Quick Facts
Biography
Walter Krüger (27 February 1890 – 22 May 1945 was a high-ranking commander in the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. At the end of the war, Krüger committed suicide.
Career
Krüger was the son of an army officer and attended cadet school. He took part in World War I, later joining the Freikorps in the Baltic region during 1919. In 1933, when Adolf Hitler gained power, Krüger worked in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht training department. In 1935, he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe where he formed the SS-Standarte Germania. He then served as an instructor the SS Officer's school at Bad Tölz. He earned the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, after taking command of the SS Polizei Division which fought on the Leningrad front.
Krüger became commander of the SS Division SS Division Das Reich in March 1943. After that, he went on to become the inspector general of all infantry troops of the Waffen-SS. He assumed command of the newly formed, voluntary, VI (Latvian) SS Corps. On 22 May 1945, Krüger committed suicide in the Courland Pocket.
Awards
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (13 June 1940) & 1st Class (22 June 1940)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Knight's Cross on 13 December 1941 as commander of the SS Polizei Division
- 286th Oak Leaves on 31 August 1943 as commander of SS Division Das Reich
- 120th Swords on 11 January 1945 as commanding general of the VI SS Army Corps
- Thomas 1997, p. 416.
- ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 479.