Tapping Hitler's Generals

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.

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.

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.’

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.

GENERALLEUTNANT OTTO ELFELDT