Tapping Hitler's Generals

Assessed as ‘an upstanding, reserved personality, straightforward character, is not striking but more than he seems. Rooted in National Socialism upon which his soldierly career is based. Very well proven at the front, crisis-proof, calm, strong nerve. Has proved that he can handle the most difficult situations. As regimental commander is proven as a leader of men, has mastered troop organisation, education and training in outstanding manner. Very approachable and knowledgeable. Average mentally, clear sober judgement, physically fit, tough and has endurance.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He is very intelligent and has spoken freely to Allied officers in contact with him before his arrival at No. II Camp. He has been reported by the officers at No. II Camp as an ardent Nazi, which he doubtless was and still is; nevertheless, he justifies his willingness to work with the Allies by the hope it offers of speeding up the termination of the war and rescuing what is left of his home country’.

GENERALLEUTNANT FERDINAND HEIM

Born Reutlingen, 27.2.1895. Prot. Entered Army 24.6.1914. WWI: Feldartillerie-Reg.13 and 27; finally Oberleutnant and Regimental Adjutant. Reichswehr: Artillery units; 1.5.1935–9.3.1937 tutor at War Academy. WWII: 1.8.1939 as Oberst, Chief of General Staff, XVI.Armeekorps; 3.9.1940–14.5.1942 Chief of General Staff, 6.Armee; 1.2.1942 Generalmajor; 1.7.1942–1.11.1942 CO, 14.Pz.Div., involved in push on Stalingrad; 30.8.1942 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.11.1942 Generalleutnant; 1.11.1942–26.11.1942 given charge of XXXXVIII.Pz.Korps with orders to protect 3rd Rumanian Army front north-west of Stalingrad, the Red Army overpowered his weak corps and encircled

6.Armee; Recalled, arrested and imprisoned at Berlin-Moabit; April 1943 hospitalised; July 1943 discharged Wehrmacht (for a detailed description of the foregoing in a conversation with Ramcke see SRGG 1063(c), 25.9.1944, TNA WO208/4169, also Heim, Seine Kalkulation, pp. 49–61 and Kehrig, Stalingrad, pp. 139–42, 157f, 189f, 263 and 460). Following assassination attempt, on 21.7.1944 Heim petitioned General Schmundt, Hitler’s Wehrmacht ADC, for a position ‘as an old follower of the Führer’ in a situation where ‘National Socialist officers are needed’. 1.8.1944 on recommendation of Schmundt’s successor, General Burgdorf, Heim was ‘reinstated at the disposal of the Army’ in rank of Generalleutnant and given charge of the fortress of Boulogne; 23.9.44 PoW of Boulogne; 28.9.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 16.1.1948. Died Ulm, 14.11.1977.

After his conduct had been praised on 19.9.1944, Burgdorf observed after the fall of Boulogne that Heim had not lived up to his promises. Shortly before his fall from grace, Heim was assessed by Generaloberst Hermann Hoth: ‘Cool personality, difficult to penetrate. I confirm his personal bravery and operational knowledge. His independent character needs the occasional severe prod to get him going. Then he carries a thing through to the end. A fully proven and successful panzer leader.’

OBERST EDUARD HELLWIG

Born Marienwerder/West Prussia, 9.10.1895. WWI: 4.8.1914 entered Army, artillery units, mainly Feld-Art.Reg.283. Reichswehr: 5.12.1918 discharged as Leutnant into Reserve; 15.10.1934 reactivated, Hauptmann. WWII: Major and CO, sArt.Abt.536 (heavy artillery battalion), Polish, French and Russian campaigns; 16.4.1942–7.3.1943 CO, Art.Reg.340; 8.3.1943 Art.Reg.661; 20.9.1943 Art.Reg.243; 30.7.1944 PoW Normandy (US); August 1944 short period Trent Park. No further details available.

Characterised by his superiors in January 1944 as ‘very clear logical personality, ambitious, keen, good achiever… exceptional verve physically and mentally. National Socialist attitude.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Very anti-Communist.’ Believed that Hitler had done great things for Germany but ‘should not have involved himself in military matters’. The only hope for Germany was that the Western Allies would prevent the Russians entering the Reich. Told interrogators that he had witnessed the shootings of hostages by the SS and Gestapo in Russia.

KONTERADMIRAL WALTER HENNECKE

Born Betheln/Hannover, 23.5.1898. WWI: 2.10.1915 entered Imperial Navy, served aboard large cruiser Freya and battleship Kaiserin, finally Leutnant zur See and watchkeeping officer, torpedo boat. Reichswehr: Shipboard gunnery officer and instructor; 1.8.1938 Fregattenkapitän. WWII: 7.11.1938–29.7.1940 First Officer, cruiser Nürnberg; 1.2.1940 Kapitän zur See; 30.7.1940–4.4.1943 CO, Naval Gunnery School; from 6 May 1943 Commandant, Normandy Sea Defence Region; 1.3.1944 Konteradmiral; 26.6.1944 awarded Knight’s Cross; 26.6.1944 PoW Cherbourg (US); 3.7.1944–12.9.1944 Trent Park, then Clinton Camp, USA. Repatriated 18.10.1947. Died Bad Lippspringe, 1.1.1984.