Hans Piekenbrock
Germany- Biography of Hans Pickenbrock
- Career in the Military
- World War II
- Post-War Trial and Release
- Later Years and Legacy
Biography of Hans Pickenbrock
Early LifeHans Pickenbrock was born on October 3, 1893, in Essen, German Empire. In 1913, he joined the 11th Hussar (2nd Westphalian) Regiment as a cadet. He served as a lieutenant during World War I and was promoted to the rank of captain in October 1915. Pickenbrock was awarded the Iron Crosses 1st and 2nd Class for his service during the war.
Career in the Military
After the war, Pickenbrock remained in the Reichswehr and became the chief of the operational department of the 18th Infantry Division. From 1921 to 1926, he held various command and staff positions and served in the prohibited General Staff in Berlin as well.
In 1927, Pickenbrock joined Colonel Bredow's department, known as the "Section of Foreign Armies," which was a disguised intelligence service. On October 1, 1936, he was appointed as the chief of the 1st Department (intelligence) of the Intelligence and Counterintelligence Agency (Abwehr) and also served as the deputy chief of Abwehr under Admiral Canaris. Pickenbrock organized political, technical, and military intelligence operations abroad and established friendly and business relationships with allied intelligence agencies to gather information about the enemy. He was also involved in organizing fifth column activities.
World War II
In March 1943, Pickenbrock became the commander of an infantry regiment on the Soviet-German front. From June 22, 1943, he commanded the 208th Infantry Division, which operated on the central front and later on the southern sector of the Soviet-German front.
In May 1944, Pickenbrock was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his achievements in battles near Kamenets-Podolsky. However, he was captured by Soviet forces on Czechoslovak territory.
Post-War Trial and Release
During the Nuremberg Trials, Pickenbrock's name did not appear on the list of major war criminals. However, his testimony regarding large-scale intelligence and sabotage operations conducted by the Ausland/Abwehr/OKW Department in the USSR played a significant role in the Soviet side's case. He was imprisoned in Moscow and Vladimir.
On March 26, 1952, the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR sentenced Pickenbrock to 25 years of imprisonment in labor camps. On October 11, 1955, he was transferred to West Germany as an unredeemed prisoner and was released in the same year.
Later Years and Legacy
The West German press exaggerated Pickenbrock's story as a "survivor of Stalin's camps," and the FRG government provided him with substantial financial compensation and a general's pension. Hans Pickenbrock passed away in 1959 in Essen at the age of 66.
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Iron Cross 1st Class
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (1944)
Other awards..
