Tapping Hitler's Generals

Born Horst, near Blumental/Ostpriegnitz, 3.6.1899 (brother of Hasso Viebig). Prot. WWI: 3.9.1916 entered Army, Feldart.Reg.3, Western Front, finally Leutnant. Reichswehr: Artillery units; 1.1.1937 Major. WWII: 1.9.1939–1.12.1941 CO, Art.Reg.257; 1.4.1940 Oberstleutnant; 25.1.1942 awarded German Cross in Gold; 1.3.1942 Oberst; 11.5.1942–18.10.1942 CO, Art.Reg.23; 19.10.1942–15.5.1944 CO, Pz.Art.Reg.93; from 10.8.1944 CO, 277.Volksgrenadier-Div.; 1.1.1945 Generalmajor; 9.3.1945 PoW Nieder Lützingen. Lacking orders on the eastern bank of the Rhine, Viebig, armed only with a single machine gun, with a few infantrymen defended the town until Allied tanks pulled up outside the house he was using as his HQ. 24.4.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 17.5.1948; from 1952 Warendorf, German Olympic Committee, military equestrian section. Died 16.1.1982.

In his last assessment before capture he was described as being of ‘distinguished, blameless character, firm clear personality, a little temperamental, likeable, comradely and sociable. A good National Socialist. His regiment, well trained by him in the West, proved itself unreservedly well in the Italian campaign… very caring, protective commander who has successfully trained and deployed his officers on the right lines.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Like his brother, he was at first arrogant but then became very charming and talked freely. He stated that he is not a Nazi and, as a regular officer, was not a Party member, though, again as a regular officer, he “thought National Socialism”. A number of his friends were connected with the 20 July “Putsch”, amongst them Hoepner, Lindemann, v. Witzleben and Stieff.’

GENERALMAJOR CARL WAHLE

Born Dresden, 7.2.1892. Prot. Entered Army 25.3.1912. WWI: Western Front, Staff and field, mainly in the Saxon Füsilier-Reg.108, finally Oberleutnant. Reichswehr: Various positions, including. 10.Inf.Reg.; 1.4.1936 Oberstleutnant,; 1.10.1938 Oberst. WWII: 1.8.1938–14.10.1940 Military Attaché, Bucharest (SRGG 1082, 25.12.1944 TNA 4169); 15.10.1940–1.1.1942 CO, Inf.Reg.267; 1.7.1942 Generalmajor; from 1.7.1942 City Commandant, Hamburg (for his report on bombing of the city July/August 1943 see SRGG 1066, 22.8.1944 TNA 4169); 4.8.1943 awarded Knight’s Cross of War Service Cross with Swords; 1.1.1944–14.2.1944 CO, 214.Inf.Div.; 15.2.1944–31.7.1944 CO, 719.Inf.Div.; from 1.8.1944 CO, 47.Inf.Div.; 4.9.1944 PoW near Mons (US); 12.9.1944–9.8.1945 Trent Park. Repatriated 30.9.1947. Died Prien/Chiemsee, 23.2.1975.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘PoW has been abroad a good deal and has surprisingly sane views on the general political set-up, which includes his attitude towards Russia. Although very anti-Nazi, PoW still feels a queer sense of loyalty towards his government, which, however, appears to be more of a pose, as he is afraid of possible consequences for his family if he admits his real views. An unusual trait in a German general, PoW tried to stress his great stupidity, when, in reality, he gives the impression of a rather shrewd man of the world.’

OBERST GERHARD WILCK

Born 17.6.1898. WWI: 20.11.1916 entered Army, Western Front, Inf.Reg.21, finally Leutnant. WWII: 27.8.1939 CO, Inf.Feldersatz-bataillon. 16; 1.3.1940–10.8.1941 CO, II./Inf.Reg.362; 1.7.1940 Oberstleutnant, 9.10.1941–30.9.1943 CO, Grenadier-Reg. 362; 1.4.1942 Oberst; 25.11.1943–25.7.1944 CO, Grenadier-Reg.913; from 1.9.1944 acting CO, 246.Volksgrenadier-Div. defending Aachen; 10.10.1944 PoW Aachen; 26.10.1944–31.3.1945 Trent Park.

Last assessment on 24.8.1944 stated: ‘Straightforward character, especially reliable, prudent and determined, pronounced leader-personality. Led his regiment in difficult attacks and trench warfare with outstanding success. Correct National Socialist. Of good mental and physical disposition. Above average.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: An ambiguous personality. He stated that in his opinion the defence of Aachen made no sense from a military standpoint, but his orders did not allow him to capitulate and in any case he feared retaliation against his family. Therefore he thought he had made the best of the situation and was relieved when the Allies occupied the area south of Cologne where his family lived.

OBERST EBERHARD WILDERMUTH