Tapping Hitler's Generals

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Very intelligent and exeedingly well read. He has a striking personality and is violently anti-Nazi. Plays neither cards nor chess, but prefers to study art, history and politics. His reminiscences are as interesting as his political views and he has had many and varied contacts with all sorts of eminent people from New York actresses to Balkan monarchs. Entirely devoid of “side” and will not suffer fools gladly. He could be a great leader if only he possessed the ability to coordinate his ideas and the courage to support them by action.’

KONTERADMIRAL HANS UDO VON TRESCKOW

Born Wohlau, Silesia 25.6.1893. Entered Imperial Navy 1.4.1912. WWI: Served aboard battleship Deutschland, then as watchkeeping officer, UB-48, finally Oberleutnant zur See. Reichswehr: Various appointments, ship and shore; 1.10.1937 Kapitän zur See; 12.11.1938 CO, Gunnery Section, Kriegsmarine Yard, Wilhelmshaven. WWII: 13.8.1942 Naval Commandant, Seine-Somme; 13.9.1944 PoW Le Havre (British); 22.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 13.1.1947. Died Bückeburg, 5.1.1955.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He was clearly not in agreement with Nazi doctrines, but felt he must still hope for a German victory even if this could only be achieved by a miracle. He belittled the extent of atrocities with which Germans are charged, and the number of people alleged to have carried them out. He does not agree with the scorched-earth policy ordered by the Nazis, but felt helpless in face of it.’

GENERALMAJOR WILHELM ULLERSPERGER

Born Regensburg, 6.8.1894. RC. WWI: 2.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant Bavarian Pionierbataillon.1, fought in France, Serbia and Rumania. Reichswehr: Pioneer units; 1931 CO, fortification pioneers, Küstrin, Aschaffenburg and Weisen; 10.10.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.9.1939–17.4.1940 CO, Pionier-Reg.7; 1.10.1940 Oberst; 18.4.1940–31.5.1942 CO, Pionier-Reg.667; 17.11.1941 awarded German Cross in Gold; 1.6.1942–21.3.1943 Senior Pionier-Offizier 3; 22.3.1943–25.5.1943 Pionierführer, 4.Armee; 16.6.1943–25.10.1943 Pionierführer, 1.Pz.Armee; 14.12.1943 Fortifications Pionierkommandeur 1; 1.8.1944 Generalmajor; 23.11.1944 PoW Strasbourg; 19.12.1944–10.4.1945 Trent Park, then USA. Died Bad Reichenhall, 16.5.1978.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A Nazi-type, but well behaved and polite. He is unpopular with his fellow PW.’

GENERALMAJOR FRANZ VATERRODT

Born Diedenhofen, 24.9.1890. Entered Army 29.11.1909. WWI: Leutnant, Inf.Reg.137, finally Hauptmann and comp. cdr. Reichswehr: 1.10.1920 transferred to Baden Police; 1.10.1933 Oberst and CO, Baden Police; 1.8.1935 transferred into Army as Oberstleutnant and CO I./Inf.Reg.55. WWII: 26.8.1939–31.8.1940 CO, Inf.Reg.14 and 623; 20.8.1940–16.3.1941 CO, Landesschützen-Reg. Stab zbV 56 (Staff); 1.3.1941 Generalmajor; from 17.3.1941 Wehrmacht Commandant, Strasbourg; 25.11.1944 PoW Strasbourg; 30.12.1944 Trent Park; May 1945 transferred to USA.

Six months before he was taken prisoner his assessment reported: ‘Practical, very self-possessed personality. Convinced National Socialist. Proved himself as regimental commander in the crossing of the Upper Rhine. Advances the interests of the Wehrmacht with energy and flair… maintains good discipline in the field… occasionally by harsh punishment.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Vaterrodt is anti-Nazi, extremly defeatist, and hopes that the war will be over very soon. He suffers from heart trouble and is a rather nervous though pleasant type.’

MAJOR HASSO VIEBIG

Born Neubrandenburg, 21.5.1914, brother of Wilhelm Viebig (below). Entered Army 21.5.1934; 1.4.1936 Leutnant. WWII: Hauptmann, served in Poland, France and Russia as regimental adjutant, battery cdr; from 1.9.42 General Staff training; 1.8.1943 Major, 2. Staff Officer, 24.Inf.Div.; 1.2.1944 1. Staff Officer, LXXXIV.Korps; 21.8.1944 PoW Falaise. Repatriated October 1946. 1947 Gehlen military intelligence; 1958 entered Bundeswehr; 30.9.1970 Brigade-General, retired as Deputy CO, 10.Pz.Div. Died Owingen, 16.9.1993.

Asessed on 1.3.1943 as ‘Well-integrated personality with serious outlook on life and great awareness of duty. Convinced National Socialist who knows how to disseminate his belief. Very well proven at the front… can think for himself, and puts over his ideas in a clear and adroit manner. A hard worker with strongly developed initiative and resolve. Rigorous military approach.’

GENERALMAJOR WILHELM VIEBIG