Tapping Hitler's Generals

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.’

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.

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.’

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.

MAJOR WALTER BURCKHARDT