Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord

Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord

Colonel General of the German Army
Date of Birth: 26.09.1878
Country: Germany

Content:
  1. Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord: A Stalwart Defender of German Honor
  2. Leadership in the Reichswehr
  3. Resistance to Nazism
  4. Resignation and Recall
  5. Later Years and Legacy
  6. Untimely Death

Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord: A Stalwart Defender of German Honor

Early Life and Military Career

Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord was born on September 26, 1878, in Hinrichshagen, Germany. He entered military service in 1898 and distinguished himself during World War I as an officer in the German General Staff.

Leadership in the Reichswehr

In 1930, Hammerstein succeeded General Wilhelm Heye as Commander-in-Chief of the Reichswehr's land forces. A capable, valiant, and honorable officer, Hammerstein believed in serving his nation above all else.

Resistance to Nazism

Confronting Hitler

Hammerstein openly despised Hitler and his Nazi movement. In the winter of 1930, he declared that the Reichswehr would not tolerate a Nazi seizure of power. He supported Paul von Hindenburg in the 1932 presidential election, seeing him as the last barrier against Nazi dictatorship.

Resignation and Recall

On February 1, 1934, Hammerstein resigned from his post. In 1939, he was recalled to the army and appointed commander of Fortified Sector "A" along the Western Wall. He later hinted at a plan to lure Hitler to Cologne and apprehend him there.

Later Years and Legacy

Under Hitler's Surveillance

Hitler, aware of Hammerstein's anti-Nazi sentiments, assigned him to the minor post of commander of the 8th Military District (Silesia). There, he aligned himself with Karl Friedrich Goerdeler and other plotters against Hitler.

Untimely Death

Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord died suddenly on April 25, 1943, in Berlin. His legacy as a courageous and principled officer who stood against tyranny continues to inspire.

© BIOGRAPHS