdr, Jaegerbataillon 6; 31.12.1920 discharged. Reichswehr: 1.8.1923 reactivated; 10.11.1938 CO, II./Inf.Reg.11. WWII: 1.12.1939 Oberstleutnant; 1.10.1941 Oberst; 18.10.1941–20.1.1943 CO, Inf.Reg.53; 18.2.1942 awarded German Cross in Gold; 25.3.1943–14.11.1943 CO, 38.Inf.Div.; 1.9.1943 Generalmajor, transferred Führer-Reserve, various temporary command positions; 5.7.1944 CO, 64.Inf.Div., fought on south bank of Scheldt; 2.11.1944 PoW Knocke, Belgium; 5.11.1944–10.4.1945 Trent Park, then USA. Repatriated 17.8.1947. Died Erlangen, 28.6.1978.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Generalmajor Eberding struck Allied officers as being rather sour, unimaginative and stiff, in fact a typical example of 30 years’ service in the German Army. His philosophy appears to consist of “obeying orders” and his religion to be “the destiny of the German people”. He is a Nazi type, who must be watched carefully.’

20. OBERST HORST EGERSDORF

Born Kiel, 15.1.1891. Prot. Entered Army 19.3.1908; 1913 police troop, German South-West Africa. WWI: July 1915 PoW; August 1918 exchanged and returned to Germany. Reichswehr: Rank at release 31.12.1920 Hauptmann; 1934 re-entered Army. WWII: Various administrative appointments including from 1.4.1942 Oberst, Kontroll-kommission Afrika, Morocco; 12.3.1943 City Commandant, Tunis; 8.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 17.6.1943–16.6.1944 Trent Park, then USA.

Described on 12.12.1942 as: ‘Elegant character, uncomplicated, upright personality with good understanding of the service, aware of his obligations and responsibilities. Of average talents. Energetic military comportment combined with a good social attitude, his comradely ways have won him all-round respect and approval. His soldierly nature compensates for what he lacks in the way of mental gifts.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: An active officer with ‘little brain’ and ‘a frightful snob’. Although claiming to be a Nazi, he read anti-Nazi literature but was more interested in himself than politics.

21. GENERALLEUTNANT OTTO ELFELDT

Born Sülze/Mecklenburg, 10.10.1895. Prot. Entered Army 27.6.1914. WWI: Fuss-Artillerie-Reg.20, finished war as Leutnant, Regimental Adjutant. Reichswehr: Artillery units; 1930 Hauptmann, for a time as Battery Cdr. WWII: 25.10.1939 Oberstleutnant, artillery Staff Officer, Army Gr.A; 1.6.1940 Oberst; 1.9.1940–19.10.1942 Staff Officer, Generals der Artillerie beim ObdH (C-in-C Army); 26.11.1942–11.11.1943 CO, 302.Inf.Div.; 1.1.1943 Generalmajor; 8.8.1943 Generalleutnant; 17.11.1943 awarded German Cross in Gold; from 27.12.1943 CO, 47.Inf.Div.; 30.7.1944 Cmmdg Gen., LXXXIV.Armeekorps; 20.8.1944 PoW Falaise; 23.8.1944, Trent Park. Repatriated 20.1.1948. Died Bad Schwartau, 23.10.1982.

On 27.9.1943 Commanding General, XVII.Armeekorps, assessed Elfeldt als ‘above average’. ‘Serious-minded mature personality of great value. National Socialist in word and deed. Close to his men. In the winter campaigns proved himself a brave and determined leader of his then untested Division… The tendency mentioned in the assessment of 20.2.1943 of allowing his commanders too much free rein has not reappeared.’ In an assessment by General Hube in December 1943 it was reported that ‘the depressing events involving the retreat in the East have made him rather pessismistic despite his personal bravery and he is not suitable to be a commanding general.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: Elfeldt was the first German General to give the Hitler salute on his arrival at Trent Park. ‘Although an anti-Nazi, he would not be prepared to overthrow the Party so long as the war lasts, but he has stated that he would consider cooperation with the Western Democracies after Germany’s defeat’.

22. GENERALMAJOR BOTHO ELSTER

Born Berlin, 17.5.1894. Prot. Entered Army 28.2.1913. WWI: Mainly served as adjutant, final rank Oberleutnant and Brigade Adjutant, 213.Inf.Div. Reichswehr: 1.7.1920 transferred to police; 1.8.1935 re-entered Army as Oberstleutnant and CO, Pz.Abwehr.Abt.3; from 10.11.1938 CO, Pz.Reg.8; 1.8.1939 Oberst. WWII: From 2.3.1941 Occupied France; from 28.10.1941 Senior Panzer officer, Army Gr.D; 1.3.1943 Generalmajor; from 30.4.1943 Feldkommandant in France; from 1.4.1944 at Biarritz. At end of August 1944 he led a 20,000-strong force northwards towards the German lines, but was intercepted by US forces on 14.9.1944 and surrendered in the face of hopeless odds. 24.9.1944–26.9.1944 Wilton Park, then USA. Died Böblingen, 24.6.1952.

On 27.2.1943, the Chief of the General Staff, Army Group D, described Elster as ‘a strong personality with elan! National Socialist, proven in the face of the enemy, mentally and physically top notch. Energetic, good organiser.’ Why he was withdrawn from front-line duties in 1941 and spent the rest of his Wehrmacht career in a military backwater in France is not known.

23. GENERALMAJOR PAUL VON FELBERT

Born Wiesbaden, 9.11.1894. Prot. Entered Army 9.4.1912. WWI: Grossherzoglich-Mecklenburgischer Jägerbataillon.14 Western and Eastern Front; finally Oberleutnant and Company Cdr. Reichswehr: Cavalry and infantry units; 1.4.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 23.10.1939 CO, Schützen-Reg.8; 1.4.1940 Oberst; 3.6.1940 transferred Führer-Reserve; from 20.7.1942 Feldkommandant, Besançon; 1.10.1943 Generalmajor; 10.9.1944 PoW (French); 28.12.1944–8.8.1945 Trent Park; 3.1.1945 sentenced to death in his absence for cowardice in the face of the enemy. Repatriated 3.11.1947. Died Wiesbaden, 3.2.1973.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A rather weak personality, a definite opponent of National Socialism whose eyes had been opened since being taken prisoner and now believes that attempts should be made to convince Germnan commanders at the front to lay down their weapons.’

24. GENERALLEUTNANT EDGAR FEUCHTINGER

Born Metz, 9.11.1894. RC. Entered Army 7.8.1914. WWI: Artillery units, finally Leutnant. Reichswehr: Artillery units; 1.8.1938 Oberstleutnant; 26.8.1939 CO, Art.Reg.227. WWII: 1.8.1941 Oberst; 16.8.1942 Führer-Reserve; from 7.4.1943 CO, Schnellen Division West (motorised troops), formed from parts of 21.Pz.Div.; 1.8.1943 Generalmajor; 7.3.1944–15.3.1944 Deputy Leader, 8.Pz.Div. Eastern Front; 1.8.1944 Generalleutnant, from June 1944 involved with 21.Pz.Div. in heavy fighting in Normandy; 6.8.1944 awarded Knight’s Cross; 5.1.1945 arrested, confined at Torgau military prison, sentenced to death for corruption and absence without leave (on D-Day, 6.6.1944, was staying with a girl-friend in Paris). Sentence commuted to service at the front as a gunner; 2.3.1945 deserted; 3.5.1945 surrendered to British forces, Hamburg; 29.5.1945–5.7.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 23.8.1947. 1953 recruited by Soviet military intelligence GRU, betrayed West German defence secrets to the East. Died East Berlin, 21.1.1960, in unknown circumstances at a meet with his controller.

As to the corruption aspect of his death sentence the personal file contains no details. His last assessment of 23 February 1945 states: ‘Very active, skilled personality happy to be in the thick of it. Enjoys responsibility. Proven at the front by his resolve and great activity. Led his Division sure-handedly and also quickly dispersed foreign units firmly in hand. Good organiser.’

25. GENERAL DER FLIEGER JOHANNES FINK

Born Pfullingen/Württemberg, 28.3.1895. Prot. WWI: 15.8.1914 entered Army, Company Cdr, Battalion and Regimental Adjutant, Inf.Reg.127, finally Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: Various positions, including Signals Officer, Inf.Reg.13; 1.9.1933 transferred into Luftwaffe; 1.6.1938 Oberst. WWII: 1.11.1938–20.10.1940 CO, KG 2 (bomber wing); 20.6.1940 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.10.1940 Generalmajor; 1.10.1942 Generalleutnant; 1.11.1942–9.2.1944 CO, 2.Flieger Div.; 1.4.1944 General der Flieger; 10.2.1944–11.9.1944 Cmmdg Gen. Luftwaffe, Greece; from 3.2.1945 Führer-Reserve; 23.4.1945 PoW Heggbach (French); 30.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 15.5.1948.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: Considered ‘no Nazi’, thought the Wehrmacht would cast him off for capitulating without a fight, which in turn freed him from his oath of loyalty. For this reason he felt at liberty to answer truthfully the questions of the British interrogators.

26. GENERALMAJOR GERHARD FISCHER

Born Greifenberg/Pomerania, 16.5.1894. Prot. WWI: 3.8.1914 entered Army, finally Leutnant, Inf.Reg.42. Reichswehr: Infantry officer; 1.10.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 26.8.1939 CO, Inf.Ersatz-Reg.34; 1.4.1940 CO, Inf.Reg.478; 1.10.1940 Oberst; from 5.2.1941 to Führer-Reserve and homeland duties because of heart condition; 1.6.1944 Generalmajor; from 2.10.1944 Wehrmacht Kommandant, Koblenz; 26.3.1945 PoW Limburg/Lahn (US); 14.4.1945–5.7.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 15.5.1948. Died Gielgen near Bonn, 24.3.1967.

Acting Generalkommando XII.Armeekorps (Wiesbaden), where Fischer was course leader for reserve officers, assessed him on 16 March 1943 as: ‘Of open, happy nature, strong personality. Good National Socialist, knows how to influence his students with its philosophy. Proven at the front. Specially proven as leader of numerous officer courses. Vigorous and competent.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A regular officer of a bluff and jovial type, but not a very striking personality. He has a very low opinion of Nazi rule and is thoroughly defeatist.’

27. GENERALLEUTNANT GOTTHART FRANTZ

Born Berlin, 5.5.1888. Prot. Entered Army 4.3.1907 WWI: Cdr, field artillery units, finally Hauptmann and Adjutant, Art.Kommandant.56. Reichswehr: 3.8.1921 discharged; 1.11.1937 reactivated, Luftwaffe, Flak Cdr, Oberstleutnant; 1.1.1939 Oberst. WWII: 6.7.1940–30.11.1941 CO, Aerial Warfare School, Bernau; 1.9.1941 Generalmajor; 20.12.1941–28.2.1942 Staff Officer, 12.Flak.Div. in Russia; 28.2.1942–20.12.1942 CO, 12.Flak.Div.; from 21.12.1942 CO, 19.Flak.Div. in Tunisia; 1.4.1943 Generalleutnant; 12.5.1943 PoW Tunisia (US); 18.5.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross (advised in England); 22.5.1943–21.8.1943 Trent Park, then to USA. Repatriated to Germany 1.2.1945 on health grounds; April 1945 PoW (Soviets), released 2.11.1949. Died Bad Homburg, 21.1.1973.

Assessed on 15.3.1939 as ‘A personality with clear objectives, approaches a task with skill or energy. Never idle. Gets involved successfully, based on good knowledge and experiences from current training, has a decisive, uniform influence without limiting the responsibility of the battery commanders… fully proven in tense situations. Dyed in the wool soldier and National Socialist, transmits National Socialist philosophy by deed and word in uplifting manner.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: Another perfect caricature of the Prussian general: ‘He is of medium height, slim, beak nose, wrinkled face, thin lips and has been seen without his monocle on only one occasion – that was when he took it out after a few minutes of emotion. He even wears it under his tropical sun-glasses and seems to sleep with it as it is always in place when he is counted in bed in the morning… It took him nearly three weeks to learn that it was not the duty of British officers to search the shops of London for red-brown boot-polish, not even for a German General.’ He decorated his immaculate uniform with every medal he had ever been awarded, including those from the defunct kingdoms of the old Kaiserreich. His preoccupation with appearance was the source of much hilarity at Trent Park, and Frantz gradually became a totally isolated figure.

28. GENERALMAJOR GERHARD FRANZ

Born Bobeck, Thuringia, 26.2.1902. Prot. WWI: 15.10.1917 NCO, Training School, Weilburg. Reichswehr: With Inf.Reg.17; 1.4.1939 Major; 15.7.1939 1a Gen. Staff, 29.Inf.Div. (mot.). WWII: 1.4.1941 Oberstleutnant; 24.7.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.1.1942–30.9.1942 Chief General Staff various Armee and Panzer Korps, Eastern Front; 1.7.1942 Oberst; August 1942 sentenced to two years’ imprisonment postponed to end of the war (officer of his Staff was shot down behind Russian lines carrying plans for 1942 summer offensive in south); 1.10.1942–15.2.1943 Chief General Staff, Afrika Korps; from 1.9.1944 CO, 256.Inf.Div.; 1.12.1944 Generalmajor; end March 1945 notified of new court martial (lost contact with his Division, Rhein-Main area), 8.4.1945 sought out US forces and surrendered at Birnfeld; 5.5.1945–5.7.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 15.5.1948. Died Bad Wildungen, 24.12.1975.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He gave the impression of being a man of above-average intelligence and a strong and outspoken anti-Nazi.’

29. GENERALMAJOR PAUL GOERBIG

Born Saarbrücken, 23.5.1895. Prot. WWI: 8.8.1914 entered Army, pioneer and mortar units; finally Leutnant and Comp. Cdr, Minenwerferbataillon 23. Reichswehr: Mortar and mechanised units; 2.10.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 10.11.1939 CO, Pz.Abt.67; from 1.11.1939 General Army Office; 1.9.1941 Oberst; 1943/44 Feldkommandant, 509, Russia; 1.4.1944 Generalmajor; 1945 CO, Sennelager Military Training Depot; 10.4.1945 PoW Bad Grund (US); 29.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 1947. Died Hamburg, 17.8.1974.

Following an anonymous accusation not proceeded with, the February 1943 character assessment considered Goerbig thus: ‘Oberst G. is a very judicious, very shrewd, very well-disposed and perhaps rather mercantile-motivated man (to say trafficker would be going too far) who does favours willingly, enjoys the good life, is a good friend to everybody and by his manner at the present time could easily uplift the people’s spirits…’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He is looked upon by officers in touch with him before his arrival at No. II Camp as a smooth, untrustworthy type, endowed with more shrewdness than intelligence and determined to treat his captors courteously in the hope of obtaining some personal advantage.’

30. GENERALMAJOR ALFRED GUTKNECHT

Born Badingen/Stendal, 20.6.1888. Prot. Entered Army 19.3.1908. WWI: April 1914 – November 1917 Comp. Cdr police troops, German East Africa; 28.11.1917 PoW (British). Reichswehr: 1920 joined German police; 16.6.1936 transferred to Army; 1.4.1936 Oberst; from April 1938 passed over for promotion. WWII: 3.10.1939–5.3.1940 Staff Officer, Grenzabschnittskommando Nord (border command), various appointments as Senior Officer, Transport including Staff Officer, AOK 16 (West); 1.7.1942 Generalmajor; from 20.9.1942 Senior Cdr, Transport Troops, West; 29.8.1944 PoW between Reims and Soissons (US); 5.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park, apparently repatriated and in April 1945 employed as Motor Managerial Inspector with Oberbefehlshaber Süd. Suicide, Berlin, 12.11.1946.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘PoW seemed to be no fervent Nazi, nor to be very politically minded, but just a patriotic German who realised the hopelesssness of Germany’s war situation and who was therefore anxious to see an end made of the present useless sacrifice of lives, even if Germany must sue for peace. He strongly condemns atrocities.’

31. GENERALMAJOR DR RICHARD HABERMEHL

Born Lauter/Hessen, 19.11.1890. Prot. WWII: From 1.8.1939 ministerial adviser and Generalmajor, Luftwaffe, President of Reich Meteorological Office; 14.4.1945 PoW Hanau (US), from 9.5.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 17.5.1948.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘In conversation before his arrival at No. II Camp he has expressed anti-Nazi and anti-militarist views.’

32. GENERALMAJOR LUDWIG HEILMANN

Born Würzburg, 9.8.1903. RC. Reichswehr: 3.2.1921 volunteered Army, 12-year contract NCO career; Inf.Reg.21; 3.2.1933 discharged on completion, Feldwebel and Platoon Leader; 1.7.1934 reactivated in rank of Oberleutnant. WWII: 17.6.1940 Comp. Cdr, infantry regiments, finally Inf.Reg.423; 1.8.1940 Major, transferred to Luftwaffe (paratroop arm) and until 14.11.1942 CO, III./Fallschirmjäger-Reg.3, operations in Crete and Soviet Union; 14.6.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.4.1942 Oberstleutnant; 1.12.1943 Oberst; 15.11.1942–16.11.1944 CO, Fallschirmjäger-Reg.3, inter alia defence Monte Cassino; 2.3.1944 awarded Oak Leaves; 15.5.1944 awarded Swords; 17.11.1944–5.3.1945 CO, 5.Fallschirmjäger-Div.; 22.12.1944 Generalmajor; 12.4.1945 PoW Adenau; 15.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated August 1947. Died Kempten/Allgäu, 26.10.1959.

Assessed as ‘an upstanding, reserved personality, straightforward character, is not striking but more than he seems. Rooted in National Socialism upon which his soldierly career is based. Very well proven at the front, crisis-proof, calm, strong nerve. Has proved that he can handle the most difficult situations. As regimental commander is proven as a leader of men, has mastered troop organisation, education and training in outstanding manner. Very approachable and knowledgeable. Average mentally, clear sober judgement, physically fit, tough and has endurance.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He is very intelligent and has spoken freely to Allied officers in contact with him before his arrival at No. II Camp. He has been reported by the officers at No. II Camp as an ardent Nazi, which he doubtless was and still is; nevertheless, he justifies his willingness to work with the Allies by the hope it offers of speeding up the termination of the war and rescuing what is left of his home country’.

33. GENERALLEUTNANT FERDINAND HEIM

Born Reutlingen, 27.2.1895. Prot. Entered Army 24.6.1914. WWI: Feldartillerie-Reg.13 and 27; finally Oberleutnant and Regimental Adjutant. Reichswehr: Artillery units; 1.5.1935–9.3.1937 tutor at War Academy. WWII: 1.8.1939 as Oberst, Chief of General Staff, XVI.Armeekorps; 3.9.1940–14.5.1942 Chief of General Staff, 6.Armee; 1.2.1942 Generalmajor; 1.7.1942–1.11.1942 CO, 14.Pz.Div., involved in push on Stalingrad; 30.8.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.11.1942 Generalleutnant; 1.11.1942–26.11.1942 given charge of XXXXVIII.Pz.Korps with orders to protect 3rd Rumanian Army front north-west of Stalingrad, the Red Army overpowered his weak corps and encircled 6.Armee; Recalled, arrested and imprisoned at Berlin-Moabit; April 1943 hospitalised; July 1943 discharged Wehrmacht (for a detailed description of the foregoing in a conversation with Ramcke see SRGG 1063(c), 25.9.1944, TNA WO208/4169, also Heim, Seine Kalkulation, pp. 49–61 and Kehrig, Stalingrad, pp. 139–42, 157f, 189f, 263 and 460). Following assassination attempt, on 21.7.1944 Heim petitioned General Schmundt, Hitler’s Wehrmacht ADC, for a position ‘as an old follower of the Führer’ in a situation where ‘National Socialist officers are needed’. 1.8.1944 on recommendation of Schmundt’s successor, General Burgdorf, Heim was ‘reinstated at the disposal of the Army’ in rank of Generalleutnant and given charge of the fortress of Boulogne; 23.9.44 PoW of Boulogne; 28.9.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 16.1.1948. Died Ulm, 14.11.1977.

After his conduct had been praised on 19.9.1944, Burgdorf observed after the fall of Boulogne that Heim had not lived up to his promises. Shortly before his fall from grace, Heim was assessed by Generaloberst Hermann Hoth: ‘Cool personality, difficult to penetrate. I confirm his personal bravery and operational knowledge. His independent character needs the occasional severe prod to get him going. Then he carries a thing through to the end. A fully proven and successful panzer leader.’

34. OBERST EDUARD HELLWIG

Born Marienwerder/West Prussia, 9.10.1895. WWI: 4.8.1914 entered Army, artillery units, mainly Feld-Art.Reg.283. Reichswehr: 5.12.1918 discharged as Leutnant into Reserve; 15.10.1934 reactivated, Hauptmann. WWII: Major and CO, sArt.Abt.536 (heavy artillery battalion), Polish, French and Russian campaigns; 16.4.1942–7.3.1943 CO, Art.Reg.340; 8.3.1943 Art.Reg.661; 20.9.1943 Art.Reg.243; 30.7.1944 PoW Normandy (US); August 1944 short period Trent Park. No further details available.

Characterised by his superiors in January 1944 as ‘very clear logical personality, ambitious, keen, good achiever… exceptional verve physically and mentally. National Socialist attitude.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Very anti-Communist.’ Believed that Hitler had done great things for Germany but ‘should not have involved himself in military matters’. The only hope for Germany was that the Western Allies would prevent the Russians entering the Reich. Told interrogators that he had witnessed the shootings of hostages by the SS and Gestapo in Russia.

35. KONTERADMIRAL WALTER HENNECKE

Born Betheln/Hannover, 23.5.1898. WWI: 2.10.1915 entered Imperial Navy, served aboard large cruiser Freya and battleship Kaiserin, finally Leutnant zur See and watchkeeping officer, torpedo boat. Reichswehr: Shipboard gunnery officer and instructor; 1.8.1938 Fregattenkapitän. WWII: 7.11.1938–29.7.1940 First Officer, cruiser Nürnberg; 1.2.1940 Kapitän zur See; 30.7.1940–4.4.1943 CO, Naval Gunnery School; from 6 May 1943 Commandant, Normandy Sea Defence Region; 1.3.1944 Konteradmiral; 26.6.1944 awarded Knight’s Cross; 26.6.1944 PoW Cherbourg (US); 3.7.1944–12.9.1944 Trent Park, then Clinton Camp, USA. Repatriated 18.10.1947. Died Bad Lippspringe, 1.1.1984.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Gave the impression of being by no means 100 per cent Nazi. Though he may be anti-Nazi he is not pro-British and out for himself.’

36. OBERST ERNST HERRMANN

Born Frankfurt an der Oder, 30.8.1896. WWI: Pioneer units; 7.5.1916 Leutnant; 1.4.1935 as Hauptmann transfer to Luftwaffe. WWII: Cdr, searchlight battery; 1.12.1939 Oberstleutnant; 1.12.1939–18.6.1941 CO, Flakartillerie-Schule IV; 3.7.1941 CO, Flak.Reg.30, Cherbourg; 1.3.1942 Oberst; 1.8.1944 awarded Knight’s Cross; 24.6.1944 PoW Cherbourg (US); 30.6.1944–23.8.1944 Trent Park. No further details available.

Assessed on 11.3.1944 as being of ‘good soldierly appearance. Mature, self-assured personality with serious, clean view on life… open honest character not afraid to say what he thinks, tactful before his superiors but puts his case firmly and with conviction. Stands on the ground of the National Socialist worldview and influences his men in this sense.’ Herrmann was further assessed on 17 September 1944 when he had already been three months in enemy captivity: ‘Imbued with National Socialism by which he has lived his life. It is thus beyond any doubt that he cannot be shaken by enemy propaganda. His high awards and previous record prove that he will commit no dishonourable or unmilitary conduct.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Not really a Nazi, though afraid to come out in open opposition he criticised Hitler’s leadership and expressed the opinion that it was high time for Hitler to abdicate.’

37. OBERST DR FRIEDRICH AUGUST FREIHERR VON DER HEYDTE

Born Munich, 30.3.1907. RC. Reichswehr: 1.4.1925 entered Army; 31.8.1926 left Army as Ensign and studied Law at Innsbrück, Vienna, Graz and Berlin; 1932 Doctorate in Law; 1.3.1935 re-entered Army. WWII: at outbreak of war Oberleutnant, Comp. Cdr, Pz.Abwehr.Abt.6; French campaign with 246.Inf.Div.; 15.7.1940 transfer to Luftwaffe paratroops, Comp. Cdr in Fallschirmjäger-Reg.3; as Hauptmann and CO, 1.Bataillon in operations on Crete and Russia; 9.7.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; July 1942–January 1943 Major, CO, Fallschirm-Lehr-Bataillon, North Africa; 15.1.1943 No. 1 Staff officer (1a), 2.Fallschirmjäger-Div.; 15.1.1944 CO, Fallschirmjäger-Div.6 which he led in the fighting at Normandy; 1.7.1944 Oberstleutnant; 18.10.1944 awarded Oak Leaves; 23.12.1944 CO, Fallschirmjäger battle group, PoW Ardennes (US); 23.2.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 12.7.1947. After war entered politics (CSU 1947), Professor in Law, universities of Mainz and Würzburg (1951–54), Judge, Koblenz (1954–59). Died Aham, Landshut, 7.7.1994.

The only assessment is that of 15.11.1939: ‘Very impassioned officer characterised by flexibility, verve and a pronounced mental attitude for operations. Relishes independent decision making and responsibility. Open, decorous in opinions, reliable. To summarise, a personality of probably high warrior-like quality.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Von der Heydte was an enthusiastic Nazi until he was disillusioned in 1933/34, when he became strongly anti-Nazi. He is believed to be genuinely anxious to cooperate with the Allies to bring the war to an end. He gave a lot of information on the German paratroops and their part in the Ardennes counter-attack.’

38. GENERALLEUTNANT RÜDIGER VON HEYKING

Born Rastenburg/East Prussia, 10.1.1894. Entered Army 22.3.1914. WWI: Platoon and comp. cdr, Inf.Reg.85; 1918 Leutnant, observer KG 2. Reichswehr: Kraftfahrt.Abt.4 (mot.); 1.4.1934 transferred Luftwaffe; 1.1.1939 Oberst. WWII: 3.2.1938–24.2.1940 CO, Fliegerausbildungs-Reg. 2 (aircrew training); 24.2.1940–1941 CO, KG zbV2; 1.11.1941 Generalmajor; 1.7.1943 Generalleutnant; 24.22.1942–4.11.1943 CO, 6.Luftwaffe-Feld-Div., then Führer-Reserve; 20.3.1944 awarded German Cross in Gold; 30.4.1944 CO, 6.Fallschirmjäger-Div.; 3.9.1944 PoW Mons (British); 26.9.1944 Trent Park; May 1945 to USA. Repatriated June 1947. Died Bad Godesberg, 18.2.1956.

Assessed on 14.4.43: ‘Generalmajor v. Heyking has led the Division since 26.11.1942. He is a strong, vigorous personality, commander-type. From the first day on has held the reins of his Division very tightly. Well-liked by his subordinates. Enjoys being at the front, always well forward, quick to adapt to new situations. Master of the principles of military tactics and is able to explain them in training. Proven National Socialist.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Von Heyking is quite friendly and to a great extent cooperative in his attitude to Allied officers. He thinks the war is definitely lost and is disillusioned and disgusted by the commands of Higher HQ.’

39. GENERALLEUTNANT RUDOLF HOLSTE

Born Hessisch Oldendorf, 9.4.1897. Prot. WWI: 15.8.1914 entered Army; Feldart.Reg.62, finally Leutnant. Reichswehr: mainly Adjutant, Art.Reg.6; 1.3.1939 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 8.12.1939–11.4.1942 CO, Art.Reg.1 and 73; 1.2.1942 Oberst; 6.4.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.1.1943–7.6.1943 acting CO, 14.Pz.Div.; 16.6.1944 acting CO, 4.Kav.Brigade; 27.8.1944 awarded Oak Leaves; 1.10.1944 Generalmajor; 28.2.1945 CO, 4.Kav.Div.; 20.4.1945 as Generalleutnant, acting CO, XXXXI.Armeekorps; 3.5.1945 Wittenberg PoW; 18.5.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 10.10.1947. Died Baden-Baden, 4.12.1970.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: Of above-average intelligence and fully cooperative. He claimed to have always been anti-Nazi, but it was felt that he was merely an opportunist, and must have kept in well with the Party, otherwise he would not have risen so quickly in rank and prestige.

40. LEUTNANT KLAUS HUBBUCH

Born Karlsruhe, 1.5.1922. RC. WWII: 12.3.1940 entered Army, Pz.Reg.8/15, Pz.Div., North Africa; 1.6.1942 Leutnant, finally Comp. Cdr; March – May 1943 Ordnance Officer to Divisional Commander Generalleutnant Willibald Borowietz; 9.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; end May 1943–30.1.1944 Trent Park, then Canada. Repatriated 26.6.1947. Died Cologne, 1.4.1997.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This young man is a typical Nazi product. Hubbuch has the typical lack of intelligence, narrowness of vision and overwhelming jingoism of the Nazi. He is an unpopular figure except with people like Crüwell, who find him a useful tool. His general knowledge is so limited that it is astounding – so are his manners. He thinks Boes a fine figure and worships Oberst Buhse, another Nazi and one of the early and youngest Knight’s Cross winners. If Germany should lose the war, however (an inconceivable event in his opinion), he will try to join a “Freikorps” on the lines of those in existence after the last war, and strive for revenge. He would make an implacable and cruel enemy.’

41. GENERALMAJOR HEINRICH-HERMANN VON HÜLSEN

Born Weimar, 8.7.1895. Prot. WWI: 13.8.1914 entered Army, mainly Leutnant, 4.Garde-Reg. zu Fuss. Reichswehr: Cavalry regiments; 1.3.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 6.8.1939 CO, Aufklaerungs-Abt.44 (reconnaissance); 1.2.1940, Oberst; 1.4.1941–17.8.1941 CO, Reiter-Reg.2; 2.11.1941 awarded German Cross in Gold; 25.5.1942–15.12.1942 CO, 9.Schützen-Brigade, 9.Pz.Div.; 25.4.1943 as Oberst, acting CO, 21.Pz.Div, Tunisia; 1.5.1943 Generalmajor; 13.5.1943 PoW (France); 26.5.1943–25.5.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 17.2.1947. Died Celle, 6.6.1982.

Assessed 15.12.1942: ‘Blameless character with noticeably elevated view of life and duty. Correct in his National Socialist attitude. Fully proven at the front. Has come on well tactically as troop leader. Mentally and physically extraordinarily active. Full of ideas. Strong side: Very agile, therefore many-sided, energetic. Combats slackness and unmilitary conduct harshly without regard to eventual personal disadvantage. Good instructor. Weak side: inclination to talkativeness and egotism tends to concern himself overmuch with trivialities.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This tall, slim German General most certainly has not the figure of his age. He is very well preserved indeed and one of the keenest sport enthusiasts here. Hülsen is a strong supporter of the Nazi clique and of Crüwell. He is always urging the latter to give us as much trouble as possible, and, of course, Crüwell is only too willing to listen to his type of talk. On practically the first day here, Hülsen advised as many people as he could that it was their duty to annoy us and cause us as much trouble as possible. Hülsen is a hanger-on of the worst type and is always trying to be with Arnim.’

42. OBERST ERWIN JÖSTING

Born Remscheid, 30.6.1890. Prot. Entered Army 1911. WWI: Company cdr, finally Oberleutnant (aerial forces). Reichswehr: 1920 discharged; 1934 reactivated to Luftwaffe as Hauptmann; 1935 CO, Fliegerhorst Stade (aerodrome cdr); 1937 Major; 1938 CO, Fliegerhorst Bad Vöslau near Vienna. WWII: 1941 acting CO, Special Staff Bulgaria; 1944 Oberst, CO, Fliegerhorst Mainz-Finthen; 22.3.1945 PoW (US); 7.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 1946. Died Gütersloh, 1.6.1953.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He is a Nazi of the Prussian type. To Senior PoWs he shows himself outspokenly anti-Semitic, while decrying the unwisdom of atrocities against Jews.’

43. KONTERADMIRAL OTTO KÄHLER

Born Hamburg, 3.3.1894. Prot. WWI: 1.4.1914 entered Imperial Navy, served on large cruiser Roon; 1916, U-boats, finally as Leutnant (Reserve) and watchkeeping officer UB-112. Reichswehr: served mainly aboard torpedo boats; 1.4.1939 Kapitän zur See. WWII: 15.3.1940–20.7.1941 Commander, merchant raider Thor, successful cruise Central Atlantic, then Staff appointments; 22.12.1940 awarded Knight’s Cross; 16.10.1942–4.1.1944 Head, Shipping Division, OKM; 1.2.1943 Konteradmiral; from 29.1.1944 Cdr, Naval defences, Brittany; 15.9.1944 awarded Oak Leaves; 18.9.1944 PoW Brest (US); 23.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 28.2.1947. Died Kiel, 2.11.1967.

On 24.1.1944 the Naval Quartermaster-General described him as ‘a personality with strong disposition. Reliable, conscientious, knowledgeable, discreet, pensive. His inner calm allows him to distance himself from all matters. His calm is conditioned by his temperament and reinforced by a philosophical attitude to life.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Nazi bearing and outlook. Disliked by his fellow PoWs at No. II Camp.’

44. OBERST KESSLER

CO, Grenadier-Reg. zbV.752 of 326.Inf.Div, to which two Eastern battalions were subordinated; 31.7.1944 PoW Granville, France (US); at Trent Park for a few days from 9.8.1944.

45. GENERALLEUTNANT HEINRICH KIRCHHEIM

Born Gross Salze/Saale, 6.4.1882. Prot. Entered Army 1.5.1899. October 1904–March 1914 Colonial police, German South-West Africa, finally Oberleutnant. WWI: Finally Hauptmann, CO, Jägerbataillon.10; 13.10.1918 Pour-le-Merite. Reichswehr: Finally Commandant, Glanz; 31.3.1932 retired; 1.10.1934 reactivated. WWII: 1.12.1939–31.1.1941 CO, 169.Inf.Div.; 1.3.1941–15.6.1941 Sonderstelle Libya as leader of Italian Div. Brescia; 30.4.1941–1.5.1941 led elements of 5.Light Div. in attack on Tobruk, afterwards violent argument with Rommel, who accused him of cowardice for over-protecting his troops; 15.6.1941 OKH Special Staff Tropics; 15.10.1944 Wehrersatz Inspector, Berlin; 1.4.1945 Führer-Reserve; 12.4.1945 PoW Quedlinburg; 4.5.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 6.10.1947. Died Lüdenscheid, 14.12.1973.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He gave the impression of being an old man, a typical Prussian officer, but with sensible ideas, now at least.’

46. GENERALLEUTNANT HEINRICH KITTEL

Born Gerolzhofen/Lower Franconia, 31.10.1892. RC. Entered Army 16.7.1911. WWI: Platoon/comp. cdr, finally Oberleutnant, Asia Korps. Reichswehr: Comp. cdr, infantry. WWII: 26.8.1939–30.4.1941 CO, Inf.Reg.42, found too pedantic and transferred to Führer-Reserve; 26.6.1941 Führer-Reserve, Army Gr.Nord; 15.5.1942 Commandant at Stalino, Rostov, Saporoshye, Krivog-Rog, Uman, Tarnopol, Lvov and Cracow; 8.11.1944 City Commandant, Metz and CO, Volksgrenadier Div.462; 12.8.1944 awarded Knight’s Cross; in the end-battle for Metz he put himself in the front line and received a leg wound; 22.11.1944 PoW (US); 6.1.1945 Trent Park, May 1945 USA. Repatriated 1947. Died Ansbach, 5.3.1969.

Last assessment October 1944 stated: ‘Open, straight character, strong-willed, enjoys responsibility, ruthless towards himself, tirelessly active, gifted organiser. Convinced National Socialist. Proven outstandingly as regimental commander in the West, as troop leader in East. Achieved great things at Cracow by powers of creativity, improvisation. Pronounced leader personality. Has outstanding knowledge of weapons. Mentally flexible. Suitable for divisional commander.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Kittel is a professional soldier of exceptional intelligence, who in the course of his career has been connected with most major political happenings in Germany. He is strongly opposed to the Nazi “State within the State” and he detests the Police, SS, SD and administration camarilla which advanced in the wake of the German Army. However, because of his oath to Hitler and what he believes to be his duty towards Germany, he will not do or say anything which might damage the war effort of the Reich. He has a strong sense of humour and takes a philisophical outlook on life.’

47. OBERSTLEUTNANT OTTO KLENK

Born Leipzig, 13.6.1898. WWI: 20.3.1915 entered Army, artillery units on Western and Eastern Fronts, finally Leutnant (Res.); 31.1.1919 discharged. Reichswehr: 1.10.1937 re-entry, Hauptmann. WWII: At outbreak, Regimental Adjutant, Inf.Reg.380; 15.12.1939 to artillery, battery cdr; 27.3.1940 CO, I./Art.Reg.215, France and northern sector, Russian Front; 1.9.1940 Major; 1.4.1942 Oberstleutnant; 11.4.1942–10.5.1943 CO, Art.Reg.305 (including Stalingrad); 6.6.1943 CO, Art.Reg.266, 10.8.1944 PoW Brest (US); mid-August 1944 at Trent Park for short period.

In spring 1942 given positive assessments, but commander of newly formed 305.Inf.Div, would not recommend Klenk as regimental commander because he tended to speak without thinking, liked making trips away and finding himself little dodges, all of which pointed to his not being ‘crisis-proof’. Klenk was therefore transferred to 266.Inf.Div., these being occupation troops in Brittany.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: A defeatist and anti-Nazi.

48. OBERST WALTER KÖHN

Born Magdeburg, 13.1.1895. Prot. Entered Army 11.3.1913. WWI: Leutnant, adjutant Inf.Reg.37. Reichswehr: 1920 discharged, joined Prussian Landespolizei; 15.10.1935 re-entry Army; 31.12.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: At outbreak CO III./Inf.Reg.29; 11.11.1939–4.10.1940 adjutant, OKH Inspectorate of Infantry, then CO, Inf.Reg.418; 1.12.1940 Oberst; 22.10.1941 to Führer-Reserve, temporarily 7.Armee Liaison Officer to Kriegsmarine; 14.5.1944 CO, Grenadier Reg.739; 26.6.1944 PoW Cherbourg (US); 6.7.1944–23.8.1944 Trent Park.

Judged on 1.3.1944 by 7.Armee as ‘mature and steady personality. Amiable nature, active, stimulating. Correct National Socialist attitude. Proven at the front. A well-loved comrade.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A Nazi at heart and one of those who had believed in Hitler, he was badly shattered by German defeats in the West and East and by the attempt on Hitler’s life. An embittered Anglophobe, he felt the time had now come for Germany to orientate herself towards Russia, as being the best way out. He strongly criticised the Party leaders and their treatment of high-ranking Army Officers and considered that the Party were now only continuing the war for the sake of prolonging their own lives’.

49. OBERSTLEUTNANT (RESERVE) KURT KÖHNCKE

Born Lübeck, 19.9.1896. Prot. WWI: 12.8.1914 entered Army, Hussar-Reg. 6, Inf.Reg.162, and Staff, 91 and 81.Inf.Brigades (Western Front); 31.10.1915 Leutnant (Res.); 6.12.1918 discharged. Reichswehr: From May 1924 farmed family estate Frauenmark; August 1932 joined NSDAP; 1.9.1937 entered Luftwaffe as Hauptmann. WWII: 1.10.1939 Major; 1.4.1942 Oberstleutnant, CO, (heavy) Flak-Abt.372 Tunisia; 8.5.1943 PoW; 16.5.1943 Trent Park, probably to USA June 1944.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Originated from a wealthy family with large estate in Mecklenburg. He loved his Frauenmark property and had not forgiven the Nazis for their interference in the running of the estate. He seems to have a led a gay youth and married late – only two years ago. Köhncke was an “anti-Nazi” with many interests, liked wining and dining and the high life generally. One of his favourite occupations was gossip and he and his room-mate Oberstleutnant Wolters were like two old women in this respect. All the gossip of the camp was discussed with much amusement. Their room was the nicest at Trent Park. Although a patriot, Köhncke had given a British officer to understand that he was happy at Trent Park because it gave him time to catch up on reading and drawing.’

50. GENERALMAJOR FRITZ KRAUSE

Born Dahme/Jüterbog, 29.1.1895. Prot. Entered Army 11.11.1913. WWI: Artillery; 1917/1918 Oberleutnant, battery cdr, Res.Art.Reg.9. Reichswehr: Artillery officer; 1.10.1936 Oberstleutnant; 10.11.1938 CO, Art.Reg.64; 1.6.1939 Oberst. WWII: 20.1.1941 Artillery Cdr 104; 15.12.1941 Artillery Cdr 142; 1.7.1942 Generalmajor; 16.8.1942 awarded German Cross in Gold; 1.9.1942 Senior Artillery Cdr, North Africa; 1.1943–3.1943 also 164.Light Div.; April – May 1943 334.Inf.Div.; 9.5.1943 PoW Bizerta; 16.5.1943–23.9.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 27.6.1947. Died Ingelheim, 14.2.1975.

Assessed by Rommel on 10.2.1943 as ‘Straightforward, exemplary character. Positive attitude to National Socialism. Proved himself greatly as senior artillery commander during the major offensives and retreats of summer and winter 1942 in Africa, such that he was promoted to Generalmajor after the capture of Tobruk. Mentally and physically very vigorous and active.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: A pleasant rather unintelligent man, anti-Nazi. His main occupations at Trent Park were chess, table-tennis and bridge. He was an inspired cello player in the string quartet.

51. GENERALMAJOR HEINRICH KREIPE

Born Niederspier/Thuringia, 5.6.1895. Prot. WWI: 11.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant, Res.Inf.Reg.237 (Western Front). Reichswehr: Infantry officer; 1.10.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 26.8.1939 CO, Inf.Reg.909; 1.10.1941 Oberst; 13.10.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 10.6.1943–24.10.1943 acting CO, 79.Inf.Div.; 1.9.1943 Generalmajor; 15.2.1944 CO, 22.Inf.Div. (Crete); 26.4.1944 Crete, kidnapped by British commandos; 25.5.1944–23.8.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 12.1947. Died Northeim, 14.6.1976.

His superiors wrote of Kreipe as a strong, energetic personality of firm character. No mention was made in the files of his attitude to National Socialism.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A rather unimportant and unimaginative anti-Nazi, possibly because events are trending that way. Rather weak character and ignorant.’

52. GENERALMAJOR LUDWIG KRUG

Born Berlin, 23.3.1894. Entered Army 22.3.1914. WWI: Leutnant and adjutant, pioneer battalions. Reichswehr: (Longest period) comp. cdr, Pionierbataillon.6; 1.10.1936–19.5.1940 CO, Pionierbataillon.34; 1.1.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.12.1941 Oberst after various Staff appointments; 1.10.1941–7.6.1944 CO, Grenadier-Reg.736; 21.4.1944 awarded German Cross in Silver; 1.7.1944 Generalmajor; 7.6.1944 PoW St Aubin, Normandy; 17.6.1944–8.9.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 21.2.1946. Died Koblenz, 19.8.1972.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He was a Nazi, but, as he himself stated, not a 110 per cent Nazi, his Nazism being based chiefly on sentimental nationalism and on fear of the consequences for Germany if National Socialism should collapse. He approved of the Nazi ideals, but the 20 July attempt on Hitler’s life shattered his morale and he became bitterly disillusioned with the Party’.

53. GENERALMAJOR KURT FREIHERR VON LIEBENSTEIN

Born Jebenhausen, 28.2.1899. Prot. WWI: 20.12.1916 entered Army, finally Leutnant, Dragoner-Reg.26 (Western Front). Reichswehr Reiter-Reg. 18 (cavalry); 1.4.1937–1.9.1939 Assistant to Military Attaché, Paris; 1.4.1939 Oberstleutnant. WWII: Army General Staff; 10.1940–5.1942 Chief of General Staff, Pz.Korps Guderian (later Pz.Gr.2); 1.2.1942 Oberst, mid-1942 field, acting CO, 3.Pz.Div.; 19.12.1942 CO, 164.Inf.Div. (Tunisia); 1.3.1943 Generalmajor; 10.5.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross; 13.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 1.6.1943–23.9.1944 Trent Park, Deputy Senior German Officer. Repatriated 1947. 4.6.1956–30.9.1960 Generalmajor, Bundeswehr. Died Munich, 3.8.1975.

In last assessment on 1.10.1942 considered to be: ‘Officer with outstanding mental abilities. Confident, clever personality with sound nerve and great inner calm. Personally very brave and ready to serve at front. Embodies the great ideas of National Socialism and the military life and knows how to pass on this worldview philosophy to others.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This is the most un-German-looking of the Generals. As a result of his travels, he has a broader political outlook than some of the others and definitely belongs to the anti-Nazi group. He also has a keen sense of humour, which is frequently applied against the Nazis. Liebenstein is a talented artist and spends a lot of his time painting very creditable water-colours. He is a great lover of horses and was most grateful when provided with some English hunting scenes for his room. He admires the British and their traditions and detests dictatorship in all its forms. He takes a sympathetic view of the Italians and is of the opinion that they are despised by the Germans more than they deserve. He also admires the culture of the French – and their women, their food and their wines. He speaks quite good English and fairly fluent French.’

54. GENERALLEUTNANT GERD VON MASSOW

Born Hadersleben/N.Schleswig, 13.9.1896. Prot. WWI: 10.8.1914 entered Army, platoon and comp. cdr, Jägerbataillon.7, finally Leutnant. Reichswehr: Until 1930, Inf.Reg.18, finally Hauptmann; 1.4.1935 transfer into Luftwaffe; 9.6.1936–7.3.1940 Kommodore, Jagd-Geschwader 2. WWII: 1.10.1939 Oberst; 19.7.1940–30.7.1944 Senior Cdr, Fighter and Fighter-Bomber Training School; 1.4.1943 Generalmajor; 31.7.1944 Cmmdg Gen., Aircrew Training; 20.4.1945 Generalleutnant; 5.5.1945 PoW Gmund (US), Trent Park. Repatriated 1.3.1947. Died Bad Pyrmont, 29.6.1967.

55. GENERALLEUTNANT ERWIN MENNY

Born Saarburg, 10.8.1893. Prot. Entered Army 29.6.1912. WWI: Western Front, finally as Oberleutnant, squadron cdr, Dragoner-Reg.22. Reichswehr: Reiter-Reg.18; 20.4.1936 CO, Pz.-Abwehr.Abt.35 (anti-tank); 1.8.1937 Oberstleutnant; 31.3.1939 Oberst. WWII: 26.8.1939–11.5.1940 CO, Schützen-Ersatz-Reg.81; 12.5.1940 CO, Inf.Reg.69; 15.4.1941–20.7.1942 15.Schützen-Brigade and temporary acting CO, 15.Pz.Div. (North Africa); 26.12.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.4.1942 Generalmajor (Eastern Front); 21.9.1942–31.12.1942 acting CO 123.Inf.Div.; 1.11.1943–30.11.1943 CO, 72.Inf.Div., then transferred to Führer-Reserve; 10.2.1944 CO 84.Inf.Div.; 21.8.1944 PoW Falaise near Magny (Canadian); 25.8.1944–23.9.1944 Trent Park, then Clinton Camp, USA. Died Freiburg, 6.12.1949.

Assessed on 3.12.1943 as: ‘Reserved, clear personality. Likeable character. Convinced National Socialist, confident of its rightness. Personally brave and of exemplary readiness to serve at front. Flexible leader-type personality with clear tactical judgement. Does not know the word “difficulty”. Led his men well and surely in a difficult situation and showed understanding for coherence.’ At the same time it was thought that as a divisional commander Menny had reached the limit of his capabilities as a troop leader.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A Nazi’.

56. SS-BRIGADEFÜHRER UND GENERALMAJOR DER WAFFEN-SS KURT MEYER

Born Jerzheim/Braunschweig, 23.12.1910. Reichswehr: entered Landespolizei Mecklenburg 1929; 15.10.1931 entered SS; 15.5.1934 platoon leader, SS-Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LAH). WWII: Haupt-sturmführer at LAH regimental Staff; 1.9.1940 CO, Reconnaissance Section; 18.5.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 21.6.1943 SS-Standarten-führer; 23.2.1943 awarded Oak Leaves; June 1943 CO, Pz.Grenadier-Reg. 25, SS-Div. Hitler Jugend; 1.8.1944 SS-Oberführer; 26.8.1944 awarded Swords; 1.9.1944 SS-Brigadeführer; 7.9.1944 PoW Liege. At first, PoW camp near Compiègne unrecognised, then to Trent Park 17.11.1944-mid-Apr 1945; 10.12.1945 at Aurich, Canadian War Crimes Tribunal; 28.12.1945 sentenced to death, sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Released 7.9.1954. Died Hagen, 23.12.1961.

On 29.4.1943 SS-Obergruppenführer Sepp Dietrich assessed him as ‘outstanding, uncommonly mature and responsible personality. As a military leader he combines the greatest personal bravery with outstanding tactical understanding. The great successes achieved by his battle formations especially in the struggle against Bolshevism are unique and attributable solely to his fanatical fighting spirit and prudent leadership.’

57. GENERALMAJOR HANS VON DER MOSEL

Born Bodenbach, 3.5.1898. Prot. WWI: Entered Army; 28.11.1916 Leutnant, Inf.Reg.101. WWII: 23.5.1940–30.4.1943 Battalion then Regimental CO, finally of Grendier-Reg.548; 1.7.1940 Oberstleutnant; 1.7.1942 Oberst; 9.8.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.5.1943 CO Fortress Brest; 12.8.1944 Chief of Staff to General Ramcke, Fortress Brest; 1.9.1944 Generalmajor; 19.9.1944 awarded Oak Leaves; 18.9.1944 PoW (US); 25.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 1948. Died Nienburg, Lower Saxony, 12.4.1969.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Gave the impression that he was 100 per cent behind the Nazi regime. Underlined this fact by clicking his heels and giving the Hitler salute.’

58. OBERST DR RUDOLF MÜLLER-RÖMER

Born Cologne, 13.6.1895. Prot. Entered Army 22.3.1913. WWI: Signals branch, Western Front, Serbia and Russia, finally Leutnant, adjutant, Nachrichten-Ersatz-Abt.7. Reichswehr: 9.4.1920 released; 1.10.1933 re-entry, Signals Officer, Glogau Fortress Command Office. WWII: Polish campaign, signals officer, Grenzabschnitts-Kommando 13 and Gruppe Schenckendorff; 16.4.1940–20.1.1943 CO, Korps-Nachrichten-Abt.435 and 442; 15.10.1943 Signals Commandant, Paris; 25.8.1944 PoW Paris; 8.9.1944 Trent Park.

On 7.4.1943 Römer was assessed: ‘Open, exemplary, correct character, military attitude and outlook. National Socialist. Vigorous, enjoys life, comradely, clear and sure in his thinking and dealing. Proven at the front. Mentally very lively with many interests, particularly music. Volunteered for front-line duty (Inf. or Pz.Gren.).’ On 10.3.1944 his ‘good National Socialist stance’ was reported.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Expressed very anti-Nazi views, wanting to see the eradication of Gestapo and SD and of higher SA and Party officials, and said that for the last two years Germany had no further chance of winning the war. He stated that he had never at any time been a follower of Hitler.’

59. OBERST ARNOLD MUNDORFF

Born 19.1.1898. Entered Army 4.5.1914. WWI: Finally Leutnant (Res.) Grenadier-Reg.119, served Eastern Front, Serbia and France. Reichswehr: 1.4.1920 transferred to police; August 1935 re-entered Army; 15.10.1935 Hauptmann. WWII: 1.10.1939 Oberstleutnant, from outbreak of war CO, infantry battalions; 10.1.1941–20.10.1943 CO, Grenadier-Reg.447, 1.3.1942 Oberst, until July 1944 in Führer-Reserve; 7.7.1944 CO, Grenadier-Reg.922, 243.Inf.Div.; 31.7.1944 PoW Normandy (US); spent first three weeks of August 1944 at Trent Park.

On 16.3.1943 assessed as a regimental commander of average ability. ‘Mentally good and active. Handled the demands of the winter war despite his heart condition. On the whole his service achievements are adequate. Convinced National Socialist, reflects the philosophy to his officers and men.’

60. GENERALLEUTNANT GEORG NEUFFER

Born Steinbach/Oberpfalz, 18.4.1895. Prot. WWI: 2.8.1914 entered Army, Bavarian artillery regiments; 7.1917 cdr, AA battery. Reichswehr: Artillery regiments; 1.4.1935 transferred to Luftwaffe; 1937 CO, Flak-Abt. 88 Legion Condor, Spain. WWII: From August 1939 Chief of Staff, various appointments; 1.12.1941–17.4.1942 Chief of Staff, LuftgauKommando, Moscow; 18.4.1942–11.11.1942 CO, 5.Flak-Div., Darmstadt; 12.11.1942 CO, 20.Flak.Div., Tunisia; 9.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 16.5.1943 Trent Park; 1.7.1943 Generalleutnant; 1.8.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross. Repatriated 7.10.1947. Died Soest (Holland), 11.5.1977.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A man who radiated charm and goodwill. Well-read, intelligent and a pillar of the “anti-Nazi clique”, a good listener. The only long-term officer at Trent Park ever to have a good word for the Russians. Shared several of von Thoma’s aversions, e.g. was uncomfortable at wearing his decorations.’

61. GENERALLEUTNANT RALPH GRAF VON ORIOLA

Born Herischdorf/Silesia, 9.8.1895. RC. Entered Army 5.3.1914. WWI: Feldartillerie-Reg.6, Western Front, finally Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: Battery cdr, artillery; 1.8.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.9.1939 CO, Art.Reg.252; 1.6.1940 Oberst; 20.2.1942–16.2.1943 Artillery Cdr, 7.Armee; 17.2.1943–2.5.1943 CO, 72.Inf.Div.; 1.5.1943 Generalmajor; 1.11.1943 Generalleutnant; 3.5.1943–28.6.1944 CO, 299.Inf.Div., Eastern Front; 23.12.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross; 12.2.1945 acting CO, XIII.Armeekorps; 31.3.1945 PoW Althausen/Bad Mergentheim; 27.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 17.5.1948. Died Nuremberg, 28.4.1970.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Has impressed Allied officers as intelligent and not arrogant. He is fully cooperative and would like to be employed by the Allies in some capacity in the reconstruction of Germany.’

62. GENERALMAJOR ALEXANDER VON PFUHLSTEIN

Born Danzig, 17.12.1899. Prot. WWI: 29.3.1917 entered Army, finally Leutnant in 4.Garde-Reg. zu Fuss. WWII: 3.11.1938–31.3.1941 No. 1 Staff Officer (Ia), 19 and 58.Inf.Div.; 1.6.1939 Oberstleutnant; 29.7.1941–2.3.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.77, then Inf.Reg.154; 1.2.1942 Oberst; 17.8.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.7.1943 Generalmajor; 1.4.1943–10.4.1944 CO, Div. Brandenburg; 9.5.1944–5.6.1944 CO, 50.Inf.Div., wounded; 8.8.1944 CO, Hohenstein Fortress; 1.9.1944 arrested by Gestapo, held at Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse; 14.9.1944 on recommendation of Honour Court discharged from Wehrmacht; 24.11.1944 held at Wehrmacht detention facility, Küstrin; 31.1.1945 released. Offered rehabilitation by proving himself at the front. Appointed Major and battalion cdr, but had no intention of going through with assignment and gained second spell in hospital; 2.4.1945 Wertheim (his home town) surrendered to US forces; 20.4.1945–30.8.1945 Trent Park. Died 20.12.1976.

In assessments always portrayed as mentally strong, ambitious and well-proven troop leader inclined at times to pessimism and sarcasm. Respecting his dismissal as commander of 50. Inf.Div. General Weidling wrote: ‘Pfuhlstein is a pessimist. Probably brought about by his physical condition. He cannot be committed to the end. He lacks belief in National Socialist ideology. For this reason he is inclined to forgive his men for their apparent failure.’ Pfuhlstein had close contacts to the military conspiracy. At the suggestion of Oster, Admiral Canaris chose him as leader of the Brandenburg Division so that in the event of a coup some part of the division would be deployed against the regime. As early as 1943 it was planned for Pfuhlstein to occupy West Berlin and the SS artillery school at Jütebog; but Oster overestimated Pfuhlstein’s readiness to act (See Höhne, Canaris, p. 473f).

63. GENERAL DER FALLSCHIRMTRUPPEN BERNHARD RAMCKE

Born Schleswig, 24.8.1889. Prot. Entered Imperial Navy 1905 as officer cadet. WWI: Cruiser Prinz Adalbert; 1915 naval infantry, Flanders, finally Leutnant zur See; 24.4.1918 awarded Prussian Military Service Cross, the highest decoration for valour. Reichswehr: 10.3.1919 transferred to Army, between the wars service with Inf.Reg.2, finally comp. Cdr; 1.3.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.3.1940 Oberst; 16.1.1940–18.7.1940 CO, Inf.Ersatz-Reg.69; 1.8.1940 transferred to Luftwaffe paratroop arm; May 1941 acting CO, Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Reg. 1 (Crete operation); 1.8.1941 Generalmajor; 1.8.1941 Generalmajor; 21.8.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.4.1942–12.2.1943 CO, Fallschirmjäger-Brigade Ramcke (North Africa); 13.11.1942 awarded Oak Leaves; 21.12.1942 Generalleutnant; 13.2.1943 CO, 2.Fallschirmjäger-Div.; 11.8.1944, CO, Brest Fortress, where his bunker was the last to surrender on 19.9.1944. This bunker was found to contain a vast store of cognacs, liquor, enormous quantities of food and other plunder. 19.9.1944 awarded Swords and Diamonds; 27.9.1944–10.4.1945 Trent Park. December 1946 handed over to French; 21.3.1951 sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for war crimes at Brest including hostage taking, murder of civilians, looting, intentional burning down of private residences, use of French persons for war work contrary to intenational law, etc. Released 23.6.1951, time served while awaiting trial. Died Kappeln, 5.7.1968.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Ramcke is inordinately vain and has a most extensive knowledge of distorted history; ambitious, ruthless yet naive, an opportunist. As the Nazi Party is on the decline he is beginning to change his views. He claims to have made 800,000 Reichsmark out of his book From Cabin Boy to Paratroop General. When captured Ramcke was found to be in possession of a large quantity of French brandy and liqueurs, also a complete dinner service, probably looted. Ramcke makes no bones about the fact that he was determined to win the highest decorations and has described to British officers how he recommended his subordinates for high decorations, knowing full well that the High Command would have to recommend him for a higher award than they received. He was awarded the Swords and Diamonds for his defence of Brest and his last act was to send a WT message to Hitler recommending himself for the award of an estate.’ (See GRGG 211, 14–17.9.1944, GRGG 214, 20–23.10.1944, GRGG 221, 10–12.11.1944, TNA WO208/4363.)

64. OBERST HANS REIMANN

Born Wilkonice/Posen, 28.3.1899. Prot. WWI: 1917 entered Army; 18.10.1918 Leutnant, Western Front. Reichswehr: Oberleutnant Inf.Reg.6; 1.12.1938 Major. WWII: French campaign, CO, MG-Bataillon. 1; 1.8.1940 Oberstleutnant; June – November 1941 (Russia) CO, Kradschützen-Bataillon.16 (motor-cycle rifle) and II./Schützen-Reg.64 before long period hospitalised; 1.4.1942 Oberst and CO, Pz.Grenadier-Reg. 86, 10.Pz.Div.; 8.5.1943 awarded German Cross in Gold; 12.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 26.6.1943 Trent Park.

Generalmajor Broich assessed him in March as a ‘decent, exemplary character, energetic, active, practical and tactful. Especially well-loved comrade, good sociably, humorous. Good National Socialist. Trained his regiment very well and led it successfully at the front.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This Oberst is a very charming man and violently anti-Nazi, but when recently over-awed by General Crüwell, he disappointingly failed to stick to his guns although usually he makes no attempt to hide his views. He keeps on asking a British Army officer to get him a job on some Allied Commission after the war and feels he would be a successful re-educator of German youth. He is a regular officer from Silesia and is always careful to point out the differences between Silesian and the Prussian proper. He is a great lover of nature and his favourite animal is the sheep. He collects every picture of sheep he can lay his hands on.’

65. GENERALARZT (GENERALMAJOR) DR MED KARL REITER

Born 1888. WWII: 16.4.1945 PoW (British); at Trent Park for a few weeks from end of April 1945.

66. OBERST HELMUTH ROHRBACH

Born 24.8.1895. WWI: 3.8.1914 entered Army, Inf.Reg.16; from 3.10.1915 Leutnant. Reichswehr: Inf.Reg.14; from 1937 Battalion Cdr; 1.10.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 10.10.1941 Oberst; 15.11.1941–21.5.1942 German liaison officer to 2nd Italian Army (Yugoslavia); 27.6.1942 CO, Grenadier-Reg.729 (709.Inf.Div., France), fought with this regiment in Normandy; 24.6.1944 PoW Cherbourg (US); 30.6.1944–23.8.1944 Trent Park.

Considered unsuitable for a front-line regiment for mental irresolution – his natural pessimism often made difficulties appear larger than they actually were.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Since capture made several sharp criticisms of the Party and of Hitler, realising that the game was up, although previously he had been a more ardent Nazi, having at one time held a post as liaison officer to some Gauleiter in Berlin’.

67. OBERSTLEUTNANT JOSEF ROSS

Born 26.2.1898. RC. WWII: French campaign, Regimental Adjutant; from August 1940 Staff Adjutant, 126 Inf.Div.; August 1941 wounded, Eastern Front, afterwards CO, Ersatzbataillon.184, home territory and Wehrbezirkskommando Duisburg; January 1944 CO, Ersatz-Reg.416, Osnabrück; autumn 1944, Commandant, Wesel region; 23.4.1945 PoW (British).

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He has stated that he would gladly work with the Allies for the building up of a new Germany after the war is over, but feels strongly that any such action on his part before that moment would be tantamount to high treason.’

68. GENERAL DER KAVALLERIE EDWIN GRAF VON ROTHKIRCH UND TRACH

Born Militsch/Silesia, 1.11.1888. Prot. Entered Army 1.3.1908. WWI: Cavalry, Staff and field, finally Rittmeister, 91.Inf.Div. Reichswehr: Cavalry units, 1932 Olympics, equestrianism; 1.10.1934 CO, Kav.Reg.15; 1.4.1936 Oberst; 1.3.1938 CO, 2.Schützen-Brigade. WWII: 12.9.1939 Chief of General Staff, XXXIV.Armeekorps; 1.3.1940 Generalmajor; 25.4.1940–10.10.1940 CO, 442.Landesschützen-Div.; 11.10.1940–4.1.1942 Oberfeldkommandantur 365; 1.3.1942 Generalleutnant; 5.11.1942 awarded German Cross in Gold; 10.1.1942–7.10.1943 CO, 330.Inf.Div., Eastern Front; 8.10.1943–31.12.1943 General, Security Forces and Military Cdr, White Russia; 1.1.1944 General der Kavallerie, acting CO, various corps, Eastern Front; 3.11.1944 Commdg Gen., LIII.Armeekorps, Western Front; 6.3.1945 PoW Neunkirchen (US); 9.3.1945–5.7.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 1947. Died 29.7.1980.

Assessed on 1.3.1944 by Feldmarschall Busch as: ‘Eccentric character. In the winter of 1943, despite great difficulties, rigorously organised the new area given over to him, setting aside opposition and securing reliable cooperation with the numerous service offices in his domain. He handled the local partisan warfare with prudence, tenacity and bravery. His attitude to National Socialism is undoubted.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘The typical Prussian regular officer aristocrat. His connections and manners are impeccable. To Allied officers he has shown himself violently anti-Nazi, probably quite geninely, in view of his attitude that his class has been ousted by upstarts from its rightful place in the German sun’. Freiherr von Broich, a Trent Park inmate, considered Rothkirch ‘lacking the least conscience’. He was so close to the Party and SA that ‘we [the Army] were never able to get rid of him’.

69. GENERALMAJOR ROBERT SATTLER

Born Königshütte, Upper Silesia, 6.12.1891. Entered Army 2.12.1912. WWI: Inf.Reg.63, finally as Oberleutnant Reichswehr Comp. Cdr. Inf.Reg.15 and 11. Reichswehr: 1.4.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.4.1940 Oberst; 1.9.1939–19.4.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.176, Poland, France and Russia, relieved ‘for not showing the necessary alacrity in defensive actions’; 21.1.1942 awarded German Cross in Gold; 1943, CO, Acceptance Office IX for Officer Applicants; 1.10.1943 Generalmajor; 25.4.1944–21.6.1944 CO, Cherbourg fortifications, afterwards CO, Cherbourg town; 27.6.1944 PoW Cherbourg, (US); 5.7.1944–23.9.1944 Trent Park. Died 7.8.1978.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A dumb vain man, who felt that he ought to be a Nazi but didn’t quite know what to do about it. He tried to make up for his lack of height by a certain snappishness of manner but was, nervertheless, not unpleasant.’ Sattler had not been keen on fighting to the last bullet at Cherbourg. After Schlieben refused to let him sail out from the almost encircled enclave by E-boat (see SRGG 949, 4.7.1944, TNA WO 208 4168), he surrendered his force of 400 to US troops a few days later, upon receipt of their ultimatum. Naval Group West considered Sattler’s conduct ‘a completely incomprehensible procedure undoubtedly contrary to Hitler’s instructions’ (see Neitzel, ‘Kampf um die deutschen Atlantik- und Kanalfestungen’, p. 390).

70. GENERALLEUTNANT HANS SCHAEFER

Born Triptis/Orla, 3.4.1892. Prot. Entered Army 28.2.1912. WWI: Leutnant, including Grenadier-Reg.10. Reichswehr: 1.4.1936 Oberst leutnant; 1.10.1938 Oberst. WWII 1.9.1939–2.2.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.127, Poland, and 251, Poland and France; 3.2.1942–31.12.1942 CO, 252.Inf.Div.; 1.4.1942 Generalmajor; 1.1.1943 Generalleutnant; 1.1.1943–5.6.1943 CO, 332.Inf.Div.; 28.7.1943 awarded German Cross in Gold; 14.4.1944 CO, 244.Inf.Div. and CO, Marseilles fortifications; 28.8.1944 PoW (US); to CSDIC (West) in France, camp near Marseilles, later Revin north of Charleville; 1.1.1945 Trent Park.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Created a rather bad impression on arrival at No. 11 Camp. He appears to be self-centred and self-satisfied, adopting the air of a spoilt child. He seems not to be a good mixer and is rather intolerant. He appears to be anti-Nazi. He thinks steps should be taken to induce the Wehrmacht to give up the struggle; at the same time he does not believe any such approach has hope of success as long as the Wehrmacht remains one fighting whole.’

71. GENERALLEUTNANT KURT WILHELM VON SCHLIEBEN

Born Eisenach, 30.10.1894. Prot. WWI: 11.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant, 3.Garde-Reg. zu Fuss; 1.8.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 16.8.1939 – June 1940, adjutant to acting CO, XIII.Armeekorps; 15.8.1940–20.7.1942 CO, Schützen-Reg.108 (mot.); 1.8.1941 Oberst; 20.7.1942–31.1.1943 CO, 4.Schützen-Brigade; 1.2.1943–31.3.1943 acting CO, 208.Inf.Div.; 17.3.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.5.1943 General major; 1.4.1943–7.9.1943 CO, 18.Pz.Div.; from 12.12.1943 CO, 709.Inf.Div.; 1.5.1944 Generalleutnant; 21.6.1944 CO, Cherbourg fortifications; 26.6.1944 taken PoW at his Octeville command post; 1.7.1944–9.8.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 7.10.1947. Died Giessen, 18.6.1964.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘With his pink complexion, round boyish face, huge bulk and lumbering gait he gives the appearance of an overgrown, mentally under-developed school-boy type who will bully his inferiors and toady to his superiors. At first very truculent. Polite firmness proved successful. Has more bluff that guts. Like most prisoners of war he is much inclined to self-pity. Conversation with him revealed colossal ignorance. He said the Russians were a primitive people who had really achieved little. Scotland was a completely unknown place to him. He asked if it were hilly or flat.’

72. GENERALLEUTNANT PAUL SEYFFARDT

Born Weilburg, 4.3.1894. Prot. Entered Army 27.1.1912. WWI: Inf.Reg.161, Western Front, finally Oberleutnant and regimental adjutant Reichswehr squadron cdr, Reiter-Reg.15 and 16. Reichswehr: 31.7.1937 Oberstleutnant, from 16.2.1939 Inf.Reg.111. WWII: 12.3.1940 CO, Inf.Reg.111; 17.1.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 19.7.1942 Oberst; 12.4.1942–4.11.1943 acting CO then CO, 205.Inf.Div.; 15.5.1943 Generalmajor; 21.1.1944 Generalleutnant; from 7.2.1944 CO, 348.Inf.Div., France; 7.9.1944 PoW Marbaix; 21.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park. Died Baden-Baden, 20.9.1979.

Seyffardt, who in August 1941 received the Infantry Assault Badge as regimental commander, was assessed on 7.11.1943 as follows: ‘Dashing personality, of pronounced leader-type nature. Knows how to transmit National Socialist philosophy to his subordinates. Outstandingly well proven at the front. Mentally well adjusted, physically still suffers from wound received in World War I, but tireless and pushes himself hard… additionally, as the result of a certain imbalance has the tendency to exaggerate things and does not always express himself truthfully in service reports.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: This cousin of Feldmarschall Bock ‘now sees that one of the big mistakes made by the German Officer Corps was to have allowed themselves to become politically subservient to the Party’.

73. GENERALLEUTNANT CURT SIEWERT

Born Ratzeburgm 5.4.1899. Prot. WWI: 27.12.1916 entered Army, Grenadier-Reg.5, finally Leutnant. Reichswehr: 1936 General Staff Officer at OKH (including adjutant to C-in-C Army, Generaloberst von Brauchitsch); 1.4.1939 Oberstleutnant at General Staff. WWII: 1.12.1941 Oberst at General Staff; 1.2.1941–14.9.1943 Chief of General Staff XXXVIII.Armee Korps; 1.12.1943 Generalmajor; 29.2.1944 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.7.1944 Generalleutnant; 15.9.1943–13.4.1945 CO, 58.Inf.Div., wounded, to Führer-Reserve; 4.5.1945 PoW Niendorf near Lübeck (British); 1.6.1945–8.8.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 15.5.1948. 1957–30.9.1960 Generalmajor, Bundeswehr. Died Hannover, 13.6.1983.

Von Siewert’s only available assessment is dated 9.11.1938: ‘Determined, clear leader-type personality of firm character. Tactful, practical, modest. Suitable for any post at the front or General Staff.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: Polite and cooperative, very intelligent and decent character, for many years friend of von Thoma. Typically for General Staff officer he blamed the Party (i.e. Hitler) for all negative occurrences. Expressed his readiness to work for Western Allies. Considered ‘anti-Nazi’, Siewert was prepared to discuss political matters and appeared anxious to learn the true facts about the full extent of German atrocities.

74. GENERALLEUTNANT MAXIMILIAN SIRY

Born Parsberg, 19.4.1891. RC. Entered Army 25.7.1910. WWI and Reichswehr: Artillery units. WWII: 1.4.1940–10.1.1942 Senior Artillery Commander 125; 12.1.1942–15.5.1943 CO, 246.Inf.Div.; 13.6.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 16.5.1943–14.2.1945 Senior Cdr, Coastal Artillery North; from March 1945 CO, 347.Inf.Div.; 10.4.1945 PoW (British), Latimer House. Died Fulda, 6.12.1967.

75. GENERALLEUTNANT KARL SPANG

Born Mergentheim, 22.1.1886. RC. Entered Army 21.8.1905. WWI and Reichswehr: Staff and field, artillery units, finally CO, Artillery-Reg.19; 1.4.1939, Commandant, Westwall Aachen. WWII: 24.9.1939 Commandant, Westwall Lower Rhine and CO, Div. Spang; 31.5.1940–15.9.1940 Führer-Reserve; 16.9.1940–15.11.1940 Stab AOK Staff, Army High Command 1; 16.11.1940–13.5.1941 CO, 337.Inf.Div. In April 1941 Spang was criticised by his 1a, Major Graf Pückler-Burghaus, as ‘suffering acutely from the fact that he had got only a rearward division to command and as he did not even have the clasp to his Iron Cross First Class he felt passed over.’ Also predisposed to nervousness, which led to Spang being relieved of command on 13.5.1941. 14.5.1941–7.12.1941 Führer-Reserve; 8.12.1941–30.12.1941 Commandant, Poltava; 31.12.1941–24.5.1942 Commandant, Crimean Isthmus; 25.5.1942–5.10.1942 Commandant, Rearward Army region 585; 6.10.1942–20.11.1942 Commandant, Rearward Army region, 593; 21.11.1942–30.12.1942 CO, Battle-Group Spang; 21.12.1942–14.1.1943 acting CO, Army Gr. Don and Commdg Gen. Security Forces; 15.1.1943–1.6.1943 Führer-Reserve; from 1.6.1943 CO, 266.Inf.Div.; 8.8.1944, PoW Brest (US); 12.8.1944–23.9.1944 Trent Park. Died Ellwangen, 29.8.1979.

Spang was considered ‘a difficult man’, assessed in April 1941 as being ‘very nervous, almost morbidly ambitious’.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Mentally deranged and showed signs of suicidal tendencies. Very anti-Nazi.’

76. GENERALLEUTNANT THEODOR GRAF VON SPONECK

Born Offenburg, 24.1.1896. RC. WWI: 12.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant, Garde-Grenadier-Reg.1, Western and Eastern Fronts; 5.7.1916 awarded Bavarian Military Max Josef Order. Reichswehr: Field and Staff; 1.1.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.10.1938–14.12.1940, No. 1 Staff Officer, XV.Armeekorps; then until 26.1.1942 CO, Schützen-Reg.11; 12.9.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 22.9.1942 CO, 90.Light-Div.; 12.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 1.6.1944–23.9.1944 Trent Park. Died Heidesheim an der Brenz, 13.7.1982.

Asessed by Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel on 11.2.1943: ‘Leader-type personality with strong character, firm in his resolve and actions. Embodies as a soldier the ideology of National Socialism. Led his Division in difficult defensive actions and retreats in North Africa with prudence, skill and determination and proved himself again in the front line. Energetic mentally and physically and has élan.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This PoW is somewhat neurotic and very moody. One day he will be exceedingly talkative and amusing and the next he snoops around the place like a dog with his tail between his legs. He is a very talented painter and spends most of his time alone with his work. The ADCs say that he was the most popular General in North Africa with junior officers and the troops. He is one of the best types we have had pass through our hands. PoW is defeatist, anti-Nazi and a monarchist.’

77. GENERAL DER PANZERTRUPPEN WILHELM RITTER VON THOMA

Born Dachau, 11.9.1891. RC. Entered Army 23.9.1912. WWI: 3.Königlich-Bayerisches Inf.Reg., Western and Eastern Fronts (Serbia, Rumania, Russia), finally Oberleutnant and Comp. Cdr. Reichswehr: Mostly with 7.Bavarian Inf.Div.; 1.8.1936 Oberstleutnant; 1.4.1938 Oberst; September 1936 – May 1939, CO Ground Forces, Legion Condor, awarded by Franco Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords. WWII: 1939 CO, Pz.Reg.3, 2.Pz.Div., Poland; 1.8.1940 Generalmajor; from March 1940 – July 1941 General der Schnellentruppen at OKH; 17.7.1941–30.9.1941 CO, 17.Pz.Div.; 14.10.1941–21.7.1942 CO, 20.Pz.Div.; 31.12.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.8.1942 Generalleutnant; 1.11.1942 General der Panzertruppen; 1.9.1942–4.11.1942 Cmmdg Gen. Deutsches Afrika Korps; 4.11.1942 PoW Tel-el-Mapsra west of El Alamein (British); 19.11.1942 Trent Park; 17.6.1944 German Senior Officer, Trent Park. 1946 at Wilton Park, leg amputated, repatriated. Died Starnberg, 30.4.1948.

Assessed by Chief of Staff Generaloberst Franz Halder on 6.5.1941 as: ‘Warhorse. Front-line soldier through and through with inclination to be adventurous. Outstandingly practical with comprehensive technical knowledge and rich experience of battle. A man who knows how to help out in every situation and never loses his sense of humour. Outstandingly well proven at the front.’ On 22.3.1942 General Materna added: ‘A great character, energetic, independent leader-type personality, his personal commitment is an example to all and the best possible influence on officers and men. Very caring superior. A Divisional Commander upon whom one can always rely.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Very intelligent and exeedingly well read. He has a striking personality and is violently anti-Nazi. Plays neither cards nor chess, but prefers to study art, history and politics. His reminiscences are as interesting as his political views and he has had many and varied contacts with all sorts of eminent people from New York actresses to Balkan monarchs. Entirely devoid of “side” and will not suffer fools gladly. He could be a great leader if only he possessed the ability to coordinate his ideas and the courage to support them by action.’

78. KONTERADMIRAL HANS UDO VON TRESCKOW

Born Wohlau, Silesia 25.6.1893. Entered Imperial Navy 1.4.1912. WWI: Served aboard battleship Deutschland, then as watchkeeping officer, UB-48, finally Oberleutnant zur See. Reichswehr: Various appointments, ship and shore; 1.10.1937 Kapitän zur See; 12.11.1938 CO, Gunnery Section, Kriegsmarine Yard, Wilhelmshaven. WWII: 13.8.1942 Naval Commandant, Seine-Somme; 13.9.1944 PoW Le Havre (British); 22.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 13.1.1947. Died Bückeburg, 5.1.1955.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He was clearly not in agreement with Nazi doctrines, but felt he must still hope for a German victory even if this could only be achieved by a miracle. He belittled the extent of atrocities with which Germans are charged, and the number of people alleged to have carried them out. He does not agree with the scorched-earth policy ordered by the Nazis, but felt helpless in face of it.’

79. GENERALMAJOR WILHELM ULLERSPERGER

Born Regensburg, 6.8.1894. RC. WWI: 2.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant Bavarian Pionierbataillon.1, fought in France, Serbia and Rumania. Reichswehr: Pioneer units; 1931 CO, fortification pioneers, Küstrin, Aschaffenburg and Weisen; 10.10.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.9.1939–17.4.1940 CO, Pionier-Reg.7; 1.10.1940 Oberst; 18.4.1940–31.5.1942 CO, Pionier-Reg.667; 17.11.1941 awarded German Cross in Gold; 1.6.1942–21.3.1943 Senior Pionier-Offizier 3; 22.3.1943–25.5.1943 Pionierführer, 4.Armee; 16.6.1943–25.10.1943 Pionierführer, 1.Pz.Armee; 14.12.1943 Fortifications Pionierkommandeur 1; 1.8.1944 Generalmajor; 23.11.1944 PoW Strasbourg; 19.12.1944–10.4.1945 Trent Park, then USA. Died Bad Reichenhall, 16.5.1978.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A Nazi-type, but well behaved and polite. He is unpopular with his fellow PW.’

80. GENERALMAJOR FRANZ VATERRODT

Born Diedenhofen, 24.9.1890. Entered Army 29.11.1909. WWI: Leutnant, Inf.Reg.137, finally Hauptmann and comp. cdr. Reichswehr: 1.10.1920 transferred to Baden Police; 1.10.1933 Oberst and CO, Baden Police; 1.8.1935 transferred into Army as Oberstleutnant and CO I./Inf.Reg.55. WWII: 26.8.1939–31.8.1940 CO, Inf.Reg.14 and 623; 20.8.1940–16.3.1941 CO, Landesschützen-Reg. Stab zbV 56 (Staff); 1.3.1941 Generalmajor; from 17.3.1941 Wehrmacht Commandant, Strasbourg; 25.11.1944 PoW Strasbourg; 30.12.1944 Trent Park; May 1945 transferred to USA.

Six months before he was taken prisoner his assessment reported: ‘Practical, very self-possessed personality. Convinced National Socialist. Proved himself as regimental commander in the crossing of the Upper Rhine. Advances the interests of the Wehrmacht with energy and flair… maintains good discipline in the field… occasionally by harsh punishment.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Vaterrodt is anti-Nazi, extremly defeatist, and hopes that the war will be over very soon. He suffers from heart trouble and is a rather nervous though pleasant type.’

81. MAJOR HASSO VIEBIG

Born Neubrandenburg, 21.5.1914, brother of Wilhelm Viebig (below). Entered Army 21.5.1934; 1.4.1936 Leutnant. WWII: Hauptmann, served in Poland, France and Russia as regimental adjutant, battery cdr; from 1.9.42 General Staff training; 1.8.1943 Major, 2. Staff Officer, 24.Inf.Div.; 1.2.1944 1. Staff Officer, LXXXIV.Korps; 21.8.1944 PoW Falaise. Repatriated October 1946. 1947 Gehlen military intelligence; 1958 entered Bundeswehr; 30.9.1970 Brigade-General, retired as Deputy CO, 10.Pz.Div. Died Owingen, 16.9.1993.

Asessed on 1.3.1943 as ‘Well-integrated personality with serious outlook on life and great awareness of duty. Convinced National Socialist who knows how to disseminate his belief. Very well proven at the front… can think for himself, and puts over his ideas in a clear and adroit manner. A hard worker with strongly developed initiative and resolve. Rigorous military approach.’

82. GENERALMAJOR WILHELM VIEBIG

Born Horst, near Blumental/Ostpriegnitz, 3.6.1899 (brother of Hasso Viebig). Prot. WWI: 3.9.1916 entered Army, Feldart.Reg.3, Western Front, finally Leutnant. Reichswehr: Artillery units; 1.1.1937 Major. WWII: 1.9.1939–1.12.1941 CO, Art.Reg.257; 1.4.1940 Oberstleutnant; 25.1.1942 awarded German Cross in Gold; 1.3.1942 Oberst; 11.5.1942–18.10.1942 CO, Art.Reg.23; 19.10.1942–15.5.1944 CO, Pz.Art.Reg.93; from 10.8.1944 CO, 277.Volksgrenadier-Div.; 1.1.1945 Generalmajor; 9.3.1945 PoW Nieder Lützingen. Lacking orders on the eastern bank of the Rhine, Viebig, armed only with a single machine gun, with a few infantrymen defended the town until Allied tanks pulled up outside the house he was using as his HQ. 24.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 17.5.1948; from 1952 Warendorf, German Olympic Committee, military equestrian section. Died 16.1.1982.

In his last assessment before capture he was described as being of ‘distinguished, blameless character, firm clear personality, a little temperamental, likeable, comradely and sociable. A good National Socialist. His regiment, well trained by him in the West, proved itself unreservedly well in the Italian campaign… very caring, protective commander who has successfully trained and deployed his officers on the right lines.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Like his brother, he was at first arrogant but then became very charming and talked freely. He stated that he is not a Nazi and, as a regular officer, was not a Party member, though, again as a regular officer, he “thought National Socialism”. A number of his friends were connected with the 20 July “Putsch”, amongst them Hoepner, Lindemann, v. Witzleben and Stieff.’

83. GENERALMAJOR CARL WAHLE

Born Dresden, 7.2.1892. Prot. Entered Army 25.3.1912. WWI: Western Front, Staff and field, mainly in the Saxon Füsilier-Reg.108, finally Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: Various positions, including. 10.Inf.Reg.; 1.4.1936 Oberstleutnant,; 1.10.1938 Oberst. WWII: 1.8.1938–14.10.1940 Military Attaché, Bucharest (SRGG 1082, 25.12.1944 TNA 4169); 15.10.1940–1.1.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.267; 1.7.1942 Generalmajor; from 1.7.1942 City Commandant, Hamburg (for his report on bombing of the city July/August 1943 see SRGG 1066, 22.8.1944 TNA 4169); 4.8.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross of War Service Cross with Swords; 1.1.1944–14.2.1944 CO, 214.Inf.Div.; 15.2.1944–31.7.1944 CO, 719.Inf.Div.; from 1.8.1944 CO, 47.Inf.Div.; 4.9.1944 PoW near Mons (US); 12.9.1944–9.8.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 30.9.1947. Died Prien/Chiemsee, 23.2.1975.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘PoW has been abroad a good deal and has surprisingly sane views on the general political set-up, which includes his attitude towards Russia. Although very anti-Nazi, PoW still feels a queer sense of loyalty towards his government, which, however, appears to be more of a pose, as he is afraid of possible consequences for his family if he admits his real views. An unusual trait in a German general, PoW tried to stress his great stupidity, when, in reality, he gives the impression of a rather shrewd man of the world.’

84. OBERST GERHARD WILCK

Born 17.6.1898. WWI: 20.11.1916 entered Army, Western Front, Inf.Reg.21, finally Leutnant. WWII: 27.8.1939 CO, Inf.Feldersatz-bataillon. 16; 1.3.1940–10.8.1941 CO, II./Inf.Reg.362; 1.7.1940 Oberstleutnant, 9.10.1941–30.9.1943 CO, Grenadier-Reg. 362; 1.4.1942 Oberst; 25.11.1943–25.7.1944 CO, Grenadier-Reg.913; from 1.9.1944 acting CO, 246.Volksgrenadier-Div. defending Aachen; 10.10.1944 PoW Aachen; 26.10.1944–31.3.1945 Trent Park.

Last assessment on 24.8.1944 stated: ‘Straightforward character, especially reliable, prudent and determined, pronounced leader-personality. Led his regiment in difficult attacks and trench warfare with outstanding success. Correct National Socialist. Of good mental and physical disposition. Above average.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: An ambiguous personality. He stated that in his opinion the defence of Aachen made no sense from a military standpoint, but his orders did not allow him to capitulate and in any case he feared retaliation against his family. Therefore he thought he had made the best of the situation and was relieved when the Allies occupied the area south of Cologne where his family lived.

85. OBERST EBERHARD WILDERMUTH

Born Stuttgart, 23.10.1890. 1908/9 One-year volunteer, 1.Württembergisches Grenadier-Reg. linked to study of law at Tübingen, Berlin and Leipzig. WWI: 1914 same reg., Western, Eastern and Italian Fronts. Reichswehr: 1921 at Stuttgart, attorney at Reich Institute for Unemployment Pay and Labour, ministerial adviser, Reich Labour Ministry; 1928 Director; and 1930 Board Member, Deutsche Bau-und-Boden Bank. WWII: 1939 Major (Res.) mobilised, CO, II./Inf.Reg.272, France; 15.8.1940 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1941/42 Serbia, CO, Inf.Reg.737, 717.Inf.Div.; 1.12.1941 Oberstleutnant; 1.5.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.317, Eastern Front; 1.12.1942 Oberst; 15.5.1943 CO, Grenadier Reg.578, 305.Inf.Div., Italy; 12.8.1944 Kommandant, Fortress Le Havre; 12.9.1944 PoW Le Havre; 5.11.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 1946. Postwar involved in domestic politics; 20.9.1949 Federal Minister for Reconstruction. Died Tübingen, 9.3.1952.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Reared in the atmosphere of Württemberg liberalism, PW’s outlook was fundamentally liberal but he was a staunch German patriot, a brave officer, and violently opposed to the present regime. He was anxious to re-educate the young Nazis and, to use his own words, “lead them back to the truth”. In May 1944 he had expressed to his friend Goerdeler his willingness to cooperate after the latter had sounded him out on his attitude to the impending putsch against Hitler.’ As an Oberst (Res.) he considered the generals ‘narrow’ and ‘lacking in clarity of purpose’. He enjoyed the company of von der Heydte, Eberbach and Heim (see Diary, Wildermuth, 1945 BA/MA NL 251–73 particularly entries 8.3, 6.4, 8.4 and 18.6 of 1945).

86. GENERALMAJOR DETLEF BOCK VON WÜLFINGEN

Born Kassel, 10.12.1895. Entered Army 10.2.1914. WWI: Various positions, including Dragoner-Reg.16; finally Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: 15.10.1935–28.2.1940 CO, Nachrichten-Abt.28 (signals); 1.8.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.3.1940–20.12.1940 CO, Nachrichten-Reg.589; 1.6.1940 Oberst; 21.12.1940–15.4.1943 Head of Signals, 17, later 15.Armee; 1.6.1943–24.8.1943 CO, Inf.Reg.311; relieved of command by CO, 217.Inf.Div. for nervousness and repeated criticism of his predecessor, as a result of which he ‘had lost respect in the regimental officer corps’. 15.9.1943–31.3.1944 Head of Signals, German Army Mission, Rumania; 1.12.1943 Generalmajor; from 1.9.1944 Feldkommandant 681; 8.9.1944 PoW Liege; 22.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park.

His last assessment on 10.3.1944 stated: ‘Soldier of the old school with good human qualities. Very knowledgeable and ideally industrious. His efforts to do his best, linked to a certain nervousness, make him irritable, and then he belittles the efforts of others and generally adopts quite the wrong approach. Convinced National Socialist, proven at the front. Cooperated well with the Rumanians… undoubtedly often exaggerates difficulties and makes life difficult for himself.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Is an egocentric and not very bright. His main interest seems to be the survival of the German nobility. He said that Nazi ideology was firstly against the Jews, secondly against the nobility and thirdly against professional officers. This may well be the reason why he joined the Party himself.’