Walter Krüger (SS general)
Walter Krüger | |
|---|---|
| File:Krugerwalter.jpg | |
| Born | 27 February 1890 Strasbourg |
| Died | 22 May 1945 (aged 55)[a] Litauen |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service/ |  Waffen-SS |
| Rank | Obergruppenführer |
| Commands held | SS-PzGrenDiv "Das Reich" VI. Waffen Armeekorps der SS |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Walter Krüger (27 February 1890 – 22 May 1945[a]) was an SS Obergruppenführer. Born in Strasbourg, Alsace-Lorraine, German Empire (nowadays in France), Krüger was the son of an army officer and attended cadet school. As a young second lieutenant, he joined the 110th Fusilier Regiment during World War I. After World War I, he joined the Freikorps and fought in the Baltic region during 1919.
In 1933, when Adolf Hitler gained power, Krüger worked in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht training department.
In 1935, he joined the SS-Verfugungstruppe where he formed the SS-Standarte Germania. At the SS Officer's school at Bad Tölz, he served as an instructor. He earned the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, after taking command of the SS Polizei Division which fought on the Leningrad front, Krüger himself taking place in the siege of the city itself.
Krüger became commander of the SS Division Das Reich in March 1943. After that, he went on to become the inspector general of all infantry troops of the Waffen SS. He assumed command of the newly formed, voluntary, VI (Latvian) SS Corps.
On 22 May 1945[a], Krüger committed suicide in the Courland Pocket. Fourteen days after the surrender of Germany.
Rank promotion
- April 30, 1935 - SS-Obersturmbannführer
- January 30, 1939 - SS-Standartenführer
- April 20, 1941 - SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of Waffen-SS
- January 30, 1942 - SS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant of Waffen-SS
- June 21, 1944 - SS-Obergruppenführer and General of Waffen-SS
Awards
- House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords
- Bavarian Military Merit Cross (3rd Class)
- Wound Badge in Gold
- Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Knight's Cross (13 December 1941)
- 286th Oak Leaves (31 August 1943)
- 120th Swords (11 January 1945)
Notes
- a Date of death is inconclusive. According to Florian Berger date of death is 20 May 1945, Walther-Per Fellgiebel states 8 May 1945 and Veit Scherzer presents the 22 May 1945.[1][2][3]
Citations
References
- Ailsby, Christopher (1997). SS: Roll Of Infamy. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-7603-0409-2.
- Berger, Florian (1999). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Schaulen, Fritjof (2004). Eichenlaubträger 1940 - 1945 Zeitgeschichte in Farbe II Ihlefeld - Primozic (in German). Selent, Germany: Pour le Mérite. ISBN 3-932381-21-1.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Ritterkreuzträger 1939 - 1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
A more accurate (and detailed) biography for this officer can be found in:
- Yerger, Mark C. - Waffen-Ss Commanders: The Army, Corps and Divisiional Leaders of a Legend : Krüger to Zimmermann - Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing (February 1, 1999). ISBN 0-7643-0769-X, ISBN 978-0-7643-0769-0.
External links
Template:KCwithOLandSW Template:KCwithOL Template:Related recipients of the Knight's Cross