SS-Obergruppenführer Walter "Ohm" Krüger

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Jan-Hendrik
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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Krüger

#16

Post by Jan-Hendrik » 05 Jun 2009, 09:06

Just stumbled over this interesting document in the KTB of AOK 8 :wink:
Krüger.JPG
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Jan-Hendrik
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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Krüger

#17

Post by Jan-Hendrik » 05 Jun 2009, 10:35

And here Wöhler asks to relieve Krüger and his Ia from their command:
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Max Williams
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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Krüger

#18

Post by Max Williams » 05 Jun 2009, 10:56

Fascinating material...thank you. It might be an idea to translate both documents into English.
Max.

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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Krüger

#19

Post by Jan-Hendrik » 06 Jun 2009, 07:04

Always a question of having time for doing that :wink:

Cheers

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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Krüger

#20

Post by offizier1916 » 25 Oct 2016, 16:07

Max Williams wrote:Fascinating material...thank you. It might be an idea to translate both documents into English.
Max.
first document:

Wöhler is criticising that Walter Krüger, commander of the SS-Division "das Reich", flew to the Führerhauptquartier to receive his oakleaves to the KC, without "deregistering" (??)/ giving any information to General Wöhler, although the Division was directly subordinate to the 8. Armee of Wöhler. Harmel took comand of the "Das Reich" Division during Krügers absence


second document:

Wöhler requested that Gruppenfürher Walter Krüger and his Ia Obersturmbannführer Sommer (transferred by the Heer to he Waffen-SS), should be used in other positions than commanding the Das Reich Division/Ia of the Das Reich. He accused them of being unsuitable.
Wöhler stated, that Krüger is way to "sluggish" and "spritless" for such a first-class/superb fighting force as the Waffen-SS. The Ia of the Division, Obersturmbannführer Sommer, is just a below-average Chief of Staff and not suitable for such a high-class division like the "Das Reich"

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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Krüger

#21

Post by Michal78 » 21 Jul 2021, 00:17

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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Krüger

#22

Post by Michael Miller » 21 Jul 2021, 19:22

A biographical sketch I cobbled together on Walter Krüger. Translations of Jan-Hendrik's documents appear under the entry for 03.04.1943-22.10.1943.


Walter (“Ohm”) Krüger
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS


* 27.02.1890 in Straβburg/Elsaβ.
† 22.05.1945 in a forest near the Prussian-Lithuanian border, shooting himself to avoid falling into Soviet captivity. Date per
SS-Sturmbannführer a. D. Ernst Rehmann (in a 1956 letter to Paul Hausser, reproduced in full below [see “The Fate of
Walter Krüger”]) and the account of SS-Obersturmführer Ernst-Günther Krätschmer (author of Die Ritterkreuzträger der
Waffen-SS), who claimed to have been present at the time of Krüger’s death.:

… Obergruppenführer Krüger and a small group of ten men, to which I belonged, tried to reach Ostpreuβen by foot, and from there, to reach home. In night marches across the fields we… crossed the Latvian-Lithuanian border. After 14 days, on 22. May 1945, we were surprised by Soviet soldiers while sleeping in the woods. Obergruppenführer Krüger took his own life with his pistol. (Krätschmer, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS, p. 219)


NSDAP-Nr.: 3.995.130 (Joined 01.05.1937; Mark Yerger’s statement, that Krüger was “Never a member of the NSDAP”
[Waffen-SS Commanders, Krüger to Zimmermann, p. 23], is incorrect.)
SS-Nr.: 266.184 (Joined 30.04.1935)

Promotions:
00.00.1907 Fähnrich
19.03.1908 Leutnant (ohne Patent; 19.06.1908: Granted Patent L)
25.02.1915 Oberleutnant (F11f)
18.08.1917 Hauptmann (Ff)
00.09.1934 AW-Standartenführer
30.04.1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer
30.01.1939 SS-Standartenführer
01.01.1940 SS-Oberführer
20.04.1941 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS
30.01.1942 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
12.06.1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS (mit Wirkung vom 21.06.1944)

Career:
00.00.1896-ca. 1900 Volksschule in Rastatt.
ca. 1900-31.03.1900 Vorschule in Berlin.
01.04.1900-00.00.1906 Kadettenhaus in Karlsruhe.
00.00.1906-00.03.1908 Haupt-Kadettenanstalt Groβ Lichterfelde.
00.00.1907 Passed his Fähnrich-Examen (Primareife).
00.03.1908 Passed his Reifeprüfung.
19.03.1908-00.00.191_ Commissioned and assigned to 2. Badische Grenadier-Regiment “Kaiser Wilhelm I.” Nr. 110 (Mannheim).
10.08.1914-00.00.1914 Deployed to the front as Bataillons-Adjutant of I. Bataillon/Grenadier-Regiment 110.
00.00.1914-00.00.1915 Severely wounded, then hospitalized.
00.00.1915-00.01.1919 Returned to duty, successively assigned as Regiments-Adjutant as well as Kompanie- and Bataillonsführer in Grenadier-Regiment 110; to hohenzollernsches Füsilier-Regiment “Prinz Karl Anton von Hohenzollern” Nr. 40; and with Preuβischen Jäger-Regiment 2 (on the Western Front, in the Tirol, and in Serbia).
11.10.1918 Wounded in action.
00.01.1919-00.03.1920 Assigned as a Bataillonskommandeur to the Westfälischen Freikorps von Pfeffer (under the future SA leader, Hauptmann Franz Pfeffer von Salomon) on the Baltic and in the Ruhrgebiet.
00.00.1920-00.12.1920 Kompaniechef of the MG-Kompanie/III. Bataillon/Reichswehr-Schützen-Regiment 13 (Paderborn).
00.12.1920 Discharged from active military service at his own request.
00.12.1920-Summer 1921 Landesführer Westfalen of the Organisation Escherich (ORGESCH), a Selbstschutz (self-defense) organization established by a forestry official, Georg Escherich, to oppose the militant wing of the KPD (German communist party).
Summer 1921-00.00.1925 Trained in banking at the Privatbank Vogler in Halberstadt, then employed as a clerk with the Reichsbank office in Halberstadt.
00.00.1921-00.00.1925 Gebietsgruppenführer of the “Stahlhelm”-Bund in Harzgau (Halberstadt) and as Ortsgruppenführer of the Ortsgruppe Halberstadt der “Stahlhelm”.
00.00.1925-00.00.1926 Received agricultural training as an unsalaried worker.
00.00.1926-00.00.1930 Verwalter (administrator) of the Rittergut Tasdorf/Mark (owned by the City of Berlin).
00.00.1930 Moved to Austria.
00.00.1930-00.00.1934 Owner and farming administrator of an estate in Griffen/Kärnten, becoming active in wildlife preservation and serving as Ortsgruppenleiter and member of the Vorstand (board of directors), reichsdeutschen Siedler in Österreich (German Settlers in Austria).
03.01.1934 Joined the illegal SA in Kärnten.
00.00.1934 Returned to Germany following the collapse of the farming industry in Austria.
00.06.1934-00.09.1934 Entered the Dienststelle des Chefs des Ausbildungswesens (Chef AW), under his younger brother, SA-Obergruppenführer Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger, and assigned as an Ausbilder (training officer). Participated in various Lehrgängen (instructional courses) at the Stammschule für Geländesport (Base School for Cross-Country Sports) in Neustrelitz during this period.
00.09.1934-00.04.1935 Bereichsführer of Bereich 5 (Mecklenburg) der Chef AW (HQ: Schwerin). Post dissolved, 00.04.1935. In a Dienstleistungszeugnis (performance appraisal) of 03.05.1935, Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger, his former superior in the SA training command, reported:

An upstanding, powerful, purposeful personality, with a high level of military and organizational capability, extremely work-oriented and ready to take responsibility, a role model for subordinates, extremely popular with comrades, highly respected by all superiors and appreciated for his objective judgement. A distinguished person, distinguished by excellent tactfulness. In his ideology a steadfast National Socialist, selfless in the use of his own person, unwavering in his loyalty to the Führer. An exceptional leader by nature, who will assert himself even in difficult positions. Excellent for higher independent positions. (Andreas Schulz/Dr. Dieter Zinke, Die Generale der Waffen-SS und der Polizei, Band 2, p. 613)

30.04.1935-01.05.1937 Transferred to the SS-Verfügungstruppe, assigned as Führer of II. Sturmbann/SS-Standarte 2 (renamed SS-Standarte “Germania”, 01.10.1936) (Arolsen). First commander of this unit. Succeeded by Herbert Otto Gille.
13.05.1935-28.05.1935 Participated in a “Waffenlehrgang für Stabsoffiziere der Infanterie” as a Bataillonskommandeur with the Infanterie-Lehrregiment of Infanterieschule Döberitz.
11.11.1936-09.12.1936 On leave in Austria.
00.01.1937 Fell ill with a lung ailment.
15.03.1937-30.06.1937 Underwent a cure for his lung ailment at the Heilstätte Wasach, a convalescent home near Oberstdorf/ Allgäu.
01.05.1937 Joined the NSDAP.
01.05.1937-01.10.1937 Assigned as an instructor to SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz.
01.10.1937-01.11.1937 Hauptmann beim Stabe of SS-Standarte “Deutschland”.
01.11.1937-01.11.1938 Führer of IV. Sturmbann/SS-Standarte “Deutschland” (Ellwangen). Redesignated as Kommandeur of IV. Bataillon/SS-Standarte “Deutschland”, 17.08.1938. Succeeded Willi Schinke. Succeeded by Udo von Wangenheim.
23.05.1938-15.06.1938 Attached to the Stab der Inspektion der SS-Verfügungstruppe.
01.11.1938-00.06.1939 Führer of SS-Standarte z.b.V. der SS-Verfügungstruppe (Ellwangen), consisting of SS-Kradschützen-Bataillone I and II.
14.11.1938-19.11.1938 Participated in a “Lehrgang für Regimentskommandeure” (Instructional Course for Regimental Commanders) at the Infanterieschule Döberitz.
03.05.1939-09.05.1939 Participated in a “Kampfschullehrgang für Stabsoffiziere” in Krampnitz,
26.08.1939-00.09.1939 Attached to the staff of SS-Gruppenführer Paul Hausser with Panzer-Division Kempf in the Polish Campaign, for familiarization with the duties of a 1. Generalstabsoffizier (Ia).
04.10.1939-30.09.1940 Assigned as Ia to Stab/SS-Polizei-Division, with which he participated in the Western Campaign of May/June 1940. First holder of this post. Succeeded by Nikolaus Heilmann.
01.10.1940 Transferred to the Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS.
23.10.1940-10.08.1941 Amtschef of the Waffeninspektion (Amt II) in the SS-Führungshauptamt.
07.02.1941-11.02.1941 Participated in a “Lehrgang für Divisions-Kommandeure” (Instructional Course for Divisional Commanders) in Jena.
05.04.1941-10.08.1941 Inspekteur der Infanterie (Abteilungsleiter 1/Amt II [Waffeninspektion]) in the SS-Führungshauptamt.
11.04.1941-15.11.1941 Chef of Amt VII (Führerausbildung, Officer Training) in the SS-Führungshauptamt. Succeeded Karl von Treuenfeld. Succeeded by Peter Hansen.
25.05.1941-25.06.1941 Führer (vertretungsweise m.d.F.b.) of 1. SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot.). Succeeded Karl Maria Demelhuber. Succeeded by Richard Herrmann. Kurt Knoblauch handled the post of Inspekteur der Infanterie during this period.
00.08.1941 Appointed by Reichsführer-SS Himmler as Kommandeur of SS-Kampfgruppe Nord (with effect from 14.08.1941). He did not assume this command, however. Historian Marc Rikmenspoel writes:

The SS-Führungshauptamt thought highly of Krüger and wanted him to gain some experience as a divisional commander. They therefore assigned him to take over the Nord battlegroup, which needed new leadership. However, then Arthur Mülverstedt was killed in action, and the SS-Polizei Division needed a commander. It was fighting in the drive on Leningrad, which was higher-priority than Nord in Finland, so Krüger was sent to the SS-Polizei Division, a unit he was very familiar with from his stint as divisional Ia a year and a half earlier.

11.08.1941-15.12.1941 Führer (m.d.F.b.) of the SS-Polizei-Division. Assumed command from Generalmajor (Heer) Maximilian Siry, who had briefly taken the reins when Arthur Mülverstedt was killed in action on the morning of 10.08.1941. According to Mark Yerger, Krüger “rushed to the front from Berlin” to take command of the Division. (Yerger, German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police, Volume 5: Polizei Division and Police Units, p. 55) Although Emil Höring was appointed to succeed Mülverstedt on 16.08.1941, he instead remained in Dresden, and Himmler ordered Krüger to remain in command. He was succeeded four months later by Alfred Wünnenberg.
15.12.1941-03.04.1942 Amtschef of the Waffeninspektion (Amt II) in the SS-Führungshauptamt (after 20.04.1942, Amtsgruppe Inspektionen; after 26.11.1942, Amtsgruppe C [Waffeninspektionen]). He succeeded Werner Ballauf. This inspectorate initially comprised four Abteilungen handling infantry, artillery, cavalry, and motorized units. On 20.04.1942, it was expanded to include the SS-Unterführerschulen (NCO schools) and redesignated Amtsgruppe Inspektionen der SS-Führungshauptamt.
31.01.1942-28.02.1942 Amtschef (“vertretungsweise mit der Wahrnehmung der Geschäfte beauftragt” [Responsible for the conduct of business on a representative basis]) of Amt I (Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS) in the SS-Führungshauptamt. In this assignment, he was acting for the permanent Amtschef, Hans Jüttner.
28.02.1942 Beurteilung (evaluation) of divisional commander Krüger from the Oberbefehlshaber of 18. Armee:

Reason for submission: Letter [from] SS-Führungshauptamt, Kommandoamt der Waffen SS, Abt. IIa, Az.21h1o/2.42/Fi.Schu. of 13.2.1942.

About the SS-Gruppenführer und Gen.Ltn.d.Waffen-SS K r ü g e r, Walter previously Kdr. of SS-Pol. Division.

Born: 27.2.1890.

Previous assignment: Kdr. of SS-Pol.Division from 11.8.41 - 15.12.41

Short appraisal:
A particularly valuable personality. Very calm and deliberate, but clear and firm, he can assert himself. Personally brave and fit for service. Has a very good understanding of tactical matters and especially training issues. He led his division with honors (Ritterkreuz) in the battles near Luga, Krasnogwardeisk, and Pushkin. An especially caring superior, he enjoys the complete trust and the veneration of his subordinates. A very good comrade.

How is the current position filled? Very good

Signed: Lindemann
General der Kavallerie und Oberbefehlshaber der 18. Armee
(Source: SS-Personalakte of Walter Krüger)


03.04.1943-22.10.1943 Kommandeur of SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Das Reich” (“mit der Führung beauftragt”, m.d.F.b. -charged with leadership- until 25.07.1943, then permanent). Redesignated 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”, 22.10.1943. Succeeded Kurt Brasack, who was temporarily substituting for Herbert Vahl [18.03.1943. Succeeded by Heinz Lammerding. In this command he was highly regarded as a leader and tactician, and generally adored by his officers and men. One noteworthy exception, however, was General der Infanterie Otto Wöhler (Oberbefehlshaber of 8. Armee, 15.08.1943-22.12.1944). In August and September 1943, Wöhler submitted two complaints to the headquarters of Heeresgruppe Süd (Oberbefehlshaber: Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein) regarding the divisional commander’s character and conduct:

20.08.43. 19:30 Heeresgruppe Süd

I hereby report that I consider it necessary that the Kommandeur SS “Reich”, SS-Gruppenführer und Generalltn. der Waffen-SS, and his Ia SS-Ostubaf. Sommer, of the Heer, be given another assignment immediately.
Krüger is far too listless and ponderous for a first-class body of men like the Waffen-SS. He sees problems where there are none and he is, as I have found out for myself, unacceptably sensitive towards the Komm. General [of II. SS-Panzer-Korps, Paul Hausser/MdM]. The highly decorated Komm. General works very well together with the Kommandeure of “Totenkopf” and “Wiking”, but not with Krüger. The blame lies exclusively with the latter.
Sommer is a less than average Divisions Ia and therefore not suitable for such a high-quality division.
I believe that a new appointment is urgently needed in the near future.

Wöhler
Ia Nr.3947/43

----------

29.09.43. 11:30 Heeresgruppe Süd

On the occasion of a conversation with the Ia of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. “Das Reich” [SS-Obersturmbannführer Peter Sommer/MdM] on 27.09 at midday, he mentioned the fact that the Divisionskommandeur, SS Gruppenführer Krüger, had flown to the Führerhauptquartier early on the morning of 27.09 with a Sondermachine [a Fieseler Fi-156 “Storch”/MdM], to receive the Eichenlaub to his Ritterkreuz. The SS-Pz.Gren.Div. was directly subordinated to the Armee.
SS-Gruppenführer Krüger did not give the Armee any notice of his departure nor did he report on the call to the Führerhauptquartier.
Standartenführer Harmel took over the leadership of SS-Pz.Gren.Div. "Das Reich".

Wöhler
Ia Nr.4793/43
(Source: Kriegstagebuch Armeeoberkommando 8. Translations courtesy of Gary Costello)


24.04.1943 In the aftermath of the recapture of Kharkov, Reichsführer-SS Himmler hosted a “Kommandeurbesprechung der SS-Korps” at the local university. In a speech to the assembled officers of the SS-Panzer-Korps (Divisions “Das Reich”, “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler”, and “Totenkopf”), including Walter Krüger and his commanding general Paul Hausser, Himmler declared:

My SS-Führer:
It is perhaps very strange, that we should meet in a university of the Russian State, here at Kharkov- at this Kharkov, which has played so great a part, and really will play a still bigger part in the history of the war. Until last year it was of no very great significance. This year it has become, like Stalingrad, but in the reverse sense, a city of destiny in German war history, in German history. I have asked you, the Commanding Officers of the three SS-Divisions, who took part in this campaign from the Dnieper to Kharkov and carried out this campaign practically alone and forced a decision, to come together here in order, as has been the custom for many many years, as long as there has been an SS, to meet each other again, and in order once more to establish a few facts about the past and the future.
I would like, in a few words, to outline the whole position and situation with regard to the war.
Today, Germany is on the borders of Europe everywhere. These European frontiers stretch up as far as the North Cape, down the Norwegian coast, through Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and France and jump over to Africa, continue to Tunis to form a bridgehead, run across as far as the frontiers formed by the sea, then from Greece and Crete up to the borders of the neutral states of Turkey and Bulgaria, to join hands again here in the East. I would like to give it a name: it is the great fortress of Europe.
It will undoubtedly happen, that the enemy will make the attempt, today, tomorrow or the next day, at some time, to break into this fortress of Europe at one point or another. That will undoubtedly be the case. Possibly he will be able to force an entry for a shorter or longer period at one point or another in places which we do not have in our personal and responsible control, or which we are not defending with our arms [p. 2.] One thing is certain: wherever the enemy lands, if once we can get to grips with him on the Continent, where we are not dependent on supplies from overseas, that ought to be, and will be, all right with us. On the whole, however, it is here in the East that the decision lies. The fortress of Europe with its frontiers must be held and will be held too, as long as is necessary. The decision, therefore, lies here in the East; here must the Russian enemy, this people numbering two hundred million Russians, be destroyed on the battlefield and person by person, and made to bleed to death.
It is my opinion- and here, I believe, I am speaking to men who already understand this- that we must conduct the war and our campaign on these lines- how can we take the most men from the Russians- dead or alive? We shall do it by killing them or taking them prisoner and really putting them to work, by endeavoring to gain as much control as possible over any territory we occupy, and by leaving empty of people any territory we dispose of, any areas we make over to the enemy. Either they must be deported and will be used as labor in Germany for Germany, or they will just die in battle. To hand people back again, giving the enemy workers once more and enabling him to recruit again- that I think, taking the broad view, would be absolutely wrong. That could not be advocated.
We have- I would say, as very consistent National Socialists, taken the question of blood as our starting point. We were the first really to solve the problem of blood by action, and in this connection, by problem of blood, we of course do not mean anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is exactly the same as delousing. Getting rid of lice is not a question of ideology. It is a matter of cleanliness. In just the same way, anti-Semitism, for us, has not been a question of ideology, but a matter of cleanliness, which now will soon have been dealt with. We shall soon be deloused. We have only 20,000 lice left, and then the matter is finished within the whole of Germany. But for us the question of blood was a reminder of our own worth, a reminder of what is actually the basis holding this German people together. Just as is the case in the years between 1938 and 1943, in exactly the same way as now, the same ill-founded reproaches were made then: well, if you bring the Nordic man so much to the fore, you're creating a new split, a new class distinction, it's a new class hatred. We're overcoming the social barriers, so I've been told by important party members, and now you're setting up racial ones. My reply to these people has always been: If you want to look at things in a negative way, there is nothing in the world which you cannot see in a negative way. From the negative angle, of course, you can argue that way. I see it differently, for I see it on this plane: What is the binding factor which holds the man in East Prussia and the man in the Black Forest together, the man in Schleswig-Holstein and in Hamburg and the man in München, in Graz, in Pommern, in Berlin and in the Rheinland? What is then the factor or the element which contains all that is dear and precious and valuable to us? It is in fact what we Germans call inherent Kultur, it is this Germanic, this Nordic component of our blood….
… In addition, one thing is quite obvious. All of us, who are members of the Germanic peoples, can be happy and thankful that once in thousands of years fate has given us, from among the Germanic peoples, such a genius, a leader, our Führer Adolf Hitler, and you should be happy to be allowed to work with us….
We know that these clashes with Asia and Jewry are necessary for evolution. They give the cue for the European Continent to unite. These clashes are the only evolutionary possibility which will enable us one day, now that Fate has given us the Führer Adolf Hitler, to create the Germanic Reich. They are the necessary condition, for our race, and our blood to create for itself and put under cultivation, in the years of peace, (during which we must live and work austerely, frugally and like Spartans), that settlement area in which new blood can breed, as in a botanical garden so to speak. Only by this means can the Continent become a Germanic Continent, capable of daring to embark, in one or two or three or five or ten generations, on the conflict with this Continent of Asia which spews out hordes of humanity. Perhaps we shall also have to hold in check other colored peoples who will soon be in their certain prime, and thus preserve the world, which is the world of our blood, of our children and of our grandchildren. Now it is just this world we like the best, the Germanic world, the world of Nordic life. We know that this conflict with the advancing pressure from Asia, with the 200 million Russians, is necessary.
And we shall win as sure as I am speaking here in the University of Kharkov. We shall have to pass through many a valley, many a narrow defile. Many will grow tired on the way. Of course they will mostly be those who have no reason to do so. To put it vulgarly, many will do something in their trousers. Many people will get shaky at the knees. The only thing that matters is that we stand firm. This is what is important for us as SS-men, for our province of duty and our mission (it is a task additional to those of the whole German Wehrmacht and the whole German people): That is what I would like to impress upon you, this is what I beg you, as Commanding Officers, as Chiefs, and as leaders to teach the young men again and again in their ideological instruction. That is what I demand and exact of you- that you really concern yourselves with the man, the young fellow of 17 to 18 who comes to us, and with many who are in our ranks not as volunteers but as conscripts. I ask you to look after them, and guide them, and not let them go before they are really saturated with, our spirit and are fighting as the old guard fought before us- that is what I request and demand of you.
We have only one task, to stand firm and carry on the racial struggle without mercy. I will now say again something which I have already today said to the men elsewhere: we will never let that excellent weapon, the dread and terrible reputation which preceded us in the battles for Kharkov fade, but will constantly add new meaning to it. They can call us what they like in the world, the main thing is that we are the eternally loyal, obedient, steadfast and unconquerable fighting men of the Germanic people and of the Führer, the SS of the Germanic Reich. (Partial Translation of Document 1919-PS, in Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. IV)


16.10.1943 Appointed as Kommandierender General of IV. SS-Panzer-Korps (with effect from 01.11.1943). Formation of the Generalkommando (Corps HQ) for this formation, at Truppenübungsplatz Poitiers (France) was ordered on 01.07.1943, with Alfred Wünnenberg originally slated to command it. The plan to raise this corps was shelved, the HQ personnel instead assigned to another newly forming Generalkommando- that of VI. SS -Freiwilligen-Korps (under Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch)- and Krüger remained in command of “Das Reich”. IV. SS-Panzer-Korps finally came into existence on 30.06.1944, when VII. SS-Panzer-Korps (under Matthias Kleinheisterkamp) was thus redesignated.
04.02.1944-15.03.1944 In Führerreserve/SS-Führungshauptamt (with effect from 25.01.1944).
15.03.1944-25.07.1944 Befehlshaber der Waffen-SS Ostland und Rußland-Nord (Riga). Succeeded by Dr. Gustav Krukenberg.
25.07.1944-08.05.1945 Kommandierender General of VI. Waffen-Armee-Korps der SS (lett.). Succeeded Karl von Treuenfeld. Over the course of his command, the Korps comprised the following divisions:

14.06.1944: 93. Infanterie-Division; 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lett. Nr. 2); 15. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lett. Nr. 1)
31.12.1944: 93. Infanterie-Division; 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lett. Nr. 2); 227. Infanterie-Division; 12. Panzer-Division; 4. Panzer-Division; 21. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division.
12.04.1945: 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lett. Nr. 2); 24. Infanterie-Division; 12. Panzer-Division.

In a letter to the British historian Phil Nix, written during the 1970’s, former Waffen-Oberführer der SS Artūrs Silgailis (Chief of Staff of the Latvian Legion of the Waffen-SS) gave the following impressions of Krüger as a leader:

… Krüger… was an excellent soldier and capable commander… By nature calm, with a realistic approach to the political and military events of that time [and] had an understanding for the Latvian national aspirations. (Phil Nix archives)

The Fate of Walter Krüger
In the following letter, written 15.05.1956 by former SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Rehmann (in Voerde/Niederrhein), Walter Krüger’s final days are described to former SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS Paul Hausser. As a long-time subordinate of the General, who served as Korps-Adjutant (IIa) of VI. SS-Freiwilligen-Armee-Korps (Lettische) and was by his side until the end, Rehmann had unique insight into Krüger’s leadership and personality.

Highly honored Oberstgruppenführer!

This year in the middle of January I returned from Soviet captivity and I only just received your address.
Just after the end of the war, on the 20th of May 1945, I was given an assignment to carry out in the event that it was possible for me to return home, to fulfill this assignment is the purpose of my letter.
It is to you, dear Oberstgruppenführer, that I convey the last regards from the SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen SS Walter K r ü g e r, Kommandierender General VI. SS-Freiw. Armee Korps (lett. Nr. 1). I remember clearly the words that he said to me, two days before his death:

“If you should return home, I ask that you greet my wife and my children.
Should the good father Haus[s]er have survived the end, which I dearly wish, then do not forget to greet him from me as well. We all have a lot to thank him for. I admired him so much. Don't forget Steiner and all the old comrades, with whom I have always had a strong connection, more than just the experience of war.
Greetings to our German homeland, then there is little chance that I will see it again.”

Perhaps I could tell you about the last weeks:
Subordinated to the Gen.Kdo.VI.SS-Freiw.A.K. were, besides two Army divisions, the 19. Waffen Grenadier Division der SS (lett. Nr. 2) under command of Gruf. Bruno Streckenbach and as Ia, Stubf. Hans Koop. They were the life and soul of the Division. They enjoyed the absolute trust of their own Division and the Gen.Kdos. as well as all the Heeresdienstellen of our Heeresgruppe. The last head of the Gen.Stb. of the Korps, who was sent to us from the Wehrmachtsführungsstab at the beginning of ‘45 as a hardworking GenStb-Offz., and with whom I spent long years of captivity, always said that the two of them were highly valued as a great team by the Armee and the H.Gr. The 19. Division fought exemplarily until the last hour. It was considered to be absolutely reliable. When the capitulation was announced on the 8th of May 1945, all the commanders of the Division refused to raise white flags. The Latvians went into the woods with their weapons and equipment, to continue to fight as partisans. Over the years nearly all of them, if they were not killed in action, eventually ended up in Soviet captivity. We met many of them there. They stood by us Germans with touching devotion and loyalty. Due to the fact that, in the capitulation order of the O.B. of the H.G. Kurland General Hilpert, the road to captivity was not only ordered but also recommended. Obergruf. Krüger took his leave from the O.B. H.G. and resigned his leadership of the Korps at the beginning of the capitulation on the 8th of May 1945. To enter Soviet captivity voluntarily was something that he, as a German general, could not reconcile with his inner attitude.
The good relationship to the H.G., which rested upon complete openness in all matters, was unfortunately tarnished in the last hours. Now they distanced themselves from us and showed unfounded mistrust towards us. This was something that Ogruf. Krüger particularly regretted.
The good, hearty relationship with the last O.B. AOK 16., General der Gebirgstruppe von Volkhammer, remained unencumbered until the end.
All of Kopp's (19.Div. and Gen.Kdo.) German men who, after the capitulation, wished to attempt to reach the homeland on their own were not prevented from doing so. As far as possible, they were divided up into small groups of no more than 10 men and supplied with all they might need. Those that did not wish to follow this path entered captivity in large and small groups, some disguised as army units.
Obergruppenführer Krüger and a small group of 10 men, to which I belonged, tried to muddle through to Ostpreussen on foot and to reach the homeland from there. In night marches cross-country we crossed the HKL [Hauptkampflinie, Main Combat Line/MdM] and the Latvian/Lithuanian border. After 14 days, on the 22nd of May 1945 during the day, we were caught off guard by Soviet soldiers while we slept. Ogruf. Krüger found the opportunity to take his life with his pistol.
I do not think that he would have come through the captivity alive. He certainly would have had it more difficult than most. How much was he spared.
Frau Krüger, who in 1946 I managed to inform of the death of her husband by using an encrypted message, visited me a few weeks ago. At the moment she lives on a small farm in Griffen near Klagenfurt in Kärnten (Krügerhof). The balance and calm with which this brave woman has gotten over the death of her husband, has deeply impressed me.
Please allow me, Herr Oberstgruppenführer, to briefly touch upon my personal relationship with him:
On my admission to the SS-VT in Arolsen in 1936 the, at that time Oberstubaf. Krüger was my Btl.-Kdr. In 1939 I had experience with him during the formation of the Pol.Div., of which he was the Ia until after the campaign in France. When in 1941 General Mülverstedt was killed in action near Luga, Brigadeführer Krüger took over our Division, which he led to Leningrad until December 1941. A significant part of the respect and good name for which this Division fought so hard, as well as its performance and successes, were due in significant part to his merit. The merit of the later commanders of this Division should and cannot be diminished by this in any way. In March 1944 Gruf. Krüger was made Befehlshaber der Waffen SS Ostland in Riga. I was ordered to join him as Ia by the VI. Korps and experienced him there too.
On appeal and request of the former OB of the H.Gr. Nord, Generaloberst Model and shortly thereafter Generaloberst Lindemann, Ogruf. Krüger replaced Gruf. v. Treuenfeld as commander of the VI. Korps in August 1944 on the order of the Reichsführer. He commanded the Korps in the difficult weeks of the tactical retreat all the way to Kurland. For the good leadership of his Korps, especially during the 3rd battle of Kurland, he received the Swords to his Oakleaves of the Iron Cross.
As IIa of the Korps I was his Adjutant until the last. I accompanied him in the weeks after the end of the war and was with him until the last moment. The day of his death was the 22nd of May 1945. With this my time in captivity began, out of which I was allowed to return home on the 16.1.1956.
What Obergruppenführer Krüger was to we young former SS leaders in peace and in war and what he will remain to us even after his death, you will understand, Oberstgruppenführer, even without the use of many words. He was one of our old Kommandeure. As a person and a soldier, he was a role model.
If I may say a few words about the captivity, then I do it in the belief that it might perhaps be of interest to you, Oberstgruppenführer:
In the last years I was often together with old comrades, comrades of all ranks. We had as cordial a relationship with each other as we had with our comrades from the other parts of the Wehrmacht. No one has been spared disappointments. They will have been equally numerous in the homeland. I believe that I can say without arrogance that the members of the former Waffen-SS entered captivity just as upstanding as many other comrades of the Heer did. We often thought about the close circle of comrades with which we shared happy but also earnest hours. Believe me when I say that you, Oberstgruppenführer, were often at the center of these conversations.
Originally I wanted to visit you in person. But since my journey won't lead me south anytime soon, I have chosen this way to communicate to you the last wishes of my old Kommandierenden General. I find writing difficult due to an arm injury. For this reason I have had to use a typewriter. I beg your pardon for this.

With my greetings to you, Oberstgruppenführer, I combine all wishes for your personal well-being.
In sincere reverence and gratitude.
Your very loyal
[signed] Ernst Rehmann
(Original letter in possession of the Bundesarchiv, BA-MA N756 / 88a; Copy shared with this author by Petter Kjellander; Translation by Gary Costello)


Decorations & Awards:
11.01.1945 Schwertern zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS and Kommandierender-General VI. SS-Freiwilligen-Armee-Korps/16. Armee/Heeresgruppe Nord, Eastern Front.
Personally presented by Adolf Hitler at Führer HQ.
The award proposal, dated 02.01.1945 and submitted via telegram to the Oberkommando Heeresgruppe Nord by General der Infanterie Carl Hilpert (mit der Führung beauftragt 16. Armee), read as follows:

Subject: Further acts of leadership of the Eichenlaubträger SS-Obergruppen- und Gen. d. Waff. SS Krüger Komm. Gen. 6. SS-Korps
On the 3rd day of the 3rd Kurland Battle after an overwhelming artillery barrage, Russian forces suddenly attacked the front of Gruppe Henze, in which Sicherungsverbände and lett. Truppen were securing the HKL. In the midday hours the Russian 19. Pz. Korps had managed to break through the main battlefield and to penetrate all the way to the artillery positions. Obergruppenführer Krüger sent the few available corps reserves to help the men there who were engaged in hand to hand combat. On the evening of 23.12 the Russians nevertheless succeeded in tearing open the seam between Gruppe Henze and the 19. lett. SS Div. with the intention of extending the breach in a northwesterly direction and hereby causing the north flank of the 16. Armee to collapse. In this great danger Gen. Krüger ruthlessly exposed his right flank and threw the elements of the 91.I.D. (G.R.174) obtained in this move, against the enemy. It was still not possible to close the breach. Without regard to the approaching danger on the left flank of the Korps, Gen. Krüger decided to set the reserves from the area of the 19. lett. SS. Div., which had been sent by the Armee, against the deep right flank of the Russian spearhead in a counterattack.
Success: Our own forces which were fighting and surrounded in the Trenci area were relieved and during the night the enemy ceased his action against the left flank. In exchange, during the following days the enemy launched a major attack against the whole of the middle sector of the Korps using a strong armored force, elements of a further tank corps, which broke through the left flank of the 19.lett.Div through woods and marsh land on the way to Lestene. Only small, badly mauled elements of the 227.Div. remained as an island of resistance in the area of the breakthrough. The danger of a breakthrough of operational dimensions was still a threat, due to the fact that troops, tired from taking part in heavy fighting for days on end, showed visibly decreasing resistance. The leadership had to maintain iron calm in this situation. Gen. Krüger stuck unflinchingly to his decision, regardless of the crisis encountered in this difficult battle, to conclude the defensive battle using his last available reserve, the 4.Pz.Div Kampfgruppe, to attack. The decision, carried out with great rigor, brought about the turning point in the battle. Hit hard at the center of his attack, thrown back and suffering huge losses (more than 100 tanks destroyed), the enemy was forced to cease his attack. During the night of the 27th to the 28.12, it was possible to reconstruct a tightly knit, well-organized defensive front, which defied the last attacks of the 11-day 3rd Battle of Kurland. After severe crises, the defensive battle had finally led to a great success. Gen. d. Waff. SS Krüger deserves the greatest merit, through his firm guidance and his unswerving hardness to have achieved this success.
I ask you to pay tribute to this outstanding leadership.
H i l p e r t
General der Infanterie
Charged with the Leadership of the 16. Armee
Signed Frhr. von Hallberg. [Oberstleutnant i. G. Franz Freiherr von Hallberg zu Broich, who received the Deutsches Kreuz in Silber on 26.12.1944 for service as Adjutant of Armeeoberkommando 16./MdM]
(Source: SS-Personalakte of Walter Krüger. Translation by Gary Costello)


In his Armee-Tagesbefehl of 11.01.1945, Hilpert wrote in praise of Krüger and the other troops engaged in the fighting in Kurland:

I congratulate the Commanding General of the VI. SS-Freiwilligen-Armee-Korps, and with him all the soldiers who, under his leadership, demonstrated the highest military virtues in the 3rd Battle of Kurland [3. Kurlandschlacht].
With this high award, not only the high leadership performance and great operational readiness of the Kommandierender General find the deserved acknowledgment, but also the bravery and exemplary steadfastness of the troops fighting in the units of VI. SS-Freiw. Armeekorps, of Generalmajor Henze, of Generalmajor Wengler, of Generalleutnant Weber, of SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Streckenbach, of Generalmajor Domanski, the Panzer troops of Generalleutnant Frhr. von Bodenhausen and of Generalleutnant Betzel. The same recognition goes to all the units of Heeresartillerie, of Heerespioniere, the Sturmgeschütze, the Panzerjäger, the Nachrichten- and Versorgungstruppen fighting within the framework of the VI. SS-Freiw. Armeekorps. I would like to express my thanks and full appreciation to all of them for their exemplary readiness for action, which made the 3rd Battle of Kurland a great defensive success. Under the leadership of your Commanding General, I wish the VI. SS-Freiw. Armeekorps good luck and success in the future until the final victory.
Long live the Führer!
Hilpert
General der Infanterie
(Hans Stöber, Die lettischen Divisionen im VI. SS-Armeekorps, pp. 246-247. Translation by the author)


31.08.1943 Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur of SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Das Reich”/II. SS-Panzer-Korps, Eastern Front.
Award personally presented by Adolf Hitler at Führer HQ “Wolfsschanze”, 27.09.1943.
Immediate award justified several days later in the following statement by Paul Hausser (Kom. Gen. II. SS-Panzer-Korps):

Generalkommando II. SS Panzerkorps F.H.Q. 4.9.43

Explanatory statement for the awarding of the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz of SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen SS Walter K r ü g e r.

SS-Gruppenführer Krüger has been in charge of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div “Das Reich” since 12 April 1943. In December 1941, as Kommandeur of the SS-Pol.Div. outside of Leningrad, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz. During the German offensive attack “Zitadelle” in the period from the 5th to the 16th of July 1943 in the Bjelgorod area, the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. “Das Reich”, as a part of the formation II. SS-Panzer-Korps on the right of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. “LSSAH”, had been ordered to break through the heavily fortified 1st and 2nd Soviet positions between Bjelgorod and Tomorowka and to push on through towards Prochorowka. Especially bad weather conditions in the days before the attack, muddy and impassable tracks and the strongest of Soviet forest fortifications impeded the execution of the order. Through conscientious preparations in the map exercise led by Gruppenführer Krüger and due to the energetic leadership after the start of the attack, it was possible to break through the first position on day one and to seize the 2nd position in the following days, which made it possible for the Division to advance rapidly to the north. Due to the particular calm and determination of the divisional Kommandeur it was possible, after the division had advanced far to the north capturing the villages of Lutschk and Kalinin, to quickly overcome a sudden crisis in the deep open right flank. There, the continuously attacking Russian armor masses were destroyed and using the last reserves it was possible to establish an effective defence. The success of the day was the destruction of 212 tanks. By changing the direction of the Panzerregiment in this critical hour the division managed to thrust into the flank and the back of the enemy and in this way Gruppenführer Krüger transformed a crisis into a triumph which the commander-in-chief of the 4. Panzerarmee recognized in a special daily order.
In the further battles on 14 and 15 July 1943, after a further successful defense to the north, the Division succeeded in launching a surprise attack to the east towards Praworot and, despite poor road conditions, establishing contact with the further right neighbor (7. Pz.Div.) advancing eastwards from the south. With this the successful containment of the enemy in the corps right flank. By exerting his personal influence on the management of the battle, SS-Gruppenführer Krüger played a special role in the success of this attack.
After the detachment of the Division and the relocation to the Mius front, SS-Gruppenführer Krüger was given the assignment to clean out the breakthrough at the Mius on the right flank of the Korps and to reach the Mius with his Division. Despite bad weather and road conditions, strongly fortified elevated positions and strong defenses it was possible for SS-Gruppenführer Krüger to break through the positions with his Division again.
Through the removal of the strongly defended key position Stepanowka and the pursuit of the yielding enemy by the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. “Das Reich” on the 02.08.43, it was possible for the corps to push the Soviets back across the Mius and to reach the old positions.
SS-Gruppenführer Krüger, again through personal commitment and influence, had a decisive part in these achievements, which led to the destruction of 26 tanks and the capture of 1400 prisoners.

Signed: H a u s s e r


13.09.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuz as SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur SS-Polizei-Division/L. Armee-Korps/18. Armee/Heeresgruppe Nord, Eastern Front.
Presented by General der Kavallerie Georg Lindemann, commanding L. Armee-Korps.
The original award proposal does not appear in his SS file, but there is the following report, dated 27.11.1941, by SS-Kriegsberichter and Untersturmführer Dr. Walter Best which details the actions for which it was rendered:

Brigadeführer Krüger took over this Division during the battle for Luga and led it all the way to Leningrad. Only the soldier at the northeastern front can truly understand the full meaning of these simple words. During the battles of July, the Bolsheviks had been thrown out of the bunkers and fortifications of their Stalin Line. Russian Generals Timoshenko and Woroshilov’s hopes of stopping and defeating the German advance through counterattacks had been destroyed by the toughness of the employed divisions. The offensive war against Germany was irreversibly at an end. By employing the strongest forces, one final blocking line was to be created ahead of Leningrad, a rampart that created the hope for a Bolshevist Verdun in the minds of the Soviet high commanders. This Verdun was called Luga. Had it been possible to assemble defensive weapons from blades of grass, it would have happened at Luga.
By the tactically correct deployment of his Division, Krüger managed to break through this line of fortifications and take a domineering isthmus between two lakes. He accomplished this on his own decision and with great personal bravery. The General personally established contact between his own units in a daring drive across enemy territory and thus opened up the way to take Luga for his Division. Enormous casualties in terms of men and materiel were inflicted on the Bolsheviks. Thus, the outer lines of defense of the capital of the Bolshevist Revolution were broken and occupied. (Translation in Mark C. Yerger, German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police, Volume 5: Polizei Division and Police Units, pp, 55-56)


24.06.1918 Ritterkreuz des Kgl. Hausorden von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
22.06.1940 1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernen Kreuz I. Klasse
13.06.1940 1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
23.12.1916 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
28.09.1914 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
12.03.1915 Ritterkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern des Ordens vom Zähringer Löwen (Baden)
00.00.191_ Groβherzoglich Mecklenburgisches Verdienstkreuz
00.00.191_ Groβherzoglich Sachsen-Meiningensches Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse
ca. 1919 Baltenkreuz I. Klasse
ca. 1918 Verwundetenabzeichen, 1918 in Schwarz
00.00.1945 Ärmelband “Kurland”
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42”
ca. 1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
ca. 1938 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
ca. 1934 Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges 1914-1918 mit Schwertern
00.00.194_ SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3. Stufe
00.00.193_ Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
00.00.193_ Totenkopfring der SS
16.12.1935 Julleuchter der SS
00.00.193_ Ehrenwinkel für alte Kämpfer

Notes:
* One of three sons of the later Oberst Alfred Gustav Krüger, killed in action near Liège (Ger.: Lüttich) on 06.08.1914 while commanding the Halberstadt-based Infanterie-Regiment “Prinz Louis Ferdinand von Preußen” Nr. 27 (subordinated to Generalmajor Friedrich von Wussow’s 14. Infanterie-Brigade) and his wife Helene, née Glünder (died 00.00.1930). Older brother of SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger. This author has thus far been unable to locate any specific data regarding the third Krüger brother, however it is known from photographic evidence that he was also an army officer and recipient of the Iron Cross First Class.
* Religion: Protestant.
* Married on 18.05.1923 to Elenore (“Elli”) Gerhardt (born 12.04.1897 in Posen; daughter of the then Oberbürgermeister of Halberstadt/ Mecklenburg); member of the NS-Frauenschaft and NS-Volkswohlfahrt. One son (Gerhard, born 07.07.1927; member of Hitler-Jugend; possible service with 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler” [per Heinz Höhne]) and two daughters (Elisabeth, born 25.05.1924 and _____, born 06.07.1925; both served in the BDM). After learning that one of Krüger's daughters had become engaged to the renowned and highly decorated SS-Sturmbannführer [Fritz] Klingenberg, Reichsführer-SS Himmler discovered that there was, in the ancestry of Walter Krüger’s wife, a “full-Jewish” (volljüdischen) ancestor. In a letter to Krüger (then commanding “Das Reich” on the Eastern Front) of 22.08.1943, Himmler therefore wrote:

Dear Krüger,
SS-Obergruppenführer Berger has sent me the attached document, which I am sending on to you. In all good conscience, however, I have been unable to take a position different from that in the attached document.
I advise you, my dear Krüger, to refuse to give your consent to the marriage of SS-Sturmbannführer [Fritz] Klingenberg with your daughter, and that you justify it on the grounds that “because of her youth you did not want your daughter to be married yet, and therefore, as far as you are concerned, you did not give your paternal consent.” This way the refusal would come from you and your family, and not in any way from the SS.
You know- and as Reichsführer-SS I assure you of this once more with these lines- that your position in the SS is not jeopardized in any way by my attitude or by the whole unfortunate business, the origin of which lies in the family tree of your wife. In all earnestness I refer you once more to the Gruppenführer oath, which I introduced in the year 1937 with the thought that such difficult cases would occur to an individual as well as to the entire order [the SS]…

Enclosure: 22 August 1943; position of Reichsführer. My position on the petition of SS-Sturmbannführer Klingenberg for marriage to Fräulein Elisabeth Krüger, daughter of SS-Gruppenführer Krüger and his wife Elli, née Gerhardt.
1.) The family tree of Fräulein Elisabeth Krüger which has been submitted shows a maternal ancestor of full Jewish blood, in the year 1711.
2.) Therefore, in accordance with the laws of the SS, a marriage between SS-Sturmbannführer Klingenberg and Fräulein Elisabeth Krüger is impossible.
3.) Individual indications make it impossible to exclude the chance that the maternal line of descent does not correspond to that indicated by the documents, due to the birth of a child outside the marriage that took place and are proven by the documentation; the deaths of all concerned, however, make it impossible to prove this chance. (John M. Steiner, Power Politics and Social Change in National Socialist Germany, pp. 262-263)


Sources:
Krätschmer, Ernst Günther: Die Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS. Nation Europa Verlag, 4th Edition, 1999.
Mehner, Kurt (ed): Die Waffen-SS und Polizei 1939-1945: Führung und Truppe. Militair-Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, 1995.
Miller, Michael D. and Schulz, Andreas: Leaders of the SS & German Police, Volume 2 (Reichsführer-SS – SS-Gruppenführer; Hans Haltermann to Walter Krüger). R. James Bender Publishing, 2015.
National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland: SS-Personalakte of Walter Krüger. Microfilm document collection A3343SS.
Schneider, Jost W.: Verleihung Genehmigt!/Their Honor Was Loyalty! An Illustrated and Documentary History of the Knight's Cross Holders of the Waffen-SS and Police (2nd ed.). R. J. Bender Publishing, 1993.
Schulz, Andreas & Zinke, Dr. Dieter: Die Generale der Waffen-SS und der Polizei 1933-1945, Band 2 (Hachtel-Kutschera). Biblio-Verlag, 2005.
SS-Personalkanzlei and SS-Personalhauptamt: Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 1. Oktober 1934.
- Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 1. Juli 1935.
- Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 1. Dezember 1936.
- Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 1. Dezember 1937.
- Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 1. Dezember 1938.
- Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 30. Januar 1942.
- Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 20. April 1942.
- Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 9. November 1944.
Steiner, John M.: Power Politics and Social Change in National Socialist Germany. Mouton & Co., 1976.
Stöber, Hans: Die lettischen Divisionen im VI. SS-Armeekorps. Munin-Verlag GmbH, 1981.
Thomas, Franz: Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945. Band 1: A-K. Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
Williams, Max: SS Elite, Volume 2 (K-Q). Fonthill, 2017.
Yerger, Mark C.: Waffen-SS Commanders – Krüger to Zimmermann. Schiffer Military History, 1999.
- German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police. Multiple volumes; R. James Bender Publishing, 2003-2015.
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Georges JEROME
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SS-Obergruppenführer Walter "Ohm" Krüger

#23

Post by Georges JEROME » 10 Jan 2024, 20:49

Hello,

Anyone know why Walter Krüger held nickname "Ohm" (uncle) and since when:

- relationship with famous film of propaganda "Ohm" Krüger (life of the South African politician Paul Kruger and his eventual defeat by the British during the Boer War),
- his character (Demelhuber reproach him in a Beurteilung in 1937 to be too familiar of his officer corps),
or
- a mix.

thanks for help
Best regards

Georges

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Harro
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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter "Ohm" Krüger

#24

Post by Harro » 11 Jan 2024, 19:05

A lot of men called Krüger had that nickname because the SS sympathized with the Boer cause. In his book "Grenadiere", Kurt Meyer also mentioned an Unterscharführer Ohm Krüger. His real name was Rudolf Krüger.

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Georges JEROME
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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter "Ohm" Krüger

#25

Post by Georges JEROME » 11 Jan 2024, 19:21

Thanks for clarification Harro
Best regards

Georges

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Georges JEROME
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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter "Ohm" Krüger

#26

Post by Georges JEROME » 12 Jan 2024, 15:23

Hello,

do you confirm ID of Krüger (right) with Daluege and von Bomhard at TUP Platz Wandern on 1939 .

Thanks !
TUP Wandern Pol Div 3 .jpeg
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Georges

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Re: SS-Obergruppenführer Walter "Ohm" Krüger

#27

Post by Andrey » 12 Jan 2024, 15:37

Georges, yes, it`s Walter Krüger.
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Andrey.

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