Walter Kruger

Walter Kruger

Participant of the First and Second World Wars, general of tank troops
Date of Birth: 27.02.1890
Country: Germany

Content:
  1. Walther Krüger: A German General in World War I and II
  2. World War I
  3. Interwar Period
  4. World War II
  5. Eastern Front
  6. Senior Command
  7. Final Days
  8. Awards

Walther Krüger: A German General in World War I and II

Born into a military family on February 27, 1890, Walter Krüger embarked on a distinguished career in the German armed forces.

World War I

During the First World War, Krüger rose to the rank of captain and commanded a battalion. His wartime contributions earned him the Royal Order of Hohenzollern with Swords and both degrees of the Iron Cross.

Interwar Period

Following the war, Krüger briefly served in the Freikorps in the Baltic before returning to civilian life as a farmer. In 1935, he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe and was assigned the rank of Obersturmbannführer.

World War II

With the outbreak of World War II, Krüger served as chief of staff of the 4th SS Police Division. He participated in the invasion of Poland and received additional Iron Cross awards. In June 1941, he joined the Eastern Front as commander of the 4th SS Police Division.

Eastern Front

Crüger led his division in the Battle of Leningrad and was awarded the Knight's Cross in December 1941. In March 1943, he became commander of the 2nd SS Panzer-Grenadier Division "Das Reich" and participated in the Battle of Prokhorovka during the Battle of Kursk.

Senior Command

In October 1943, Krüger was appointed commander of the 4th SS Panzer Corps. He later commanded SS forces in the Reichskommissariat Ostland and the 6th SS Corps in Army Group North. In June 1944, he was promoted to Oberstgruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS.

Final Days

At the end of the war, Krüger led a column of his troops out of the Courland Pocket. On May 22, 1945, the column was attacked by the Red Army, and Krüger committed suicide.

Awards

Krüger was awarded numerous honors during his career, including:
- Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Zähringen Lion with Swords
- Knight's Cross of the Royal Order of Hohenzollern with Swords
- Wound Badge in Black
- Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918
- Clasp to Iron Cross 2nd Class
- Clasp to Iron Cross 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Totenkopfring
- Honor Sword of the Reichsführer-SS

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