Tapping Hitler's Generals

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.

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’.

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.’

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.

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.