Tapping Hitler's Generals

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Ramcke is inordinately vain and has a most extensive knowledge of distorted history; ambitious, ruthless yet naive, an opportunist. As the Nazi Party is on the decline he is beginning to change his views. He claims to have made 800,000 Reichsmark out of his book From Cabin Boy to Paratroop General. When captured Ramcke was found to be in possession of a large quantity of French brandy and liqueurs, also a complete dinner service, probably looted. Ramcke makes no bones about the fact that he was determined to win the highest decorations and has described to British officers how he recommended his subordinates for high decorations, knowing full well that the High Command would have to recommend him for a higher award than they received. He was awarded the Swords and Diamonds for his defence of Brest and his last act was to send a WT message to Hitler recommending himself for the award of an estate.’ (See GRGG 211, 14–17.9.1944, GRGG 214, 20–23.10.1944, GRGG 221, 10–12.11.1944, TNA WO208/4363.)

OBERST HANS REIMANN

Born Wilkonice/Posen, 28.3.1899. Prot. WWI: 1917 entered Army; 18.10.1918 Leutnant, Western Front. Reichswehr: Oberleutnant Inf.Reg.6; 1.12.1938 Major. WWII: French campaign, CO, MG-Bataillon. 1; 1.8.1940 Oberstleutnant; June–November 1941 (Russia) CO, Kradschützen-Bataillon.16 (motor-cycle rifle) and II./Schützen-Reg.64 before long period hospitalised; 1.4.1942 Oberst and CO, Pz.Grenadier-Reg. 86, 10.Pz.Div.; 8.5.1943 awarded German Cross in Gold; 12.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 26.6.1943 Trent Park.

Generalmajor Broich assessed him in March as a ‘decent, exemplary character, energetic, active, practical and tactful. Especially well-loved comrade, good sociably, humorous. Good National Socialist. Trained his regiment very well and led it successfully at the front.’

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This Oberst is a very charming man and violently anti-Nazi, but when recently over-awed by General Crüwell, he disappointingly failed to stick to his guns although usually he makes no attempt to hide his views. He keeps on asking a British Army officer to get him a job on some Allied Commission after the war and feels he would be a successful re-educator of German youth. He is a regular officer from Silesia and is always careful to point out the differences between Silesian and the Prussian proper. He is a great lover of nature and his favourite animal is the sheep. He collects every picture of sheep he can lay his hands on.’

GENERALARZT (GENERALMAJOR) DR MED KARL REITER

Born 1888. WWII: 16.4.1945 PoW (British); at Trent Park for a few weeks from end of April 1945.

OBERST HELMUTH ROHRBACH

Born 24.8.1895. WWI: 3.8.1914 entered Army, Inf.Reg.16; from 3.10.1915 Leutnant. Reichswehr: Inf.Reg.14; from 1937 Battalion Cdr; 1.10.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 10.10.1941 Oberst; 15.11.1941–21.5.1942 German liaison officer to 2nd Italian Army (Yugoslavia); 27.6.1942 CO, Grenadier-Reg.729 (709.Inf.Div., France), fought with this regiment in Normandy; 24.6.1944 PoW Cherbourg (US); 30.6.1944–23.8.1944 Trent Park.

Considered unsuitable for a front-line regiment for mental irresolution–his natural pessimism often made difficulties appear larger than they actually were.

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Since capture made several sharp criticisms of the Party and of Hitler, realising that the game was up, although previously he had been a more ardent Nazi, having at one time held a post as liaison officer to some Gauleiter in Berlin’.

OBERSTLEUTNANT JOSEF ROSS

Born 26.2.1898. RC. WWII: French campaign, Regimental Adjutant; from August 1940 Staff Adjutant, 126 Inf.Div.; August 1941 wounded, Eastern Front, afterwards CO, Ersatzbataillon.184, home territory and Wehrbezirkskommando Duisburg; January 1944 CO, Ersatz-Reg.416, Osnabrück; autumn 1944, Commandant, Wesel region; 23.4.1945 PoW (British).

CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He has stated that he would gladly work with the Allies for the building up of a new Germany after the war is over, but feels strongly that any such action on his part before that moment would be tantamount to high treason.’

GENERAL DER KAVALLERIE EDWIN GRAF VON ROTHKIRCH UND TRACH